Sound Therapy Shows Promise in Managing Tinnitus
Could the answer to the ringing in your ears be quieter than you think? A recent clinical trial finds that low-intensity sound may help retrain your brain for well-deserved relief.
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
Tinnitus isn’t just a ringing in your ears — it can interfere with memory, mood, and sleep, affecting your overall well-being when left unmanaged
A Phase II clinical trial found that low-intensity sound therapy (LINTS) can reduce tinnitus symptoms without blocking out real-world sounds, helping the brain tune out the ringing naturally
Sound therapy works by helping your brain reclassify tinnitus as background noise, reducing its emotional and cognitive impact over time
For best results, work with a professional — sound therapy is most effective when guided by a trained audiologist
Supporting your body with antioxidant-rich foods, magnesium, deep sleep, and a low-stress lifestyle can also reduce tinnitus intensity and help protect your hearing
If you’ve ever experienced a constant ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in your ears that no one else can hear, you’re not alone. This condition, called tinnitus, affects 50 million Americans today,1 and for many, it’s far more than a minor nuisance. It can disrupt sleep, concentration, and mental health, turning everyday life into a struggle.
Despite its impact, tinnitus treatments still center on counseling and coping strategies because the neurophysiological mechanisms behind this condition remain poorly understood. But that may soon be changing, as scientists are exploring how carefully tuned soft sounds can influence the brain itself.
Researchers Tested Low-Intensity Noise Therapy for Tinnitus Relief
A Phase II clinical trial published in Brain Sciences explored whether Low-Intensity-Noise Tinnitus Suppression (LINTS) could ease tinnitus symptoms without masking external sounds. The study was conducted by researchers from University Hospital Erlangen, in collaboration with neuromodulation centers in Mannheim and Ludwigshafen.2
The authors previously proposed LINTS as a novel approach, replacing internal neuronal “noise” with an external acoustic signal matched to the patient’s hearing threshold and tinnitus frequency.3
How does LINTS work? Unlike conventional masking, which uses loud noise to cover tinnitus, LINTS delivers barely audible, threshold-level stimulation that patients often do not consciously perceive. This subtle design aims to modulate neural activity rather than hide the sound.4
Treatment protocol — Participants were randomized into two groups:5 The treatment-only group, which received LINTS stimulation for four weeks, and the placebo plus treatment group, which received white noise for two weeks, then LINTS for four weeks.
Noise fitting was technically challenging; some patients received narrowband noise tuned to tinnitus frequency, while others received wideband noise due to device limitations. The participants wore hearing aids on affected ears for at least four hours per day, five days a week, with amplification disabled. Noise was delivered via internal generators or Bluetooth-linked devices.6
How success was measured — Researchers tracked tinnitus loudness, pitch, and distress using audiograms and the Tinnitus Health Questionnaire (THQ) every two weeks, plus a follow-up four weeks after therapy ended. Statistical analysis included the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests for non-parametric data.7
What the numbers revealed — Based on the data results, the treatment-only group showed statistically significant reductions in tinnitus distress,8 with major drops seen during week 4. One patient reported complete tinnitus silencing while wearing the device, with a 47% reduction in THQ at four weeks post-treatment. Some participants even reported using the hearing aids at night for sleep relief.9
Meanwhile, the placebo plus treatment group showed improvements but were more minor and delayed, suggesting that prior white noise exposure may have been maladaptive.
Why precision matters — Results are mixed, showing how important it is to get sound therapy just right. Low-level, custom-fit sounds helped reduce tinnitus without hurting hearing, but success depended on how well the noise was adjusted and the quality of the device.10
Although most patients did not reach the 12-point THQ improvement considered clinically significant, this study supports the notion that LINTS shows promise as a non-invasive therapy by retraining auditory pathways rather than masking tinnitus. The authors call for larger trials, improved fitting technology, and inclusion of patients with broader severity profiles.11
Why Sound Therapy Matters for Tinnitus Relief
Now that you understand the possibilities that LINTS offers, it’s helpful to step back and look at why sound therapy is one of the most effective ways to manage tinnitus. While it doesn’t “erase” the ringing, it can make it less intrusive and help your brain respond differently over time.
