Best Tinnitus Masking Apps for iPhone (2026)

If you have tinnitus and an iPhone, you have options. A 2022 meta-analysis estimated that approximately 14.4% of adults worldwide experience tinnitus (Jarach et al., 2022), so there is a large and growing market for sound tools. The App Store has more tinnitus-related apps than ever, from free companion apps made by hearing aid manufacturers to subscription-based sound mixing tools to structured CBT programs. The challenge is not finding an app. It is finding the right one for what you actually need.

This guide compares the major tinnitus masking and sound apps available on iPhone in 2026. Every comparison here is based on features, pricing, and functionality, not on which app "works better" for tinnitus. Tinnitus is a medical matter, and no app is a substitute for professional evaluation by an audiologist or healthcare provider. What these apps offer is control over your sound environment, and that is what we are comparing.

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Two Categories of Tinnitus Apps

Before diving into individual apps, it helps to understand that tinnitus apps fall into two broad categories, and they serve different purposes.

Sound-focused tools give you a library of sounds and let you mix, layer, and customise them. They are built for hands-on control over your audio environment. Research by Perez-Carpena et al. (2021) found that frequency-targeted sound produced higher rates of temporary tinnitus suppression than broadband noise, which suggests that apps offering pitch control and frequency targeting have a practical advantage over those that do not. If you want to build your own soundscapes with specific pitches, volumes, and layers, this is the category you want.

Structured program apps guide you through a curriculum, typically combining sound with cognitive behavioural techniques, mindfulness exercises, and educational content. A clinical trial comparing tinnitus masking and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) found both approaches produced significant improvements (Henry et al., 2006), supporting the value of structured approaches alongside sound tools. If you want a step-by-step program with daily sessions and progress tracking, this is the category you want.

Some apps blend both approaches, but most lean clearly toward one side. Knowing which type you are looking for narrows the field immediately.

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The Apps

1. siasola Tinnitus Masking Sounds

Price: Free tier with core features; subscription for full access. No ads. Category: Sound-focused tool Hearing aids required: No

Siasola Tinnitus Masking Sounds was built by Justin, who has had tinnitus since he was 18. He spent years using other apps and found them limited in ways that mattered to him: fixed presets, no pitch control, no way to precisely shape a sound environment. So he built the tool he wanted.

Key features:

• 95+ sounds across multiple categories
• 5-layer mixer with independent volume and pitch controls per layer
• Pitch exploration tool for finding your tinnitus frequency
• DSP effects for further shaping each sound layer
• Sleep fade mode
• No personal data collected, no ads, no data selling

What stands out: The combination of multi-layer mixing with per-layer pitch control is unique among tinnitus apps. Most apps let you adjust volume per sound, but very few let you shift the pitch of individual layers independently. The pitch exploration tool is also a dedicated feature, not a general hearing test but a focused tool for exploring frequencies related to your tinnitus pitch. The DSP effects add another dimension of sound customization that other apps do not offer.

What it does not do: siasola is purely a sound customization tool. It does not include CBT exercises, guided meditations, educational content, or structured programs. It is not a medical device and makes no claims about outcomes.

Best for: People who want maximum hands-on control over their sound environment: multiple layers, precise pitch adjustment, effects processing, and a large sound library to work with.

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2. myNoise

Price: Free with limited soundscapes; one-time lifetime purchase (~$20-30). No subscription. Category: Sound-focused tool Hearing aids required: No

Created by Dr. Ir. Stephane Pigeon, an audio engineer and researcher, myNoise has the largest sound library on this list by a wide margin. It is not tinnitus-specific (it is a general-purpose sound generator) but its depth of customization has made it popular in the tinnitus community.

Key features:

• 300+ customizable soundscapes (nature, synthetic, tonal, noise-based)
• 10 individual frequency sliders per soundscape for granular tone shaping
• Specific tinnitus-related presets
• In-app hearing calibration
• Offline download support
• No subscription; one-time purchase unlocks everything

What stands out: The sheer size of the library and the 10-slider frequency shaping per soundscape. You can sculpt the spectral profile of any individual sound with more precision than most other apps allow. The one-time purchase model is also increasingly rare in 2026.

What it does not do: myNoise customizes one soundscape at a time rather than letting you layer independent sounds with their own settings. There is no dedicated sleep fade timer and no tinnitus pitch exploration tool. The interface is functional but not modern.

Best for: People who want a massive library of individually customizable soundscapes and prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription.

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3. ReSound Relief

Price: Free core features; premium subscription (~$6.99/month or ~$69.99/year). Category: Blended (sound + guided program) Hearing aids required: No (optional pairing with ReSound hearing aids)

ReSound Relief comes from GN ReSound, a major hearing aid manufacturer. It combines a sound library with guided exercises and structured plans, making it one of the more comprehensive apps on this list.

Key features:

• Sound library with environmental, music, and ambient categories
• Layer up to 5 sounds simultaneously
• Guided meditations, breathing exercises, and imagery exercises
• Personalized weekly plans (answers questions, generates a schedule)
• In-app hearing test
• Usage tracking
• Sleep timer
• Streams to ReSound hearing aids if paired

What stands out: The combination of sound mixing and structured guided content is well-executed. The personalized plan feature is unique; it adjusts based on your responses. The free tier is generous with core sounds and exercises included.

