In this page we will cover some methods to help you manage your tinnitus with sound enrichment techniques.
Tinnitus is usually more noticeable when there is no other sound present, for example at nights, when in an empty house, or reading in quiet.
Sound enrichment is the use of low level sound to distract from tinnitus and aid relaxation.
Does your tinnitus lessen in normal environmental sound?
Sound enrichment can be used as one of many self-help tools.
This is not used as a long term solution, rather as a distraction and to alleviate the acute symptoms.
Which sounds are best?
The type of sound you choose is personal preference but should be gentle and familiar.
- Use a sound which is pleasant to you – this will differ from person to person.
- Choose something suitable for your circumstances i.e. night time, at work, at home.
- A sound that doesn’t demand you attention tends to be best, such as normal nature sounds.
- TV/radio not always the best option.
Where do we get them from?
- Environmental sounds such as having a window open/wind chimes
- CD or MP3, radio
- Smartphone/tablet app
- Bedside sound generator
- Pillow speaker
Some examples
- The sound of the ocean
- Trees rustling, the sound of birds
- Gentle relaxing music
- The gentle whirr of a fan
- The sound of the rain
How is sound used?
- Use sound at quiet levels rather than ‘masking’ the tinnitus.
- Use sound whenever you feel your tinnitus is intrusive.
- Use it as a short term aid to help distract you from your tinnitus or to help concentration.
- Use at nights until your sleep patterns improve.
Other sound enrichment
- Ear level sound generators
- Hearing aids if hearing loss is present
- Combination hearing aid/sound generator
Sound generators
- Worn like a hearing aid but do not amplify normal sound.
- Used when there is no hearing loss.
- They produce a gentle white noise or rushing sound.
- Sound can be tailored somewhat to the individual.
- Can be an option if needing distraction at work/areas where other sound is not practical.
Hearing Aids
- Hearing aids are an excellent option of managing tinnitus, even with just a mild hearing loss.
- They are a source of sound enrichment due to enhancing normal every day sounds that you may no longer hear clearly.
- Over 80% of people who have noticeable tinnitus find hearing aids very beneficial and find their tinnitus is ‘quiet’ when wearing them.
- They can be used with other sound enrichment such as CDs, music etc.
Combination Devices
- This is a combined hearing aid and sound generator.
- These can have multiple programs, for example: hearing aid, hearing aid plus white noise, white noise only.
- The majority of people use the hearing aid but have the combination program to use when somewhere very quiet where sound is not going to be amplified, or use of external sound is not an option.
Devices
- Hearing aids, combined devices and sound generators are available free on the NHS.
- If you have been offered a hearing aid and declined, please reconsider this.
- Contact the department if you would like to try a hearing aid.
- Sound generators take a bit more consideration – sound enrichment at home is often the better option as there is more choice of sound.
- Contact us if you would like to discuss a sound generator.
How long?
- Most people find that sound enrichment is useful when their tinnitus is intrusive.
- It becomes less necessary once you start habituating to your tinnitus.
- Used less once you can manage your tinnitus or when your sleep patterns are under control again (if using at night).
