Sound Enrichment While Sleeping for Reactive Tinnitus

I can see there is a lot of us with tinnitus that flare up from every day sounds. I am planing to try sound enrichment while sleeping.

The plan is to use a Sonos 4-5 meters from bed at minimum level, barely audible. My tinnitus is high frequency cicadas like or high frequency electric buzzing.

What type of sounds would you recommend? I tend to be super sensitive to high frequency tones so I do not want too much of that. Any other recommendations?

 

I have high frequency (12 kHz) bilateral tinnitus. While I was using sound enrichment at night (I don't anymore and sleep better) I used rain/thunder sounds. Basically that was the only sound that could calm me down a bit.

 

@David S, a fan on low volume (or speed if you have the real thing) might do the trick for you.

 

Ideally, you should have a sound machine by your bedside and set the sound slightly below the tinnitus. I appreciate that you are sensitive to sounds but think 4-5 meters from your bedside is too far. Use nature sounds, streaming water is popular and quite relaxing. Allow at least 6 to 8 weeks to get used to using sound enrichment. It will help to desensitize your auditory system too.

Michael

 

I have been using ocean sounds at night when I can and it has been helping somewhat. Problem is my tinnitus fluctuates quite a bit.

 

I like the idea about nature sounds. Rain and thunder would be nice. Now I just have to convince my wife.

 

Using sound enrichment at night is good but has its limitations. I have no idea of the severity of your tinnitus and how it's affecting your mental and emotional wellbeing? You have had tinnitus a long time and may need more specialist treatment as I have mentioned to you in previous posts. This may require wearing white noise generators which will provide continues sound enrichment throughout the day to treat both the tinnitus and hyperacusis.

You may also need counselling with an Audiologist, that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management. However, in your favour is the fact that you are experienced in tinnitus. If you are not overly stressed by the tinnitus and oversensitivity to sound, you have the option of buying one or two white noise generators and treating yourself. I am only suggesting options that you could try and not giving any guarantees they will work for you.

Treating tinnitus and hyperacusis can be complex and usually advise people, to see an Audiologist/Hearing Therapist that specialises in these conditions for treatment.

All the best,
Michael

 

You can connect the sound machine to a pillow speaker for privacy. These are pillows that have built-in speakers. Oasis sound machines have a 3.5 audio out-put jack to connect to a pillow speaker. Model S-650 is popular.

 

My older tinnitus wasn’t bad at all. Then it came on again much worse. I’m so-so, good and bad days. My ENT recommended hearing aids due to my hearing loss.

 

Hello, have you tried hearing aids since? What was your experience?