Tinearity, a Bone Conduction Based White Noise Generator for Tinnitus Relief — Reviews?

[Chinmoku]

One of my well meaning friends who is not well informed on tinnitus sent me information on a device from Sweden, from a company called Tinearity. I went to their page for a quick check.

It looks like a small disc-shaped white noise generator to be placed behind the ear and working by bone conduction. It was developed by a company started by a tinnitus sufferer.

The page claims it can be used to practice TRT.

I know TRT seems to work for some people but is not regarded well here, given also a study showing lack of benefits, but any other thoughts on this device? For example, is there any particular advantage in the bone conduction feature?

It seems it is under development and is not available yet?

The page on their website about tinnitus treatments is not very encouraging: ACT, CBT, TRT, masking and physiotherapy.

Notice also that this initiative seems to be strongly related to an earlier company called Cochlearity, that was discussed in this thread (thanks to @erik for the heads up).

 

[buttercake]

I think Tinearity is the device, the company is Duearity AB. I do not know about the bone conduction feature, but it really looks like standard TRT done in a fancy way.

 

[Johan001]

Tinearity and Cochlearity seem to be run by the same person Peter Arndt. It looks like the company just got rebranded for some reason.

 

[buttercake]

Just FYI (I am personally not going to buy it), this is apparently going live soon, you can now pre-order the device.

 

[HeavyMantra]

I do see the advantage of a small bone conduction device, but only for practical reasons: small and discreet (hearing aid type sound enrichers are a hassle to use). Can be used at the same time as earplugs.

Apart from that, white noise is still just white noise so nothing groundbreaking. Still, I think many people would prefer a bone conduction device to administer said white noise. However hearing aid type sound enrichers can be synced with a smartphone and administer all kinds of noises, nature sounds, wave sounds which is what I prefer to listen to myself.

 

[Nick47]

This has been applied for FDA approval:

Duearity will submit an application for approval of a tinnitus product in the United States

Looks like more electrical junk.

 

[Ben Winders]

I've written about bone conducting headphones, in case you have tinnitus that can be easily masked (like most people with low-frequency buzzing tinnitus). This is basically just that, but maybe a bit more "wearable", especially if you have long hair, I guess.

With my short hair it will look like my cochlear implant has dropped from its original position (usually sits a bit higher, if I'm not mistaken) But, in times of high annoyance, I think masking is still a nice to have, even just the idea of having it "on hand" would be nice.

No idea why it is so expensive though: 580 EUR for bone conducting headphones seems steep.

Unless I'm missing something, this does practically the same for 85 bucks, AND is a lot smaller too.

EDIT: I have sent them an email to ask what warrants the steep price (as compared to the Ludbeat for example, I'm sure there are others). Will let you know when they respond.

 

[Nick47]

With my short hair it will look like my cochlear implant has dropped from its original position (usually sits a bit higher, if I'm not mistaken) But, in times of high annoyance, I think masking is still a nice to have, even just the idea of having it "on hand" would be nice.

@Ben Winders, you don't have a cochlear implant, do ya?

 

[Ben Winders]

@Ben Winders, you don't have a cochlear implant, do ya?

No I don't. English is not my 1st language, sorry if that was confusing.

I've received a reply from Duearity:

We know from experience that bone conduction technology devices that are placed in front of the ears risk causing sound to enter through the air through the ear canal and disturb the user during, for example, conversations.

But the most important difference is that our Tinearity will be a medicine technology certified product and has undergone extensive testing and audits so that we have full control of the person's hearing curve. Hearing loss is of great importance. We can also, unlike other BCT devices, guarantee that it is the correct white noise that reaches the inner ear. When you use other BCT devices together with sound from an app in the phone, it is likely that sound does not reach the inner ear. And it´s most probably not white noise coming out from the app and hearing devices.

If you have more questions, please contact us.

Kind regards,
Fredrik Westman, Duearity AB

 

[Mentos]

I've written about bone conducting headphones, in case you have tinnitus that can be easily masked (like most people with low-frequency buzzing tinnitus). This is basically just that, but maybe a bit more "wearable", especially if you have long hair, I guess.

With my short hair it will look like my cochlear implant has dropped from its original position (usually sits a bit higher, if I'm not mistaken) But, in times of high annoyance, I think masking is still a nice to have, even just the idea of having it "on hand" would be nice.

No idea why it is so expensive though: 580 EUR for bone conducting headphones seems steep.

Unless I'm missing something, this does practically the same for 85 bucks, AND is a lot smaller too.

EDIT: I have sent them an email to ask what warrants the steep price (as compared to the Ludbeat for example, I'm sure there are others). Will let you know when they respond.

Ludbeat did not make it to the market because of lack of funding (I donated to their start up).

 

[Ryan Edwards]

Looks like they are starting shipping next month and I'm interested in this given that my ear canals are easily irritated. I doubt I could stomach in-ear maskers?

 

[Kiwi John]

This link contains a lot more information:

Duearity to develop AI solution for people suffering from tinnitus

It consists of five functions. The first involves measuring a number of vital signs using a device located at a particular point on the body.

