The efficacy of hearing aids for emotional and auditory tinnitus issues

Abstract

Introduction: The use of hearing aids has been one of the strategies to reduce tinnitus perception and improve sufferers' quality of life when this symptom is associated to hearing impairment. Objective: To assess the remission of emotional and auditory tinnitus impacts on users of hearing aids. Methods: It is an experimental, descriptive study carried out with 17 users of unilateral or bilateral hearing aids, reporting tinnitus, submitted to otorhinolaryngological screening, tonal audiometry, logoaudiometry and acoustic imittance testing, who also answered the Iowa Tinnitus Activities Questionnaire, as well as the Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire. Results: There was significant difference in tinnitus data scoring before the use of hearing aids and after fitting the hearing aids. Conclusion: Analysis of the results evidences that the use of hearing aids improves tinnitus patients' quality of life, mainly regarding their emotional and auditory aspects.