Have you ever been distracted by a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking in your ears? If so, you’re not alone. About 10–25% of US adults have tinnitus, which causes you to hear a sound—usually ringing—that isn’t there. (1) Whether the ringing, buzzing, or clicking sound is constant or comes and goes, it’s likely impacted your day-to-day life, especially if your tinnitus is paired with hearing loss. (1)
There isn’t a cure for tinnitus, but hearing aids may offer relief of symptoms and may help with one’s reaction to the tinnitus. Many of the best hearing aids have tinnitus masking and sound therapy features to help manage and reduce these disruptive sounds. Prescription hearing aids are more likely to have tinnitus masking features than over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, but some can help tinnitus.
When evaluating the best hearing aids for tinnitus, our expert team considered hearing aid quality, sound therapy, tinnitus masking features, and Bluetooth streaming options. After researching and testing dozens of brands, we’ve included both prescription and OTC hearing aids to help ease the perception of tinnitus.
Best hearing aids for tinnitus overall
We selected the ReSound Omnia hearing aid as the best for tinnitus due to its Tinnitus Sound Generator. This feature is built into all ReSound Omnia hearing aids and offers relaxing, customizable sounds to help manage tinnitus symptoms. The hearing aids are also water-resistant and available in multiple styles: in the canal (ITC), receiver in the ear (RITE), completely in canal (CIC), behind the ear (BTE), and custom-fit options.
Our picks for the best hearing aids for tinnitus
- Best overall: ReSound Omnia
- Best over-the-counter: Jabra Enhance Select 300
- Best for severe hearing loss and tinnitus: Phonak Audéo Lumity
- Best Costco: Rexton BiCore C R-Li
- Best Bluetooth: Widex Moment
Compare hearing aids for tinnitus
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ReSound Omnia | Jabra Enhance Select 300 | Widex Moment | Rexton BiCore C R-Li | Phonak Audéo Lumity | |
| Rating | |||||
| Price per pair | $3,200–$6,500 | Basic: $1,495; Premium: $1,695 | $2,500–$6,500 | Starting at $1,499 | $2,600–$6,500 |
| Type | Prescription | OTC | Prescription | Prescription | Prescription |
| Style | Behind the ear (BTE); in the canal (ITC), receiver in the ear (RITE); completely in canal (CIC) | BTE | BTE, receiver in canal (RIC), CIC | BTE, in the ear (ITE), RIC, | RITE |
| Battery | Rechargeable or disposable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable or disposable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Best overall hearing aids for tinnitus: ReSound Omnia
Key product features
What you should know
The ReSound Omnia is a prescription hearing aid with some of the most comprehensive tinnitus masking features, including an app specifically for tinnitus relief.
- Costs range from $3,200-$6,500. Like most prescription hearing aids, the price varies by location and retailer.
- We recommend ReSound Relief hearing aids for those with mild to profound hearing loss who need custom, comprehensive tinnitus management.
- The ReSound Relief app helps manage and relieve tinnitus with sound therapy, guided meditations, relaxing sounds, and more.
- The ReSound Smart 3D app allows you to control your device settings, locate your hearing aids, and check that they’ve been properly inserted for the best hearing experience.
- Some users report poor sound quality when streaming audio or music through ReSound Omnia hearing aids.
Why we like ReSound Omnia as best overall
We selected ReSound Omnia as the best hearing aid for tinnitus due to its range of customizable tinnitus masking features and excellent sound processing quality. ReSound offers an app solely dedicated to managing and treating tinnitus. The ReSound Relief app uses sound therapy, breathing exercises, and guided meditations that stream directly into your hearing aids to help mask and relieve tinnitus. Bonus: You don’t need to purchase the ReSound hearing aids to use the app. Anyone can download the app for free and listen to the meditations through their headphones or phone’s speaker.
