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5 min read 8 stepsMay 9, 2026Verified May 2026

Hearing Aids With Tinnitus Masking: Widex, Phonak, Starkey, ReSound, Oticon

Most modern hearing aids include tinnitus relief built in. Here is how the top brands compare and what to ask your audiologist.

At a Glance

Widex — Zen Therapy (industry pioneer)

~23s

Widex was the first major manufacturer to build a tinnitus program into mainstream hearing aids, called Widex Zen Therapy. It plays soft, random, fractal chime-like tones that are pleasant but unpredictable enough to keep the brain engaged. Many tinnitus patients find Zen calmer than plain white noise. The current Widex Moment Sheer and SmartRIC models both include Zen. Best for: people who find static white noise irritating.

Phonak — Tinnitus Balance Noiser

~32s

Phonak (owned by Sonova, also the maker of Costco Kirkland aids) offers Tinnitus Balance Noiser on essentially every model from the entry-level Audeo Lumity up to the premium Sphere Infinio. The noiser plays white, pink, or speech-shaped noise that the audiologist can tune to your tinnitus pitch. Phonak also has the most reliable Bluetooth phone connection of any brand. Best for: people who want strong phone integration and a low-cost Costco option.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Costco Kirkland Signature 10.0 hearing aids are built on Phonak technology and include the same tinnitus features for roughly half the price of buying Phonak directly.

Starkey — Multiflex Tinnitus Technology

~22s

Starkey Multiflex lets the audiologist or the user shape the masking sound by frequency, so the noise specifically targets the pitch of your tinnitus rather than blanketing everything. The current Genesis AI and Edge AI lineups include the feature. Starkey also has the free Starkey Relax app (works without a Starkey aid) for non-hearing-aid users. Best for: people with a specific tinnitus pitch they want targeted.

ReSound — Tinnitus Sound Generator

~21s

ReSound (owned by GN, also the parent of Jabra) offers white noise, pink noise, and customizable nature sounds played through the aid itself — ocean waves, rainfall, gentle stream. The free ReSound Relief app extends this further with longer sessions, guided meditations, and pitch matching. The current Nexia and Vivia models support it. Best for: people who prefer nature sounds over electronic noise.

Oticon — Tinnitus SoundSupport

~21s

Oticon (owned by Demant) builds Tinnitus SoundSupport into the Intent, Real, and More lineups. It offers broadband, white, pink, and red noise plus ocean sounds. Oticon strength is their open-sound philosophy — the aids try to give the brain a full picture of the room rather than focusing on speech alone, which some tinnitus patients prefer. Best for: people whose tinnitus worsens in noisy environments.

Ask the right questions at your fitting

~36s

When you go to be fitted, ask the audiologist these five things: (1) Does my package include tinnitus programming? Some clinics charge extra. (2) Will you do pitch matching to find my tinnitus frequency? (3) Can I switch the masker on and off myself with a button? (4) Is there a smartphone app, and do you offer training on it? (5) What is your trial period and return policy? Federal law gives you at least 45 days in most states. Some clinics offer 60 or 90.

Warning

If your audiologist dismisses tinnitus relief features or tells you they do not matter, find a different audiologist. Tinnitus management is now standard practice.

Check what your insurance and Medicare cover

~22s

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids in 2026. However, most Medicare Advantage plans include some hearing aid coverage — a typical benefit is 500 to 2,500 dollars every 2 to 3 years. The VA provides hearing aids free to service-connected veterans and many other veterans. Call your plan member services line or visit medicare.gov to confirm benefits before your fitting.

Consider over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for mild cases

~28s

Since 2022, over-the-counter hearing aids have been legal in the US for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Brands with tinnitus features include Jabra Enhance Select, Sony CRE-C20, Lexie B2 (Powered by Bose), and Eargo 7. Prices range from 800 to 3,000 dollars per pair — about half the price of professional aids. They are not as fully customizable for tinnitus, but for milder cases they can help. Get a baseline hearing test first to confirm OTC is appropriate for you.

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For seniors with both hearing loss and tinnitus — which is most people over 60 with tinnitus — modern hearing aids are the single most effective treatment available. Three things happen at once. The aid amplifies the environmental sounds you have been missing, so your brain has more real-world input and fewer phantom sounds to fill. The aid masks the tinnitus directly with a built-in white noise or fractal tone generator. And the better hearing reduces the stress and concentration fatigue that often make tinnitus worse.

A 2020 study in the journal Ear and Hearing found that two-thirds of patients with tinnitus and hearing loss reported significant tinnitus improvement after six months of using hearing aids — without even turning on the masking feature. With the masker on, the number is higher.

This guide walks through how the five major brands handle tinnitus. Prices range from about 1,500 dollars per ear for entry-level models to 4,000 dollars per ear for premium ones, and most are eligible for Medicare Advantage or VA coverage. Costco Kirkland Signature aids (made by Sonova, the parent of Phonak) include tinnitus features and run around 1,400 to 1,800 dollars per pair — far less than independent audiology pricing.

This is not medical advice and not an endorsement. The best brand for you depends on your specific hearing loss pattern, your dexterity, your phone, and the audiologist you trust. Always get a proper hearing evaluation first.

(Sources: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association — asha.org; Hearing Tracker — hearingtracker.com; Consumer Reports Hearing Aid Buying Guide 2025; manufacturer support sites for Widex, Phonak, Starkey, ReSound, Oticon)

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Official Resources

Medicare.gov MedlinePlus — Health Info AARP Health & Technology

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