Tinnitus and Hearing Loss in Seniors — What Helps
If you are over 60 and hearing a constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears, you are far from alone. Tinnitus and age-related hearing loss go hand in hand. This guide explains what is happening, what the research says, and what you can do — without medical jargon.
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is the primary cause. As the inner ear's hair cells gradually wear down, the brain receives fewer signals and sometimes compensates by generating its own sound — which we perceive as tinnitus. Up to 90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss, and many do not realise it because it develops so gradually.
Yes. Hearing aids amplify the external sounds the brain is missing, which reduces the contrast with the ringing and makes tinnitus less prominent. Many modern models also include built-in tinnitus sound therapy. For seniors with both conditions, a combination of hearing aids and a sound therapy app tends to produce the best results. Always consult an audiologist for a personalised assessment.
Why Tinnitus Is So Common in Older Adults
Tinnitus — the perception of sound without an external source — becomes more common with age. The primary reason is age-related hearing loss, known medically as presbycusis. As the tiny hair cells in the inner ear gradually wear down over decades, they send weaker signals to the brain. The brain, missing those signals, sometimes compensates by generating its own sound. That internal sound is what we experience as tinnitus.
Up to 90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss. Many do not realise they have hearing loss because it develops so gradually — the tinnitus is often the first noticeable sign.
Beyond age, other common contributing factors in older adults include years of noise exposure (from work, music, or loud environments), certain medications that can affect the inner ear (called ototoxic drugs), and health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or earwax buildup.
How Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Are Connected
Your brain is used to receiving a constant stream of sound from the world around you. When hearing loss reduces that stream, the brain tries to compensate by increasing its own internal sensitivity — a process called central gain. That amplification sometimes produces a phantom sound: the ringing, buzzing, or hissing of tinnitus.
This is why quiet environments make tinnitus feel worse. At bedtime, when background noise disappears, the brain has nothing else to process and the ringing feels louder. This is also why sound therapy at night can be so helpful: it gives the brain real external input to work with, reducing its drive to generate phantom noise.
Research suggests that when central gain is reduced — through hearing aids, sound therapy, or both — tinnitus perception often decreases. Individual results vary significantly.
Signs of Hearing Loss You Might Not Recognise
Because hearing loss in older adults develops gradually, it is often family members who notice it first. Common signs include:
You might have hearing loss if…
You ask people to repeat themselves more often. You turn the television up higher than others find comfortable. You struggle to follow conversations in noisy places like restaurants. You find phone calls harder to hear than before. You feel that people are mumbling more. You sometimes miss doorbells, alarms, or timers.
If any of these sound familiar — especially alongside ringing in your ears — a hearing test with an audiologist is worth arranging. They can measure exactly which frequencies are affected and recommend the right combination of hearing aids and sound therapy.
What Helps: Hearing Aids, Sound Therapy, or Both
For seniors with both hearing loss and tinnitus, the evidence points toward a combined approach.
Hearing aids
Hearing aids amplify the external sounds the brain is missing. By filling that gap, they reduce the contrast between the ringing and the world around you. Many modern hearing aids also include built-in tinnitus sound therapy — gentle background tones that play directly in the ear. Research suggests hearing aids are among the most widely used tools for tinnitus relief in people who also have hearing loss.
Sound therapy apps
A sound therapy app adds a layer of gentle background sound — rain, white noise, ocean waves — that blends with the tinnitus and makes it less noticeable. The app can be used alongside hearing aids (via Bluetooth or phone speaker) or on its own. Its key advantage: the sound keeps playing during phone calls and video meetings, so relief never pauses. See the guide to what the app does for full details.
Habituation over time
With consistent sound enrichment, the brain gradually learns to classify tinnitus as unimportant background noise — the way it stops noticing the hum of a refrigerator. Research on Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) suggests that meaningful habituation is achievable for many people over 12 to 24 months of consistent sound therapy. Initial improvements are sometimes noticeable around three months. Individual results vary significantly.
When to See a Doctor or Audiologist
Tinnitus is common and usually manageable, but some situations call for professional evaluation. Speak with a healthcare provider if:
Your tinnitus lasts more than one week and does not improve.
It is only in one ear (unilateral tinnitus may need investigation).
It pulses in time with your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus).
It appeared suddenly after an injury, illness, or new medication.
It is accompanied by dizziness, ear pain, or sudden hearing loss.
It significantly affects your sleep, mood, or daily functioning.
An audiologist can perform a comprehensive hearing test, identify which frequencies are affected, and create a personalised plan. Your general practitioner can also refer you if you are unsure where to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is age-related hearing loss reversible?
Will my tinnitus get worse as I age?
Can I use a sound therapy app alongside hearing aids?
Are there medications for tinnitus?
How much does a hearing test cost?
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Sources
- Baguley D, McFerran D, Hall D. Tinnitus. The Lancet. 2013;382(9904):1600–1607. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60142-7
- Jarach CM, Lugo A, Scala M, et al. Global Prevalence and Incidence of Tinnitus. JAMA Neurology. 2022;79(9):888–900. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.2189
- Jastreboff PJ, Hazell JWP. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Implementing the Neurophysiological Model. Cambridge University Press, 2004.
- Sereda M, Xia J, et al. Sound therapy for tinnitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013094.pub2
- World Health Organization. Deafness and hearing loss: Key facts. who.int