Sound therapy is a popular tinnitus management tool that uses sounds to help mask tinnitus or distract the brain from processing it. (2) The ReSound Relief app offers soundscapes, including the following:
- At the beach
- Peaceful morning
- Evening forest
- Underwater
- Fire and rain
You can customize these soundscapes by adding additional noises like birds, bubbles, waves, or music to accompany them. We like that you can save your curated sound blend so you don’t have to create the soundscape each time you want to listen to it.
By creating unique and custom soundscapes, you can find sounds to manage the unique pitch and frequency of your tinnitus. Experts agree that custom sounds more successfully suppress tinnitus than non-custom sounds. (2) The app also includes educational material on tinnitus and managing symptoms.
ReSound Omnia is a prescription hearing aid, meaning a hearing professional must prescribe, fit, and customize the devices according to your degree of hearing loss. Prescription hearing aids also treat a more comprehensive range of hearing loss, from mild to profound, as well as different types of hearing loss, including conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss.
The device’s microphone and receiver-in-ear (M&RIE) design helps produce a more natural sound and custom hearing experience specifically for your ears. The hearing aids also have an optimized direction microphone to better process and understand speech in loud environments.
In addition to the ReSound Relief app, you can use the ReSound 3D Smart app to control and manage your hearing aid settings. Some of our favorite app features include:
- The “Check My Fit” feature to make sure your hearing aids are correctly placed in your ears
- Controls for volume, bass, treble, noise reduction, and microphone direction
- “Find My Hearing Aids” to locate lost or misplaced devices
- Personal sound settings for different locations
Many wearers report that connecting ReSound hearing aids to their iPhones and switching between the devices is simple, but some say they have connection issues with their Android phones.
The devices are available with rechargeable or disposable batteries and have up to 30 hours of battery life. Like Apple AirPods, the rechargeable hearing aid case doesn’t need to be constantly plugged into an outlet to charge your hearing aids. We like that you can charge your hearing aids while the case is tucked in your pocket, purse, or bag.
At $3,200–$6,500 per pair, ReSound Omnia is one of the most expensive hearing aids in our review. Still, its custom tinnitus features, advanced design, and impressive performance make it an excellent investment for hearing loss and tinnitus management.
To find out more about this brand, check out our complete Resound hearing aids review.
What customers are saying
ReSound North America has an unaccredited Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile, but the Denmark-based company doesn’t have an official BBB listing. We researched multiple Reddit forums to learn about customers’ experiences with ReSound Omnia hearing aids.
Many Reddit reviewers mention issues connecting their hearing aids to their Android phones, but those with iPhones don’t seem to have this issue.
“Sound quality and speech clarity are really good again and the feedback management works fine as well…if you are using an iPhone, ReSound Omnia will be good and reliable hearing aids for you.
“Philorso,” Reddit Reviewer
Others are pleased with the Smart 3D app feature. One Reddit reviewer, “LondonCalled15,” says the app is helpful, and the devices have impressive battery life. “I have the ReSound Omnia 9, and while these are my first hearing aids, so I have nothing to compare them to, I really like them…I don’t find them amazing for streaming audio from my phone (I still prefer my Air Pods for that), but they are good for phone calls and such.”
Specs
| Type | Prescription |
| Degree of hearing loss | Mild to profound |
| Battery type | Rechargeable and disposable |
| Price | $3,200-$6,500 |
| Warranty | Depends on the retailer |
Best over-the-counter hearing aids for tinnitus: Jabra Enhance Select 300
Key product features
What you should know
The Jabra Enhance Select 300’s sophisticated sound processing technology, Bluetooth streaming, and audiologist support make this OTC hearing aid an accessible, lower-cost option competitive with prescription devices. Jabra also offers free online hearing tests to help you get started.
- The hearing aids fit so comfortably that our testers thought they had fallen out while wearing them.
- Hearing aids are available in basic ($1,495) or premium ($1,695) packages with different levels of support, customization, and warranty coverage. The premium package includes three years of audiologist support and a three-year warranty.
- Recommended for those with mild to moderate hearing loss looking for an affordable option to help manage tinnitus.
