In the effort to find relief for tinnitus symptoms, many people have turned to masking devices. The purpose of the device is to block tinnitus sounds so that people can have a diversion from phantom noises. Even though tinnitus masking is used quite a bit, it is still often misunderstood.
A tinnitus masker can be as small as a hearing aid that fits into the ear. Some find it necessary to get a two-in-one hearing aid/masker, while some only find the masker necessary.
First, let’s consider those that use a masker and don’t have hearing problems.
The people that need to use a masker without hearing problems use the masker as a way to hear soothing noises instead of the noises of tinnitus. The point is to fool the brain. By employing a soothing sound as an alternative to tinnitus sounds, the thought is that the wearer can shut of tinnitus.
For most people, this does help. They are granted some measure of relief due to the masking. They might listen to sounds like wind blowing or some other sound they like and that sound makes it easier to control their tinnitus.
Now let’s look at people who wear maskers and hearing aids in one. The cause for requiring a hearing aid and masker is uncomplicated. Whenever someone has hearing issues, they often cannot hear the frequency of the masker. This means that the soothing noises provide no benefit to them.
Often, those who have problems with hearing are unable to enjoy the benefits of masking until after a hearing aid is in use. At that point, they are able to reap the benefits of wearing a masker.
Tests are run to establish a person’s response to a masker. In most cases, people are stood next to a sink with running water. If they feel soothed by the water sounds and their tinnitus lessens, they are good candidates for masking. If they have no changes, there are two things which could be the problem. One, they might not benefit from masking at all, or two, they might have hearing problems that need to be addressed. After the hearing problems are addressed, they can then benefit from masking.
Some people use a tinnitus masker device all of the time, while others only use it when they need to concentrate or rest. Much like a hearing aid, the masker may be removed from the ear, and it can be turned on or off. That gives people some freedom to do what they want in regards to using the device.
Maskers are not one size fits all devices. Tinnitus comes in different frequencies, and people have different problem areas. As such, a masking device may soothe the first person and frustrate another. It depends on their individual symptoms. It also depends on the severity of their tinnitus.
This cannot cure tinnitus, but it can provide some relief. People that need a distraction can use tinnitus maskers in order to hear soothing noises instead of the shrill phantom noises that are in their heads. While it does not work for everyone, it has made many people feel much better.