What it does not do: Sound customization does not include per-sound pitch control or DSP effects. The mixing is volume-based. The app is tied to the ReSound ecosystem, though it works standalone.

Best for: People who want both a sound mixing tool and guided exercises in a single app, especially those who already use or are considering ReSound hearing aids.

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4. White Noise by TMSOFT

Price: Free version (with ads); full version ~$1.99; Pro ~$2.99 (one-time purchases). Category: Sound-focused tool (general purpose) Hearing aids required: No

White Noise has been on the App Store since 2008, making it one of the longest-running sound apps available. It is not tinnitus-specific (it is a general-purpose white noise and sleep app) but its mixing capabilities and massive community sound library have made it a go-to for many people with tinnitus.

Key features:

• 40+ built-in looped sounds
• Thousands of additional free sounds via the community White Noise Market
• Mix unlimited sounds together with per-sound volume, balance, and pitch adjustment
• Advanced alarm and timer system with fade-in and fade-out
• Timed playlists
• Apple Watch, AirPlay, and Apple TV support

What stands out: The community sound market is enormous, with thousands of user-contributed sounds that you can download for free and mix with the built-in library. Per-sound pitch adjustment is available, which is uncommon. The one-time price point is also the lowest on this list.

What it does not do: No tinnitus pitch matching. No tinnitus-specific features or educational content. The built-in library of 40+ sounds is smaller than dedicated tinnitus apps, though the community market compensates. The free version has ads.

Best for: Budget-conscious users who want a capable sound mixer with an enormous community library and do not need tinnitus-specific features like pitch exploration.

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5. Oto

Price: 7-day free trial; self-guided plan ~$9.99/month; provider-guided plans higher. Category: Structured program (CBT-focused) Hearing aids required: No

Oto takes a fundamentally different approach from the sound-focused apps above. It is a structured program built around cognitive behavioural techniques, with sound sessions as one component among many. This is less of a "sound app" and more of a daily practice program.

Key features:

• Structured daily program with 5-10 minute audio sessions
• CBT-based exercises and mindfulness techniques
• 100+ sounds for sound-based sessions
• Progress tracking and journaling
• Quick sessions and bedtime tools
• Skill of the day feature

What stands out: The most structured, curriculum-driven approach on this list. If you want someone (or something) to tell you exactly what to do each day, Oto provides that. It is backed by clinical research partnerships, including trials with the University of Cambridge.

What it does not do: Sound customization is very limited. This is a guided program, not a sound mixing tool. You do not get multi-layer mixing, pitch control, or the ability to build your own soundscapes. It is also among the more expensive options on this list.

Best for: People who want a structured daily program with guided exercises rather than (or in addition to) a hands-on sound mixing tool.

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6. Beltone Tinnitus Calmer

Price: Completely free. No ads, no subscriptions. Category: Blended (sound + exercises) Hearing aids required: No (optional pairing with Beltone hearing aids)

Beltone Tinnitus Calmer is one of several free apps from hearing aid manufacturers. Its combination of environmental sounds, relaxation exercises, and visual elements makes it a solid free starting point.

Key features:

• Library of environmental sounds and music
• Relaxation exercises including deep breathing and guided meditation
• Visual and colour-based exercises
• Usage tracking
• Coping skills section
• Sleep features
• Streams adjusted audio to Beltone hearing aids

What stands out: It is completely free with no upsell. For a no-cost app, it packs a surprising amount of content. Highly rated on the App Store (4.8 stars). The visual exercises are a unique touch.

What it does not do: Sound customization is basic: no per-sound pitch control, no multi-layer mixer with independent settings. The sound library is smaller than dedicated sound apps. The app is designed primarily as a companion to Beltone hearing aids.

Best for: People who want a free starting point with a mix of sounds and guided exercises, especially those considering or using Beltone hearing aids.

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7. MindEar

Price: 7-day free trial; ~$69.99/year. Category: Structured program (AI-assisted) Hearing aids required: No

MindEar is a newer entry designed by audiologists, psychologists, and researchers. Its distinguishing feature is an AI chatbot companion that provides personalized guidance alongside a structured management program.

Key features:

• AI-powered chatbot companion
• 8-week structured program
• CBT-based activities
• Sound library with nature soundscapes
• Meditation and journaling tools
• Guided sleep sessions
• Expert-led podcast content

What stands out: The AI chatbot is novel; it provides personalized responses to questions and can adjust guidance based on your input. The combination of professional expertise behind the app (audiologists and psychologists) with AI-driven personalization is a relatively new approach.

What it does not do: Sound mixing and customization is not the focus. The sound library is smaller than dedicated sound tools. The app is oriented toward guided learning and structured programs rather than hands-on sound control.

Best for: People who want a guided, personalized program with AI-assisted support and are comfortable with a subscription model.