- Jabra offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream music, soundscapes, and other forms of sound therapy to help manage and ease tinnitus symptoms.
Why we like Jabra Enhance Select 300 as best over-the-counter
Jabra Enhance Select 300 continues to be our choice for the best OTC hearing aids. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized over-the-counter hearing aids as an accessible, affordable hearing aid option for Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss. (3) More than 381 million people worldwide experience mild or moderate hearing loss, and Zdroik recommends having hearing tested annually to determine your level of hearing loss. (4)
OTC hearing aids are available online or at stores like Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart without a prescription from an audiologist.
Jabra Enhance hearing aids don’t have a built-in tinnitus masking feature, but you can stream background sounds and music with Bluetooth to help mask symptoms. Jabra is an excellent OTC hearing aid for managing tinnitus since many OTC devices don’t have Bluetooth capabilities.
Unfortunately, these hearing aids are designed for iOS, not Android. While newer Android models are compatible with Jabra hearing aids, some Android users may have connectivity issues.
To access tinnitus masking from your iPhone, you’ll need to turn on ambient background sounds that you can stream into your hearing aids. You can access this feature by clicking on the “Settings” icon. You’ll then click the following:
- Accessibility
- Hearing Control Center
- Background Sounds
You can also stream soundscapes, sound therapy, or relaxing music through your Jabra hearing aids from apps or online platforms to help manage tinnitus. Unlike prescription hearing aids, these programs can’t be customized to your tinnitus symptoms, but we like Jabra as an option for budget-conscious shoppers with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Our testers were impressed with the in-depth user manual and the dome (the small soft attachment that fits inside the ear) selection, which helped them find the best fit. While most hearing aids come with three or four dome types, Jabra Enhance Select 300 includes seven.
Testers could barely feel the devices when wearing them—they were so comfortable that one tester thought the hearing aid had fallen out. They were pleasantly surprised when they realized it was still in place. However, we were disappointed with the device’s streaming quality. Music sounded a bit fuzzy when streaming through our Jabra hearing aids.
When switching between soft and loud environments, you don’t have to worry about manually adjusting your hearing aids. The hearing aids automatically adjust the volume to accommodate your environment and subdue background noise in a louder environment. The devices also have binaural directionality, meaning the microphones distinguish and increase the speech signal, suppress background noise, and increase the speech signal in different directions. This helps produce a more clear, natural sound.
Starting at $1,595, Jabra Enhance Select 300 is more expensive than other OTC options, but we think the value is reflected in the technology, performance, and customer policies.
Check out our in-depth Jabra hearing aids review for more information.
What customers are saying
There’s a BBB listing for Jabra headphones, but there isn’t a BBB-accredited listing for Jabra OTC hearing aids.
Multiple Reddit forums discuss users’ experiences with Jabra Enhance Select 300 hearing aids. Most users report a positive experience and are pleased with the sound quality, comfort, and battery life.
“I migrated from Major Brand EarbudPros to the Jabra Enhance Select 300. I immediately noticed a more immersive, transparent experience. I can hear lateral sounds and sounds coming from behind me. Conversations are effortless. The devices are so light that I forget I am wearing them. I’ve had them for 3 months, use them around 6-8 hours per day, usually longer, and the batteries haven’t dropped below 90%.”
“Thejadedcitizen,” Reddit Reviewer
Reddit user “Lacetsdefait” is a first-time hearing aid wearer and loves their Jabra Enhance Select 300s. They say, “I take care of them, cleaning lightly when I take them out and charging them. They are so comfortable that I have forgotten I had them in, on occasion. The [Jabra Sound+] app makes it all easy.”
Some Reddit reviewers weren’t happy with their Jabra hearing aids. A few users complained that they couldn’t use the hands-free calling feature with their Android phones since the devices are designed for iOS.
