How To Treat Tinnitus Effectively

Noise Suppression Techniques

Tinnitus is an internal, non-auditory sound, but patients can make use of real, external noise to counteract the perception of and reaction to the condition. Sound masking and noise suppression can cover the illusory sounds of tinnitus. There are four different types of sound therapy, or noise suppression techniques. Masking exposes the patient to noise at high enough volumes to either completely or partially cover the sound. Distraction uses sounds to divert attention. Habituation helps the brain reclassify the internal sounds to unimportant sounds the mind can ignore with practice.

Neuromodulation is the practice of specialized sound use in the minimization of neural hyperactivity which is widely thought to be tinnitus's underlying cause. Traditional sound maskers are bedside or table-top devices with a few pre-set sound options. Almost any device that produces sound can be used for masking purposes, however, ranging from phones, radios, computers, and televisions to table fountains and electric fans. Unfortunately, sound masking in this way is generally only effective while in use or immediately after.