Are In-Ear Maskers Safe?

[just1morething]

@fishbone, I didn't know insurance covered part of hearing aids/maskers. I'll have to check into that. Was that your health insurance? I have a individual plan from Medica.

 

[Tinker Bell]

@fishbone, I didn't know insurance covered part of hearing aids/maskers. I'll have to check into that. Was that your health insurance? I have a individual plan from Medica.

It really depends on your insurance provider and plan. Last year, my insurance would not cover hearing aids but they do this year.

 

[Rajin]

I had multiple audiologists tell me earbuds with white noise/soothing sounds was fine on a low volume.

You always bring up a good point, I feel sometimes With the earbuds you have to many sound to choose from with all the app out there of nature sounds, white noise, what ever please you. If keep at the axact volume as the generator.

 

[Tinniger]

They are no longer called maskers as they should not mask the tinnitus. The modern name is white noise generators. Set the volume slightly below your tinnitus.

My hearings aids have a white noise generator, too.
I sometimes think it is ridiculous. My white noise in my left ear is much louder than that of the "masker".
If my tinnitus goes trough the roof, - it is white noise and cannot be masked by white noise....

 

[Michael Leigh]

My hearings aids have a white noise generator, too.
I sometimes think it is ridiculous. My white noise in my left ear is much louder than that of the "masker".
If my tinnitus goes trough the roof, - it is white noise and cannot be masked by white noise....

Could you please ask your question again as I do not quite follow you. Thanks.

Hearing aids that have white noise generators are helpful for some people. There is usually the option to turn the white noise generator "off" on some hearing aids.

Michael

 

[Tinniger]

Could you please ask your question again as I do not quite follow you. Thanks.

I don't have a question so far.
The only question I have is: Do I have a "regular" tinnitus or something quite different?

 

[Michael Leigh]

I don't have a question so far.
The only question I have is: Do I have a "regular" tinnitus or something quite different?

It sounds as if you do have tinnitus. Please remember, tinnitus must not be "masked" By this I mean covered up with another sound so it can't be heard. If you attempt to do this, in most cases it is not achievable and you risk making your tinnitus worse.

Michael

 

[Tinniger]

Please remember, tinnitus must not be "masked" By this I mean covered up with another sound so it can't be heard.

I think that masking is used by some tinnitus sufferers for temporary relief.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I think that masking is used by some tinnitus sufferers for temporary relief.

When masking or to give it its proper name: Sound enrichment, is used correctly it can be very helpful in giving tinnitus relief. There is a right way and a wrong way to use "sound enrichment". I have been using it for over 20 years. I use white noise generators and a sound machine at night. Please read the post below.

Should I mask my tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a complex condition and if hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound) is present it is even more. Many newbies have difficulty coping with tinnitus and understandably, getting rid of this constant intruder, that has suddenly invaded their life becomes paramount on their mind. In an attempt to do this, they will usually try every means possible to distract themselves from the tinnitus which will include masking it completely with another sound so that it can't be heard.

However, tinnitus is quite resilient, any attempts to mask it completely are usually unsuccessful. As soon as the masking sound is removed or stopped temporarily, the brain will immediately focus back on it and often, it appears to be louder and more intrusive. This causes stress especially for someone new to tinnitus. For anyone that doesn't know, the more stressed we are the tinnitus becomes more intrusive, and the louder the tinnitus is the more stressed we are. It can become a vicious circle.

Anyone that is seasoned to tinnitus and has habituated, knows that trying to mask it completely so that it can't be heard is not achievable. A much better way and preferred method that Hearing Therapists advise tinnitus patients, is to use sound enrichment. One can use music or nature sounds from a sound machine and set the volume slightly below the tinnitus. By doing this, the brain over time will learn to no longer see the tinnitus as a threat and gradually push the noise further into the background giving it less importance, which is called habituation.

In-ear or BTE (behind the ear) white noise generators can also be used as part of TRT. They do a similar thing. By setting the volume slightly below the tinnitus, over time the brain habituates to the white noise and gradually pushes the tinnitus further into the background.

Michael

PS: in my opinion, anyone that has tinnitus, especially when it was caused by loud noise exposure, it is not a good idea to use headphones, even at low volume to play music or white noise for sound enrichment.