Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, hearing aids do help tinnitus. If you have hearing loss and tinnitus, then you may experience ringing in the ears more frequently because your world is quieter. At Ear Works Audiology, we carry hearing aids with a special tinnitus masking feature that will play soothing sounds to distract your brain from the symptoms of tinnitus.
To keep your hearing aids working their best it’s important to clean them every day. When you take your hearing aids out of your ears always be sure to wipe them down with a dry, soft cloth to remove any earwax, dust, or dead skin cells. Never get your hearing aids wet, it’s best to use a cleaning brush with a wax loop to clean your devices. We carry hearing aid cleaning kits at our hearing centers for optimal hearing aid care.
Yes, there are many ototoxic medications that can cause tinnitus. Medicines that can cause tinnitus include:
- Aspirin
- Benzodiazepines
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Certain antibiotics
- Isotretinoin (Accutane)
- Beta blockers
- Certain cancer medications
Many people use isopropyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol, for treating and cleaning the ears. However, we recommend that if your ears are bothering you, you come in for an ear exam. If your ears hurt, are clogged with earwax, or you think you may have an ear infection, it’s best to have them examined by a professional.
Hearing aids have an average lifespan of 3-7 years. To get the most out of your devices, it’s important to bring them in on a regular basis for a deep cleaning and maintenance checks. Although your hearing aids can last you for many years, many people like to upgrade their devices around the 3-year mark to take advantage of new technology.
If sounds seem muffled in one or both ears, it could be due to a couple reasons. Muffled hearing can be the result of clogged ears due to earwax or it can be a sign of hearing loss. The best way to determine why you can’t hear well out of your ears is to come in for a hearing check-up.