Tinnitus and Modern Hearing Aids: Built-in Relief Options

If you're living with tinnitus — that persistent ringing, buzzing, or chirping in your ears — you may not realize that many of today's hearing aids come with built-in features specifically designed to help manage it. For those in St. Louis searching for tinnitus hearing aids, this is worth knowing before you make any decisions about treatment.

Tinnitus affects an estimated 44 million Americans. Research shows that 80% of tinnitus cases also involve some degree of hearing loss, which means addressing both together is often the most effective path forward.

How Hearing Aids Help with Tinnitus

Modern hearing aids support tinnitus relief in two main ways. First, by amplifying environmental sound, they reduce the contrast between the silence around you and the internal noise you're experiencing. Second, many devices now include dedicated sound therapy and sound masking programs built directly into the hearing aid with no separate device needed.

Here's how the major brands we carry at our St. Louis practice approach tinnitus support.

Tinnitus Features by Brand

Phonak Infinio

The Phonak Infinio platform includes a dedicated Tinnitus Balance feature, which provides customizable sound therapy options to help reduce the perception of tinnitus. This can be adjusted through the myPhonak app, giving users control over their relief settings throughout the day.

Signia IX

The Signia Pure Charge&Go IX and Silk Charge&Go IX both support tinnitus management through built-in sound generators. Signia's tinnitus therapy options include a range of static noise, ocean wave sounds, and other masking signals that can be personalized and adjusted to each user's preference.

Widex Allure

Widex takes a slightly different approach. Rather than traditional noise masking, Widex has historically offered Zen tinnitus therapy, which uses fractal tones — gentle, non-repetitive tones designed to promote relaxation and reduce tinnitus awareness. The Allure platform builds on Widex's established processing technology and continues to offer tinnitus relief options.

Starkey Omega AI

Starkey's Omega AI includes tinnitus management tools accessible through the My Starkey app. Users can make adjustments, stream calming sounds, and use the app's Gen AI Smart Assistant to get help managing settings — a notably convenient option for those who need frequent adjustments.

Oticon Intent

Oticon's approach to tinnitus support centers on the concept that the brain plays a major role in how tinnitus is perceived. The Oticon Intent platform includes sound support options, and its advanced sound processing helps reduce the cognitive effort associated with listening, which can indirectly reduce tinnitus stress and fatigue.

ReSound Vivia

ReSound Vivia supports tinnitus management through its Relief app and built-in sound generators. Users can blend amplified environmental sound with therapeutic sounds, and the Auracast-compatible streaming means calming audio can be delivered directly to the hearing aids from a variety of sources.

What to Expect at a Tinnitus Consultation

At our Kirkwood audiology practice, a tinnitus consultation begins with a comprehensive hearing evaluation to understand the relationship between your hearing loss and your tinnitus. From there, we can discuss which hearing aid platforms and built-in tinnitus features may be the best fit for your specific experience.

It's worth noting that over-the-counter hearing devices are not programmed to your individual hearing profile and typically do not offer the same calibrated tinnitus support options found in prescription hearing aids fit by an audiologist. Getting the right combination of amplification and tinnitus therapy — tailored specifically to you — makes a meaningful difference in day-to-day relief.

Schedule a Tinnitus Consultation in St. Louis

If tinnitus is affecting your quality of life, you don't have to simply live with it. John Scarlas, M.S., CCC-A, has been helping St. Louis residents manage hearing health for over 25 years. Contact Greentree Hearing & Audiology in Kirkwood to schedule a consultation and find out which built-in tinnitus therapy options may work best for you.