In a nutshell, the constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears is known as tinnitus, and it can bereally annoying.
If you are experiencing it, you may have considered or even tried Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Relief.
However, you probably still have many questions regarding how it works and whether it actually does work.
Many people are simply told to live with it, but there are research supported treatments, like sound therapy, that both scientists and clinicians have found really help.
"As a recent graduate who’s achieved stage four habituation, I cannot thank Treble Health enough for getting me to the finish line."
"As a recent graduate who’s achieved stage four habituation, I cannot thank Treble Health enough for getting me to the finish line."
– Louis
Book a free consultation to learn which Treble Health solution is right for you. Join Louis and thousands more who have found lasting tinnitus relief.
Sound therapy is a big part of this, and it’s a key part of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT).
It helps your brain slowly learn to ignore the tinnitus sounds and helps your brain treat it as background noise.
Over time, I’ve been asked numerous questions about sound therapy.
Here are the five most common questions I receive.
1. Can Sound Therapy Make My Tinnitus Worse If I Use It Too Much?
Simply put, NO, when you use sound therapy the right way, it won’t make your tinnitus worse.
Using sound therapy regularly helps your brain get used to the sound and not react to it as much, basically masking tinnitus.
While sound therapy isn’t a cure for tinnitus, it is beneficial in its own way.
The trick up our sleeve that has worked well for many of our patients is something called partial masking.
This means playing sounds just a little bit quieter than your tinnitus—not loud enough to cover it completely.
The goal isn’t to drown it out, but to reduce the contrast between silence (where your tinnitus is most noticeable) and the background sound.
Over time, this helps your brain learn to pay less attention to the tinnitus.
Try to use sound therapy throughout your day—when you’re awake and when you’re trying to sleep.
Doing this consistently helps your brain adapt, bringing long-term relief and improving your quality of life.
2. For Sound Therapy, Which Should I Use Headphones Or Speakers?
While headphones can be helpful—especially in busy environments or when you need to focus—they’re usually not ideal for long-term sound therapy.
Closed headphones block out natural ambient sounds, and we want you to still hear those.
Instead, consider these alternatives:
- Open-air speakers that fill the room with sound
- Bedside sound machines, great for nighttime use
- Ear-level devices (like hearing aid-style sound generators) that provide custom therapy while still letting outside sounds in
Always set your sound therapy volume just below the level of your tinnitus—and make sure it feels comfortable, not overwhelming.
The goal is a gentle, steady sound that helps your brain adapt—not something distracting or annoying.
3. Isn’t Sound Therapy Just Replacing One Annoying Sound With Another?
Not when it’s done correctly.
The goal of sound therapy isn’t to cover up your tinnitus, but to change how your brain reacts to it.
When you listen to soothing sounds like ocean waves, soft rain, or gentle background noise, your brain starts to learn that tinnitus isn’t a threat.
Over time, this leads to habituation—when the tinnitus becomes just another background noise that doesn’t trigger stress or discomfort.
If a particular sound irritates you, try a different one.
Flexibility is key. Find what works best for you.
4. Am I Stuck With the Need to Use Sound Therapy Forever?
Not at all.
One of the best things about sound therapy is that it often leads to lasting improvements.
In the beginning, it helps with sleep, focus, and reducing stress.
But as your brain adapts, it learns to ignore the tinnitus even without the added sound.
This process—habituation—means you’ll likely need sound therapy less and less over time.
Eventually, many people no longer rely on it at all because their brains have naturally adjusted.
5. What’s the Best Way to Get Started With Sound Therapy?
If you’re new to sound therapy, start simple.
There are great apps like ReSound Relief, myNoise, and Sound Oasis that let you try out different sounds.
See if ocean sounds, soft static, or nature sounds work for you.
For sleeping, a bedside sound machine or a special tinnitus sleep headband can help you fall asleep comfortably without putting anything in your ears.
If you want more personal help, there are ear-level tinnitus markers.
These are small devices you wear like hearing aids that give you consistent, custom sound therapy all day.
Many of the people we work with at Treble Health find these really helpful.
BONUS- Simple Thoughts on Using Sound Therapy for Tinnitus
Sound therapy is proven, effective, and easy to start.
It’s not about hiding the sound forever—it’s about teaching your brain to stop reacting to it.
Whether you’re just beginning or looking to fine-tune your routine, remember two key things: be consistent and stay comfortable.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
At Treble Health, we offer free consultations with tinnitus experts who can help you:
- Choose the right tools
- Create a plan that fits your life
- Take the first steps toward relief
Click here to schedule your free consultation with Treble Health.
We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Already using sound therapy? Keep exploring until you find what works best.
Not sure where to begin? We’re just a click away.
Take that first, easy step toward a quieter day—starting now.
If you’re already using sound therapy, keep trying different things until you find what works best for you. And if you’re not sure where to start, we’re just a click away. Take that first easy step towards a quieter day today.
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- 75% of patients reduced their tinnitus within three months after following our recommendations.
- "I feel like Treble Health literally gave me my life back." - Randy S. (verified customer)
- Join thousands of people who have reduced their tinnitus after scheduling a free consultation.
