March 11th 2026
By Ari Parker
Discover how hearing aids can help manage tinnitus symptoms. Learn about the best types, features, costs, and what to expect from tinnitus-masking hearing aids in our comprehensive guide.
Tinnitus—often described as ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears—affects roughly 20% of senior citizens. Since hearing loss can be directly associated with tinnitus, hearing aids have become a first-line treatment option.
Hearing aids reduce tinnitus perception by amplifying external sounds that naturally mask the tinnitus and through built-in sound therapy features. This guide covers how they work, what types and brands to consider, and what results you can expect.
Modern tinnitus masking hearing aids offer customizable sound therapy options, including white noise, nature sounds, and specialized fractal tones.
It’s estimated that 75% of people with tinnitus find that hearing aids help reduce noise feedback.
Most people experience some relief within the first few weeks, with continued improvement over several months of consistent wear.
Do hearing aids help tinnitus? Research strongly suggests they can, especially when hearing loss is also present. Here's how they work.
The most straightforward benefit comes from amplification itself.
When you have hearing loss, your brain receives less auditory input, which can make tinnitus more noticeable by comparison. By restoring access to environmental sounds, hearing aids reduce the contrast between the tinnitus and your surroundings.
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that patients with hearing loss and tinnitus showed clinically significant improvements in tinnitus distress scores after wearing hearing aids. The researchers concluded that hearing aid fitting is a valuable treatment strategy for chronic tinnitus relief.
Many modern hearing aids include built-in tinnitus sound therapy programs that go beyond simple amplification. These features generate sounds designed to blend with or cover up your tinnitus, making it less intrusive. Common options include white noise, pink noise (which emphasizes lower frequencies), nature sounds like ocean waves, and specialized tones.
Your hearing care professional can adjust these sounds to match your specific tinnitus frequency and preferences, creating a personalized relief plan.
With consistent hearing aid use, your brain can gradually learn to deprioritize the tinnitus signal in a process called “habituation.” Clinical evidence shows that amplification may actually elicit neural plasticity that reprograms the auditory system over time.
This is why consistent wear matters. Most audiologists recommend starting by wearing your hearing aids for three to four hours a day, and then working your way up to wearing hearing aids for eight to 10 hours daily to give your brain enough exposure to begin adapting. Initial relief from masking features is often noticeable immediately, while habituation benefits typically develop over weeks to months.
Several hearing aid styles can effectively manage tinnitus, each with distinct advantages depending on your needs.
| Type | Best for | Tinnitus features | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behind-the-ear (BTE) | Moderate to profound hearing loss | Full sound therapy programs, powerful amplification | Most visible |
| Receiver-in-canal (RIC) | Mild to moderate hearing loss | Bluetooth streaming, app-based therapy, natural sound | Discreet |
| In-the-ear (ITE/ITC) | Mild to moderate hearing loss | Basic masking programs, custom fit | Moderate |
| Combination devices | Tinnitus as primary concern | Dedicated sound generators, advanced therapy | Varies by style |
BTE hearing aids sit behind the ear with a tube directing sound into the ear canal. Their larger size accommodates powerful processors and bigger batteries, making them suitable for mild to profound hearing loss.
For tinnitus, BTEs offer ample space for advanced sound therapy programs and robust amplification. They're also easier to handle for people with dexterity challenges, including seniors with arthritis in their hands.
Pros: Powerful amplification, long battery life, easy to handle, and accommodates severe hearing loss.
Cons: More visible than other styles, can feel bulky, may pick up wind noise.
RIC models are among the most popular for tinnitus patients. The main body sits behind the ear while the speaker (receiver) sits inside the ear canal, connected by a thin wire. This design provides excellent sound quality while still being relatively discrete.
RIC hearing aids offer strong Bluetooth connectivity for streaming sound therapy from smartphone apps. Their open-fit design feels natural while still delivering effective tinnitus masking.
Pros: Discreet appearance, natural sound quality, excellent Bluetooth streaming, comfortable fit.