Specs
| Type | OTC |
| Degree of hearing loss | Mild to moderate |
| Battery type | Rechargeable |
| Price | $1,495 or $1,695, depending on package purchased |
| Warranty | One or three years, depending on package purchased |
Best for severe hearing loss and tinnitus: Phonak Audéo Lumity
Key product features
What you should know
Phonak Audéo Lumity hearing aids feature powerful, sophisticated technology to amplify and enhance speech in loud environments for those with severe to profound hearing loss. A user-friendly myPhonak app offers customizable sound settings and tinnitus management tools.
- Our testers enjoyed using the hearing aid’s multi-function button to transition between on/off, phone calls, flight mode, and Bluetooth connectivity.
- These prescription hearing aids can cost between $2,600–$6,500, depending on your location and retailer.
- Recommended for those with severe to profound hearing loss who want significant sound setting and tinnitus management customization.
- Bluetooth connectivity is available for iPhone
Why we like Phonak Audéo Lumity as best for severe hearing loss
Phonak Audéo Lumity hearing aids offer powerful amplification, clarity, and tinnitus management features that are excellent for people with severe or profound hearing loss. While everyone’s hearing loss experience is unique, those with severe hearing loss generally only hear loud speech and sounds without the use of hearing aids. In many but not all cases, people with profound hearing loss can only hear some loud sounds, but not speech. (5)
Phonak’s Tinnitus Balance program helps manage symptoms with a customizable sound generator and sound therapy. You can adjust your tinnitus management settings in the MyPhonak app.
The Audéo Lumity models offer sophisticated features like the Phonak SmartSpeech Technology to help you better process and understand speech in various noise environments. The device also automatically adjusts sound settings to match your environment.
The Audéo Lumity hearing aids were comfortable to wear and clicked right into place when we first put them in. Our product testers were also pleased with the device’s high-quality sound and performance.
Our testers used the multi-functional push-button on the device top to transition between on/off, Bluetooth streaming, phone calls, and airplane mode. While we found the button small, we liked that our hearing aid remained stable and didn’t shift every time we pushed the button. Still, wearers with limited dexterity may prefer controlling these settings in the app.
Fortunately, the MyPhonak app is easy to navigate. It’s well-designed and has many helpful features without being overwhelming. You can adjust the device volume, frequency, and noise reduction and select different programs for various listening environments. We like that the app also has general health tracking features, including daily steps, activity level, heart rate, and hearing aid wear time.
Not only do these hearing aids have impressive built-in technology, but Phonak also offers assistive hearing accessories to improve your hearing experience. You can stream television audio through your hearing aids with the Phonak TV Connector, allowing you to enjoy shows and movies with your custom hearing aid settings without adjusting the TV volume.
Another accessory, the Phonak PartnerMic, can help you better hear and engage with a partner in a noisy environment. Your partner clips the microphone to their clothing to stream their voice directly into your hearing aids. The microphone works up to 82 feet between you and your conversation partner.
One of our main complaints is that the device’s 16-hour battery life is significantly lower than that of other hearing aids in our review. Fortunately, the rechargeable case only requires 15 minutes of charging time for an additional three hours of battery life.
To learn more about this brand, check out our full Phonak hearing aids review.
What customers are saying
Phonak has a 1.78- out of 5-star rating on Better Business Bureau based on less than 10 reviews as of writing. A few reviewers had issues with customer service, while others complained about Bluetooth connectivity and performance.
We couldn’t find any BBB reviews specifically for the Audéo Lumity, but there are a few Reddit threads featuring real customers discussing their experience with the model.
“I did a trial of the Phonak Audéo Lumity L90 due to my tinnitus, and they were a lifesaver. I could hear so much better. When I used to go to the movie theater, I could maybe hear 30% of the dialogue, but with the Phonak hearing aids, I could hear nearly all of it. Listening to music again was more enjoyable since I’m a huge music buff. They are barely noticeable…and that’s only if someone looks at them.”
