Tinnitus Relief App FAQ - Sound Therapy questions answered

Tinnitus Relief App FAQ: Your Questions About Sound Therapy Answered

Living with tinnitus raises questions about relief options, sound therapy apps, and what actually works. This comprehensive FAQ addresses common questions about tinnitus, sound masking, and how the Tinnitus Relief App helps people manage ringing ears through personalized sound therapy that works everywhere—during calls, meetings, videos, and sleep.

What makes Tinnitus Relief App different: The only tinnitus app that continues playing during phone calls, video meetings, YouTube, and other apps. Your relief never stops when life gets busy.

What is tinnitus and how common is it?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in your ears or head when no external source is present. Research indicates approximately 10-25% of adults experience tinnitus, with global prevalence studies showing 14% of adults report tinnitus symptoms. In the United States alone, over 50 million people have experienced tinnitus, with 20 million struggling with chronic symptoms.

The sound varies by person but commonly includes ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling. Up to 90% of tinnitus cases occur alongside some degree of hearing loss, though many people are unaware of the connection.

Is there a cure for tinnitus?

Currently, there is no universal cure for tinnitus. However, research shows that approximately 80-85% of people can achieve functional habituation through consistent sound therapy and management strategies. Habituation means your brain learns to filter out the tinnitus sound, reclassifying it as unimportant background noise.

While the sound may still be present, many people report it becomes significantly less bothersome and no longer impacts their quality of life. Treatment focuses on reducing the perceived loudness and distress associated with tinnitus rather than eliminating the sound entirely.

What causes tinnitus and what makes it worse?

Common causes include exposure to loud noise (concerts, machinery, headphones), age-related hearing loss, ear infections, earwax buildup, head or neck injuries, and certain medications. More than 200 medications are known to potentially trigger or worsen tinnitus.

Tinnitus often feels worse in quiet environments, at night, during stress or anxiety, after caffeine or alcohol consumption, when fatigued, or following noise exposure. Keeping a tinnitus diary can help identify your personal triggers.

When should I see a doctor about tinnitus?

Seek medical attention promptly if your tinnitus starts suddenly, affects only one ear, pulses with your heartbeat, comes with sudden hearing loss or dizziness, is accompanied by ear pain, or significantly impacts your sleep, mood, or daily functioning.

A hearing care professional can assess possible underlying causes, rule out urgent conditions like acoustic neuroma or cardiovascular issues, and advise how to combine clinical care with sound therapy tools safely.

How does sound therapy help with tinnitus relief?

Sound therapy reduces the contrast between your tinnitus and your environment by introducing external sounds like white noise, pink noise, brown noise, or nature soundscapes. This process, called sound masking or sound enrichment, gives your brain safer, more predictable input to focus on rather than the internal tinnitus signal.

Many people report that sound therapy helps make tinnitus less noticeable, especially in quiet moments, during work, or at night. By lowering the perceived threat level of the ringing, sound therapy can interrupt anxiety-amplification feedback loops that make tinnitus feel worse.

What is the best tinnitus relief app in 2025?

The best tinnitus app depends on your specific needs. Research-backed approaches combine sound therapy with cognitive techniques. Some apps focus on comprehensive 8-week programs blending CBT and mindfulness, while others prioritize immediate, on-demand sound relief without lengthy courses or daily tasks.

Tinnitus Relief App takes the simplified approach: precise tone matching to identify your exact frequency, customizable sound masking with white, pink, or brown noise, and instant mixing capabilities. Key differentiator: continuous background play during calls, videos, meetings, and sleep—functionality no other tinnitus app offers. Additional features include offline functionality, sleep timers, and bilingual support in English and French.

How does Tinnitus Relief App work as a sound therapy app?

Tinnitus Relief App helps you match the pitch and loudness of your tinnitus in under 60 seconds, then combine that tone with noise colors (white, pink, brown) and nature soundscapes to create a customized masking mix. The app focuses on three simple steps: match your tone, choose your masking sound, create your perfect mix.

By reducing the contrast between your tinnitus and surrounding sound, many users report the ringing feels less intrusive in quiet moments, at work, or at night. The app works fully offline once installed and continues playing in the background even when your phone is locked, during phone calls, video meetings, or while using other apps—ensuring uninterrupted relief throughout your day and night.

Is Tinnitus Relief App a medical device or treatment?

No. Tinnitus Relief App is not a medical device, does not diagnose any condition, and does not claim to cure tinnitus. It is a support app designed around sound matching, sound masking, and everyday management tools.