The second is an app that regularly monitors vital signs, such as stress levels and the individual's perception of their tinnitus symptoms. The app visualises the link between lifestyle factors, body functions and the person's tinnitus symptoms.

The third function is a cloud solution that uses algorithms to analyse the data gathered. The objective is to analyse and draw conclusions about the person's symptoms and identify factors that improve and worsen symptoms. By linking vital signs and symptoms, the AI system will be able to predict when an individual's symptoms are worsening and provide a warning, thereby giving the individual the opportunity to manage their tinnitus.

The fourth function is the fully-developed Tinearity sound element feature, which is constantly synced to the app and reacts to changes in tinnitus symptoms. The objective is to provide rapid relief of symptoms.

The fifth function is data analysis, meant to give insight and knowledge. We hope that in time, this data can be used by scientists to gain a deeper understanding of tinnitus and thus be able to find better and more effective treatment methods.

A major advantage of the AI system is that it will be usable within TRT, the most widespread and accepted treatment in use. TRT is a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with a psychologist or therapist and listening to white noise. Tinnitus symptoms change continuously, from day-to-day and sometimes even from hour-to-hour. A big problem today is that both the patient and the psychologist find it hard to define when exactly a symptom worsened and the underlying factors that made it worse. The AI system is designed to improve TRT treatment by making it easier to identify situations that cause patients to suffer and that trigger worsening symptoms. This will improve the chances of successful treatment.

 

[Stayinghopeful]

I've written about bone conducting headphones, in case you have tinnitus that can be easily masked (like most people with low-frequency buzzing tinnitus). This is basically just that, but maybe a bit more "wearable", especially if you have long hair, I guess.

Do you mean the type of tinnitus that is masked by cicadas/crickets etc?

 

[Ben Winders]

Do you mean the type of tinnitus that is masked by cicadas/crickets etc?

No - tinnitus that can be masked by cicadas/crickets is not low frequency tinnitus. I need a low humming noise to mask my low frequency tinnitus.

 

[momus]

...

We can also, unlike other BCT devices, guarantee that it is the correct white noise that reaches the inner ear.

...

Kind regards,
Fredrik Westman, Duearity AB

I can't see how that would be possible. Only the person w/ the tinnitus knows what the "correct" white noise would be, or sound like. One can buy small earbuds that loop over your ear and sort of "hang" in mid air, not obstructing hearing. True, the white noise itself would be audible, but that would be preferable to hearing the tinnitus.

The user can just put a small radio in their pocket and tune it between stations, raising or lowering the volume and changing the pitch at will. Having user control over this is a big deal, it really helped me when I first got tinnitus, and I was still able to hear sounds and conversation very well.

 

[Libertin]

It is amazing that a company invents a white noise machine in 2023, given the study published in Journal of American Medical Association in 2018 with the conclusion "Sound therapies using unstructured, random ("white") noise should be avoided as a treatment for tinnitus."

 

[Vadimus]

Positive results from Duearity's user study on people with tinnitus

 

[ajc]

Positive results from Duearity's user study on people with tinnitus

Worthless study. No control group. Another money-grab white noise product. Avoid.

 

[Libertin]

Each participant got a free noise unit for taking part in the "study"!

The unit is priced around 440 GBP. After one month of use you need to buy adapters at a monthly cost of 30 GBP.

 

[Earman]

They just started up their organization in the US.

Americans, do you believe in this product and will you buy Tinearity's white noise treatment (8 hours per day for years)?

 

[SarahMLFlemmer]

Americans, do you believe in this product and will you buy Tinearity's white noise treatment (8 hours per day for years)?

Probably not, no. I can get white noise on my phone if I really need it.

 

[Earman]

Americans, do you believe in this product and will you buy Tinearity's white noise treatment (8 hours per day for years)?

Sorry, I have to make a clarification to the above post, according to Duearity's website, the treatment is 6-8 hours per day for 6-24 months.

The product recently received FDA approval.

 

[Earman]

Do we have any US reviews of Tinearity yet? The product has been on the US market for a few months now, has anyone here tried it?

 

[SarahMLFlemmer]

Do we have any US reviews of Tinearity yet? The product has been on the US market for a few months now, has anyone here tried it?

It must only be available in a few clinics. I haven't tried or heard anything about it here in California, yet.

It looks to me like some kind of sound therapy.

 

[Earman]

It must only be available in a few clinics. I haven't tried or heard anything about it here in California, yet.

It looks to me like some kind of sound therapy.

According to their website, the product is available at clinics in the California area.

 

[SarahMLFlemmer]

According to their website, the product is available at clinics in the California area.

I'm not so sure Tinearity is what I'm looking for.

 

[Earman]

Still no one in the US have tried the Tinearity device?

 

[Jack_Mac]

I have tried Tinearity and it did nothing more to my tinnitus than my children does when they scream on Sunday mornings.

 

[Jammer]

I have tried Tinearity and it did nothing more to my tinnitus than my children does when they scream on Sunday mornings.

Did you have to buy it to try it?

 

[Jack_Mac]

Did you have to buy it to try it?

Nope, I was lucky this time. I tried it for 3 weeks and I only had to pay the doctor.