“No_Actuator_6948,” Reddit Reviewer
Specs
| Type | Prescription |
| Degree of hearing loss | Mild to profound |
| Battery type | Rechargeable |
| Price | $2,600–$6,500 |
| Warranty | Depends on the retailer |
Best Costco hearing aids for tinnitus: Rexton BiCore C R-Li
Key product features
What you should know
Rexton BiCore C R-Li hearing aids are available at Costco for a lower starting price than most other prescription hearing models. They distinguish between different sound environments and include tinnitus masking features.
- Process speech and background noise separately for a smoother, more natural hearing experience.
- Staring at $1,499.99 per pair, the Rexton BiCore C R-Li has a lower price than many prescription hearing aids.
- Designed for those with mild to profound hearing loss.
- Costco hearing aids include free follow-up appointments, cleanings, check-ups, and loss and damage protection.
Why we like Rexton BiCore C R-Li as best Costco
Rexton is among the many hearing aids available at more than 750 Costco stores nationwide. We selected the Rexton BiCore C R-Li as the best Costco hearing aid for tinnitus because of its sound generator feature, which helps ease and mask tinnitus symptoms.
The tinnitus masking feature, which is a program setting that matches tinnitus and makes it less noticeable, is part of the brand’s TruCore technology. According to Rexton, TruCore™ technology creates a more natural hearing experience with special settings that adapt to different environments and enhance sound.
We like the convenience of purchasing prescription hearing aids at Costco, along with these additional benefits:
- Membership discount
- Free on-site hearing test and assistance in selecting the right device by a hearing professional
- Post-purchase assistance, such as ear measurement testing and settings adjustments
- Free follow-up appointments, cleanings, and checkups
- Free warranty period
- Free loss and damage coverage
At about $1,500 per pair, we consider the Rexton BiCore C R-Li a more affordable prescription hearing aid. Fortunately, this lower price is matched by impressive performance and sound settings.
The Rexton BiCore C R-Li automatically adjusts sound settings to your environment and distinguishes between speech and background noise. Instead of simply amplifying speech in a loud environment, the device processes conversations directed at you separately from other background noise. Like most hearing aids, you can make real-time adjustments through the Rexton app.
The hearing aids have rechargeable batteries and offer up to 28 hours of battery life without streaming music or audio. Even with five hours of streaming, you’ll still have 24-hour battery life, allowing you to wear your hearing aids all day. Rexton hearing aids include two charging cases: an at-home case that plugs into an outlet and a travel case holding up to three days of charge.
Rexton released its newest model, the Rexton Reach, in June 2024. Notable features include Multi-Voice Focus and optimized connectivity with Android smartphones. Multi-Voice Focus allows for a clearer and more focused listening experience. This technology constantly scans the wearer’s surroundings, so the hearing aids adapt volume and focus to accommodate multiple people’s speech directions and volumes.
If your local Costco houses a Hearing Aid Center, we think the Rexton is a convenient, affordable option for treating hearing loss and managing tinnitus symptoms.
What customers are saying
Numerous Reddit threads feature real customers who are happy with the overall quality and features of the Rexton BiCore C R-Li hearing aids. Many Reddit users praised the hearing aids’ automatic adjustments to match the noise environment and the app features.
“I recently purchased the Rexton BiCore available at Costco here. It might not be the latest model, but it’s still great for me and offers significant help.”
“Wzmildf,” Reddit Reviewer
Reddit reviewer “Toowitt” said, “I’ve been happy with the Rexton. They gave me vented domes for my mild ear and closed for my moderate. Bluetooth with the app works smoothly with my iPhone 13 Pro. All calls and video stream directly into my hearing aids from my phone which is remarkably convenient.”
One user reported issues with inconsistent sounds that faded and came back while wearing the hearing aids. Other uses had connectivity issues with older Android phone models.
Reddit user “Kgd34k” was pleased with Costco Hearing Aid Center’s helpful customer service. “My advice there is to keep up with going in for cleanings and ask for dome replacements and receiver cables as you need them,” they advised. “Advocate for yourself when you need a change or if something’s not quite right. The warranty is there for you, and the visits to tweak are free (no co-pays, which was huge for me).”
