Hearing Care for First Responders

Tinnitus and Hearing Aids: Can Better Hearing Bring Relief? Many people who come to our clinic describe tinnitus as a constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound that no one else can hear, affecting one or both ears. Tinnitus is very common, affecting an estimated 10–15% of adults, and recent Canadian data suggests it may be even more prevalent than previously thought. While tinnitus itself is not a disease, it can have a real impact on sleep, concentration, mood, and overall quality of life. What is Tinnitus? The most common form is subjective, chronic tinnitus, which means the sound is perceived only by the person experiencing it and is often linked to hearing loss. When the brain receives reduced sound input from the ears (for example, due to hearing loss) it may compensate by increasing internal neural activity—leading to the perception of tinnitus. Stress, poor sleep, anxiety, and other health factors can further amplify how noticeable or distressing it feels. Can hearing aids help? The answer from recent research is a clear yes—especially when hearing loss is present. A review in The New England Journal of Medicine recommends hearing aids as a first-line treatment for tinnitus in patients with hearing loss. By amplifying everyday environmental sounds, hearing aids can make tinnitus less noticeable and may help normalize changes in the auditory system that occur when hearing has been reduced. Patients often report improvements not only in tinnitus awareness, but also in communication, listening effort, and overall quality of life. This recommendation is further supported by newer evidence. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2024) recommends hearing aids for adults with tinnitus and hearing loss, citing evidence that amplification reduces tinnitus loudness and its impact on daily life, with benefits lasting for years and minimal risk. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery similarly encourages hearing aid evaluation for patients with bothersome tinnitus and hearing loss. A Comprehensive Approach to Tinnitus Care Some hearing aids include built-in sound generators, and these can be helpful for certain individuals when combined with counseling. However, current evidence does not clearly show that they are superior to hearing aids alone. What does matter is a comprehensive, patient-centered approach that includes tinnitus education, counseling, sound enrichment strategies, and attention to factors like stress, sleep, and mental well-being. For patients with significant distress, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be recommended as part of care. There is no single “cure” for tinnitus—but there are effective ways to reduce its impact. Based on strong and growing evidence, hearing aids are one of the most effective, low-risk, first-line options for managing tinnitus when hearing loss is involved. A thorough hearing assessment is often the most important first step toward relief and improved quality of life.

Protecting Your Hearing in the Age of Earbuds Earbuds have become part of everyday life—from music and podcasts to calls on the go. But as convenient as they are, everyday listening habits can have a lasting impact on your hearing health. Understanding how to listen safely is key to protecting your hearing for years to come. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is no longer limited to workplaces or concerts—it’s increasingly linked to everyday earbud use. With more people listening for longer periods at higher volumes, understanding safe listening habits has never been more important. About 19% of American teenagers show signs of NIHL. 24.4% of adults aged 20–69 have evidence of NIHL—and more than half of these cases occur in people without significant workplace noise exposure. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that nearly 50% of people aged 12–35 (around 1.1 billion individuals) are at risk due to unsafe listening practices, including earbud use. That may sound alarming—but the good news is that NIHL is largely preventable. How Loud Is Too Loud? Many personal listening devices, including earbuds, can reach 100–110 decibels (dB)—and some can exceed 125 dB. For comparison, that’s similar to a chainsaw or a rock concert. Hearing risk depends on two things: How loud the sound is How long you listen Health organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support the WHO’s recommendation of limiting listening to no more than one hour per day at 85 dBA . The WHO also promotes the easy-to-remember 60/60 rule. 60/60 Rule: Listen at 60% of maximum volume Listen for no more than 60 minutes at a time 

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