Sound therapy for tinnitus: masking vs notching
5 min read ·
Short answer
The two main sound-therapy approaches work in opposite ways. Masking adds broadband sound to cover or blend with your tinnitus so it stands out less right now. Notching removes a narrow band at your tinnitus frequency, aiming to gently reduce its prominence over time. Many people combine both.
Masking: cover it now
Masking plays pleasant sound — rain, ocean, white or pink noise — at a level where your tinnitus blends into the background. It works immediately and is mainly about comfort and relief in the moment.
It does not change the tinnitus itself; it changes how much it stands out while the sound is playing. That makes it especially useful for focus, relaxation and sleep.
Notching: shape it over time
Notching takes the opposite approach: it removes energy at your tinnitus frequency rather than adding sound over it. The aim is longer-term — gradually reducing how strongly the brain represents that frequency.
Because it targets a specific pitch, notching depends on a good frequency match, and its evidence — while promising — is more limited than the simple comfort of masking.
Which should you use?
- Want relief right now, or help sleeping? Start with masking.
- Have a clear tinnitus pitch and want a longer-term approach? Add notching.
- Not sure? Many people use masking daily and notch those sounds too — the two are not mutually exclusive.
When to see a professional
Sound therapy is a self-help tool, not a diagnosis. See a doctor or audiologist if your tinnitus is only in one ear, pulsates in time with your heartbeat, comes with sudden hearing loss or dizziness, or appears suddenly — these can need medical assessment.
In Aurina
Aurina supports both: build a masking mix from generated noise and ambient tracks, and notch those same sounds around your matched frequency — used together, or on their own.
FAQ
Is masking or notching better?
Neither is universally better — they do different jobs. Masking gives immediate comfort; notching is a slower, targeted approach. Many people benefit from using both.
Can I do both at once?
Yes. You can listen to masking sounds that are also notched around your tinnitus frequency, combining in-the-moment relief with a longer-term aim.
Does either one cure tinnitus?
No. Both are management approaches. They can make tinnitus less intrusive and support habituation, but they do not cure it.
Sources
- Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. (2014). Clinical Practice Guideline: Tinnitus. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 151(2 Suppl), S1–S40. (Rates sound therapy as an “option”; gives cognitive behavioural therapy the strongest recommendation.)
- Okamoto H, Stracke H, Stoll W, Pantev C (2010). Listening to tailor-made notched music reduces tinnitus loudness and tinnitus-related auditory cortex activity. PNAS, 107(3), 1207–1210.
Not medical advice
This article is general information, not medical advice. Aurina is a wellness app, not a medical device, and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If your tinnitus is new, one-sided, pulsatile, or comes with hearing loss or dizziness, please see a doctor.