Specs
| Type | Prescription |
| Degree of hearing loss | Mild to profound |
| Battery type | Rechargeable |
| Price | Starts at $1,499.99 per pair |
| Warranty | Three years |
Best Bluetooth hearing aids for tinnitus: Widex Moment
Key product features
What you should know
Widex Moment offers some of the most accessible, customizable Bluetooth features for both iPhone and Android users. The brand also offers an entire app dedicated to tinnitus management: Widex Zen.
- Widex hearing aids feature impressive technology like SoundSense and PureSound™ for a more natural, customized hearing experience.
- The prescription hearing aids cost $2,500–$6,500 per pair, but the final price depends on your provider and location.
- Recommended for those with mild to profound hearing loss who are looking for Bluetooth capability with an Android phone or other devices.
- The Widex Zen app offers custom sound therapy and tinnitus management techniques.
Why we like Widex Moment as best Bluetooth
We selected Widex Moment as the best Bluetooth hearing aid for tinnitus because its settings and accessories offer a more custom streaming experience.
When researching the Widex Moment, two advanced features stood out to us: SoundSense and PureSound™ technology. SoundSense uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn your hearing preferences based on preferred sound profiles and settings. PureSound produces a more natural listening experience by removing the delayed sound processing between the microphone and receiver. This also eliminates the “tinny” sound many hearing aids have.
The brand also has a standalone tinnitus management app called Widex Zen. The app, available on iOS and Android devices, allows you to stream relaxing sounds through your hearing aids. It features different sound styles, with labels such as Sandy Beach, Tropical Night, and Zen Dreams. You can customize these musical tones to accommodate your tinnitus symptoms by changing the tempo, pitch, and volume.
You can manage hearing aid settings and controls with the Widex Moment app, separate from the Widex Zen app. The Widex Moment app allows you to adjust volume and streaming settings, as well as the following:
- Check battery and connection status
- Customize and save sound adjustment settings
- Control directional focus
- Locate lost or misplaced hearing aids
- Access informational guides and support features
These prescription hearing aids offer Bluetooth connectivity for both iOS and Android devices, and multiple Widex accessories allow your hearing aids to stream from any Bluetooth device—not just your phone. When streaming audio to your hearing aid, you can adjust the sound balance in the microphone and hearing signal by mixing sounds.
Widex Moment has a 37-hour battery life—the most extensive battery in our review.
What customers are saying
Widex has a 4.2- out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot based on more than 50 reviews. We couldn’t find specific reviews for the Widex Moment, but the reviews gave us helpful insight into the overall quality and performance of Widex hearing aids.
“The Pure Sound function is excellent. The Zen option is also a function I use daily.”
Ann W., verified Trustpilot reviewer
Verified Trustpilot reviewer Dave, a first-time hearing aid wearer, is pleased with the brand. “So far, very impressed with Widex. [It] has certainly improved my hearing capacity in places with background noise.”
Some reviewers complained about poor battery life, Bluetooth connectivity issues, and issues in noisy environments. Verified Trustpilot reviewer Denise says, “They seem to magnify all sounds but don’t seem to do much for speech discrimination, especially in noisy environments. However, other people’s experience may be different as everyone’s hearing is different.”
Multiple reviewers weren’t pleased with the Widex Moment’s fit, battery life, and overall performance in one Reddit discussion. Others praised the sound quality and advised changing the sound settings to match your environment for a better experience. One reviewer mentioned they forgot they were wearing hearing aids, especially in small group settings.
Reddit Reviewer “Cy_Hawk” doesn’t like a Bluetooth connectivity quirk, but they’re happy with the sound performance if they change their sound profiles to match their current environment. They said, “When I leave them connected to Bluetooth on my Samsung Galaxy S21+, every notification that comes through from the phone, the receivers on the aids completely cut out to play the sound, and then it takes a moment or two before they kick back on.” However, it’s worth noting that this feature can be turned off by the phone, and it’s not a hearing aid issue.