Sound therapy changes how you perceive tinnitus — According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), sound therapy works by using external noise to help your brain change how it perceives tinnitus. By introducing structured sounds, your brain learns to see tinnitus as just background noise, making it less bothersome.12
There are two main approaches — Sound therapy works in two ways:
Masking — This method covers tinnitus with another sound, like white noise or nature sounds. It’s helpful in quiet environments or at bedtime because it gives your brain something else to focus on. Masking offers quick relief but doesn’t change how your brain processes tinnitus.13
Retraining — Retraining uses neuroplasticity — your brain’s ability to rewire itself to teach you to ignore tinnitus naturally. Over time, the sound blends into the background, much like how you stop noticing a refrigerator hum. This approach forms the basis of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT).14
There’s evidence of real relief from clinical trials — A 2022 study in the Journal of International Advanced Otology found that “88% of participants completing a four-month filtered music therapy program reported significant relief,” with an average 29-point drop in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores. That’s a measurable improvement in quality of life — less stress, better sleep, and more mental clarity.15
For best results, seek a professional — Sound therapy works best when paired with counseling and a trained audiologist. Professionals can identify underlying causes and customize treatment, whether that means masking, retraining, or combining approaches for lasting relief.16
Uncovering the Mystery of Tinnitus
The term “tinnitus” comes from the Latin word “tinnire,” meaning “to ring.” At its core, tinnitus is often linked to malfunctioning in the cochlea or the nerves that run from the ear to the brain.17 The perceived sounds vary widely, from ringing to buzzing to hissing to whistling, or even a mix of these. Understanding what drives these “phantom sounds” is the first step toward managing them.
How common is tinnitus? About 30% of people experience tinnitus at some point, and up to 10% live with it chronically. Roughly 32% of people in the U.S. report having tinnitus, with 6% describing their condition as severe. Prevalence rises with age, 5% at 20 to 30 years, 12% above 60, and 70% to 85% among the elderly, who are more prone to hearing loss.18
Why does it happen? Tinnitus is usually linked to inner-ear or auditory nerve dysfunction. Common triggers include age-related or noise-induced hearing loss, earwax buildup, TMJ disorders, head or neck injuries, and rapid pressure changes. Certain medications, such as ototoxic antibiotics, loop diuretics, and chemotherapy drugs, can also cause tinnitus.19
Types of tinnitus — The most common form is called subjective tinnitus, which is only heard by the patient and often linked to hearing loss or neurological changes. Meanwhile, objective tinnitus, which is rare, can be detected by others using a stethoscope and is usually caused by vascular or muscular issues, such as middle-ear muscle spasms or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.20
It’s not “all in your ears” — Newer research suggests that when the brain’s natural “noise canceling” system breaks down, the tinnitus signal may travel to the auditory cortex and become more persistent. Stress and emotional factors may also increase sensitivity to the noise.21
How Tinnitus Affects Your Body and Mind
That constant ringing in your ears isn’t just annoying — it’s a signal that your body is under stress. From the moment tinnitus starts, your brain scrambles to make sense of the noise, pulling energy away from focus and memory. Over time, this ripple effect can trigger fatigue, mood swings, and even changes in heart rate. What seems like “just an ear problem” can quietly influence your entire well-being.
Tinnitus linked to impaired cognitive function — A 2022 study in Frontiers in Neurology analyzed data from 684 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Researchers identified tinnitus as “one of the most common potential risk factors for cognitive impairment” and grouped participants by tinnitus duration: acute (less than three months) and non-acute. To measure cognitive performance, they used three standardized tests:22
Consortium for the Establishment of Alzheimer’s Disease Word Learning test (CERAD‑WL)
Animal Fluency Test (AFT) — Listing as many animals as possible in one minute
Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) — Assessing processing speed and attention
Adults with tinnitus scored lower on both the AFT and the DSST than those without tinnitus, suggesting reduced cognitive function. Even after adjusting for age, education, stroke, and other health factors, tinnitus remained significantly linked to lower scores.23
Tinnitus increases your risk of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep — A 2021 research published in the journal JAMA tracked 5,418 adults aged 40 and older from the Rotterdam Study and used validated mental health tools to detect depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep disorders.24
Compared to those without tinnitus, people with tinnitus had more depression, anxiety, and poorer sleep. Even those with milder symptoms reported higher levels of all three. These patterns persisted for years, and tinnitus sufferers continued to report more anxiety and sleep problems over time.25
The study concluded that tinnitus-related emotional stress may linger or grow worse over time, even among people who say the sound doesn’t disrupt their day.
