Complete Guide to Tinnitus Frequency Matching – Identify Your Exact Pitch
Identify Your Tinnitus
Drag the slider to match your phantom ringing.
Find Your Tinnitus Frequency (Hz): A Practical Matching Guide
What makes the app experience practical: after you identify a close match and choose a masking sound, the app is designed for use during real life (work, focus, bedtime). Background playback behavior can vary by device and settings.
Why frequency matching matters (in plain English)
Frequency matching is not a medical test. It’s a practical way to describe what you hear so you can choose masking sounds that feel more comfortable and less distracting—especially in quiet moments.
What it can help with
- More targeted masking: picking sounds that better cover your pitch.
- Tracking patterns: noticing changes with stress, sleep, caffeine, or noise exposure.
- Clearer communication: explaining your tinnitus pitch more precisely to a professional.
What it cannot do
- No diagnosis: only a qualified professional can assess causes.
- No guaranteed outcome: sound strategies work differently for different people.
- No cure claim: frequency matching is a management tool, not a cure.
Important: If tinnitus is new, sudden, one-sided, pulsing with your heartbeat, or accompanied by sudden hearing changes, dizziness, or pain, seek professional care first.
Match your frequency at home in 60 seconds
What you need
- Headphones or earbuds (recommended)
- A quiet moment (so you can compare more clearly)
- 60–90 seconds of attention
Simple 4-step method
- Start broad: begin around 1,000 Hz and sweep upward until something feels similar.
- Narrow the range: when it’s close, adjust in smaller steps (within about ±500 Hz).
- Fine-tune: stop when you reach the closest match you can (perfection isn’t required).
- Save and test: note your approximate Hz and try a masking sound during a real situation (work, reading, bedtime).
If your match changes on different days, that can happen. Re-check when the sound clearly shifts.
Understanding your range (what’s typical)
Many people report tinnitus pitches in the mid-to-high range. Some clinical matching setups scan up to about 15,000 Hz, and many experiences cluster between 1,000 Hz and 8,000 Hz. Individual perception varies.
Lower pitch (often under ~2,000 Hz)
- Often described as: hum, rumble, low drone
- Sounds people often try: deeper textures (for example, “brown” noise or ocean-like sounds)
Higher pitch (often ~3,000–8,000 Hz)
- Often described as: ringing, whistling, hissing
- Sounds people often try: “white” noise, “pink” noise, rain, forest textures
These are practical starting points, not medical rules. Comfort matters more than a perfect label.
FAQ
Can I match my tinnitus frequency while doing other things?
You can do the matching step when you have focus and a relatively quiet moment. After that, masking sounds are meant to support real life use (work, focus, rest). Background playback behavior depends on your device and settings.
How accurate does my match need to be?
“Close enough” is usually enough for choosing masking sounds. The goal is a usable range that helps you pick a sound that feels comfortable—not laboratory precision.
What if my tinnitus changes day to day?
Some people notice shifts. If the pitch clearly changes, re-check and save a new reference so you can test what feels better for that situation.
Can frequency matching cure tinnitus?
No. Frequency matching is a self-management tool that can help you choose masking sounds. It is not a cure, treatment, or diagnosis.
Should I test both ears separately?
If tinnitus feels different in each ear, testing separately can be useful. If it feels the same, one match can still be practical.
Medical disclaimer
This page is educational and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The app and this guide do not claim to cure tinnitus. If you have new or worsening symptoms, sudden hearing loss, tinnitus in one ear, dizziness, or ear pain, consult a qualified healthcare professional.