For those who don't have it, it can be hard to imagine; For those who have it, it can be impossible to forget. The perpetual noise in the inner ear that we call tinnitus comes in a wide variety of forms. Some hiss, others ring or buzz, or a combination of the above. The only constant is that it never goes away. Naturally, this leads most sufferers to distraction, with flare-ups brought on by stress or other triggers. With the advances in technology we carry, more and more options are emerging that claim to at least alleviate symptoms, but can we trust them?
drown out the din
The variety of products that claim to be effective in treating tinnitus can be a bit overwhelming at first. These range from dumb (stick-like rubber in ear and I hope for the best, pencils in nose and no 'wobble' needed) to comprehensive (apps with full treatment programs). Whatever ability they may have is tempered by the unfortunate medical fact that there is no generally accepted cause for tinnitus. Each case is, in a sense, unique. Harvard Medical School theorizes that, like fiddling with the EQ settings on a boombox, tinnitus can be understood as the brain's increased 'gain' on a missing audio frequency, possibly as a result of trauma. in the ear (ie, exposure to loud sounds). This then produces the common hissing sound. This is not a universally accepted cause, especially since many cases are victim-specific. Since we do not understand the source, it is almost impossible to produce a generally effective cure.
![oto aplicación]()
The Oto app offers different treatments that have been shown to be effective in managing tinnitus (Image Credit: Oto) The product options that exist are there for symptom management only, which in no way diminishes their value. Whether software or hardware, these typically focus on using various ``colorful'' noises or environmental noises (birdsong, forest sounds) to mask the din, or offer wellness help and general lifestyle advice. to deal with tinnitus triggers, such as stress. "The term 'masking' actually means tinnitus distraction," says Kevin Taylor, director of information and technology communications at the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (formerly Action on Hearing Loss). “It's certainly not a cure, and while masking isn't effective for everyone, many find it beneficial. Tinnitus can be worse at night, when you are quiet, or when you are stressed. It can also change over time. The idea is to reproduce the masking sound at a comfortable level. People with tinnitus don't necessarily have hearing loss, but many do. " The effectiveness of the masking will largely depend on your personal situation. For colored noises, for example, we found "purple" helpful in managing the tone of the noise, but the feel-good options were too general with their advice. to be of immediate use.
![Aplicación ReSound]()
The ReSound app masks tinnitus by playing 'relief sounds' (Image credit: ReSound)
Ahoy apps
The success of masking with "purple noise" was found through Oto, an app first launched in January 2020. Oto focuses on providing modules that provide advice on living with tinnitus. These are divided into different levels of complexity, from basic to more advanced levels. A common theme with apps begins here, which is the first free basic course to end with a paywall. The app is well presented and makes an important theme, regaining control of the noise, but being insincere about financial needs causes you to lose some confidence. Oto also emphasizes wellness exercises. The usefulness of these will depend to a large extent on the time you have available. ReSound Relief has also proven to be an effective option, but with a slightly less polished presentation than Oto. Its objective is to give the user more tools to manage their disease more directly, in a less organized way. This app offers a number of more advanced features to manage tinnitus, and it is these that are locked behind the paywall. For the most part, the standard free tier will provide enough help to make a difference.
![Sound Oasis S-680-01 Sistema avanzado de terapia del sueño con sonido]()
The Sound Oasis S-680-01 advanced sound therapy system for sleep (shown) emits sounds to help you sleep. (Image credit: Sound Oasis)
far beyond
Beyond these apps, which provide a more organized experience, there are other options. YouTube has a galaxy of videos broadcasting noises across the entire observable color spectrum and beyond that claim to cure/help tinnitus. There are also dedicated speakers, alarm clocks, CDs, headphones, and more, each showing some ability to help with illnesses. There are even fans that produce a specific sound to muffle the noise. Companies like SoundOasis have a variety of offerings available. However, a common theme, especially for those experiencing their first onset of tinnitus, is the importance of medical advice. Tinnitus can be a symptom of a major hearing loss or major problems in the inner ear (Meniere's disease, for example) and as such a professional diagnosis is essential. While there is no cure yet, there are many options to help manage tinnitus, and there is still hope. The British Tinnitus Association has awarded €125,000 (approximately £160,000 / AU$220,000) to King's College London and the University of Nottingham for a two-year study aiming to identify tinnitus biomarkers. This could pave the way by providing an objective diagnosis of both tinnitus and its severity in the affected person. So no matter what the sound is, trial and error is essential. While there is no cure, there are now more options than ever to help manage the condition, a fact that deserves at least a little celebration.