This factsheet is part of RNID’s tinnitus range. It is written for people who have tinnitus, their families, friends and the professionals who work with them.

Tinnitus is a medical term to describe noise(s) that people can hear in one ear, both ears or in the head – such as ringing, buzzing or whistling. The sounds heard can vary from person to person, but the common link is that they do not have an external source.

If you would like this factsheet on audio tape, in Braille or in large print, please contact our Information Line.

Read this factsheet to find out:

At the end we give you details of organisations you can contact for further information.

Medical disclaimer

The information given in this factsheet is not medical advice and by providing it neither RNID nor our tinnitus and medical advisors undertake any responsibility for your medical care, nor accept you as a patient. Before acting on any of the information contained in this factsheet, or deciding on a course of treatment, you should discuss the matter with your GP (family doctor) or other medical professional who is treating you.

What are sound and noise generators?

Sound and noise generators are devices that make soothing sounds to distract you from your tinnitus. They can therefore help you manage and live with tinnitus and hyperacusis (sensitivity to noise). Using sound in this way is sometimes known as ‘sound enrichment’ or ‘sound therapy’.

Sound enrichment is a vital part of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). You can read more about TRT in our factsheet Therapies to help you with your tinnitus.

What types of sound and noise generators are available for people with tinnitus?

Sound and noise generators developed specifically for people with tinnitus include:

Wearable noise generators

Wearable noise generators look like – and are worn like – hearing aids. There are several types available:

Wearable noise generators have been known by various names in the past, including tinnitus maskers, white noise generators, wide band noise generators, retrainers or blockers. All produce a soothing shhhh sound known as white noise or pink noise. Pink noise is slightly richer and less shrill than white noise. Both types consist of a mix of high, middle and low sound frequencies.

Some specialists recommend wearing the generators for a few hours each day and at times when the tinnitus is particularly troublesome. Other specialists think that people who use noise generators should wear them all the time when they are awake.

If you wear the generators often, they will increase the chances of ‘habituation’ – the gradual process whereby, over time, you become less aware of your tinnitus and eventually only notice it when you consciously focus on it. Your audiologist should be able to provide you with further advice on whether or not one might be suitable for you.

In the past, wearable noise generators were set at a level that was so loud it blocked out the tinnitus. Nowadays, they are set at a level that is either just below or at the same pitch as your tinnitus.

Where can I get them and what do they cost?

You can get ITE and BTE models, combination instruments and ‘shoes’ as part of NHS tinnitus treatment in hospitals, where they should be free.

You can also buy them privately from certain hearing aid dispensers, but they can be expensive. If you are thinking of buying one, look for a hearing aid dispenser that offers you a trial period of at least 30 days. This will give you time to test out the noise generator in a wide range of settings to make sure it will benefit you.

ITC noise generators don’t need a personal fitting, and so cost a lot less. Some NHS hospitals supply them. You can also buy them privately, from private dispensers or by mail order from companies such as PureTone (see page 8 for contact details). If you are thinking of buying privately you will get more from your noise generator if you buy it as part of a tinnitus management programme. Prices for noise generators start at £150, but you may be able to claim back VAT if you go through your GP or hospital.

Bedside or desktop noise generators

Bedside or desktop noise generators have a built-in speaker and/or plug-in headphones, a speaker that goes under your pillow, or an ITE receiver. These noise generators give out a range of soothing sounds such as light rain, a waterfall, a bubbling stream or birdsong. With some models, you can buy a range of additional sounds.

Where can I get them and what do they cost?

See Where can I buy products that may help? on page 8 for more information about buying a bedside or desktop noise generator. They cost between £20 and £65.

Pillow speakers

Pillow speakers do not actually generate sound themselves – instead, you connect them to a sound source of your choice such as a cassette, DVD or CD player, radio, stereo or television. You slip the pillow speaker under your pillow and you can then listen to your choice of sound without having to wear headphones or earphones. As the sound comes through the pillow, it will not disturb other people as long as you set the volume at the right level.

If your bedside clock radio has a sleep/snooze button, you can plug the pillow speaker into it and listen to it until it turns itself off. This means you can go to sleep without leaving the radio on all night. Pillow speakers are not designed to go under the mattress.

The Sound Pillow is a pillow with stereo speakers contained inside. You can connect it to any sound source and listen to the sound of your choice.

