Tinnitus Cancelling Technology?

[Julien87]

Since some devices are able to "cancel" certain noises by emitting opposite frequencies, can we imagine that tinnitus cancelling devices would exist one day? Or is it absurd to think so because T is not a "real" noise?

 

[Frédéric]

I asked the question about the possible application of this device on tinnitus (in french its scholarly name is "actuateur acoustique") to many doctors (GP, ENT, oto-neurologists) and even audiologists. Results : they did not even know the existence of such a device.

Edit : tinnitus cancelling device don't exist (only white noise masking), but since noise cancelling device exist in industrial (noisy) sites, this question remains relevant.

 

[MountainCreek]

That's interesting. If one can probe the tinnitus signal, there will be absolutely no problem canceling that signal by a canceling tone (delayed 180 degrees from the tinnitus signal).

Question is how can we probe the tinnitus signal which exists only deep in our head? Of course it should be possible, but if we attach a probe on the hearing nerve, then that probe itself may cause tinnitus that would be much louder than the original one!

 

[TuneOut]

I asked the question about the possible application of this device on tinnitus (in french its scholarly name is "actuateur acoustique") to many doctors (GP, ENT, oto-neurologists) and even audiologists. Results : they did not even know the existence of such a device.

LOL

 

[InfiniteLoop]

In any case, that will work only for perfectly tonal T. There are some apps that try to apply the 180degree cancellation, but it is just useful for very few people (or none). The most common effect of applying a similar sound to your T is residual inhibition, and in most cases it is just a scientific curiosity that provides very short lived relief.