Sound Machines and Tinnitus

[Lucia Zuani]

@Michael Leigh, many thanks for this fantastic thread. Although I am still less than a month into this nightmare, I do need to find myself a good sound enrichment machine to try and get better sleep.

I could not find the Sound Oasis models you mentioned for purchase online (I am in the US). Do you happen to know of good options that may exist nowadays?

Thanks!

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh, many thanks for this fantastic thread. Although I am still less than a month into this nightmare, I do need to find myself a good sound enrichment machine to try and get better sleep.

I could not find the Sound Oasis models you mentioned for purchase online (I am in the US). Do you happen to know of good options that may exist nowadays?

Thanks!

Hi @Lucia Zuani.

Thank you for your kind comments. Sound Oasis sound machines can be bought from their website in the link below. They can also be bought from US Amazon in the link below. The S-680-02 is popular and the one I recommend. Their top model is S-6000 which I have. More than 100 sound combinations can be selected. It comes with a radio and has a host of other features.

• SoundOasis.com: Sound Oasis S-680-02
• Amazon.com: Sound Oasis S-680-01
• Amazon.com: Sound Oasis S-6000

All the best,
Michael

 

[momus]

I have a HoMedics Model SS-2000. I have used it for years, it was around $20 on eBay. It runs on batteries or AC. It's quite small, so it's easy to bring w/ you if you're traveling. The sounds on it are Thunder, Ocean, Brook, Summer Night, Rain and White Noise. I combine it w/ a box fan and it's good enough to cover up almost all my tinnitus.

You can stream things on YouTube too, just put in 'ocean,' 'rain', etc and try out the various ones.

I've used a small window A/C before. It was the best because it had white noise and pink noise. It doesn't need to be on Cool, so the compressor isn't on. When I had it on a nightstand by the head of my bed it was very soothing. You have to try them out before buying though, some are way too quiet.

 

[Pixelito]

Since these Sound Oasis devices are not exactly cheap, are there particular sounds that they generate that we can replicate on our smartphones? At the beginning of my onset, I was listening to the sound of insects at night. Or is there something about the Sound Oasis devices that phones can't replicate?

Thank you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Since these Sound Oasis devices are not exactly cheap, are there particular sounds that they generate that we can replicate on our smartphones? At the beginning of my onset, I was listening to the sound of insects at night. Or is there something about the Sound Oasis devices that phones can't replicate?

The speaker on a smartphone is not ideal because it's considerably smaller than the speaker fitted to a Sound Oasis machine or from another brand of sound machine. It is all about sound quality. If you wish, you can connect your phone to a small external speaker via Bluetooth, and this should suffice.

Best of luck,
Michael

 

[David S]

There is no magic with the Sound Oasis. It is just a decent speaker with a sound catalog. Any good speaker would do. Pick a sound that you like and do not put the speaker too close. For me sound stimulation during the day was far more important than during the night. Sound stimulation is the key to get your tinnitus under control. It is much more important that you do it than what brand/model you are using. I would keep away from anything close to your ears except for in-ear white noise generators. Most good hearing aids can generate white noise as well today.

 

[Pinhead]

I wish sound enrichment did something for me. It just makes the screeching worse. I've tried every day for the past three years.

 

[Jupiterman]

I wish sound enrichment did something for me. It just makes the screeching worse. I've tried every day for the past three years.

There are many with reactive tinnitus who have said the same.

Have you tried reducing the volume, to an extent, so as not to cause tinnitus worsening?

 

[Pinhead]

There are many with reactive tinnitus who have said the same.

Have you tried reducing the volume, to an extent, so as not to cause tinnitus worsening?

The only volume that doesn't is "off".

 

[Daniel Lion]

I wish sound enrichment did something for me. It just makes the screeching worse. I've tried every day for the past three years.

Hi @Pinhead, my heart goes out to you.

What kind of sound enrichment have you been using? I am curious.

Get back when you have time.

Daniel

 

[Pinhead]

Hi @Pinhead, my heart goes out to you.

What kind of sound enrichment have you been using? I am curious.

Get back when you have time.

Daniel

Currently, I have tried neuromodulation, white noise, pink noise, violet noise, brown noise, shower noises, birds, rain, and a slew of other 'natural' sounds. None cover it. Violet noise does the best, but when I turn it off, the tinnitus spikes heavily.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Currently, I have tried neuromodulation, white noise, pink noise, violet noise, brown noise, shower noises, birds, rain, and a slew of other 'natural' sounds. None cover it. Violet noise does the best, but when I turn it off, the tinnitus spikes heavily.

OK, thanks.

What happens when you don't introduce any noise? As in for more than 24 hours?

I am asking, because I don't mask and live with my noise. Sometimes neuroplastic changes can happen without large amounts of sound.

Have you tried a protocol opposite to what you listed?

Last question, apologies...

How do you listen to your sounds? What kind of sound delivery device? Earbuds, hearing aids, etc?

 

[cbstiles]

Hi @Lucia Zuani.

Thank you for your kind comments. Sound Oasis sound machines can be bought from their website in the link below. They can also be bought from US Amazon in the link below. The S-680-02 is popular and the one I recommend. Their top model is S-6000 which I have. More than 100 sound combinations can be selected. It comes with a radio and has a host of other features.

