Am I Too Old to Treat Tinnitus? – Talking Tinnitus with Dr. Shahrzad Cohen

Many older adults living with tinnitus – that persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears – often wonder if it’s too late to seek treatment. The good news? You are never too old to treat tinnitus.

In this of Talking Tinnitus, Dr. Shahrzad Cohen, an audiologist and tinnitus expert at Hearing Loss Solutions in Los Angeles, shared her experience working with patients of all ages, from children to seniors in their 90s. She explained the causes of tinnitus in older patients and why relief is always possible, regardless of age.

1. Am I Too Old for Tinnitus Treatment?
2. Why Does Tinnitus Affect Older People?
3. How Tinnitus Impacts Seniors
4. Real Life Success: Treating a 97-Year Old
5. Best Tinnitus Treatment Options for Seniors
6. Cause of Tinnitus in Older Adults
7. Never Too Old To Treat Tinnitus

1. Am I Too Old for Tinnitus Treatment? (No, No You’re Not)?

Dr. Cohen’s message is clear about treating tinnitus in later life:

“If you ask me, you are never too old to get your tinnitus treated and find relief in life. Just like you are never too old to learn a new habit or a new language, you’re never too old to have peace.”

While older adults may take a little longer to adjust to new therapies, tinnitus treatment is still highly effective. Many seniors successfully reduce their tinnitus symptoms with a personalized care plan.

2. Why Does Tinnitus Affect Older People?

Tinnitus is common in seniors because of age-related hearing loss and other causes of tinnitus in seniors like medication changes. Dr. Cohen describes tinnitus and hearing loss as connected but distinct conditions:

“Tinnitus and hearing loss are two separate problems—brother and sister of the same family. One can feed into the other, but each one needs to be treated separately.”

In elderly patients, tinnitus fluctuations can happen due to:

Sensorineural hearing loss, especially in the high frequencies
Changes in medications that may trigger or worsen tinnitus
Loss of external sound input can make tinnitus more noticeable

“In most geriatric patients, the fluctuations I see are because of medications. That’s why the first thing I do is review their medications and consult their physicians or pharmacists.”

3. How Tinnitus Impacts Seniors

Aside from the day to day to day irritation, senior citizens with tinnitus often report the following quality of life issues:

Insomnia from Tinnitus: Seniors with tinnitus often find it very difficult to get to sleep. This can reduce concentration and make anxiety worse.
Anxiety: Constant noise from tinnitus is disruptive and can lead to anxiety or isolation. This can lead to depression and loneliness.
Reduced Concentration: Tinnitus noise can impact a person’s focus, which can impact their social, family, and working lives if not retired.
Social Withdrawal: Older people with tinnitus will often withdraw from their friends or family to reduce noise exposure.
Loss of Agency: All of the above factors limit an older person’s agency and ability to live life the way they want to.

4. Real-Life Success: Treating Tinnitus in a 97 Year Old

Dr. Cohen shared the inspiring story of one of her oldest patients:

“The oldest patient in my clinic is 96 or 97. He came in saying, ‘I have my life to live. I want relief.’ We successfully treated his tinnitus with Lenire. He already had hearing aids, but Lenire provided the relief he needed. He’s doing very well with it.”

This case proves that tinnitus treatment works at any age, even for patients in their 90s. A recent study demonstrated that Lenire can be beneficial for people who have treated their tinnitus with hearing aids.

Watch the video above to see other examples of tinnitus patients who have gotten relief from tinnitus.

5. Best Tinnitus Treatment Options for Seniors

For older adults, tinnitus treatment typically includes:

Reviewing medications with a physician to rule out medication tinnitus causes
Prescribe Lenire, a clinically proven bimodal neuromodulation device. Lenire is the first and only FDA Approved tinnitus treatment device of its kind. A recent study showed that 91.5% of real world patients get relief from tinnitus after 12-weeks of Lenire.
Hearing aids to improve hearing loss and can reduce tinnitus perception. However, tinnitus can return once the hearing aids are turned off. This can be an issue for those who do not wear hearing aids while they sleep.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus and emotional support, helping patients cope better with symptoms

Finding a tinnitus expert is the key to getting the right treatment. A tinnitus diagnostic is particularly vital for seniors with tinnitus who may have many underlying causes of tinnitus.

6. Causes of Tinnitus in Older Adults

The most common causes of tinnitus in seniors include:

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)
Medication induced tinnitus
Noise-induced hearing damage tinnitus in earlier life
Circulatory or vascular tinnitus causes
Underlying medical conditions such as a heart condition linked to pulsatile tinnitus
Ear infections or wax blockages
Head and neck trauma

Identifying the cause helps guide the right treatment approach. This is why getting a tinnitus assessment and a full tinnitus diagnosis is essential to get the right treatment.

7. Never Too Old to Treat Tinnitus?

Dr. Cohen emphasizes that age should never stop someone from seeking help:

“Tinnitus is bothersome, and removing something bothersome brings you peace. You’re never too old to have peace, never too old to find relief in life.”

If tinnitus is interfering with your quality of life, consult a certified tinnitus specialist. They can evaluate your hearing, review your medical history, and recommend the best treatment options—no matter your age.

Am I Too Old for Tinnitus Treatment? | Key Takeaways

Am I too old for tinnitus treatment? No! You’re never too old for tinnitus treatment. Seniors in their 90s can still find relief.

Tinnitus and hearing loss are connected but separate conditions requiring tailored care. This is why a tinnitus assessment with a tinnitus expert is essential.
In older adults, medications often trigger tinnitus fluctuations.
Treatments like Lenire, hearing aids, and sound therapy can be effective for seniors.
Always consult a tinnitus expert for a personalized care plan.

If you are living in Sherman Oaks, California, Dr. Cohen and her team at Hearing Loss Solutions are here to help. No matter what age you are, or the type of tinnitus you have, her team can assess your tinnitus and help you get relief.

Not living near Sherman Oaks? You can find a tinnitus expert near you using our Find a Clinic Map.