Tinnitus Sound Treatment: How Gentle Sound Can Quiet the Noise in Your Head

You are aware that if you have tinnitus, it isn’t just “a little ringing” – it is the constant music you didn’t ask for.

The sound could range from ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming, whooshing or an endless combination of those sounds.

The tinnitus sound can disrupt almost all parts of your daily activities. It can keep you awake; it can distract you while working; it can bring down your mood over time; and it can make you afraid of being in a quiet room, because the noise seems louder.

Here is the good news about tinnitus sound therapy and sound therapy for tinnitus – neither one guarantees you’ll magically lose your tinnitus; however, both can provide relief by reducing the anxiety you have about the sound of tinnitus. Although the tinnitus sound may continue to exist, you can get to the point where it fades into the background allowing you to manage your stress and regain control of your daily life.

This is a guide on how to learn more about what sound therapy is, what sounds can help your tinnitus, and how to use sound at home or with a professional hearing aid provider.

What Is Tinnitus Sound Treatment and How Can It Help You?

Tinnitus is sound that you hear inside your head without an external source of sound. It is a combination of both your ears and your brain. Most cases begin from some form of disruption to your hearing (noise exposure, aging, ear infection, etc.)

Your brain will try to fill in the missing signal sent by the inner ear due to lack of clarity. The additional activity may appear as ringing or buzzing. Loud environments and lack of quality sleep can enhance the volume of tinnitus.

The tinnitus sound treatment is designed to safely provide a controlled environment of sound for your brain to calm down and react less intensely to the internal sound. Rather than sitting in silence, battling the constant ring, you allow your ears to focus on a calming sound. Over time, your brain can understand that tinnitus is not a risk and you can place it in the background.

Simply stated, you are training your brain to recognize “this sound is annoying, however, it is not dangerous.”

While the tools you use may vary based on the treatment option you choose, the ultimate goal of each is the same. You employ outside sounds to help:

Sound Wave Therapy, Tinnitus Sound Therapy, Tinnitus Sound Wave Treatment and Tinnitus Sound Treatment: How Gentle Sound Can Quiet the Noise in Your Head therapy are all common titles for this approach. While the tools used to deliver these treatments can differ based on your treatment option, the main goal of each is the same. You apply outside sound to assist with:

• Decrease the level of annoyance or sharpness of tinnitus
• Create separation from tinnitus and stress responses
• Improve ability to rest, focus and relax

You have to keep things in perspective. The goal of tinnitus sound therapy is typically to improve sleep, decrease stress, increase focus. Not everyone will be cured by it, however, most individuals say that their lives open back up again as soon as the noise no longer controls their entire day.

What is sound therapy for tinnitus in simple terms?

Sound therapy can be thought of as a quiet background music to sit beside your tinnitus. There are many types of sounds which could serve as a backdrop to the tinnitus including soft white noise, a fan blowing, or even ocean waves. Additionally, there are devices and apps available which allow for customized sounds based on the individual’s preferences.

While using sound therapy, the goal is not to eliminate the tinnitus by blasting it out of existence. The purpose of sound therapy is to harmonize with the tinnitus. When you fill in some of the empty space where the tinnitus is most prominent with an outside sound, your brain will receive a variety of signals instead of just the ringing of the tinnitus. This may cause your tinnitus to appear less intense and less dominant.

After regularly using sound therapy over time (months), your brain may begin to regard your tinnitus as you do a refrigerator humming in the distance; it exists, but it no longer has the ability to frighten or distract you.

You can utilize sound therapy:

• As a stand-alone treatment
• In combination with hearing aids and/or if you experience hearing loss in addition to tinnitus.
• As a component of your stress reduction plan along with techniques such as deep breathing and/or relaxation exercises.
• In conjunction with counseling such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you view your tinnitus in a different light.

Your commitment and consistent application of sound therapy is the key to success. Be patient with yourself while developing this technique.

Tinnitus sound in ear treatment vs cure: setting real expectations

You’re probably seeing “cure” all over the internet; there’s definitely temptation to pursue it — especially when you’re having a tough day. While many tinnitus sound in ear treatments have the focus on treating the symptoms — not necessarily getting rid of the sound for everyone — that doesn’t mean you are stuck. The goal is simply different. The goal isn’t, “Silence or Nothing,” but rather, “I notice it less often, I’m bothered by it less, and I can live my life.”

Mindset is key to this concept. If you are expecting a quick fix (i.e., a “cure”), you may be discouraged every time you still hear the ringing. On the other hand, if you are expecting a gradual change, you will be more apt to continue with sound therapy long enough to see some type of change.

In fact, many people get to a place where they only hear their tinnitus occasionally. For example, their tinnitus flares up due to stress and then settles back down. This type of peace is possible, even though the ringing never completely goes away.

What Sounds Help With Tinnitus? Types of Tinnitus Sound Therapy That Work

You may be asking yourself, “Which sounds will help my tinnitus the most?” Honestly it’s easy. The best sound is simply the one that makes you feel calm and that causes you to focus on your tinnitus less often.

