Understanding Tinnitus and How Hearing Aids Can Help
Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. It affects around 15% to 20% of people and can significantly impact quality of life. The exact cause is often unknown, but it may be due to inner ear cell damage or changes in brain activity. Unfortunately, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are management strategies that can help.
One of the most effective options is using hearing aids. Although they do not treat the root cause, hearing aids can help restore your ability to hear external sounds. By amplifying background noise, the brain is less likely to focus on tinnitus sounds. Modern hearing aids like the Phonak Lumity Cros are designed to specifically help those with tinnitus.
How Do Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus?
There are a few key ways that hearing aids can provide tinnitus relief:
1. Masking Sound Therapy
Masking uses soft background noise to cover up and distract from tinnitus. Hearing aids amplify ambient sounds around you, making your environment more audible. This makes the tinnitus less noticeable.
2. Sound Enrichment
Sound enrichment is similar to masking but aims to provide a fuller, richer sound environment. The enhanced background noise engages your brain to focus less on the tinnitus.
3. Habituation Therapy
Habituation is the process of getting used to the tinnitus so you notice it less. Hearing aids facilitate habituation by exposing you to external noises to train your brain. Over time, you get accustomed to tinnitus instead of it feeling disruptive.
Key Features of the Phonak Lumity Cros Tinnitus Hearing Aid
The Phonak Lumity Cros has several specialized features that make it one of the top-rated hearing aids for tinnitus relief:
Tinnitus Balance Noise Generator
This produces a gentle shushing sound that masks ringing and distracts your brain. The volume and pitch can be adjusted for your specific needs.
Sound Therapy
Combines amplification of soft background sounds with therapeutic noise to fully engage your brain's auditory cortex.
Noise Cancellation
Advanced microphones detect and eliminate sudden loud external noises that could exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
Tinnitus Noiser
Plays random, fluttering sounds reminiscent of wind in trees to mask tinnitus noise.
Serenity Program
Creates a calming sound atmosphere with peaceful noises like ocean waves or falling rain.
Remote Control
Lets you adjust volume, balance the tinnitus therapy sound, and change programs as needed for any situation.
Clinical Evidence for Phonak Tinnitus Hearing Aids
Phonak hearing aids are backed by decades of research showing their effectiveness for tinnitus relief. Some key studies include:
University of Texas Study
75% of hearing aid users experienced a significant decrease in tinnitus perception and improved quality of life after 6 months.
Department of Veterans Affairs Study
Using hearing aids for 12 weeks resulted in a 12 decibel (perceived 50% reduction) decrease in tinnitus loudness.
UK National Study
After 1 year of hearing aid use, 66% of patients experienced tinnitus relief and improved sleep, concentration, social life, and work performance.
How to Get Phonak Lumity Cros Hearing Aids
The first step is to have a hearing evaluation by an audiologist. They can assess your hearing loss severity and determine if the Lumity Cros is suitable for your tinnitus symptoms. If so, they will program and custom fit the devices.
The Phonak Lumity Cros is available in three performance levels - 50, 70, and 90. The higher number indicates more amplification power. Pricing is typically between $1500 - $3000 per device depending on the model.
Many private insurance plans cover a portion of hearing aid costs. Veterans are eligible for free hearing aids through the VA. Payment plans and financing options are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need the Cros or non-Cros Lumity?
The Cros has a special transmitter to stream audio directly to both hearing aids. This helps with tinnitus, hearing loss in both ears, or difficulty localizing sounds. The non-Cros model is for unilateral hearing loss.
Can the tinnitus settings be turned off if needed?
Yes, the tinnitus relief features can be disabled through the Phonak app if you want to stop the background noise generation.
Do Phonak hearing aids work with iPhone and Android phones?
Yes, they are compatible with both iPhone and Android smartphones via Bluetooth pairing. This allows you to discreetly control settings right from your phone.
How long does the battery last?
Battery life is typically 18-20 hours if using common 312 zinc-air batteries. Rechargeable battery options are also available.
How do I clean and maintain the Lumity Cros?
Use a soft brush or cloth to clean debris from around microphones and battery compartment. Avoid submerging devices in water. Have your audiologist check fit and performance every 6 months.
The Phonak Lumity Cros: An Excellent Hearing Aid for Tinnitus
Living with tinnitus can be frustrating, but innovative hearing aids like the Phonak Lumity Cros can help restore your quality of life. By providing customized sound therapy and precisely amplifying the surrounding environment, the Lumity Cros engages your brain to ignore unwanted tinnitus noise.
With proven results from clinical studies and reviews from satisfied users, the Lumity Cros is one of the most effective tinnitus relief hearing aids available. Combined with proper fit and programming from your audiologist, these devices can get you back to enjoying your favorite activities.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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