Hearing Aids for Tinnitus Relief: What You Need to Know
If you’re wondering, can hearing aids help tinnitus? —you’re not alone. Tinnitus hearing aids are widely promoted as a solution for ear ringing, especially when paired with hearing loss. And in many cases, the right hearing aid can reduce the distress that comes with tinnitus. But the data shows that they do not reduce tinnitus loudness and in some people, they can make tinnitus worse.
Things To Know About Hearing Aids For Tinnitus:
- Can Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus?
- How Do Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus?
- Why Hearing Aids for Tinnitus Don’t Always Work
- Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus and Masking: Combination Devices
- Do Hearing Aids Reduce Dementia Risk?
- Will Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus?
- Hearing Aids for Tinnitus: FAQs
TL;DR: Hearing aids can reduce tinnitus for people with hearing loss by restoring sound input and lowering contrast with internal noise. They don’t work for everyone, especially in cases of hyperacusis or reactive tinnitus.
Can Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus?
Yes, hearing aids can help tinnitus, but not always and not in the way most people expect. Studies show they can reduce tinnitus distress for some users, though they usually don’t lower the actual ear ringing sound. Even when they do help at first, the benefit can wear off over after the first year. And for a small group of people, hearing aids may actually make tinnitus worse. So overall, the results are mixed.
Why Tinnitus Hearing Aids Aren’t Always Recommended in Guidelines
A 2023 review published in BMJ Open [1] found that international tinnitus guidelines vary widely in their stance on hearing aids. Some suggest they can help reduce ear ringing, while others remain neutral or offer only cautious support. Even when tinnitus and hearing loss occur together, recommendations are not consistent.
The European guidelines, for example, acknowledge that hearing aids may provide relief, but they stop short of a strong endorsement [2]. This may seem surprising given the number of studies that report improvements. But clinical guidelines are based on the quality and consistency of the evidence, not just whether results are positive.
The problem is that many studies use small samples, vague inclusion criteria, and inconsistent outcome measures. Some don’t specify how hearing aids were fitted or whether counseling was included. Even though most studies show some benefit, the overall body of evidence isn’t strong enough for a clear, universal recommendation.
Hearing Aids That Help Tinnitus: What the Research Shows
A major review by Kikidis et al. (2021) examined 34 studies on hearing aids for tinnitus relief. While many studies reported positive results, most had methodological issues, meaning the studies were poorly designed [2]. These flaws make it difficult to draw solid conclusions about how well hearing aids work across the board and under what conditions.
A 2018 Cochrane systematic review had similar conclusions [3]. It looked at a wide range of sound-based interventions, including hearing aids, sound generators, and combination devices. The researchers found that there was no strong, consistent evidence to support or refute any of these tools as a primary treatment. Because of this, most treatment decisions end up being guided by patient preference rather than high-certainty clinical evidence.
In another 2021 review of 28 primary studies, researchers found that 68% showed positive tinnitus outcomes with hearing aids or combination devices, while 14% found no change in distress [4]. The reviewers concluded that scientific support exists for using these devices, but emphasized that higher-quality studies are still needed.
In short, while the evidence isn’t bulletproof, most studies show that hearing aids for tinnitus provide some degree of benefit. That’s why many clinicians continue to consider hearing aids a valid option for tinnitus management. That being said, hearing aids should not be considered a sure thing for tinnitus relief and people with complex tinnitus should consider them with caution.
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How Do Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus?
Hearing aids help by making tinnitus less noticeable. They restore external sound, which reduces the contrast between silence and the ringing. This helps the brain focus less on the tinnitus. Hearing aids also act as natural maskers and may support habituation, allowing the brain to gradually tune out the noise over time.
Can a Hearing Aid Stop Ringing in the Ears?
Hearing aids can’t stop ear ringing, but they can make it feel less intense. That’s because of a brain process called contrast enhancement. It works like this: when your world is quiet due to hearing loss, the ringing stands out, like black text on a white page. But when real sound is restored through hearing aids, the contrast fades, and the ringing blends in more with the background.
It’s similar to sitting in a dark room with a candle burning: that candle (your tinnitus) seems bright in the dark because there’s nothing else to compete with it. Hearing aids change this by restoring external sound input. It’s like turning on the lights; the candle is still there, but it no longer stands out as much.