Tinnitus is surprisingly common during pregnancy — A review published in The Practicing Midwife journal noted that about one in three pregnant women, compared to non-pregnant women of similar age, report experiencing tinnitus — sometimes for the first time. The review also discusses the potential for the condition to worsen temporarily:26
“Occurrence or exacerbation of tinnitus can also be indicative of pregnancy-induced deterioration in some preexisting auditory conditions. Two-thirds of women with otosclerosis will experience an exacerbation of their symptoms (hearing loss and tinnitus) during pregnancy. This exacerbation is likely to be the result of raised oestrogen levels, which can promote the form of abnormal bone growth associated with otosclerosis.
Although the condition is irreversible, symptoms can improve after birth. In the case of Ménière’s disease, a condition characterised by low pitched tinnitus, aural fullness, vertigo and a low frequency hearing loss, symptoms are often exacerbated by the natural decreases in serum osmolality (thinning of the blood by ≤ 10 mOsm/kg) which occurs between weeks five and 16 of pregnancy.
Decreased serum osmolality is thought to increase the volume (and thereby pressure) of endolymphatic fluid in the inner ear.”
Did you know that you’re also more likely to get pulsatile tinnitus when you’re pregnant? Read about it in “Is It Normal to Hear Your Heartbeat While Lying on Your Pillow?”
Tinnitus often coexists with other health conditions — According to the ATA, tinnitus is frequently linked to hearing problems, balance disorders, and mental health issues. In some cases, the conditions listed below cause tinnitus; in others, tinnitus makes them worse:27
Hearing loss — This is probably the most common underlying cause of tinnitus, affecting about 90% of patients — even when they don’t notice it. Research also shows that hearing loss isn’t just an ear issue; it’s associated with a higher risk of heart failure.
Ménière’s Disease — This vestibular disorder impacts the inner ear, causing hearing and balance issues. Symptoms include vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It affects 0.02% of the U.S. population (around 615,000 people) and is diagnosed.
Misophonia — Also called selective sound sensitivity, it triggers intense emotional reactions to specific sounds, like chewing or sniffing, and, in some cases, even to specific visual cues. About 4 to 5% of tinnitus patients experience this condition.
Beyond Sound Therapy — More Drug-Free Ways for Tinnitus Management
According to The Open Neuroimaging Journal, “there is currently no permanent cure for tinnitus because it can arise from multiple causes.”28 And while sound therapy can offer relief, there are other strategies you can try to manage this condition.
Eating certain foods helps lower your risk of tinnitus — What you eat can make tinnitus worse or better. Start by cutting out excitotoxins like aspartame, MSG, and “natural flavors” found in ultraprocessed foods and drinks.
Then, add antioxidant-rich fruits29 like watermelon and papaya to reduce oxidative stress, swap seed oils for real butter to support nerve health, and include legumes such as lentils or chickpeas three to four times a week for better microcirculation and auditory function.
Boost magnesium to support hearing and brain function — Having low magnesium levels doesn’t just affect your energy; it disrupts both memory and hearing. Research shows that magnesium supplements can help reduce tinnitus and, in some cases, improve hearing.30
Start with magnesium citrate to find your ideal dose (increase gradually until stools become loose, then slightly reduce). Once you’ve found your threshold, switch to well-absorbed forms like magnesium glycinate, malate, or L-threonate, which are easier on your gut.
Prioritize deep sleep to ease tinnitus and mental fatigue — Poor-quality sleep makes tinnitus feel louder and clouds your thinking. You need uninterrupted, restorative sleep to reset your auditory system and flush out brain waste that dulls cognitive performance. Limit naps to 20 to 25 minutes, avoid overheating at night, and use blackout curtains for deeper rest.
