Effect of amplification on tinnitus among new hearing aid users.

A tinnitus questionnaire was completed by 200 new hearing aid users. The results indicated that 62% experienced tinnitus, with 43.5% reporting frequent or continuous presence. Thirteen of the 200 patients rated their tinnitus as severe. Approximately one-half of the respondents with tinnitus reported that their hearing aids provided either partial or total relief from tinnitus. If the tinnitus was rated severe, partial instead of total relief was the most commonly reported effect. A few individuals indicated residual inhibition. A subjective evaluation of the aids' performance revealed that relief from tinnitus was frequently rated an important aspect of the user's satisfaction.