Specs
| Type | Prescription |
| Degree of hearing loss | Mild to profound |
| Battery type | Rechargeable or disposable |
| Price | $2,500–$6,500 |
| Warranty | Depends on the retailer |
How we test hearing aids for tinnitus
Hearing aids can help improve your quality of life by treating hearing loss and managing tinnitus symptoms. Because these small devices significantly impact our day-to-day lives, we conduct in-depth research and product testing.
Our goal is to find the best hearing aids available to accommodate various lifestyles, budgets, and degrees of hearing loss. Read our full hearing aid testing methodology for more information on our testing process.
Testing criteria
Performance (auditory effectiveness)—40%
This category is foundational in evaluating hearing aids as it directly relates to the device’s primary function: enhancing the user’s hearing ability. This category delves into the core functionality of hearing aids, scrutinizing how effectively these devices can amplify sound, improve speech intelligibility, and provide a natural listening experience across various settings and scenarios to meet the diverse needs of the users.
Here’s what we look for:
- Sound quality
- Noise reduction
- Feedback control
- Programmability and connectivity
Features—30%
The features of a hearing aid encompass a detailed examination of the functionalities and technological innovations that distinguish each device. By evaluating the features of hearing aids, we aim to highlight the capabilities that contribute most significantly to improving the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. The features of a hearing aid can directly impact user comfort, satisfaction, and, ultimately, the willingness to use the device consistently. We evaluate:
- Durability
- Battery options
- Hearing loss range
- Wireless connectivity
- Water resistance
- Safety features
Value—20%
Evaluating hearing aids involves a comprehensive analysis of the device’s overall cost-effectiveness, affordability, and long-term benefits to the user. It directly impacts the user’s decision to purchase the hearing aid, balancing the financial investment against the expected improvements in hearing quality, lifestyle enhancements, and the array of features provided.
Value does not simply reflect the initial purchase price but incorporates a broader perspective, including the device’s durability, performance, maintenance costs, and the extent to which it meets the user’s specific hearing needs.
Our factors in this rating include:
- Insurance coverage
- Financing options
Customer experience—10%
Customer experience determines all aspects of the user’s interaction with the hearing aid brand, from the initial inquiry and purchase process to ongoing support and service. A positive customer experience ensures that users feel valued and supported and facilitates optimal use of the hearing aid, enhancing the likelihood of successful hearing outcomes.
Our factors in this rating include:
- Shipping
- Warranty
- Customer support
How to choose a hearing aid for tinnitus
We recommend working with an audiologist to help you find the right hearing aid for tinnitus. A hearing professional can advise you on the best models and features based on your hearing loss, tinnitus symptoms, lifestyle, and budget.
If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you may consider an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid, but most OTC hearing aids don’t offer tinnitus management programs.
Prescription hearing aids also treat more comprehensive levels of hearing loss, such as severe and profound. Many also offer tinnitus management features that can be customized to your symptoms.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of hearing an external sound, such as ringing, clicking, buzzing, or other sounds in one or both ears. While in most cases the sound doesn’t actually exist, it can be disruptive and interfere with your daily life. Tinnitus may be constant or come and go.
Tinnitus is often caused by an underlying condition or injury. Hearing loss, loud noise exposure, an ear infection, a head or neck injury, circulatory issues, or certain medications may cause tinnitus. (1) (6)
There’s no cure for tinnitus, but hearing aids can help manage symptoms with sound therapy. Other therapies that don’t require hearing aids include tinnitus retraining therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Unfortunately, there’s no pharmaceutical “magic pill” to cure tinnitus.
How do hearing aids help with tinnitus?
While there is no cure for tinnitus, hearing aids can help address and ease symptoms by streaming calming music, tones, and sounds into the ears to mask tinnitus symptoms. (7) This is known as sound therapy, a common tinnitus management option. “The goal is to retrain the brain (or neurons) to react either neutrally or positively towards the tinnitus,” Dr. Formella Zdroik says, “instead of reacting to the tinnitus as a ‘fight or flight’ response. That is a simple explanation, but generally we’re trying to retrain/manage the brain’s reaction to it.”