• SoundOasis.com: Sound Oasis S-680-02
• Amazon.com: Sound Oasis S-680-01
• Amazon.com: Sound Oasis S-6000

All the best,
Michael

Thanks for all the helpful posts, Michael!

I'm curious to know if you have any experience or knowledge regarding the Sound Oasis BST-80-25T. I was looking to start with a slightly lower-cost, more compact device, and this seemed to fit the bill. I saw your discussion of 'Sound Enrichment' in a few other posts; from what I gather, sound enrichment is more the technique used when applying sound therapy and not a feature specific to certain devices. As such, would I be correct to think I could achieve this with the BST-80-25T?

Thanks for your time and thoughts!

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thanks for all the helpful posts, Michael!

I'm curious to know if you have any experience or knowledge regarding the Sound Oasis BST-80-25T. I was looking to start with a slightly lower-cost, more compact device, and this seemed to fit the bill. I saw your discussion of 'Sound Enrichment' in a few other posts; from what I gather, sound enrichment is more the technique used when applying sound therapy and not a feature specific to certain devices. As such, would I be correct to think I could achieve this with the BST-80-25T?

Thanks for your time and thoughts!

Thank you for your kind comments about my posts, @cbstiles.

I have no experience with the BST-80-25T sound machine. Since it is made by Sound Oasis, I feel confident that you will find it suitable for your needs. Please go to my started threads and read my articles on tinnitus and hyperacusis. I hope you find them helpful.

Please remember that sound enrichment must not draw attention to itself, especially when using It at night. The sound should be set at a level where it can easily be ignored. It takes time to get used to using sound enrichment at night, approximately six weeks or more.

All the best,
Michael

 

[UKBloke]

Thank you for your kind comments about my posts, @cbstiles.

I have no experience with the BST-80-25T sound machine. Since it is made by Sound Oasis, I feel confident that you will find it suitable for your needs. Please go to my started threads and read my articles on tinnitus and hyperacusis. I hope you find them helpful.

Please remember that sound enrichment must not draw attention to itself, especially when using It at night. The sound should be set at a level where it can easily be ignored. It takes time to get used to using sound enrichment at night, approximately six weeks or more.

All the best,
Michael

How are you doing, Michael? You've been away for a while, did the spike subside?

 

[Michael Leigh]

How are you doing, Michael? You've been away for a while, did the spike subside?

Hi UKBloke,
I hope you are keeping well. My tinnitus hasn't spiked for over 25 years.

As you know, I have noise-induced tinnitus that I have successfully managed for many years. Unfortunately, in February 2024, the tinnitus increased considerably and became unilateral, affecting only my right ear. The cacophony of noise was extremely debilitating and nothing like I have ever experienced before.

I had an MRI scan that showed nothing untoward. All of the GPs /PCP I have seen at my medical practice have shown immense understanding and compassion for what I have been going through for nearly two years.

My ENT Consultant in London, has referred me to a specialist hospital that only treats people with very severe tinnitus. I am taking Conazepam to help manage the tinnitus because it's the only thing that will calm it down. Fortunately, I haven't experienced any adverse effects with Clonazepam, and I'm thankful my ENT consultant and GPs continue to prescribe it.

I replied to @cbstiles question because he asked for my help. I peruse this forum occasionally, but will no longer post or write tinnitus articles like I used to. I have previously made my reasons for this decision clear.

I recently turned 66 years of age, and now I'm officially a pensioner in the UK. How time flies. As our late Queen once said, if one lives long enough, we all get old. I see myself as a young 66-year-old and smiled this morning when a young lady in the pharmacy handed me my prescription and said, I don't look my age!

Take care,
Michael

 

[UKBloke]

Hi UKBloke,
I hope you are keeping well. My tinnitus hasn't spiked for over 25 years.

As you know, I have noise-induced tinnitus that I have successfully managed for many years. Unfortunately, in February 2024, the tinnitus increased considerably and became unilateral, affecting only my right ear. The cacophony of noise was extremely debilitating and nothing like I have ever experienced before.

I had an MRI scan that showed nothing untoward. All of the GPs /PCP I have seen at my medical practice have shown immense understanding and compassion for what I have been going through for nearly two years.

My ENT Consultant in London, has referred me to a specialist hospital that only treats people with very severe tinnitus. I am taking Conazepam to help manage the tinnitus because it's the only thing that will calm it down. Fortunately, I haven't experienced any adverse effects with Clonazepam, and I'm thankful my ENT consultant and GPs continue to prescribe it.

I replied to @cbstiles question because he asked for my help. I peruse this forum occasionally, but will no longer post or write tinnitus articles like I used to. I have previously made my reasons for this decision clear.

I recently turned 66 years of age, and now I'm officially a pensioner in the UK. How time flies. As our late Queen once said, if one lives long enough, we all get old. I see myself as a young 66-year-old and smiled this morning when a young lady in the pharmacy handed me my prescription and said, I don't look my age!

Take care,
Michael

Glad to hear you're doing well. And yes, a little age drop from the local pharmacist is always nice!