Tinnitus frequency therapy employs sound to help mask the annoying sounds created by your own tinnitus, providing a type of habituation treatment similar to learning to ignore the hum of a refrigerator.
Signia hearing aids feature an asymmetrical notch masking stimulus designed to facilitate lateral inhibition and reduce tinnitus distress, providing an asymmetrical overlap with neighboring ERB tones while sparing of their frequencies (Figures 1 and 2). This is intended to promote tinnitus distress reduction through reduced ERB overlap with ERB tones as well as sparing of their frequency fT (See Figures 1 and 2).
What is it?
Tinnitus, or tinnitus, is a condition where one or both ears experience sounds such as ringing, clicking, buzzing, hissing or whooshing noises that may sound similar to ringing or clicking sounds. Tinnitus can either be temporary – after attending a concert or working near loud equipment for example – or last months or years and interfere with daily life and cause depression, anxiety, sleep issues and other negative health impacts for some individuals.
While there are various treatments for tinnitus, internationally extended practical guidelines recommend counseling combined with sound therapy (TRT). TRT involves using sound masking of the frequency that causes the tinnitus; customized audio stimuli are played through headphones while users listen for one hour each day with headphones on to reduce volume of tinnitus noise; overtime, their brain becomes trained to ignore this noise in favor of other sounds within its frequency range.
The clinical trial results were impressive. Out of 83 participants who completed treatment, 96% achieved clinically meaningful relief (defined as a reduction of their Tinnitus Handicap Index (DTHI) by more than 20%). Re-evaluation after four week therapy pause confirmed these results and demonstrated the efficacy of Acoustic CR stimulation by significantly improving loudness, annoyance, abnormal synchrony reduction as well as effective neural connectivity (measured with high density EEG).
According to the tonotopic reorganization model, peripheral hearing loss reduces output from damaged cochlear regions leading to decreased lateral inhibition in frequency areas affected by hearing loss causing hyperexcitability and increased neural synchrony. According to TMNMT’s restoration of this lateral inhibition allows tinnitus to become less salient.
Researchers found that acoustic CR stimulation with an appropriately pitched-matched tinnitus tone produced acute clinical results within 15 minutes, including significant decreases in perceived loudness and annoying quality as evidenced by improvements to VAS scores for loudness and bothersomeness; additionally it resulted in reductions of delta band power over auditory cortex currents or reconstruction of auditory cortex currents and prolonged masking effects for tinnitus symptoms.
How does it work?
Consistency and frequency are at the core of sound therapy’s success. Following an established schedule can train your brain to recognize tinnitus less frequently and eventually stop hearing it altogether, but this process may take months, so don’t give up when relief doesn’t arrive right away.
Sound therapy comes in various forms. One option involves playing music that’s been customized to match the frequencies associated with your tinnitus – similar to masking, but with added cognitive training benefits for training your brain to ignore your own noise.
One technique is noise suppression; using sounds that are very distinct from your tinnitus to draw your brain away from focusing on your tinnitus instead. Studies have also indicated that relaxing music or other soothing sounds may also help ease symptoms of tinnitus.
Studies of tinnitus sound therapy have demonstrated that the longer you listen to tinnitus frequency sounds, the greater is their impact on decreasing symptoms. Thus, experts often recommend spending at least four hours each day listening to this type of frequency therapy for your tinnitus frequency therapy.
Tinnitus frequency therapy differs from other tinnitus therapies in that it targets your specific tinnitus frequencies rather than hearing loss; thus, even if you have significant hearing loss, sound can still help alleviate your tinnitus symptoms.
Participants were divided into three groups and given sound therapy for 1 hour, 3 hours or 5 hours daily – the results showing that duration rather than type was more significant in helping improve outcomes.
Researchers used rsfMRI to monitor changes in precuneus brain regions before and after treatment with sound therapy for tinnitus, finding more significant modifications than in control groups.
Your audiologist may suggest hearing aids with built-in tinnitus masking technology to amplify external environmental noise, providing more auditory stimuli to distract from tinnitus perception. They may also offer guidance on managing stress – which has been shown to contribute to its perception – and recommend techniques for relieving it.
What are the benefits?
Tinnitus sound therapy can assist those suffering from tinnitus to retrain their brains not to respond so strongly to any unwanted noises. However, this process takes time and dedication from both patients and therapists; results often take several months or even years before becoming apparent; often multiple treatment methods will need to be explored before relief can be found.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Tinnitus Frequency Therapy to decrease distress levels among people suffering from various types of hearing loss. Recently, researchers used a randomised controlled trial to assess the clinical efficacy of Tinnitus Masking and TRT among military veterans with clinically significant tinnitus; at three and six months the group receiving Tinnitus Masking/CR had significantly lower distress than its control group; additionally this procedure had positive impacts on Tinnitus distress levels, annoyance scores, VAS loudness scores.
Tinnitus sound therapy can enhance both mental health and wellbeing. Studies have demonstrated its success at relieving stress and anxiety associated with both tinnitus and hearing loss; possibly as the noises provide distraction and comfort so it becomes difficult to focus on your tinnitus symptoms.
Tinnitus frequency therapy may not be enough to alleviate its severity; other methods may include hearing aid amplification and masking techniques. Audiologists who specialize in sound therapy for tinnitus can advise which techniques will best meet your personal needs.
Tinnitus sound therapy offers relief to anyone experiencing symptoms ranging from simple ringing or buzzing to buzzing or chirping, including reactive tinnitus that is triggered by specific stimuli such as Meniere’s disease, ear infections, sinus issues, clogged ears or head or neck trauma as well as TMJ disorder – often treating its associated symptoms can alleviate reactive tinnitus symptoms as well.
How do I get started?
There are various sound therapy techniques available, which can be divided into four general categories: masking, distraction, habituation and neuromodulation. Masking techniques use devices that play noises loud enough to cover up (mask) your tinnitus; these may include white noise machines as well as more targeted sounds such as fractal tones or nature sounds. Distraction methods use pleasant sounds designed to divert your attention away from it – examples being ocean wave sound therapy or static noise treatment methods.
Habituation techniques aim to train your brain to tune out tinnitus over time, similar to how we become less sensitive to the sound of a refrigerator’s hum over time. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), often combined with habituation techniques, seeks to alter emotional and psychological responses related to your tinnitus symptoms.
Neuromodulation techniques aim to rewire components of your hearing and auditory system that could be contributing to tinnitus, instead of simply training your mind to ignore it. For the best outcomes, this process often requires professional assessment and intervention from professionals.
Although there is no cure for tinnitus, there are treatments which have proven successful at providing relief. Sound therapy has proven particularly useful; studies also reveal how stress reduction may help decrease symptoms associated with it.
Tinnitus frequency therapy is an easy and effective way to minimize its effect on daily life. To learn more, speak to your hearing healthcare provider who will recommend the appropriate solution for you or visit one of our tinnitus clinics in Simi Valley or Thousand Oaks where our experienced professionals are happy to discuss all available treatment options with you and find one that best fits into your lifestyle. Book your free consultation now – we look forward to meeting with you soon!
