It’s often most disruptive at night. During the day, the “white noise” of traffic, coffeeshop conversation or even background music can offset the annoying whistling and low roar caused by tinnitus.
But at night, when these distractions are silent, tinnitus can be at its most frustrating.
Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears caused by a condition inside the ear. An outside source does not cause the noise. One of the most effective treatments is sound therapy for tinnitus.
We’re pleased to offer this effective treatment at our many locations throughout the area as the leading ear, nose, throat and allergy doctors in Raleigh. If you’re experiencing this challenging condition, we encourage you to contact us for an appointment. You don’t have to suffer in silence.
We’ll take a closer look at sound therapy for tinnitus, exploring what it is, how it’s conducted and how it can help you.
What Is Sound Therapy?
Despite what you’ve heard about multitasking, the brain can only effectively focus on one thing at a time. By using sound therapy, we give the brain something to focus on other than the tinnitus noise.
How Does Sound Therapy Help With Tinnitus?
You can use calming and pleasant sounds to draw your attention away from the tinnitus noise. You may have also heard this referred to as tinnitus masking.
In a research study, 72% of participants with tinnitus reported improvement after sound therapy.
Effective Treatment with Sound Therapy for Tinnitus: 3 Things to Know
Sound Therapy is a Treatment, Not a Cure for Tinnitus
Can sound therapy completely cure tinnitus? Unfortunately, no—there is no cure for tinnitus. However, it can be a very effective treatment to help you function better in your daily life.
We’ve helped many Raleigh residents find relief from the constant ringing and buzzing of tinnitus. While there’s no cure, we offer proven tools and treatments that can make the symptoms more manageable and improve your quality of life.
There Are Different Types of Sound Therapy
We recognize and respect the role of individualized medicine, and this is a vital part of tinnitus relief. There are different types of sound therapy for tinnitus, and we will evaluate which one will be the most successful.
These types include:
- “Notched” sound therapy, which filters out certain frequencies
- Environmental sound generators
- Hearing aids with sound masking built in; A lot of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss. If your hearing aid turns up the volume on outside noises, you’re less distracted by tinnitus, which is a noise that occurs inside the ear.
Personalization Is Crucial for Success
As we mentioned earlier, sound therapy is most effective when tailored to meet the specific needs of the patient. This is why working with an audiologist is important to get the relief you need. We’ll carefully track your progress and make any adjustments needed.
Can You Perform Tinnitus Sound Therapy on Your Own?
A simple internet search will reveal dozens of sites with various types of sounds, ranging from white noise to a purring cat. But as we mentioned earlier, the key to successful treatment is having sound therapy for tinnitus that is customized to your particular issues.
Are There Any Other Treatments for Tinnitus?
Sometimes, tinnitus may be caused by an underlying health condition. In these cases, treating the underlying condition can reduce your symptoms.
These conditions include:
- Impacted earwax
- Blood vessel conditions
Reclaim Peace and Quiet: Effective Schedule an Appointment for Tinnitus Relief
Tinnitus affects every aspect of your day, making it difficult to complete tasks at work or school. But sound therapy for tinnitus offers promising solutions, and our board-certified ENTs in Raleigh are uniquely qualified to give you the help you need.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Key Takeaways:
- Tinnitus is a ringing or noise in the ears that is not caused by an outside source.
- There is no cure for tinnitus, but sound therapy can help you manage it in your daily life.
- Sound therapy works by refocusing the brain’s attention, making tinnitus less disruptive.
- While DIY options exist for sound therapy for tinnitus, personalization is essential to effective treatment. That’s why working with an audiologist gives you the best outlook for success.
- Occasionally, underlying medical issues may contribute to tinnitus, and resolving them can help improve your condition.
The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.
Sources:
American Tinnitus Association, “Sound Therapy,” https://www.ata.org/about-tinnitus/sound-therapy/
Harvard Medical School, “Tinnitus: Ringing or humming in your ears? Sound therapy is one option,” https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/tinnitus-ringing-or-humming-in-your-ears-sound-therapy-is-one-option-202112082654
Healthline, “How Sound Therapy Can Treat Tinnitus: What to Know” https://www.healthline.com/health/sound-therapy-for-tinnitus
Mayo Clinic, “Tinnitus,” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350162#:~:text=a%20different%20medication.-,Noise%20suppression,-Many%20times%2C%20tinnitus