Cons: The receiver can be damaged by earwax or moisture, and may not be ideal for severe hearing loss.
Custom-molded to fit your ear, ITE hearing aids fill the outer ear while smaller ITC models sit partially in the ear canal. Both offer a personalized fit based on impressions of your ear.
These styles work well for mild-to-moderate hearing loss with tinnitus. Their custom fit can improve comfort for all-day wear. However, their smaller size may limit the complexity of available tinnitus programs compared to larger models.
Pros: Custom fit, less visible than BTE, no tubing to manage.
Cons: Limited space for tinnitus features, may feel occluded, and shorter battery life.
Combination devices pair hearing aid amplification with dedicated tinnitus sound generators in a single unit. These hearing aids with tinnitus masking are specifically designed for people whose primary concern is tinnitus management.
Combination devices are particularly beneficial for tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) programs and for users who need both hearing assistance and robust sound therapy.
Pros: Integrated tinnitus therapy, seamless switching between programs, ideal for TRT.
Cons: Typically higher cost, may require more fitting appointments for optimization.
Several major manufacturers have developed specialized tinnitus relief hearing aids.
Widex pioneered tinnitus therapy with their Zen program, using fractal tones, which are random, chime-like sounds that never repeat predictably. A clinical trial found that 74-75% of participants achieved clinically significant improvement after using Widex Zen Therapy. The Zen Tinnitus Management app provides additional support.
Available hearing aid types: RIC (Receiver-in-Canal), BTE (Behind-the-Ear), ITE (In-the-Ear), CIC (Completely-in-Canal)
Key technology features:
Zen fractal tones with adjustable pitch, tempo, and volume
SoundRelax program with additional fractal sounds for relaxation and concentration
PureSound with ZeroDelay technology for natural sound processing
SoundSense Learn AI for personalized sound adjustments
Signia's exclusive Notch Therapy creates a reduction in amplification at your specific tinnitus frequency, teaching your brain to tune out the signal. A double-blind study showed improvement in as few as three weeks. Signia also offers static noise and ocean wave therapy.
Available hearing aid types: RIC, BTE, ITE, ITC (In-the-Canal), CIC, Slim RIC (fashion-forward design)
Key technology features:
Notch Therapy for tonal tinnitus (inaudible treatment that works in the background)
Static noise therapy with five customizable noise signals
Ocean wave therapy with four nature-inspired sounds
Augmented Focus technology for better speech clarity
Own Voice Processing 2.0 for natural-sounding voice
TeleCare for remote adjustments
Phonak's Tinnitus Balance Portfolio combines hearing aids with a broadband noise generator and the myPhonak app. Their newest Audéo Sphere Infinio features AI-powered speech separation using a dedicated DEEPSONIC chip.
Available hearing aid types: RIC, BTE, ITE, ITC, CIC, titanium custom models
Key technology features:
Tinnitus Balance noise generator with broadband sound options
myPhonak app integration for tinnitus sound volume control
AutoSense OS for automatic environment adaptation (700 scans per second)
Roger compatibility for streaming from remote microphones
Bluetooth hands-free calling for iOS and Android
Starkey integrates Multiflex Tinnitus Technology across all hearing aids, offering highly customizable sound stimuli that adapt as your tinnitus changes. Their Relax app provides additional relief sounds, and they have multiple different models with unique perks.
Available hearing aid types: RIC, BTE, ITE, ITC, CIC, IIC (Invisible-in-Canal)
Key technology features (depending on the model):
Multiflex Tinnitus Technology with flexible sound stimulus customization
Relax app for iOS and Android with streaming tinnitus relief sounds
Neuro Sound Technology for natural speech processing
EdgeMode for on-demand sound enhancement via tap control
Health monitoring (step counting, fall detection, heart rate) in Genesis AI models
Pro8 HydraShield with eight layers of moisture protection
Can hearing aids cure tinnitus? No—there is currently no cure. However, hearing aids can significantly reduce how bothersome your tinnitus feels and how much it interferes with daily life.
