The Efficacy of Digital and Analog Hearing Aids in the Management of Tinnitus - A Comparative Study

Tinnitus is known as a squeaky or continuous flat sound. Tinnitus is a perception of sound in the ear or the head without any kind of external sound sources. The effect of Tinnitus is very bothersome. Tinnitus can affect the individuals with normal hearing and also those who are suffering from hearing loss. It can affect individuals in many ways both physiologically and psychologically. There are several causes of tinnitus. However, the etiology of tinnitus is still unknown. Tinnitus may occur after a sudden exposure to loud and high intense sounds. Ototoxicity, Presbycusis, Hypertension, Stress, Ear diseases, Physical trauma and Psychological trauma etc. The treatment of tinnitus is basically symptomatic, there are several treatment options to improve their quality of life. Tinnitus treatment includes otological surgeries, use of medication, use of sound maskers in case of normal hearing individuals and use of hearing aids amplification specifically for individuals with hearing loss. The Hearing aids are popular as they are used from decades onwards both for sound masking and providing audibility to the individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. The hearing aids are basically of two types i.e. Analog and Digital Hearing aids. Analog hearing aids are basically provides only amplification, whereas the digital hearing aids have can be programmed with many added features to the individual audiometric and comfort levels. This study focuses on effectiveness of body level analog hearing aids and digital hearing aids in the management of tinnitus. To know which of the models show better performance in the inhibition of tinnitus and providing relief to the patients or to study the impact and compare the different hearing aid technologies (Analog and Digital) in the management of tinnitus with sensorineural hearing loss.

Author(s): Rajendra Kumar Porika and Bala Krishnan D

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