Most major brands build tinnitus relief into their hearing aids: Signia has Notch Therapy and relief sounds, Widex has Zen fractal tones, Oticon has Tinnitus SoundSupport, Phonak has Tinnitus Balance, ReSound pairs a sound generator with its Relief app, and Starkey has Multiflex Tinnitus. The best one is the one whose sound you find soothing.
The short answer
There is no single best hearing aid for tinnitus. Hearing aids help mainly by restoring the sounds your ears are missing, which often makes tinnitus less noticeable, and most major brands add optional relief sounds on top. The brands differ in the kind of sound they use, so the right choice is the one whose relief sound you find soothing in a trial. No hearing aid cures tinnitus.
Tinnitus features by brand
| Brand | Tinnitus feature (manufacturer's name) | Type of relief | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signia | Notch Therapy, plus relief sounds such as static noise and ocean waves | Filtering at the tinnitus pitch, plus background sounds | Signia designed Notch Therapy for tonal tinnitus matched to one pitch |
| Widex | Zen | Chime-like, non-repeating fractal tones | Many people find the musical tones calming rather than masking |
| Oticon | Tinnitus SoundSupport | Relief sounds including noise and ocean sounds | Adjusted by the audiologist and in Oticon's app |
| Phonak | Tinnitus Balance | Built-in noise generator | Supported by Phonak's companion app |
| ReSound | Tinnitus sound generator and the ReSound Relief app | Sounds plus relaxation and guidance in the app | ReSound's Relief app can also be used on its own |
| Starkey | Multiflex Tinnitus | Noise shaped to your needs | Available on many Starkey models |
Does amplification alone help tinnitus?
For many people, yes. When hearing loss removes background sound, the brain can turn its attention to the tinnitus. Restoring everyday sounds often makes it recede into the background, even without a relief program. See hearing aids for tinnitus and can a hearing aid quieten the ringing.
How to choose between them
- Describe your tinnitus: a single steady tone, a hiss or a buzz, and whether it is worse at night.
- Try the sounds: listen to several relief sounds in the clinic; preference is personal.
- Think about the app: some people like adjusting relief sounds from their phone.
- Combine approaches: counselling and sound therapy work best together. See tinnitus retraining therapy and tinnitus treatment options that work.
- Mind the stress link: stress often makes tinnitus louder. See can stress and anxiety cause tinnitus.
When to see a doctor first
Tinnitus in one ear only, a pulsing sound in time with your heartbeat, or tinnitus that arrives with sudden hearing loss or dizziness needs a medical check before hearing aids. See one-sided tinnitus: when to worry and pulsatile tinnitus.
Try the options in one visit
Book a free hearing test. We will measure your hearing, match your tinnitus as closely as we can, and let you hear different brands' relief sounds before you choose. This article is general information and does not replace medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which hearing aid is best for tinnitus?
There is no single best one. Hearing aids help mainly by restoring the sounds your ears are missing, and most brands add optional relief sounds. The right choice is the one whose relief sound you find soothing in a trial. No hearing aid cures tinnitus.
What tinnitus features do the main brands offer?
Signia has Notch Therapy and relief sounds, Widex has Zen fractal tones, Oticon has Tinnitus SoundSupport, Phonak has Tinnitus Balance, ReSound pairs a sound generator with its Relief app, and Starkey has Multiflex Tinnitus.
Does amplification alone help tinnitus?
For many people, yes. When hearing loss removes background sound, the brain focuses on the tinnitus, and restoring everyday sounds often makes it recede even without a relief program.
How do I choose a hearing aid for tinnitus?
Describe your tinnitus to the audiologist, listen to several brands' relief sounds in the clinic, consider whether you want to adjust them from a phone app, and combine the aid with counselling and sound therapy.
When should I see a doctor before getting a hearing aid for tinnitus?
If the tinnitus is in one ear only, pulses in time with your heartbeat, or arrived with sudden hearing loss or dizziness.
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