What Is Sound Masking for Tinnitus?

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. Most people describe it as ringing, but it can also manifest as buzzing, hissing, whooshing, clicking, or humming. It is not a disease itself but a symptom, often linked to noise-induced hearing loss, age-related hearing changes, earwax blockage, or conditions affecting the auditory system. Current research points to the brain as the primary site of tinnitus perception: when the auditory system experiences reduced input, the brain compensates by increasing its internal amplification (a process called "central gain"), which can produce the phantom sound perceived as tinnitus (Norena, 2011; Roberts et al., 2010).

A 2022 meta-analysis published in JAMA Neurology estimated that approximately 14.4% of adults worldwide experience tinnitus, with prevalence rising to 23.6% in adults over 65 (Jarach et al., 2022). In absolute numbers, that is more than 740 million adults globally. For many, it is a mild background presence. For others, it is persistent and intrusive enough to interfere with concentration, sleep, and daily life.

If you are experiencing tinnitus, the first step is always to consult an audiologist or healthcare provider. Tinnitus can be a symptom of underlying conditions that require professional evaluation.

What Is Sound Masking?

Sound masking is the practice of playing external sounds to reduce the contrast between tinnitus and the surrounding environment. The concept has been studied since Feldmann (1971) published the first systematic study of tinnitus masking, and was later formalised as a clinical approach by Vernon (1977). The idea is straightforward: when there is other audio present, the tinnitus signal is less prominent relative to the background.

This is not about drowning out the ringing with louder noise. It is about adjusting the audio environment so the tinnitus is not the only thing your ears are processing.

Common masking sounds include white noise, pink noise, brown noise, nature recordings, tonal sounds, and ambient textures. Different people prefer different sounds, and preferences often change depending on the time of day and what you are doing.

Why Frequency Matters

Tinnitus typically has a dominant pitch, a specific frequency that characterizes the sound you hear. Generic white noise covers all frequencies equally, which means most of its energy is spread across frequencies that have nothing to do with your particular tinnitus pitch.

Research supports this observation. A systematic review by Perez-Carpena et al. (2021) found that pure tones and narrowband noise centred on the individual's tinnitus pitch produced higher rates of temporary tinnitus suppression than broadband noise. Moore, Vinay, and Sandhya (2010) found a strong correlation (r = 0.94) between tinnitus pitch and the "edge frequency" of the audiogram where hearing loss worsens. When the external sound overlaps more precisely with the tinnitus pitch, less overall volume is needed to change the audio balance.

Approaches to Sound Masking

There are several ways people use sound masking, and they are worth understanding as general concepts. None of these are specific to any product; they describe broad approaches that audiologists, researchers, and individuals use.

Broadband Masking

This is the most common starting point. Playing white noise, fan sounds, or nature recordings at a comfortable volume creates a general background sound layer across a wide frequency range. Many people use broadband masking during sleep or concentration.

Partial Masking

Rather than fully covering the tinnitus with louder sound, partial masking uses sounds played at or near the same level as the tinnitus. The external sound and the tinnitus blend together rather than one overwhelming the other. This concept is central to Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), where Jastreboff and Hazell (1993) emphasised that the masking sound and the tinnitus should be perceived simultaneously to promote habituation. Smith et al. (1991) also found that experienced tinnitus-masker users chose levels that only partially masked their tinnitus, suggesting many people prefer this approach.

Frequency-Targeted Masking

This involves using sounds that are concentrated around the specific pitch of your tinnitus rather than spread across the entire spectrum. Because the sound energy is focused where it is relevant, less volume is needed overall. This requires knowing your approximate tinnitus pitch, which an audiologist can measure or which you can explore using pitch-comparison tools. For more on this approach, see our guide on frequency matching.

Layered Sound Environments

Rather than using a single sound, some people build soundscapes by combining multiple sounds at different frequencies and volumes. For example, a nature recording layered with a tonal sound near their tinnitus pitch. The variety keeps the audio environment engaging and reduces the chance of the brain "tuning out" a single repetitive sound.

Why Justin Built a Sound Masking App

Justin, siasola's founder, has lived with tinnitus since he was 18. He spent years using generic white noise apps and found them limited: fixed presets, no pitch control, no ability to layer and mix sounds the way he wanted.

He built Siasola Tinnitus Masking Sounds for himself first. The goal was not to create a medical product. It was to build the customizable sound mixing tool he wished existed, one that let him control pitches, volumes, and layers precisely.

The app includes a pitch exploration tool for finding your tinnitus frequency, 95+ sounds across multiple categories, a 5-layer mixer with independent volume and pitch controls, and a sleep fade mode. It is a sound customization tool, not a medical device.

Important Disclaimers

siasola Tinnitus Masking Sounds is not a medical device. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. It is a sound mixing and playback tool.

Tinnitus can be a symptom of conditions that require professional evaluation. If you are experiencing tinnitus, consult an audiologist or healthcare provider. Do not use any app as a substitute for professional guidance.

Individual experiences with sound masking vary widely. What one person finds useful, another may not. There is no guarantee that any sound masking approach will change your experience of tinnitus.

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References

1. Feldmann H. Homolateral and contralateral masking of tinnitus by noise-bands and by pure tones. Audiology. 1971;10(3):138-144. doi:10.3109/00206097109072551

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. Jastreboff PJ, Hazell JWP. A neurophysiological approach to tinnitus: clinical implications. British Journal of Audiology. 1993;27(1):7-17. doi:10.3109/03005369309077884

4. Moore BCJ, Vinay, Sandhya. The relationship between tinnitus pitch and the edge frequency of the audiogram in individuals with hearing impairment and tonal tinnitus. Hearing Research. 2010;261(1-2):51-56. doi:10.1016/j.heares.2010.01.003

5. Norena AJ. An integrative model of tinnitus based on a central gain controlling neural sensitivity. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2011;35(5):1089-1109. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.11.003

6. 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

7. Roberts LE, Eggermont JJ, Caspary DM, et al. Ringing ears: the neuroscience of tinnitus. Journal of Neuroscience. 2010;30(45):14972-14979. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4028-10.2010

8. Smith PA, Parr VM, Lutman ME, Coles RR. Comparative study of four noise spectra as potential tinnitus maskers. British Journal of Audiology. 1991;25(1):25-34. doi:10.3109/03005369109077861

9. Vernon JA. Attempts to relieve tinnitus. Journal of the American Auditory Society. 1977;2(4):124-131. PubMed:845067

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siasola Tinnitus Masking Sounds is not a medical device. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. It is a sound mixing and playback tool. If you are experiencing tinnitus, consult an audiologist or healthcare provider. Individual experiences with sound masking vary widely.