Question about the science behind 'T' and hearing correction

[Blaze1166]

I've had T for 20+ years. In that time I have seen very little in the way of a cure or a viable masking technology. I understand that people 'here' different sounds. This question is about those who have a pure tone.

I was wondering if it were possible to cancel out the ringing and tricking the brain, using wave interference. For instance if we could determine the exact pitch and frequency along with a variable phase adjustment. I wonder if the sine wave could be cancelled or maybe reduce the noise? This may be a symplistic view point, but I wanted to ask any brain boxes out there.

[sammie888]

Hi Blaze go on the neuromod website and have a look at there soon to be released machine it seems quite promising.

[RadarGuy]

I tried doing this with a signal generator app on my iPhone that has frequency, amplitude, and phase controls but I wasn’t able to find a combination that reduced the T perception. It’s probably because the perception is generated in the brain as a result of hearing loss as opposed to sound pressure waves that can be cancelled.

[AndyTinTin]

I have thought the exact same thing Blaze! Surely if the frequency was to the exact Mhz that feels like it's coming out of your ears and played back in via a hearing aid, it would trick the brain and cancel it out much more effectively than white noise or other masking sounds.

[Blaze1166 in reply to AndyTinTin]

Yes. That's my theory. I know the sounds are phantom noise produced by the brain to fill in the gaps so to speak. But surely the theory could be rested with the proper equipment.

[jmallordturner51]

Your's is an interesting theory that my musician brother always had about noise cancellation. I think as other's have stated here that since T is created by the brain it would be difficult to do. There is an opposite theory that by removing external sounds in the range of your tinnitus you would reduce the annoying ring. This notch therapy is now being used by the Signia hearing aid company. They claim some success with this new device. Something I may a try in the future. Like you I have had T a long time (since 1963). It is extremely frustrating to think of the lack of urgency in the medical world about this problem, but then they don't have it do they. There are actually some very smart people working on this problem. Dr. Susan Shore of the University of Michigan has spent the last 18 years working on this problem.She has zeroed in on the exact cause and is now in the process of trials for a device to greatly reduce the t. Google her and read about it. I wish you much luck my friend and keep the faith that silence cannot to be to far off.

[Jimmuck]

I thought along the same lines for a while and it occurred to me that if I could identify the frequency of my high pitched tinnitus, it might be possible to balance it out in some way through hearing aids or noise generators. I actually managed to find the exact frequency on You Tube of all places and armed with this new knowledge, I asked my audiologist for her opinion. I was told very curtly that it had already been tried years ago but it didn't work and technology had moved on since then. If it HAS moved on so far, why are so many people still suffering with tinnitus? I was given a pillow speaker to try and sent on my way and guess what, when I tried it at home it was broken...a bit like the NHS!