Tinnitus sound therapy is a common method of managing tinnitus, which uses external noise to alter a person's perception of or reaction to tinnitus
There are two common types of sound therapy: masking and habituation
Masking: This involves exposing a person to background noise, such as white noise, nature sounds, or ambient sounds, to mask tinnitus noise or distract attention away from it. Sound machines, music through headphones, electric fans, radios, and TVs can offer temporary breaks from the perception of tinnitus. Hearing aids can also be used to mask tinnitus by turning up the volume on outside noises, especially when hearing loss and tinnitus occur within the same frequency range.
Habituation: Also known as tinnitus retraining therapy, this strategy uses unmodified noise, music, or environmental sounds as stimulating sounds and seeks to improve the adverse physiological and psychological effects of tinnitus. The goal of habituation is to retrain the brain to control the ringing or buzzing caused by tinnitus.
Tinnitus sound therapy is not a cure for tinnitus, but it can significantly lower the perceived burden and intensity of tinnitus. Sound therapy is most effective when directed by an audiologist with specific training and experience with tinnitus. There are different methods and types of sounds that can help, and an audiologist trained in tinnitus therapy can explore several options. Many hearing aids offer forms of sound therapy, and wearing a modern hearing aid is often an effective tinnitus treatment