How a cochlear implant helps against tinnitus

Recurring problems in the ear canal or middle ear can lead to communication difficulties due to hearing impairments.

Does it ring in your ear, buzz, hiss or even roar - and yet you can't find any source of noise in your surroundings that makes this sound? Such noises in the ear, also known as Tinnitus can occur on one or both sides, or can be located somewhere "in the head", separate from the ears. Ringing in the ears can be irritating or annoying and thus severely impair well-being. In any case, depending on the volume, tinnitus significantly impairs speech comprehension. Even quiet noises are masked by the ringing in the ears and are therefore not heard.

Reason for tinnitus

There are many possible causes of tinnitus. In principle, an ENT specialist should be consulted to clarify the individual cause. However, research results indicate that tinnitus is often caused by changes in the nerve activity of the cochlea. The reason for this is the reduction of the auditory signal caused by hearing impairment.

Help against hearing loss and ringing in the ears

People with tinnitus and hearing loss can also benefit from using a hearing aid so that tinnitus is less or no longer perceived. This is true even if the hearing impairment is so minor that it does not appear to cause any problems in everyday life.

Can a cochlear implant help with tinnitus?

In cases of functional or total deafness - unilateral or bilateral - cochlear implants not only help to restore hearing; in most cases, the re-activation of hearing also causes the tinnitus to disappear or at least fade into the background: Scientific studies show that sufferers report significant relief with regard to their ringing in the ears around 3-6 months after the CI system is activated. So yes, a cochlear implant for tinnitus can provide relief!

Depending on the type and extent of hearing impairment, various systems can restore hearing and at the same time suppress the tinnitus.

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