@Cape crusader
The term "masking" is no longer used by tinnitus therapists for it is considered old fashioned. It has been replaced with "
sound enrichment" which is a much better way and preferred method of treating tinnitus and hyperacusis. The brain cannot habituate to tinnitus if it is unable to hear it. As soon as the masking sound is stopped, the brain will immediately focus on the tinnitus and often, it will appear to be louder and more intrusive.
The brain and auditory system never switch off, so when we are asleep or in quiet surroundings, it has the ability to increase its background activity. In doing so it will also increase the tinnitus making it louder and more intrusive. By using low level sound enrichment, the brain and auditory system are supplied with sound and thus, helps prevent the brain from increasing its own background activity. Over time the tinnitus will also be suppressed.
This is particularly evident in people that have tinnitus due to hearing loss. When the brain is unable to hear certain sounds/frequencies from the outside environment, it will turn up its internal gain to hear those sounds/frequencies. In doing so tinnitus can develop and over time become more intrusive. Once a person is fitted with a hearing aid/s, the brain no longer has to work so hard and turns down its gain (volume control). Over time, the tinnitus is reduced too.
Sound Machines
A sound machine can be used night and day but work best when we sleep. It supplies the brain and auditory system with sound enrichment. Over time the tinnitus is pushed further into the background making it less intrusive and will make the path to habituation easier. The purpose of using a sound machine is to have it playing in the background without drawing attention to itself unlike a radio. For this reason, music shouldn't be used at night for sound enrichment, as it will draw the brain's attention and can delay habituation.
I have three Sound Oasis machines. The
S-650 is very popular and the one I usually recommend people buy. It comes with a variety of sounds on two sound cards. Additional cards can be purchased. The
S-850 travel, is more expensive and compact. It has 18 on-board digital sounds and doesn't use cards. Some people might be bothered by the clock's blue backlight at night-time. It dims but cannot be turned completely off; the S650 backlight can be set to switch off automatically.
The
S-5000 is the top model. Larger and more sophisticated than the others and can only be mains operated. It uses a three-speaker system, that has a subwoofer for increased depth and definition to the sound. According to Oasis, over 140 on-board sound combinations are possible. It has FM/AM radio and an external sound source can be selected via the auxiliary input. There are a host of other features.
The purpose of using a sound machine is to have it playing in the background without drawing attention to itself unlike a radio. For this reason, music shouldn't be used at night for sound enrichment, as it will usually draw the brain's attention and can delay habituation.
Michael
PS: Many people have contacted me after they have habituated to their tinnitus and stopped using sound enrichment at night, only to find the tinnitus becoming intrusive over time. The rule of thumb: avoid quiet rooms and surroundings especially at night by using a sound enrichment.
A mobile phone attached to a docking station with external speakers or blue-toothed to a speaker, can serve a similar purpose to sound machine, by playing nature sounds downloaded from YouTube.
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