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8. BetterSleep (formerly Relax Melodies)

Price: Free tier; premium ~$9.99/month or ~$59.99/year; lifetime ~$249.99. Category: Sound-focused tool (general purpose with tinnitus features) Hearing aids required: No

BetterSleep started as Relax Melodies and was originally built with tinnitus-related insomnia as a primary use case. It has since expanded into a general sleep and wellness app, but its roots in the tinnitus community remain.

Key features:

• Large sound library
• Sound mixing with multiple layers
• White, brown, pink, and green noise options
• 250+ guided meditations and hypnosis sessions
• Sleep tracker
• Bedtime stories
• Tinnitus-specific programs combining sound and relaxation

What stands out: The breadth of content is impressive: sounds, meditations, stories, and sleep tracking in one app. Its origins in tinnitus-related insomnia mean the sound library is well-suited for nighttime use.

What it does not do: No pitch matching or tinnitus-specific frequency tools. No per-sound pitch control. The app has evolved into a general wellness platform, so tinnitus features are a subset rather than the core focus. The lifetime price ($249.99) is steep.

Best for: People who want a combined sleep and sound app with a large content library and do not need tinnitus-specific pitch tools.

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9. Widex Zen

Price: Free. Category: Sound-focused tool (fractal tones) Hearing aids required: No

Widex Zen takes a unique approach with its fractal tone generators, algorithmically generated tonal patterns that do not repeat predictably. This is a fundamentally different sound design philosophy from loop-based apps.

Key features:

• Fractal tone generators (Zen Dreams, Zen Joy, Zen Calm)
• Algorithmically generated, non-repeating tonal patterns
• Educational section
• Relaxation and sleep exercises
• Sleep timer
• Works with any Bluetooth audio device

What stands out: The fractal tones are genuinely unique. Because they are algorithmically generated rather than looped, they create patterns your brain does not anticipate and tune out as quickly. No other app on this list does this.

What it does not do: Very small sound library beyond the fractal tones. No mixing or layering. No pitch control. The app has not been significantly updated in recent years.

Best for: People curious about fractal/non-repeating tonal approaches who want a free option to explore.

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10. Starkey Relax

Price: Free. Category: Sound-focused tool (basic) Hearing aids required: No (optional pairing with Starkey hearing aids)

Starkey Relax is the simplest app on this list: 12 sounds with per-sound controls. It is stripped down by design, offering a small but customizable set of masking sounds.

Key features:

• 12 customizable sounds
• Per-sound volume, frequency response, and fluctuation rate controls
• Visual imagery paired with sounds
• Educational content
• Streams to Starkey hearing aids

What stands out: Despite having only 12 sounds, each one has frequency response and fluctuation rate controls that most hearing aid companion apps do not offer. It is focused and functional.

What it does not do: 12 sounds is the smallest library on this list. No multi-layer mixing. The app has not been significantly updated.

Best for: People who want a simple, free, no-frills masking tool with basic frequency shaping, especially Starkey hearing aid users.

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Quick Comparison Table

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How to Choose

There is no single "best" tinnitus app because there is no single type of tinnitus experience or user preference. Here is a framework for narrowing down your choice:

If you want maximum sound customization and control: Look at siasola (pitch control, 5-layer mixing, DSP effects), myNoise (300+ soundscapes, 10-slider shaping), or White Noise (unlimited mixing, huge community library).

If you want a structured program with guided exercises: Look at Oto (CBT-focused daily program), MindEar (AI-assisted 8-week program), or ReSound Relief (sound + guided content hybrid).

If you want something free to start with: Beltone Calmer, Widex Zen, and Starkey Relax are all completely free. White Noise is under $3 one-time. myNoise is $20-30 one-time with no subscription.

If nighttime sound is your primary use case: siasola's sleep fade mode, White Noise's advanced timer system, and BetterSleep's dedicated sleep features are worth comparing.

If you know your tinnitus pitch: siasola's pitch exploration tool and per-layer pitch control let you build sound environments targeted at specific frequencies. myNoise's 10-slider frequency shaping gives similar (though different) control over spectral profiles.

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Important Disclaimers

None of these apps are medical devices. No app listed here diagnoses, treats, cures, or prevents any medical condition. If you are experiencing tinnitus, the first and most important step is to consult an audiologist or healthcare provider. Tinnitus can be a symptom of conditions that require professional evaluation.

Individual experiences with sound masking apps vary widely. Features that one person finds useful, another may not. There is no guarantee that any app or approach will change your experience of tinnitus. The comparisons above are based on publicly available feature information and pricing as of early 2026, and may change over time.

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References

1. Henry JA, Schechter MA, Zaugg TL, et al. Outcomes of clinical trial: tinnitus masking versus tinnitus retraining therapy. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. 2006;17(2):104-132. doi:10.3766/jaaa.17.2.4

2. Jarach CM, Lugo A, Scala M, et al. Global prevalence and incidence of tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Neurology. 2022;79(9):888-900. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.2189

3. Perez-Carpena P, Bibas A, Lopez-Escamez JA, Vardonikolaki K, Kikidis D. Systematic review of sound stimulation to elicit tinnitus residual inhibition. Progress in Brain Research. 2021;262:1-21. doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.01.020