Hey Lisa:
First, true "white noise" is not made up of real-life sounds like water or wind. It's an electronically generated sound. Many people find listening to white noise uncomfortable.
Second: The signal in Neuromonics (also called NTT) is a sound designed to match your own tinnitus signal. So the fact that your ears are reacting to white noise does not disqualify you from NTT. And reactive tinnitus is not tied to any particular sound, like white noise. It s a loudness perception issue.
Also, with due respect Dr. Nagler: Lisa is considering NTT, not TRT, which you and I both have agreed is not the same. But we do agree that
Anyway, bottom line: best way for you to determine if you are a good Neuromonics candidate us to go to a QUALIFIED audiologist trained in Neuromonics, who believes counseling is an important part of the program, and have an evaluatHion. If you are not a candidate, you only will be out the cost of an eval.
And: When you do any sound therapy, be it masking or Neuromonics, your tinnitus will sound louder when you first remove the sound. This is normal, as your ears are used to the additional sound. Your T should return to normal levels within a few hours. If not, then that's an indication it might be reactive. To help with the transition: gradually start turning down the volume of any sound therapies you use about a half hour before you plan to stop the therapy.
By the way, if it matters: I am in a Neuromonics program.