How and why tinnitus maskers work

For people with tonal tinnitus, the most common form of tinnitus, being "cured" seems like a distant reality, or a daydream they'll never achieve. However, your life doesn't have to be plagued with constant frustration. Tinnitus maskers and sound therapy have advanced to the point where nearly everyone can benefit from them, putting silence within your reach again.

However, that still leaves people with many questions. What does treatment for tonal tinnitus involve? What cures tinnitus? Does sound therapy cure tinnitus?

These are natural questions to ask, especially when you're the one suffering. While research into tinnitus is constantly underway, we've come to learn a great deal about the issue, its solutions, and how tinnitus maskers can help.

What are tinnitus maskers, and how do they work?

Tinnitus maskers, or tinnitus noisers, are small white noise machines that work to "drown out" or overpower the internal sounds of your tinnitus. However, they don't work in the same way as playing music or listening to a movie washes out the sound. They use specific noises and tones to dampen the noise in your ears.

When you listen to music or television, you can focus on the tune, dialogue, or story within a piece of media. With tinnitus maskers, your tinnitus and the masking sound are both delegated to the background. This allows you to focus easier, fall asleep, or relax your mind.

Think of tinnitus maskers as overhead lights. In a dark room, your tinnitus is a lamp. It's bright, draws your attention, and might be annoying from where you're sitting. Tinnitus maskers provide another sound, which is the overhead light. Along with dampening the light from the lamp, it's larger and easier to adapt to, which allows you to ignore both lights.

If you think you might benefit from a tinnitus masker, try turning on your faucet. If the sound of the running water drowns out your tinnitus, a masker has a high probability of doing the same thing.

The relationship between tinnitus maskers and hearing aids

Not all tinnitus maskers are hearing aids, and not all hearing aids have tinnitus maskers. However, a good number of hearing aids can double as maskers, offering a host of sounds to help drown out tonal tinnitus. Since tonal tinnitus and hearing loss tend to go hand in hand, this combination is beneficial for those who suffer from both.

By combining the technology of tinnitus maskers and hearing aids, people are able to reap the benefits of both devices, without switching between them. This is important for anyone who wants to lead a simple lifestyle, without juggling different hearing devices every day.

Signia hearing aids in particular come well-stocked with tinnitus therapies. Many hearing aid models in Signia's line-up come with different types of masking sounds, from ocean wave tinnitus therapy signals to other forms of white noise. Signia hearing aids are also the only hearing aids equipped with Tinnitus Notch Therapy, a new approach that aims to separate and "turn down" the sound of tinnitus.

 What is tinnitus notch therapy?

Limited to Signia hearing aids, Tinnitus Notch Therapy is an approach that amplifies the sounds coming through your hearing aids, while leaving out the frequency of your tinnitus. This personalized approach makes it easier to ignore your tinnitus, even making it possible to forget it entirely.

With this technology, you can train your brain to "tune out" tinnitus. For many people, this could mean never being hindered or held back by their condition again. It's an opportunity to return to their normal lives, improving their focus, sleep, and enjoyment of sound.

While it is a new concept to many people, studies have shown that notch therapy has a lasting, positive effect for many users. For people who have struggled with tinnitus and sound therapy, this is a new method that could help them get the results they desire.

Does sound therapy cure tinnitus?

It's important to address the word "cure" when it comes up in relation to hearing loss and tonal tinnitus. Unlike antibiotics and other medications, sound therapy is not a one-time solution to your problems. Sound therapy is a method used to alleviate and dampen the negative effects of tinnitus.

However, sound therapy can have a serious, lasting effect on tinnitus. In fact, tinnitus notch therapy has been shown to help people overcome their tinnitus in extremely positive ways.

Even using simple tinnitus maskers can make it seem like the tinnitus isn't there, thus relieving you of the burdens of constant noise. While there are no pills or surgeries that can fix tinnitus forever, sound therapy is quickly gaining traction as the best possible option for those suffering from tonal tinnitus.

When used in tandem with hearing aids, people can lead more fulfilling lives and begin hearing better. In turn, this can improve their personal relationships, work ethic, and enjoyment of life.

Moving forward despite tinnitus

In order to begin overcoming tinnitus, it's important that you get diagnosed with tinnitus, and begin seeking solutions. This might involve white noise makers, tinnitus maskers, or hearing aids equipped with notch therapy.

Regardless of how you choose to treat your tinnitus, you must treat it. Untreated tinnitus can worsen over time, and wreak havoc on your life in ways you might not notice. You might blame your fatigue and frustration on your life, and begin feeling depressed. In reality, the lack of silence and focus caused by tinnitus might be wearing you down.

If you have suffered from untreated tinnitus for years, consider reaching out for help. While you think you might have a lid on things, you might not even know what you're missing out on. Even getting a proper diagnosis is a wonderful first step to finding relief.

Who knows, maybe trying sound therapy or hearing aids might open up a world of possibility for you. Whether that involves the enjoyment of silence, increased focus, or a better relationship with sound. Don't hesitate to seek help for tinnitus, especially when better methods of treatment are being developed every year.