subject: Can White Noise Machines Help Relieve Tinnitus? [print this page] It is estimated that approximately 36 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from tinnitus which is described as ringing in the ear and other noises that seem to generate from within the ear or the head. Though rarely a serious problem or an indicator of something serious, tinnitus can be bothersome at times. Research into various treatments for tinnitus has been conducted by numerous medical universities and research facilities but to date, there is no "cure" for tinnitus. However, some research indicates that many people suffering from tinnitus can obtain relief without drugs or hearing assistant devices with the use of sound masking or "white noise."
Tinnitus is not a condition but rather a symptom of some form of hearing impairment, often the result of damage to nerve endings in the inner ear. Advanced age, noise induced hearing loss, and a variety of other factors can contribute to tinnitus. Tinnitus can be described as hearing "abnormal" sounds, such as ringing or "swishing" in the ear which may or may not interfere with other sounds. Tinnitus can also be bothersome while trying to sleep or read, when few other sounds are present.
Tinnitus may present itself gradually, with symptoms only displaying in quiet environments at first. In fact, many people go for long periods of time before they discern that they are experiencing "abnormal" hearing. A doctor can evaluate your hearing and conduct various tests to determine if there is identifiable cause for tinnitus or if it is simply caused by damage to auditory nerve endings. In many cases, there is no other underlying cause but treatments that may provide relief range from drugs to hearing aid devices to homeopathic remedies.
One technique that has demonstrated to be effective at providing relief for some tinnitus sufferers is sound masking. Sound masking involves the introduction of "white noise"-- a pleasant, constant external sound which is used to mask the inner sounds associated with tinnitus. Running water, moving air, or the sound of rain are examples of white noise.
If you suffer from tinnitus, you may have noticed an improvement while taking a shower or standing near the sink with the water running. Maybe you've noticed relief from a running fan or the hum of a motor. These are all examples of sound masking, a technique that essentially blocks other noises.
The use of sound machines, or devices that recreate specific sounds at specific frequencies, can indeed provide relief for some people with tinnitus. Researchers are relatively unclear about the link between white noise and tinnitus relief but it seems to stem from controlling the frequencies of external sound. Sound machines work by supplying a constant source of sound that is monotonous and can be "automatically" ignored because it is not a harsh or loud frequency. The sounds essentially mask the tinnitus, making it possible to ignore the tinnitus as well.
The type of relief offered by sound machines can be useful for times when tinnitus is most difficult to ignore, such as while resting, sleeping, reading, or traveling. Many different types of sound machines are available -- some with different sound selections, some small and portable enough for easy traveling, and some with built-in conveniences such as an alarm clock and sleep timer.
Sound masking is a technique that has also shown to be effective for other uses as well, such as colicky babies and people who suffer from other hearing disorders. They consume less energy to use than other common sources of white noise, such as fans or dryers, and the sound source is integrated into the machine so there's no need to keep track of a CD or music player device.
A good test to see if a sound masking machine or "sound conditioner" would work for you is to stand near running water to see if you experience temporary relief from inner ear sounds. Even if it doesn't seem to work with water, you may need to experiment with different frequencies of sound to achieve successful masking.
Because sound machines are available in a wide range of prices and styles, it is very likely that there is a machine that would work for your needs. Many retailers offer trial periods and reasonable refund policies so you can test the various types and frequencies of sounds until you find one that provides relief. Always check with your doctor about any sudden, abnormal changes in your hearing but if you find you are having difficulty sleeping, relaxing, or reading because of tinnitus, you may find relief through the use of a white noise sound machine.
