What Is Sound Therapy?

Sound therapy works by introducing external sound into your environment to reduce the perceived impact of tinnitus. The goal isn't to eliminate the internal sound, but to shift your brain's attention away from it. Over time, many people find they stop noticing their tinnitus as much — a process sometimes called habituation.

There are several approaches to sound therapy, and the right one depends on your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and degree of hearing loss.

White Noise and Environmental Sound Machines

One of the simplest starting points for tinnitus relief is a white noise machine or a sound app on your phone. These devices produce a steady background sound — whether white noise, rain, ocean waves, or fan sounds — that can mask tinnitus, particularly at night when the environment is quiet and tinnitus tends to feel most noticeable.

This option is accessible and low-cost, and it can be a good first step for mild cases. That said, it's a passive approach and doesn't address the underlying cause of the tinnitus.

Hearing Aids With Built-In Tinnitus Features

For many people, tinnitus and hearing loss go hand in hand. In fact, roughly 90% of tinnitus cases involve an underlying hearing loss. When hearing aids are fit to address that hearing loss, the increased awareness of surrounding sounds often helps push tinnitus into the background naturally.

Beyond simply amplifying sound, many of today's hearing aid models include dedicated tinnitus management features. The Phonak Infinio, for example, includes a Tinnitus Balance feature that delivers customizable sound therapy directly to the ear. The Starkey Omega AI and Widex Allure platforms also offer tinnitus sound support options through their respective apps, giving users control over the type and volume of relief sounds throughout the day.

These features can be personalized during your fitting appointment and adjusted over time as needed.

Combination Devices

Some hearing aids function as combination devices, meaning they both treat hearing loss and deliver dedicated tinnitus sound therapy simultaneously. This is often the most practical solution for people dealing with both conditions, as it addresses two problems with a single device.

Notched Sound Therapy

Notched therapy is a more targeted approach in which sound is filtered to remove the specific frequency matching your tinnitus pitch. Research suggests this may help reduce the brain's sensitivity to that particular frequency over time. This option is available through certain hearing aid platforms and specialized apps.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

At our independent audiology clinic, tinnitus management begins with a comprehensive hearing evaluation. We assess the degree and nature of any hearing loss, gather a detailed history of your tinnitus symptoms — including pitch, tone, and when and where you notice it most — and discuss how it's affecting your daily life.

From there, we work with you to find a sound therapy approach that fits. For some patients, that means a hearing aid with tinnitus features. For others, it may involve a combination strategy. Every recommendation is based on your individual results and needs.

It's worth noting that tinnitus can sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition, so a proper evaluation is always the right first step before pursuing any treatment path.

Schedule a Tinnitus Consultation in Glendora, CA

If tinnitus has been affecting your sleep, focus, or daily routine, we're here to help. Our experienced Doctor of Audiology, Kevin Ivory, Au.D., works with patients dealing with tinnitus of all kinds in the Glendora area, and he'll take the time to understand your experience before recommending a course of action.

Call us at to schedule your evaluation. Relief may be more within reach than you think.