By increasing auditory stimulation, hearing aids reduce the brain’s need to amplify internal noise, helping shift attention away from the ear ringing sound.
Hearing Aids as Natural Masking Devices
Another way hearing aids may help is by functioning like natural sound maskers. By amplifying everyday ambient sounds (like conversations, footsteps, or background noise) they fill in the auditory space that would otherwise be silent. This enriched soundscape gives your brain more to listen to, which can make the tinnitus less noticeable or bothersome. In this sense, hearing aids work like other tinnitus sound therapy options [3].
Do Hearing Aids Promote Tinnitus Habituation?
Another idea is that hearing aids help promote habituation, the brain’s ability to ignore sounds it no longer views as important. With more auditory input, your brain becomes less hyper-focused on the ear ringing sound and may rewire itself to treat it as background noise.
This ties into neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize. By stimulating the auditory system and re-engaging normal hearing pathways, hearing aids may shift attention away from tinnitus and help the brain develop new, healthier listening habits.
Why Hearing Aids for Tinnitus Don’t Always Work
Hearing aids can be a great tool, but they aren’t a guaranteed fix. In fact, for certain people and tinnitus types, they can do more harm than good. This is because not all tinnitus is created equally and not all types respond well to hearing aids.
While mild or moderate tinnitus may respond well to hearing aids, most forms of severe tinnitus are driven by more complex neurological factors. In these cases, the problem isn’t just a lack of sound—it’s how the brain is interpreting, amplifying, or reacting to internal signals.
Here are some clinical features that may suggest a poor response to tinnitus hearing aids:
| Clinical Profile | Description |
| Fluctuating tinnitus | Tinnitus that changes in volume or pitch over time, often unpredictably. |
| Reactive tinnitus | This type of tinnitus worsens in response to everyday sounds, even those not loud. |
| Hyperacusis | When sounds feel abnormally loud, sharp, or painful despite normal hearing levels. |
| Somatic tinnitus | Tinnitus linked to physical tension or inflammation in the jaw, neck, or head. |
| Migraine-related tinnitus | Associated with migraine-like symptoms such as sensitivity to weather changes, sensory overstimulation, or ear fullness. |
| Anxiety-driven tinnitus | Tinnitus that intensifies during stress, emotional distress, or panic. |
| Tinnitus with normal hearing | Tinnitus that occurs even when hearing tests show no loss. |
| Tinnitus with Myoclonus | Myoclonus is when the ear muscles contract involuntarily. It’s heard as fluttering and is often seen in cases of acoustic trauma. |
These subtypes are often influenced by heightened sensitivity in the central nervous system. Much like migraine or sensory processing disorders, they involve changes in brain excitability or sensory filtering.
In these cases, adding more sound with hearing aids isn’t solving the problem; in fact, it may be adding fuel to the fire. Instead, these patients often do better with a neurologically targeted treatment plan instead of relying on hearing aids or masking alone.
When Do Hearing Aids Make Tinnitus Worse?
If your tinnitus worsens in loud environments (hyperacusis and/or reactive tinnitus), a hearing aid may not be the answer. In sound-sensitive or reactive tinnitus, amplification can overstimulate the system. This can lead to flare-ups, discomfort, or even long-term aggravation.
For these patients, turning up the volume doesn’t soothe the brain, it stresses it. That’s why multimodal treatment is often needed: combining sound therapy with strategies for calming the nervous system, treating inflammation, and reducing sensory overload.
Can Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus Without Hearing Loss?
If your hearing test is normal, hearing aids usually aren’t helpful for tinnitus. Most guidelines advise against them in these cases [5]. Since hearing aids are built to amplify sound, they can’t target the root problem when there’s no volume deficit to begin with and may even make tinnitus louder or more reactive. For patients with normal hearing, treatment must focus on addressing the source of brain sensitivity—simply amplifying sound won’t work.
Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus and Masking: Combination Devices
Some argue that hearing aids that come with built-in sound generators are the best for tinnitus. These are often called combination hearing aids or devices because they combine two tools in one device: amplification for hearing loss and masking sounds for tinnitus.
The masking part usually plays soft, neutral sounds like white noise, ocean waves, or gentle static. The idea is to give your brain something else to listen to, so the tinnitus feels less intrusive—especially in quiet settings.