The three primary categories of sounds used in tinnitus treatment through sound therapy are:

• Background white noise and background noise
• Soft nature sounds and music
• Sound masking or specialized sound waves from hearing aids and tinnitus devices

You can use different sounds at different times. A sound that helps you fall asleep may have no benefit while you read or work.

White noise and background sound machines to calm ringing

White noise is a continuous, even-keel sound with many pitches going at once (it’s like a gentle hiss). Think of white noise as a “blanket” of audio “fog”, which blurs the edges of other sounds together.

With tinnitus, white noise can:

• Make the “ringing” in your ears feel softer.
• Help create a sense of equilibrium between the loudness of your tinnitus and the quietness of your environment.
• Help your brain stop focusing so much on the internal “ringing”.

There are several ways to obtain white noise:

• Sound Machines near your bedside.
• Fans/Air Purifiers.
• Phone Apps/Streaming Playlists.

While many people find a constant, low-level sound at night reduces their feeling of an empty space in the bedroom, which may also reduce the anxiety spike you experience immediately after lying down, during the day, background noise can provide similar benefits as well, by making work, reading, or even just resting in a quiet room easier since your tinnitus is no longer the only sound in the room.

Nature sounds, soft music, and sound wave therapy options

While many people find a constant, low-level sound at night reduces their feeling of an empty space in the bedroom, which may also reduce the anxiety spike you experience immediately after lying down, during the day, background noise can provide similar benefits as well, by making work, reading, or even just resting in a quiet room easier since your tinnitus is no longer the only sound in the room.

Options of Nature Sounds & Soft Music, & Sound Wave Therapy Options

The best part about using nature sounds and soft music to help manage your tinnitus is they can accomplish two things at once, masking your tinnitus while simultaneously calming your body.

Examples include ocean waves, rain, gentle wind, streams, birds, or soft ambient music. Using these types of sounds creates a safe feeling & a comfortable feeling for your body, creating relaxation of your muscles, slowing your breathing rate, and giving your brain a chance to stop “looking” for potential dangers.

Sound wave treatments for tinnitus are typically created through sound programs that are programmed to match your tinnitus. These programs may be located within hearing aids, sound machines, or on your phone through applications. Some sound programs are tone-based, some are based on noise patterns, others are based on music. The goal behind each type of program is to give your brain sound that will allow your brain to eventually tune out the ringing of tinnitus over time.

You don’t have to be able to explain all the technical aspects of how sound changes your brain’s ability to respond to tinnitus. All you need to know is your brain is capable of changing, and the right kind of sound can guide that change.

Using hearing aids and masking sounds for tinnitus in the ear

If you have both hearing loss and tinnitus hearing aids may provide significant assistance. As a result of hearing loss, your brain has fewer external sounds to process. As such, the tinnitus will dominate your hearing experience.

With hearing aids the external sounds are amplified again, and as a result you can hear more of what’s going on around you and therefore the tinnitus is no longer the primary source of the ring.

For many individuals simply having their tinnitus masked by amplifying the external world will cause the intensity of the tinnitus to be significantly reduced. Many contemporary hearing aids incorporate tinnitus maskers into the design. Masking sounds for tinnitus sound in ear treatment can be white noise, soft tones, or sounds from nature, which are typically provided at a very low volume.

How To Start Tinnitus Sound Treatment Safely at Home (and When To See a Doctor)

You don’t have to wait until you have a “perfect” plan in place before beginning. Consider starting with small changes at home and then evaluate if additional support is needed.

The most effective results from Sound Therapy occur when used in conjunction with other elements such as sleep hygiene, stress management, and overall wellness. It can be thought of as one powerful tool among many.

Simple daily steps to use sound therapy at home

Here is a simple way to begin:

1. The volume needs to be low enough so that it doesn’t seem too loud or harsh. So when you speak, you should still be able to clearly understand yourself.
2. Try using the background noise in areas where you would normally experience tinnitus such as when you fall asleep, read, or work in a quiet area.
3. Use the same background noise for an extended period of time. At least give it a few days or possibly a couple of weeks before deciding whether it has worked for you.
4. Document your feelings, either write them in a notebook or track them on your phone. Track your sleep, your stress, and how often you think about the tinnitus.
5. When you find yourself increasing the volume of the background noise in order to block out the ringing in your ears, decrease the volume. Loud volumes may irritate your ears, and gentle is always preferred over loud.

As soon as you find yourself increasing volume to mask the ringing tinnitus, take a step back. Excessive volume will only make your hearing worse, and gentle is usually always better than loud.

Also consider adding easy habits that help you relax and unwind prior to bedtime such as unwinding by doing something calming, using slow breathing techniques or reducing your intake of caffeine at the end of the day. They all work well together with your sound therapy.

