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Sound therapy

Definition and how it can improve hearing health

Last update on Feb, 10, 2023

What is sound Therapy?

Sound therapy is a method that improves hearing. In particular, it is used clinically for the common management of tinnitus, a bothersome condition that can lead the person affected to suffer from anxiety and depression. Sound therapy is also often recommended for addressing a variety of other common hearing problems.

Based on what emerges from a research published in a scientific journal available here (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7493236/), various forms of sound therapy have been developed, but there is controversy regarding the criteria for selection and effectiveness of different forms of sound therapy in the clinical stage.

The objective of the study was to analyze the different types of sound therapy and how each tinnitus patient reacts differently to the different types of sound therapy. This study was conducted in order to allow a personalized choice for the treatment of tinnitus.

How does sound therapy work?

Sound therapy uses external noises to alter the perception or reaction to tinnitus and it is a not an invasive therapy, on the contrary, it is simple and readily accepted by patients suffering from this disorder. In particular, the method is based on the use of white noise, special masking noises, low volume music and even custom sounds.

What kinds of sound therapy exist?

There are two different types of sound therapy: masking therapy and TRT, also known as Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, the most accredited therapy by the international scientific community for the treatment of tinnitus. By relegating the tinnitus sound to the background, patients are better able to concentrate on other sounds.

Masking

This kind of therapy consists of exposing the patient to background noise (e.g. white noise, nature sounds or environmental sounds) to mask the ringing in the ear or divert attention from it.

Through this technique, a sort of acoustic illusion is created which greatly reduces the intensity of the disorder.

Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)

This type of therapy consists of training the brain to get used to the tinnitus. In this case, a tinnitus-like noise is listened to for long periods. Eventually, the brain ignores the sound, along with the tinnitus sound.

The TRT acts through the sound stimulation of a hearing aid that emits white noise, a particular type of noise with specific characteristics, comparable to the noise of a television not tuned to any channel; they are then adapted to the patient's needs and calibrated according to the intensity of the tinnitus.

These devices are very discreet, so discreet that patients often forget they are wearing them, so it is not a problem to have to wear them all day and even at night, during sleep. Many doctors recommend combining this technique with a counseling journey with a psychotherapist for the management of the emotional consequences associated with the disorder. In fact, many individuals with tinnitus experience additional psychological challenges due to the persistent and irritating nature of the noise.

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What is sound therapy recommended for?

Sound therapy can treat tinnitus but also can be usefull for the following hearing conditions:

Hearing loss, cocktail party syndrome, dizziness, meniere’s disease, vertigo, background noise, plugged ear, pressure ear.

Sound therapy and hearing loss

Many studies and reports, such as the one cited at the beginning of this article, reveal that the use of sound therapy can have a positive impact on hearing health, and the benefits can vary depending on the severity of the hearing loss and from person to person. It is advisable to consult an audiologist at an Amplifon centre in case of hearing loss. When tinnitus is accompanied by hyperacusis, sound therapy can help desensitize the auditory system. This is achieved by gradually exposing the patient to sounds at low intensity, near their hearing threshold, before gradually increasing the intensity based on their auditory response. In cases where both tinnitus and hyperacusis are present, it is important to slowly increase the sound intensity to reach the "mixing point." If a patient also has both hypoacusis and hyperacusis along with tinnitus, it is advisable for them to use a hearing aid.

Sound therapy and other hearing conditions

Sound therapy is commonly used not only for the most varied hearing disorders, but also to alleviate deafness, hyperacusis, temporomandibular dysfunction, phonophobia and hearing distortion. However, its effectiveness in treating these ailments has not always been scientifically proven and may vary from person to person. It is important to consult a qualified professional to evaluate your situation in order to choose the best treatment option together.

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Sound therapy benefits

Sound therapy and hearing aids

For severe cases of tinnitus and persistent hearing problems, sound therapy may be combined with the use of hearing aids. Many hearing aids are equipped with tinnitus masking features that increase the volume of external sounds. This combination can help alleviate both the tinnitus and hearing loss.