How Do Tinnitus Masking Devices Work?
Tinnitus masking can provide short-term relief from ear ringing. By adding background sound, it helps shift your brain’s focus away from the tinnitus signal, sort of like playing music to drown out the buzz of outside traffic noise. The ear ringing is still there, but your awareness of it fades.
Masking tends to be most effective for mild to moderate tinnitus, where the tinnitus sound is stable and does not fluctuate in intensity. It also works well for situational use, like when you're trying to fall asleep or concentrate.
The problem is that masking isn’t always helpful, and in some cases, it can backfire. For people with reactive tinnitus, hyperacusis (sound sensitivity), or central sensitivity syndromes like atypical migraine, introducing constant masking sounds may overstimulate the brain. This can make symptoms feel more intense or can trigger a tinnitus flare up.
Do Hearing Aid Maskers For Tinnitus Work?
The clinical data on hearing aid maskers remains mixed. For instance, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reviewed studies comparing standard hearing aids to combination models and concluded there was no clear, consistent benefit from adding masking features [5].
Other studies have had similar findings. The 2018 Cochrane Review found no strong evidence to support the use of any specific sound therapy device—including combination aids—over others [3]. Similarly, the 2023 BMJ Open analysis of tinnitus guidelines noted that differences in device outcomes were often small, with insufficient high-quality data to confidently recommend one approach over another [1].
That said, not all studies have been neutral. Some reports have shown improved tinnitus relief with combination devices compared to amplification alone. These studies suggest that certain subgroups may benefit more than others. One study showed that in long term use (2 years), standard hearing aids actually worsened tinnitus, whereas the clinical benefits from combination hearing aids remained intact [6].
For now, most experts agree that combination devices might help, but they’re not guaranteed to work better than standard hearing aids for ringing in the ears. The best approach is personalized—based on tinnitus subtype, hearing profile, and patient preference.
Combination Hearing Aids for Tinnitus: Worth the Cost?
Combination hearing aids with built-in tinnitus maskers typically cost more than standard models—sometimes $500 or more per device. Insurance plans often won’t cover premium-level upgrade features, leaving you to pay out of pocket for the extra functionality.
Before spending the extra money, it’s worth trying standard hearing aids paired with free masking sounds. You can stream these from your phone, use sound machines, or play them through external speakers. In many cases, this setup works just as well as the more expensive built-in masker models.
Do Hearing Aids Reduce Dementia Risk?
There is a possible link between hearing loss and dementia. Major health bodies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and World Health Organization (WHO) highlight hearing care as part of broader healthy aging strategies. The basic idea is that untreated hearing loss may reduce brain stimulation, increase social isolation, and add cognitive strain—all of which are known to accelerate mental decline.
That said, the evidence is still mixed. A 2023 review [7] found that while some long-term studies showed hearing aid users had a lower risk of cognitive decline, others showed no clear benefit. One key factor may be timing—if hearing aids are introduced too late, after significant brain changes have already set in, they might not be as effective [8].
Still, the most consistent advantage seems to be better communication and daily functioning, which could help delay the point when memory issues become disabling. So while hearing aids aren’t a cure or guaranteed defense against dementia, they may play a helpful role, especially when started early.
Will Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus?
If you have both tinnitus and some level of hearing loss, there is a good chance that hearing aids can help. While the research isn’t perfect, the majority of studies suggest that hearing aids can meaningfully reduce tinnitus distress. But don't expect the tinnitus to go away. A 2025 multicenter study showed that even though hearing aids help reduce tinnitus distress, they do not reduce tinnitus loudness.
Hearing Aid Return Policies
One thing to realize when contemplating hearing aids as ear ringing treatment is that most U.S. states legally require a return policy or trial period. The implication is that there’s little risk in seeing if they help, but be sure you understand the return guidelines clearly before taking them home.
How To Test If Tinnitus Hearing Aids Work For You
If you choose to get hearing aids, wear them every day during your trial period – morning to night. The more you use them, the more benefit your brain derives from them. If you have issues with them, ask your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser to adjust them.