The app may help some people feel less bothered by their tinnitus through personalized sound therapy, but it should never replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a hearing care professional for clinical evaluation and guidance.

Can I use a tinnitus app with my hearing aids?

Many people listen to tinnitus relief apps through regular headphones or earbuds. Some modern hearing aids also support audio streaming from smartphones, allowing you to route app sounds directly to your devices.

Because hearing aid models and settings vary significantly, you should discuss combining external sound apps with your audiologist. They can advise on safe listening levels, proper routing configurations, and how sound therapy apps complement your hearing aid's built-in tinnitus features. The background play capability means the app won't interfere with phone calls routed through your hearing aids.

Will sound masking make my tinnitus worse?

Most people use sound masking safely by keeping volume at a comfortable level where external sounds feel gentle, not aggressive. As a general rule, if a sound feels too loud, uncomfortable, or tiring, you should turn it down immediately.

If you have concerns about sound exposure, existing hearing loss, or hyperacusis (sound sensitivity), discuss safe listening levels with an audiologist before using any tinnitus sound therapy app. Proper volume management is essential for safe, effective sound therapy.

Does the tinnitus app work offline and continue in the background?

Yes on both counts. Once Tinnitus Relief App and its sound library are installed, all core features—tone matching, noise masking, and saved profiles—work fully offline. You can use your favorite sound mixes on planes, in waiting rooms, or at night without needing internet connectivity.

Background play is the game-changer: The app continues playing when your phone is locked, during phone calls, video conferences, while watching YouTube or Netflix, listening to Spotify, or using any other app. This uninterrupted coverage throughout your entire day—from morning meetings to nighttime sleep—is what makes Tinnitus Relief App uniquely effective for real-world tinnitus management.

What sounds are best for tinnitus relief?

Research suggests different noise colors work for different people. White noise contains all frequencies equally and is widely used for masking. Pink noise emphasizes lower frequencies and many people find it gentler. Brown noise focuses on even deeper frequencies and is often preferred for sleep.

Nature soundscapes like rain, ocean waves, or forest sounds also help many people by providing non-threatening, familiar environmental audio. The most effective sound is the one that you find most comfortable and can use consistently. Tinnitus Relief App lets you experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you, then saves your preferred mixes for instant access.

Is tinnitus connected to hearing loss?

Yes. Research indicates up to 90% of tinnitus cases occur alongside some degree of hearing loss, often undiagnosed. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) and noise-induced hearing loss are particularly common causes.

When hearing loss reduces external sound input, the brain may increase its internal gain to compensate, which can make tinnitus more noticeable. This is why hearing aids that amplify external sounds often help reduce tinnitus perception by giving the brain the external stimulus it needs.

Why is tinnitus worse at night and how can sound therapy help sleep?

Tinnitus often feels louder at night, though the signal itself doesn't change. What changes is the acoustic contrast—in quiet bedrooms, there's less environmental sound to mask the tinnitus, making it more noticeable and intrusive.

Many people report sound therapy apps help with sleep by reducing this contrast. Playing gentle white noise, pink noise, or nature sounds creates a consistent acoustic environment where tinnitus blends into the background. Tinnitus Relief App's all-night background play means the app won't stop if you receive notifications or your phone locks—providing uninterrupted coverage throughout the night. Sleep timers allow sounds to play for 30-60 minutes as you fall asleep, then automatically shut off if preferred.

Can stress and anxiety make tinnitus worse?

Yes. Tinnitus symptoms are strongly connected to stress and anxiety levels. Stress can trigger tinnitus flare-ups, and chronic stress often makes existing tinnitus feel worse. The relationship works both ways—tinnitus itself can cause significant emotional stress, creating a feedback loop.

Sound therapy can help interrupt this cycle by providing a sense of control over an internal sound. When you can manipulate external sounds that blend with your tinnitus, many people report feeling calmer and less anxious about their symptoms. The ability to maintain relief during stressful situations like work meetings or important calls can significantly reduce tinnitus-related anxiety.

Do I need an account to use Tinnitus Relief App?

No account or signup is required to start using Tinnitus Relief App. You install the app, choose your language (English or French), and begin matching and masking your tinnitus immediately.

Your profiles, tone matches, and sound preferences are stored locally on your device, not in the cloud. This privacy-first approach means you can get relief quickly without filling in questionnaires, sharing personal health information, or creating yet another account.

Is my tinnitus data stored in the cloud?

