Patterned sound therapy for the treatment of tinnitus

Abstract

USING SOUND TO CURE TINNITUS Sound therapy, via either acoustic or electric stimulation, uses external sounds to provide short- and longterm relief from tinnitus. The interactions between external sounds and tinnitus are well established, as the external sounds can not only induce tinnitus, but can alter its perception as well. Excessive exposure to loud sounds is the single greatest risk associated with tinnitus onset, and for those with tinnitus, sound overexposure may exacerbate it. However, sounds used at safe levels can be highly beneficial to an individual with tinnitus. Sounds can not only distract a person’s attention away from tinnitus, but also affect the overall quality of the tinnitus. In some cases, people report noticeable changes in tinnitus pitch or quality following exposure to certain external sound sources. For example, a variety of sounds, ranging from constant, low-level background sounds mimicking running water to intermittent sounds mimicking fire crackling have been used to mask the overall perception of tin