When tinnitus sound treatment needs expert help

In some cases, home strategies for may be insufficient, or you could identify possible signs of concern that would require an evaluation by a medical professional (a Doctor or Audiologist) if:

• The onset of your tinnitus is sudden.
• Your tinnitus is localized to just one ear.
• You perceive a pulsating sound in your tinnitus that appears to be synchronized with the rhythm of your heart.
• You experience concomitant symptoms of hearing loss, dizziness, or pain in your ears.
• The distress caused by your tinnitus becomes overwhelming.

A primary care physician specializing in ENT medicine can evaluate your tinnitus to determine if there is an underlying medical cause and/or to rule-out potential serious complications.

Additionally, an audiologist can assess your auditory function, review your personal and medical history and develop a customized sound therapy treatment plan for your tinnitus.

Some audiology clinics combine sound therapy treatments with counseling or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). These interventions can assist you to change the negative thought patterns (i.e., “This sound is going to ruin my life,” or “I am never going to get any rest”) that contribute to elevated activity in your nervous system.

Finding Calm in the Noise

Tinnitus can be as annoying as having an alarm constantly ringing in your ear; however, Tinnitus Sound Treatment can transform that constant alarm into the distant hum of traffic, always there, yet no longer disturbing.

You now know what tinnitus sound treatments are, which sounds work best for treating tinnitus, and how to use devices such as white noise machines, nature sounds, and hearing aids in your daily routine. Many people report a slow progression toward relief and improvement as they begin to enjoy improved sleep and improved concentration.

If your tinnitus is overwhelming, consider consulting a Hearing Care Professional about developing a personalized Tinnitus Sound In Ear Treatment Plan, and combine their guidance with small habits you develop at home on a daily basis to improve your odds for achieving a greater sense of calm and peace.

Regardless of whether or not the world within your ears is completely silent, you deserve to experience quiet moments again.

Key Takeaways

* Tinnitus sound treatments do not “heal” tinnitus, however they can help the tinnitus sound be perceived as being softer and less frightening so you may once again be able to live your life.

* Instead of trying to remove the noise, tinnitus sound treatment goals focus on helping your brain ignore the noise, often resulting in the ringing/buzzing becoming less noticeable and fading into the background.

* Quiet is your enemy, and background sound is your friend; soft, constant sounds such as white noise, nature sounds, or low level music provide your brain with something other than tinnitus to listen to.

* Most people experience tinnitus worsening in quiet spaces; utilizing fans, sound machines, or mobile applications while working, reading, or sleeping may result in significant relief.

* Tinnitus maskers and hearing aids equipped with built-in sound programs are helpful in either covering or softening tinnitus, particularly if you also suffer from hearing loss, which is very common among tinnitus patients.

* In addition to assisting tinnitus masking, hearing aids also assist in boosting outside sounds that your brain wants to perceive, and reducing how “loud” tinnitus appears within your head.

* To maximize the benefits of tinnitus sound treatments, consistent and routine usage is most effective; rather than looking for a quick fix, consider developing a series of daily habits that promote long-term results.

* Some examples of mixed sound therapies include:

* White noise/pink noise (constant “shhh” type of sound)

* Nature sounds (rain, ocean waves, forest etc.)

* Instrumental music with a soft background playlist

* Customized tones for the specific tinnitus frequency that an audiologist has determined

* Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), and similar programs, combine sound therapy with counseling; the counseling component assists your brain in re-learning that tinnitus is not a source of danger, thus allowing your stress response to diminish.

* Using sound therapy along with relaxation techniques (deep breathing, gentle stretching, brief meditation) can assist in breaking the cycle between increased stress and louder tinnitus.

* You remain in complete control; you select the sounds that are both comfortable and soothing for you, as well as those that will not be irritating, since if a sound is uncomfortable or annoying, your brain will not learn to relax with it.

* Providing nighttime support is extremely important; sound machines, pillow speakers, or low-volume mobile applications can greatly improve your ability to fall asleep and remain asleep, which may lead to reduced daytime tinnitus-related distress.

* As individuals become less resistant to the sound and begin to utilize sound therapy to manage tinnitus, many report a reduction in overall anxiety levels, and the perception that tinnitus is “in my face” less frequently.

* Documenting which sounds are beneficial and which are not, regardless of whether you document them via a simple note on your phone, can aid in developing a personalized sound program that meets your needs.

* Good tinnitus sound therapy often involves education; understanding what tinnitus is, and how sound can assist in managing it, typically leads to a decrease in fear, and a greater sense of control.

* Working with an audiologist or tinnitus specialist can accelerate the process; they can adjust the volume of the sound to optimal levels, recommend safe equipment options, and assist you in avoiding setting the volume too high.

* You are not confined to the current state you find yourself in today; with continued sound support, good sleep practices, and tools to manage stress, many individuals ultimately reach a point where tinnitus continues to exist, but is no longer running their lives.

* The true victory of tinnitus sound therapy is this: more quiet moments in your mind, more energy for the people and activities you love, and a growing belief that you can manage tinnitus, one small step at a time.