Ask the hearing expert CHRIS CHILDE
Audiologist and Training Manager from Amplifon, the Global Hearing Specialist, has the answers to your questions
Tinnitus is an awareness of sound in the ears or head which is not from an external source. There are many different types of tinnitus sounds, including a hiss, whistle, whirring or a buzz.
Does having tinnitus mean I have a hearing loss?
In most instances it can often be that tinnitus is an underlying symptom of hearing loss, caused by exposure to noise over a period of time, medication, or even simply the aging process. However it is also possible to have tinnitus without having hearing loss. If you are exposed to sudden loud noise, such as a rock concert or an explosion, you might experience temporary ringing in the ears. If you think you have hearing loss or for advice on how best to manage your tinnitus, book in with your local Amplifon Audiologist in the first instance. Patients with hearing loss and tinnitus may find relief from the use of hearing aids. With the hearing aids in, your organ of hearing and brain is receiving more stimulation from environmental sounds and speech. The ability to hear more natural environmental sounds can often provide a “masking” effect for the tinnitus. It allows the hearing aid wearer to hear what they need and can, on many occasions, help to elevate the tinnitus.
Do some of the newer hearing aids have a tinnitus function?
Yes, with the rapid advancement of new hearing aid technology many of the manufacturers we work with have a specialised tinnitus function. This works by digitally setting up a certain masking noise which your Amplifon Audiologist would match closely to the pitch of your tinnitus to help elevate the noise.
In many of the hearing aids you can control the pitch and volume of this feature by adjusting the aid itself, by remote control or now even on a special tinnitus app on your smartphone.
At its 200 centres across the UK, Amplifon offers free hearing tests as well as free trials of appropriate hearing aids. Chris would love to answer your hearing-related questions – email him at amplifon@express.co.uk