Are In-Ear Maskers Safe Long-Term? Can They Cause Hearing Damage?

[Mentos]

I have had mild tinnitus for 4.5 years already. For 4 years I've been using in-ear maskers with white/pink noise, they calm me down and the masking sound is easier to cope with than my cricket tinnitus.

Are maskers safe to be used long term? Can they cause further hearing damage? My hearing has not changed during the course of these 4 years.

 

[Dr. Nagler]

I have had mild tinnitus for 4.5 years already. For 4 years I've been using in-ear maskers with white/pink noise, they calm me down and the masking sound is easier to cope with than my cricket tinnitus.

Are maskers safe to be used long term? Can they cause further hearing damage? My hearing has not changed during the course of these 4 years.

Hello @Mentos -

Thank you for your question.

Properly fitted maskers are completely safe. The sound they emit is nowhere near loud enough to cause auditory damage.

Hope this helps.

Stephen M. Nagler, M.D.