Tinnitus Relief App FAQ - Sound Therapy questions answered
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Frequency matching, background playback, and immediate relief in minutes. Download the app and test whether sound therapy helps you.
Can this app cure tinnitus?
No. There is currently no universal cure for tinnitus. The app is a sound-therapy tool that helps reduce how noticeable and bothersome the ringing feels. It uses frequency matching and background sound to support habituation — a natural process where the brain learns to filter out the tinnitus. It is not a medical device.
How is this different from just playing white noise on YouTube or Spotify?
Three things. First, the app lets you match the exact frequency of your tinnitus so the sound targets your specific ringing. Second, the sound keeps playing during phone calls, Zoom, and other apps — platforms like YouTube and Spotify usually stop when you switch away. Third, the app works fully offline with no ads, no buffering, and no account creation.
What is the difference between frequency matching and masking?
Frequency matching identifies the specific pitch of your tinnitus. You slide a dial until the app tone matches your ringing. Masking is the background sound — rain, white noise, fan — that blends with the ringing and makes it less noticeable. The app does both: it finds your frequency, then layers masking sounds on top. You can use masking alone, but combining both tends to be more effective. See the full walkthrough in How to Use Tinnitus Relief App.
Is the app backed by scientific research?
The app itself has not been the subject of a clinical trial. However, the principles it uses — sound therapy, frequency matching, masking, and habituation — are well documented in peer-reviewed research. Studies on Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and smartphone-based sound therapy have reported meaningful reductions in tinnitus distress over time.
Does the app replace seeing a doctor?
No. It is a self-help sound-therapy tool, not a medical device. If your tinnitus is new, sudden, one-sided, pulsatile, or came on after an injury, please see a doctor or audiologist. The app works well alongside professional care but does not replace it.
One Key Difference Most People Care About
Unlike generic audio apps, the sound can continue during calls, meetings, and while using other apps. That matters because tinnitus does not stop when your workday starts.
What happens during a tinnitus spike? Can the app help?
A spike is when your tinnitus temporarily feels louder or more intrusive — often triggered by stress, poor sleep, or loud noise exposure. The app helps by providing immediate masking: open it, play your saved sound profile, and let the background sound take the edge off. Having a tool ready to go often reduces the panic that makes spikes feel worse.
My tinnitus changes pitch or sounds different day to day. Can the app handle that?
Yes. You can re-run the frequency matcher any time your tinnitus shifts. Premium users can save multiple sound profiles — for example, one for a high-pitched day, one for a low-hum day, and one for sleep — and switch between them quickly.
Can stress make my tinnitus worse? How does the app help?
Stress and tinnitus often feed each other: stress makes the ringing feel louder, and the ringing increases stress. The app helps by providing a constant, predictable sound that gives your brain something calmer to process, which can reduce how intrusive the tinnitus feels.
Why does my tinnitus sound louder some days than others?
Tinnitus often fluctuates with stress, sleep, caffeine, alcohol, noise exposure, and attention. The signal itself may not change much — but your brain’s attention to it does. On harder days, having the app ready can help redirect your focus quickly.
I only have tinnitus in one ear. Can I use the app for just that side?
Yes. Premium includes independent ear-by-ear controls. You can set different frequencies and volumes for your left and right ears separately, or focus on one side only.
Can I use the app at work without anyone noticing?
Yes. With earbuds or in-ear headphones, the sound therapy is private. The app runs in the background, so your phone screen does not need to stay on. And because it can keep playing during calls and meetings, you do not need to keep restarting it.
What if the sounds make my tinnitus worse?
This is uncommon, but if any sound feels unpleasant, stop it and try a different one at a lower volume. Some frequencies irritate while others soothe. If sounds consistently make things worse, stop using the app and consult a hearing health professional.
What are the 44 sounds in the app?
The library includes core noises, sleep sounds, nature sounds, urban and mechanical sounds, music, and advanced therapy sounds. White noise and background play are free. Most additional sounds require premium.
The sound keeps playing during phone calls — how does that work?
The app uses a background audio layer that continues running even when another app takes over your phone’s main audio. So when you answer a call, join a meeting, or switch apps, your tinnitus sound therapy can keep running underneath.
What is the difference between free and premium?
The free version lets you test frequency matching and background playback, so you can feel whether sound therapy helps you. Premium adds the full sound library, saved profiles, ear-by-ear controls, sleep timer, and more advanced sound options.
Does the app work on iPad or tablet?
The app is designed for iPhone and Android phones. It may run on tablets, but the interface is optimized for phone screens.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. Once downloaded, it works offline. No Wi-Fi or mobile data is needed to use the sounds.
Does it collect my personal information?
No. There is no account, no email, and no login required to use the app. Settings and preferences stay on your device. See the full privacy guide.
How do I cancel or manage my subscription?
Subscriptions are managed through your phone’s app store settings, not inside the app. You can cancel any time and keep premium access until the end of the current billing period.
Can I use the app with hearing aids?
Yes. If your hearing aids support Bluetooth audio, the app sound may stream through them. The app can complement hearing aids, but it does not replace them. More in Tinnitus, Hearing Aids, and Sound Therapy Apps.
I am setting this up for an elderly parent. Any tips?
Keep it simple. Download the app, show them the play button and the volume control first. No account setup also makes the process easier. See Helping a Parent with Tinnitus.
Is there a connection between hearing loss and tinnitus?
Yes. Tinnitus is often linked to some degree of hearing loss. The brain may compensate for missing sound input by generating its own signal, which we perceive as tinnitus. See Tinnitus and Hearing Loss in Seniors.
Can hearing loss and tinnitus affect memory or cognitive health?
Published research links untreated hearing loss with broader cognitive impact. Managing hearing health and tinnitus early can matter. See Hearing Loss and Cognitive Health.
Still Have Questions?
Download the free version and try it yourself. Many questions answer themselves within the first few minutes of use.
Related Guides
Important notice: Tinnitus Relief App is not a medical device. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. The information on this page is educational only. If you experience sudden hearing changes, pulsatile tinnitus, or worsening symptoms, contact a healthcare professional.