Hi, looking for suggestions about the different noises to mask T.
I have a humming/drumming sound in my right ear and use pink noise to help mask. It seems when I'm active and busy e.g out and about on a good day, I don't seem to notice it.
I've now become aware of a high pitch tone in the same ear and was wondering if anyone out there has any suggestions as to what noise is best to mask? This is distressing me and making me anxious because it seems to be constantly there.
I've an appointment with ENT next week.
Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.
Thank you
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k_atieroe
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9 Replies
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HI K_atieroe
I believe I have sent you my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View? In it explains that tinnitus shouldn't be masked as the brain will not be able to habituate to the tinnitus. It is better to place the "sound enrichment" slightly lower than the tinnitus. Use a sound machine Oasis as the best in my opinion. Available from the BTA. Model S-650 is popular. Please click on the link below titled: Should I masked my tinnitus? You might find it helpful.
Yes I did receive your article and found it so beneficial. I'm a newby and I'm doing all the things that newby's shouldn't do... masking. It is difficult to accept because all I want to do at the moment is not hear the drumming and high pitch noise which I guess is normal.
I'm finding it so difficult. Can sound enrichment be used at any time of day?
I am sorry to hear that you are doing through a difficult time at the moment. Tinnitus can do this especially to those new to the condition. It takes time for the brain to accept and learn to ignore the noise.
You can use sound enrichment all day if you wish, providing there is no attempt to totally mask - cover up the tinnitus in an attempt to not hear it. This practice will be futile, for as soon as the sound enrichment or masking is stopped, the brain will immediately focus back on the tinnitus and often it will appear to be louder and more intrusive.
A much better way is to have the sound enrichment playing slightly lower than your tinnitus. During the day you can use any type of sound source for sound enrichment. At night it is usually best to use non intrusive sounds and not music as this draws attention to itself.
... just two more questions for you Michael. Can I use the TV for sound enrichment too and does it matter what it is so long as it's just below my tinnitus?
Sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. I can relate and following very helpful advice from Michael I use the Sound Oasis throughout the night below Tinnitus level. During day use a variety of sounds again below T level. Initially I did tend to try to mask as would do anything to not hear it but soon after good advice learned this was not the way to go. I find pink music more tolerable than white and looking into brown at present. I do find natural nature sounds outside the best though such as wind in the trees and water sounds as not sure if it is my radip and radio on the TV that is on the way out as to me theiy sound tinny and distiorted sometimes.
Hi. Just a wee comment from myself. Be , as others have said , be careful. My tinnitus now sounds like VERY LOUD white / pink / violet / blue / brown noise as I have obviously tried to cope by having it masked and given an iota of respite even for a second at a time. The irony is that now even the loudest white etc noise doesn't touch . So please be careful
I use an app called "Beltone Tinnitus Calmer" (Google Play Store) and found it to be very beneficial in getting me to sleep.
You can mix different sound together (I´ve mixed one of the preset sounds with Pink noise) and so as not to anoy my wife use small in ear headphones so I can still sleep on my side without having the headphones bother me.
The app has a timer so I tend to set it for an hour and tend to fall asleep well before the timer ends.
As I´m a light sleeper I tend to wake up during the night which is when I remove the headphones and find that I can still drop off back to sleep.
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Tinnitus and White Noise
Week 5 tomorrow since sudden noise exposure 
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