Many problems people experience with hearing aids are correctible, especially if they have “high end” or premium devices. Hearing aids are like cars. I usually tell my patients that the Toyota corporation makes the Lexus and the Corolla. Hearing aid companies also make “high end” and “low end” devices. High end devices are more expensive but if you can afford them, trying those would be better as they do much better in noise, have a broader range of pitches, and thus can help tinnitus better.
Other Benefits of Hearing Aids — Even Without Tinnitus Relief
Even if hearing aids don’t relieve your ear ringing, they can still offer other real-world benefits:
- Improve speech clarity and ease of communication
- Reduce mental fatigue from straining to hear
- Provide constant sound enrichment, aiding in distraction and masking
- Promote healthy brain function and reduce auditory deprivation
- Support streaming from tinnitus therapy apps or sound machines
- Encourage social engagement, which lowers tinnitus-related stress
When Hearing Aids Make Tinnitus Worse
Not every tinnitus patient responds well to sound amplification and may actually aggravate symptoms. If any of the following apply to you, consider medical or neurologically targeted treatment before or in addition to trying hearing aids:
- Tinnitus that spikes in response to sound
- Sound sensitivity or pain with noise (hyperacusis)
- Fluctuating tinnitus that changes day to day
- Tinnitus accompanied by head pressure/pain, sinus or ear pressure, neck stiffness, or TMJ (jaw joint) problems
- Symptoms that follow migraine-like patterns – episodes or tinnitus
- Normal hearing on audiograms
- Tinnitus with sensory hypersensitivity symptoms – sensitive to weather changes, etc.
These patterns often point to central brain mechanisms, not just ear-based issues. Treating the root neurological cause may be more effective than just amplifying sound.
Conclusion: Hearing Aids for Tinnitus Are Worth A Try
Hearing aids won’t help everyone, but if you have hearing loss and your tinnitus isn’t reactive or severe, they’re absolutely worth a try. The risk is low, and thanks to strong return policies and the potential benefits that go beyond tinnitus relief, hearing aids are an attractive option for those suffering from ear ringing.
On the other hand, if your tinnitus is complex—fluctuating, reactive, migraine-linked, or occurring despite normal hearing—a medical approach may be a better fit. A structured rehab program like the one at NeuroMed Tinnitus Clinic is designed to treat the neurological drivers of tinnitus, not just mask the sound.
Not sure what is right for you? Call our clinic for a free consultation and we’ll walk you through your options.
Hearing Aids for Tinnitus: FAQs
Do Hearing Aids Stop Tinnitus?
Not exactly. Hearing aids don’t “turn off” tinnitus, but they can change how your brain perceives it. By restoring access to everyday sounds, they reduce the contrast between silence and the tinnitus signal. This helps your brain shift attention away from the ringing and makes it easier to adapt—often leading to noticeable relief. They also stimulate the brain’s hearing areas and thus may reduce the activity of regions of the brain that create the sound in your brain.
Can Hearing Aids Make Tinnitus Worse?
Yes—sometimes. While hearing aids often reduce tinnitus distress at first, they can make symptoms worse over time in certain individuals, especially those with reactive tinnitus or sound sensitivity (hyperacusis). In these cases, the added amplification may overstimulate the auditory system and trigger flare-ups instead of relief. Those patients need the brain sensitivity issue addressed first to allow them to tolerate the hearing aids better.
What is the Best Tinnitus Hearing Aid?
There is no single “best” hearing aid for tinnitus. Research has not shown consistent advantages between brands or amplification strategies. The key factor is whether hearing aids are appropriate for your specific type of tinnitus. Hearing aids tend to help when tinnitus is mild to moderate and linked to hearing loss. But if your tinnitus is severe or complex, hearing aids may not help and could even make symptoms worse.
What Are the Best OTC Hearing Aids for Tinnitus?
The best OTC hearing aids for tinnitus are those that provide clear sound amplification, especially in the frequency range of your hearing loss. While they may help reduce tinnitus perception in mild to moderate cases, results vary. For persistent, reactive, or severe tinnitus, professional evaluation and personalized treatment which NeuroMed Tinnitus Clinic provides, is more effective.
Does insurance cover hearing aids for tinnitus?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover hearing aids for tinnitus. While hearing aids can reduce tinnitus distress, they’re often considered elective. Some private insurance plans may offer partial coverage or discounts, but premium features like tinnitus maskers are usually out-of-pocket. Check with your insurer to confirm coverage before purchasing.