Support sound therapy with these drug-free methods — If you’re exploring sound therapy — or just starting to consider it — several techniques can help calm the noise and retrain your brain. Here are sound-based strategies that offer comfort and long-term relief:31
White Noise Therapy — Gentle background sounds like static or a fan softens the contrast between silence and ringing, making tinnitus less intrusive in quiet spaces.
Notched Sound Therapy — Removes the frequency matching your tinnitus from music or noise, helping your brain gradually “ignore” the ringing over time.
Nature Soundscapes — Ocean waves, rainfall, or birdsong create a calming environment that masks tinnitus and reduces stress-related flare-ups.
Binaural Beats — Slightly different tones in each ear produce a third tone that promotes relaxation, better sleep, and reduced anxiety.
Crystal Singing Bowls — Resonant tones encourage deep relaxation and nervous system reset, often used in meditation practices.
Tuning Fork Therapy — Vibrations from tuning forks may help release tension, restore mental clarity, and promote a sense of balance.
Tinnitus may be invisible, but its impact is real. The constant noise can chip away at your focus, energy, and peace of mind, often leaving you frustrated and exhausted. Many people are told to cope — but now there’s a new way forward.
You don’t have to fix everything at once. You don’t have to suffer in silence either. While tinnitus can sometimes linger, remember it doesn’t have to control your day. Relief is possible, and it begins with empowering your brain to help quiet that noise once and for all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sound Therapy for Tinnitus
Q: What is tinnitus?
A: Tinnitus is the perception of sound — like ringing, buzzing, or hissing but without an external source. It’s not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying issue such as hearing loss, nerve damage, or stress.
Q: Can soft sound therapy really help with tinnitus?
A: Yes. A clinical trial from University Hospital Erlangen found that low-intensity noise — matched to your hearing threshold and tinnitus pitch — can reduce tinnitus symptoms over time. Instead of masking the sound, this gentle therapy helps retrain your brain to react less to the ringing.
Q: Is tinnitus dangerous?
A: While not life-threatening, it can take a serious toll on mental health, sleep, memory, and focus. Left unmanaged, it may contribute to anxiety, depression, and cognitive fatigue.
Q: Are there different kinds of sound therapy?
A: Yes. Masking uses white noise or natural sounds to cover tinnitus temporarily. Retraining therapies use specific tones to help your brain learn to ignore the sound altogether.
Q: Is there a cure for tinnitus?
A: There’s no universal cure because causes vary, but many people find long-term relief through a mix of sound therapy, lifestyle changes, and expert care.
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Dr. Mercola also recommends valerian root, as it influences the neurotransmitter GABA, which plays a role in mediating the brain's sound receptors. A deficiency in either of these could trigger or worsen tinnitus, as both are necessary to stimulate normal nerve function. Studies have shown improved hearing when participants with noise-induced hearing loss supplemented with magnesium. In one study,<sup>11</sup> patients with moderate to severe tinnitus experienced significant improvement by taking a daily dose of 532 milligrams of magnesium for three months. Coenzyme Q10 may decrease noise-induced hearing loss. This and other antioxidants can also help neutralize reactive oxygen species involved in the progression of tinnitus. Taurine has demonstrated a protective effect against drug-related hearing loss.
5 medicinal plants consisting of Panax ginseng, Melissa officinalis, Allium cepa and Ginkgo biloba and astragalus, are effective. The boiling of the plant was the most commonly used. The use of medicinal plants and their derivatives results in a reduction in the overall prevalence of earache probably due to the inhibition of ROS production, and iNOS and inflammatory antiactivities. David Hoffmann, a herbalist originally from Great Britain, wrote in his book "The Herbal Handbook" that the Golden Seal could be an effective aid for some cases of tinnitus caused by accumulation of mucus.
.--https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/143845042.pdf. .------
The International Tinnitus Journal: www.tinnitusjournal.com .------
http://www.tinnitusjournal.com/ .---