A scoping review of 28 studies found that 68% reported positive outcomes for hearing aids in tinnitus relief, while only 14% showed no change.
The first week of wearing a hearing aid involves getting used to amplified sounds, though some notice an improvement quickly, sometimes within a few days.
Within several weeks, many users have adapted and can evaluate tinnitus relief. Significant habituation effects typically emerge around 3 months, with continued improvement through 6 months of consistent eight to 10-hour daily wear.
Hearing aids work best alongside additional therapies and treatments that can help reduce how tinnitus impacts your daily life. These treatments include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)
Stress, anxiety, and depression management
Improved sleep habits
Hearing aids are one of the most effective tools for tinnitus relief, particularly when hearing loss is present. Modern devices offer sophisticated sound therapy options beyond simple amplification, and research shows the majority of users experience meaningful improvement.
If you're considering over-the-counter options, be aware that prescription devices typically offer more sophisticated sound therapy programs. If cost is a concern, some Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for prescription hearing aids, so check your policy.
When exploring hearing aids, prioritize customizable tinnitus masking programs and quality amplification matched to your hearing loss. A professional fitting from a licensed audiologist ensures optimal programming. Most manufacturers offer trial periods, so work with your hearing care provider to find the right solution.
No. Hearing aids don’t cure tinnitus, but they can significantly reduce how much you notice symptoms by amplifying external sounds and providing masking therapy. Many users find that their tinnitus becomes much less bothersome with consistent use.
Hearing aids are most effective when hearing loss is present. However, some manufacturers offer dedicated tinnitus devices or combination devices with sound generators for people with normal hearing. A hearing evaluation can determine the best approach for your situation.
Masking effects are often noticeable immediately. Deeper habituation benefits—where your brain learns to deprioritize the tinnitus—typically develo over weeks of consistent daily wear.
Hearing aids amplify external sounds and may include tinnitus masking features. Tinnitus maskers only produce masking sounds without amplification.
If you have hearing loss along with tinnitus, hearing aids or combination devices are typically recommended.
If you stop wearing your hearing aids, your tinnitus will likely return to baseline levels but shouldn't get permanently worse.
AudiologyOnline. (2016). Notch Therapy: A new approach to tinnitus treatment. Retrieved from https://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/notch-therapy-new-approach-to-18365
Hearing Clinic Group. (n.d.). How many hours should I wear my hearing aid each day? Retrieved from https://hearingclinicgroup.com/blog/how-many-hours-should-i-wear-my-hearing-aid-each-day/
Jacquemin, L., Mertens, G., Van de Heyning, P., et al. (2021). Hearing more to hear less: A scoping review of hearing aids for tinnitus relief. International Journal of Audiology. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34865589/
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Mayo Clinic. (2024). Tinnitus: Diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350162
National Council on Aging. (2025). Can hearing aids help with tinnitus? Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/article/do-hearing-aids-help-tinnitus/
Phonak. (n.d.). Audéo Lumity hearing aids. Retrieved from https://www.phonak.com/en-us/hearing-devices/hearing-aids/audeo-lumity
Searchfield, G. D., Durai, M., & Linford, T. (2017). A state-of-the-art review: Personalization of tinnitus sound therapy. Frontiers in Psychology. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8027937/
Signia. (n.d.). Pure Charge&Go IX hearing aids. Retrieved from https://www.signia.net/en-us/hearing-aids/integrated-xperience/pure-charge-go-ix/
The Hearing Review. (2019). Clinical trial on the effectiveness of Widex Zen Therapy for tinnitus. Retrieved from https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/research/clinical-trial-effectiveness-widex-zen-therapy-tinnitus
University of Oxford. (2024). A role of sleep in tinnitus identified for the first time. Retrieved from https://www.dpag.ox.ac.uk/news/a-role-of-sleep-in-tinnitus-identified-for-the-first-time