Can a hearing aid help with tinnitus if you have normal hearing?
No. Hearing aids are generally not recommended for tinnitus if your hearing is normal. Since these devices amplify external sound, they don’t target the brain-based mechanisms that often drive tinnitus in people without hearing loss. In fact, amplification may worsen symptoms like hyperacusis or reactive tinnitus. For normal-hearing patients, neurologically focused care is more effective.
What are masking devices for tinnitus?
Masking devices are tools that play neutral background sounds (like white noise) to reduce awareness of tinnitus. Some hearing aids have built-in maskers, while others use external devices or apps. They work best for stable, non-reactive tinnitus, but may overstimulate people with sound sensitivity or migraine-linked symptoms.
What’s the difference between a hearing aid vs hearing amplifier?
A hearing aid is a medical device tailored to your hearing loss and often includes tinnitus features. A hearing amplifier, or PSAP, simply boosts all sounds and isn’t customized or FDA-approved for hearing loss or tinnitus. For tinnitus relief, properly fitted hearing aids are safer and more effective.
Hearing Aids for Tinnitus References
[1] S. Meijers, I. Stegeman, J. A. van der Leun, S. A. Assegaf, and A. L. Smit, “Analysis and comparison of clinical practice guidelines regarding treatment recommendations for chronic tinnitus in adults: a systematic review,” BMJ Open, vol. 13, no. 9, p. e072754, Sep. 2023, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072754.
[2] D. Kikidis, E. Vassou, N. Markatos, W. Schlee, and E. Iliadou, “Hearing Aid Fitting in Tinnitus: A Scoping Review of Methodological Aspects and Effect on Tinnitus Distress and Perception,” J. Clin. Med., vol. 10, no. 13, p. 2896, Jun. 2021, doi: 10.3390/jcm10132896.
[3] M. Sereda, J. Xia, A. El Refaie, D. A. Hall, and D. J. Hoare, “Sound therapy (using amplification devices and/or sound generators) for tinnitus,” Cochrane Database Syst. Rev., vol. 2018, no. 12, p. CD013094, Dec. 2018, doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013094.pub2.
[4] Jacquemin L, Gilles A, Shekhawat GS. Hearing more to hear less: a scoping review of hearing aids for tinnitus relief. Int J Audiol. 2022 Nov;61(11):887-895. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.2007423. Epub 2021 Dec 4. PMID: 34865589.
[5] National Guideline Centre (UK), Evidence review for sound therapy and amplification devices: Tinnitus: assessment and management: Evidence review M. in NICE Evidence Reviews Collection. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2020. Accessed: May 27, 2025. [Online]. Available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557026/
[6] Y. Kosugi, T. Miwa, Y. Haruta, K. Hashimoto, and S. Kato, “Optimizing Tinnitus Management: The Important Role of Hearing Aids with Sound Generators,” Audiol. Res., vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 674–683, Aug. 2024, doi: 10.3390/audiolres14040057.
[7] P. Dawes and C. Völter, “Do hearing loss interventions prevent dementia?,” Z. Gerontol. Geriatr., vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 261–268, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s00391-023-02178-z.
[8] A. Košec, N. Erceg, G. Grinblat, A. Nikolić Margan, G. Geber, and M. Ries, “Impact Of Wearing Hearing Aids On Cognitive Abilities And Subjective Tinnitus In Patients With Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Pilot Study,” Acta Clin. Croat., vol. 61, no. Suppl 4, pp. 47–55, Oct. 2022, doi: 10.20471/acc.2022.61.s4.6.
[9] Schiele T, Boecking B, Nyamaa A, Psatha S, Schoisswohl S, Simoes JP, Dettling-Papargyris J, Aguirre J, Markatos N, Cima R, Lopez-Escamez JA, Vielsmeier V, Kikidis D, Schlee W, Langguth B, Mazurek B, Marcrum SC. Predictors of Tinnitus Symptom Relief With Hearing Aids in a European Multicenter Study. Ear Hear. 2025 May-Jun 01;46(3):796-807. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001624. Epub 2025 Jan 3. PMID: 39748158.