Some of the best hearing aid apps for tinnitus offer custom sound therapy, guided meditations, and relaxation techniques to help you manage your symptoms. (8)
Related: How Do Hearing Aids Work?
“Even without the use of a masking program, hearing aids may help alleviate tinnitus just by wearing them. The idea is that the auditory stimuli that were missing due to the hearing loss are now being heard, helping the brain ‘make up’ for the loss with the auditory stimuli provided by the aids. Just wearing hearing aids may not work for everyone, but even without using a masker or app, hearing aids may help as their own option.”
Dr. Hannah Formella Zdroik, Fortune Recommends Advisor
How much do hearing aids for tinnitus cost?
The best hearing aids for tinnitus can cost $1,500–$6,500 per pair. Generally, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are more affordable than prescription hearing aids, but many OTC hearing aids don’t have tinnitus masking features.
If you’re shopping for hearing aids for tinnitus on a budget, we recommend Jabra Enhance Select 300 for mild to moderate hearing loss. The OTC hearing aid starts at $1,500 and has tinnitus masking features that can be streamed from iPhone settings, music apps, or programs. Like most OTC models, Jabra Enhance hearing aids are designed for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
While prescription hearing aids are more expensive than OTC, they offer more custom treatment and audiologist support. Prescription hearing aids are custom-fit to your ear and programmed by a hearing professional to match your needs.
Before purchasing prescription or OTC hearing aids, we recommend visiting an audiologist for a comprehensive hearing test to determine your degree of hearing loss. (9)
FAQs
What brand of hearing aid is best for tinnitus?
We selected ReSound Omnia as the best hearing aid for tinnitus due to its Tinnitus Sound Generator feature, which helps mask symptoms. However, the best hearing aid for everyone depends on their specific hearing requirements, tinnitus symptoms, lifestyle, and budget.
Do hearing aids cancel out tinnitus?
Hearing aids don’t cancel out tinnitus, but they make the consistent sounds less noticeable by directing your ears to focus on other sounds. Tinnitus masking features produce ambient sounds, such as white noise or soothing nature sounds, to mask tinnitus ringing, clicking, or buzzing.
What is the best treatment for tinnitus?
There isn’t a cure for tinnitus, but hearing aid features are one option that can help manage and treat symptoms. Other tinnitus treatment options include cochlear implants, tinnitus retraining therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and counseling. (10)
Our experts
Dr. Hannah Formella Zdroik
Dr. Hannah Formella Zdroik is a licensed and board-certified Doctor of Audiology. She completed her residency at a prestigious ENT clinic in Central Wisconsin, where she trained in diagnostics for adults and pediatrics, hearing aids, cochlear implants, balance testing, and more. She also has a passion for community outreach and public health and hopes to implement hearing education for various groups in her community.
Krista Manning
Krista Manning is an accomplished medical copy editor and fact-checker who stands out in the pharmaceutical, health, and wellness domains. With a meticulous eye for detail and a command of medical language, Krista ensures the accuracy and clarity of content. Beyond her professional expertise, Krista is an advocate for mental health awareness. Recognizing the crucial intersection of psychological and physical well-being, she actively contributes to projects that promote mental health awareness within the healthcare narrative. Krista’s commitment extends beyond the pages she edits, emphasizing the holistic nature of health communication.
Emily Breaux
Fortune Recommends Sr. Staff Writer
About Author
Emily is a health and wellness writer with a background in marketing and secondary education. She enjoys covering wellness topics that help readers navigate aging, caregiving, sleep, and nutritional health. Emily specializes in medical alert systems and has hand-tested more than 20 devices. Her work has been featured in National Council on Aging, HelpGuide, AgingInPlace.org, and MarketWatch.
Emily is based in New Orleans and enjoys neighborhood walks, practicing yoga, performing in local theatre productions, and finding her next read at the library.