Cochlea implants (CI)
For profoundly deaf and hard of hearing, even unilaterally deafened people with chronic tinnitus, treatment with cochlear implants can bring improvement. Cochlear implants are electronic devices that directly stimulate the auditory nerve to restore hearing. A study published in the journal Otology & Neurotology (see source 2) examined the effectiveness of cochlear implants in tinnitus patients with severe hearing loss. Results showed a significant reduction in tinnitus severity and improvement in hearing performance and quality of life among participants.
The positive effect of a cochlear implant on tinnitus seems to be independent of age, i.e. even patients over 80 years of age can benefit from CI implantation for tinnitus and hearing loss. However, cochlear implants are not suitable for everyone. Implantation requires surgery and may be associated with risks and complications. They can also be expensive and are not fully covered by many insurance policies. If you suffer from tinnitus and hearing loss, talk to your doctor about the possibility of cochlear implantation.
