Tinnitus is the continuous ringing, buzzing, or hissing in one’s ears - the unwanted sleepover guest that never seems to leave. This condition affects millions of people around the world by disturbing their sleep, concentration, and peace of mind.
Though there is no complete solution to the problem, audio masking is considered an effective mode of controlling it. But how does it do that and how does it help in relieving it? Let’s find out..
At its core, audio masking is about using outside sounds - white noise, nature sounds, gentle tones - to ‘mask’ the phantom noise of tinnitus. It’s not about silencing the ringing altogether; it’s about shifting where your brain is focusing. Consider ringing a loud radio station you can never seem to turn off. Audio masking tunes into a different station, soothing and deliberate, and makes the unwanted noise much less obtrusive. In fact, research, cited in studies by the American Tinnitus Association, among others - shows that this can work in about 70% of sufferers.
The science hangs on the auditory system. Tinnitus most often results from overactive nerve signals in the brain’s hearing centres, or so experts speculate, ignited by hearing loss or stress. When you introduce a steady background sound like pink noise’s hum or a babbling brook, it distracts these hyperactive neurons. Soon, your brain will start giving more priority to the external sound and tinnitus will creep into the background. This is known as habituation and the ringing can be made to seem less intrusive, even when it is still there.
Not all masking sounds are created equal, however. Ones as low in the frequency spectrum can pacify a deep hum, for example, while higher-pitched white noise might address a shrill ring. The right pairing will often be about your tinnitus “pitch” and you can play around with this using tools like audioman.co.uk’s downloadable audio library. These files allow you to try out frequencies offline, using anything from rain to static, for personalised relief based on your unique experience.
Timing is of the essence. Masking’s efficiency increases during the night when tinnitus is usually more disturbing due to the presence or absence of sounds and the impossibility of falling asleep. As per a study published in The Journal of Laryngology in 2021, 60% of the subjects who were receiving night masking treatments perceived that they were enjoying a good sleep. Playing a masking track, such as one from the Audioman tinnitus audio masking libruary, can gently lead your brain out of the noise and into sleep. In this way, it supplements currently available tinnitus treatments, which rely heavily on sleep management.
Audio masking is indeed a very clever and cheap way to mask sound. It's not very sophisticated; all you need is a loudspeaker or even just headphones or a smartphone. For anyone wanting higher flexibility, downloadable files are much more workable than streaming apps, which always require an Internet connection, for a specific purpose. With audioman.co.uk, you can download full-length sound tracks created to help in tinnitus relief and you can use them whenever and wherever you want offline.
Does it work for everyone? Not quite because tinnitus is highly variable among individuals. But for many, it serves as a lifeline that lowers the emotional burden of continuous noise. It does not cure but is a solution; a way out of the impasse. Curious to try it? Take a sound sample, match it with your tinnitus, and leave the rest to your brain.
Download Audio for Tinnitus Masking Offline Use
Use our frequency generator and preview sounds and download suitable 1hr long files within the Audioman tinnitus audio masking therapy libruary here.