No identifiable tinnitus data—such as your exact frequencies, tone matches, or ear-specific profiles—is stored in the cloud. All personal settings remain only on your device.

The app uses minimal, anonymous analytics for crash reports and feature usage to improve performance, but nothing that allows tracking your personal health information or linking data back to you individually.

How much does the tinnitus relief app cost?

Tinnitus Relief App is free to download with core tools available at no cost, including basic tone matching, white and pink noise masking, and unlimited background play during calls, videos, and other apps. Optional paid upgrades unlock additional features like expanded nature soundscapes, brown noise, advanced multi-layer mixing, stereo control for different frequencies per ear, and unlimited saved profiles.

Premium subscription is €49.99/year. Exact pricing and any trial offers are clearly displayed in the App Store and Google Play before you confirm any purchase. Pricing may vary by region.

Which tinnitus app features matter most for relief?

Based on user feedback, the most valued features include:

  • Background play during calls and videos (the #1 requested feature that competitors don't offer)
  • Precise frequency matching to identify your exact tinnitus tone
  • Customizable sound mixing without overwhelming options
  • Offline functionality for use anywhere
  • Sleep timers for automatic shutoff
  • Ability to save multiple profiles if your tinnitus varies by ear or time of day

Tinnitus Relief App focuses specifically on these practical features rather than lengthy programs or courses, providing immediate, on-demand relief that works in every real-world situation—from morning meetings to nighttime sleep.

Is the app available in my language?

At launch, Tinnitus Relief App is fully available in English and French with native content, interface elements, and onboarding optimized for both languages rather than auto-translated.

Additional languages may be added as the user base grows and new markets are prioritized. If you'd like to see the app in your language, you can submit a request through the support page.

Is a tinnitus relief app suitable for children or teenagers?

Tinnitus Relief App is designed for adults and is not specifically intended for young children. In regions like the EU, independent consent for digital services generally starts in mid-adolescence and may require parental involvement below that age.

If a child or teenager experiences tinnitus, families should always consult a pediatric ENT or audiologist before introducing any tinnitus relief app or sound therapy routine to ensure appropriate evaluation and safe management strategies.

Can tinnitus go away on its own?

Some people experience temporary tinnitus after loud noise exposure that resolves within hours or days. However, chronic tinnitus that persists for months is less likely to disappear completely without intervention.

The good news is that while the sound may remain present, many people achieve habituation where the tinnitus no longer bothers them or impacts their quality of life. Consistent sound therapy, stress management, and professional guidance can significantly improve outcomes even when complete silence isn't achieved.

How long until I notice relief from sound therapy?

Response times vary significantly by individual. Some people report feeling calmer within minutes of hearing their matched frequency or finding the right masking sound. Others may need several weeks of consistent use before noticing significant changes.

Research on tinnitus habituation suggests that consistent sound therapy over 3-6 months often produces the most sustainable results. The key is regular use rather than expecting immediate elimination of symptoms. Many users report gradual improvements in sleep quality, daytime awareness, and emotional distress before noticing changes in perceived loudness. The ability to maintain relief during all daily activities—work, calls, entertainment—makes consistent use much easier.

Ready to experience relief that never stops?

Download Tinnitus Relief App and discover the only tinnitus app that continues playing during calls, meetings, videos, and sleep. Match your frequency in 60 seconds, build your perfect sound mix, and reclaim your day without choosing between relief and staying connected.

No signup required. No lengthy courses. Just immediate, uninterrupted relief wherever life takes you.

If your question isn't listed here, you can contact us via the support page. For medical concerns about your tinnitus, please consult with a qualified hearing care professional, audiologist, or ENT specialist.

Sources & References

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  3. Cima RF, et al. "Specialised treatment based on cognitive behaviour therapy versus usual care for tinnitus: a randomised controlled trial." The Lancet, 2012.
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  5. Searchfield GD, et al. "The Role of Sound Therapy in Tinnitus Management." Hearing Research, 2017.
  6. Mazurek B, et al. "Stress and tinnitus - from bedside to bench and back." Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 2019.
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  9. Hobson J, et al. "Sound therapy (masking) in the management of tinnitus in adults." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012.
  10. Pienkowski M. "On the etiology of listening difficulties in noise despite clinically normal audiograms." Ear and Hearing, 2017.
  11. American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. "Clinical Practice Guideline: Tinnitus." Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 2014.
  12. British Tinnitus Association. "Tinnitus and Sleep." National Health Service (NHS) UK guidance documents.
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