Where can I get them and what do they cost?

See Where can I buy products that may help? for more information about buying a pillow speaker. Pillow speakers cost between £6 and £10. The Sound Pillow costs around £25.

Can I use ordinary household equipment to help manage my tinnitus?

Yes. For example:

Fans

Desktop fans usually make a whirring sound as their blades spin and they vibrate on whatever surface they are sitting on. Quite often, the cheaper the fan, the louder the noise! You can expect to pay from about £15 upwards for a fan. Try DIY stores or shops that sell electrical goods.

Radios

A radio that is tuned off-station on FM creates a shhhh-type noise that is similar to white or pink noise.

Personal cassette, CD and MP3 players

Personal cassette, CD and MP3 players direct sound into the ears through headphones or earphones. Used at sensible volume levels, they are perfect for sound enrichment. You can also use them to play white/pink noise or relaxing sounds.

Are there special CDs and cassettes to help with tinnitus?

Yes. You can listen to relaxation CDs and cassettes of soothing sounds such as the sea or other sounds of nature. Talking books can also be a relaxing and enjoyable way of taking your mind off your tinnitus. Look for cassettes in bookshops, record shops and occasionally health or ‘New Age’ shops.

RNID sells a range of cassettes and CDs to help people with tinnitus relax. They have all been recommended by people with tinnitus. Contact RNID’s Tinnitus Helpline if you would like to order any of the following:

CDs are priced £11.99 and cassettes are priced £8.99.

Water fountains

The sound of running water can be very soothing and can help distract you from your tinnitus. Try installing an indoor fountain in your home. These are available from garden centres or general stores such as Argos or Boots and cost around £25.

Products disclaimer

Information about these products does not imply a recommendation by RNID, or suggest that they are suitable for you. Please carry out your own enquiries before buying any of these products. For more information, contact the supplier or manufacturer of the equipment you are interested in.

Where can I buy products that may help?

RNID Products sells a range of equipment for people with hearing loss and tinnitus. Visit the RNID Shop at www.rnid.org.uk/tinnitusproducts (external link) to buy items of equipment online. Alternatively, you can request a copy of the Solutions catalogue by contacting RNID Products directly or by contacting RNID Tinnitus Helpline.

RNID Products, 1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX
Telephone: 01733 361199
Textphone: 01733 238020
Fax: 01733 361161
Email: solutions@rnid.org.uk
RNID Shop website (external link, opens new browser window)

Where can I get further information?

PureTone 

Sells wearable noise generators and desktop/bedside sound generators.

PureTone, 9-10 Henley Business Park, Trident Close, Medway City Estate, Kent ME2 4FR
Telephone: 01634 719427
Fax: 01634 719450
PureTone website (external link, opens new browser window)

British Tinnitus Association (BTA)

The BTA campaigns for better services for people with tinnitus. It supports a network of local tinnitus groups around the country, has a range of publications and produces a quarterly magazine, Quiet.

British Tinnitus Association (BTA), Ground Floor, Unit 5, Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB
Telephone: 0800 018 0527
Textphone: 0114 258 5694
Fax: 0114 258 2279
Email: info@tinnitus.org.uk
BTA website (external link, opens new browser window)

Hush

Hush is the name of the Hull tinnitus self-help group. They run a helpline and produce information and cassettes for people with tinnitus.

Hush, 109 Southella Way, Kirkella, Hull HU10 7LZ
Telephone: 01482 656033
Email: hush@btinternet.com
Hush website (external link, opens new browser window)

Contact a local group

If you feel you need more help with tinnitus directly from other people who also have it, you could contact a local tinnitus support group. They are set up and run by people with the condition or by professionals who work with tinnitus patients. The type of support and help they are able to offer varies between groups. Contact RNID Tinnitus Helpline for details of your nearest group.

Further information from RNID Tinnitus Helpline

RNID Tinnitus Helpline offers information and advice to people with tinnitus, their families and friends, and the professionals who work with them. You can contact us for further copies of this factsheet and the full range of our products for people with tinnitus. We also sell a book, "Understanding tinnitus – managing the noises in your ears or in your head", and a range of relaxation CDs and cassettes.

RNID Tinnitus Helpline

19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 6666
Textphone: 0808 808 0007
Fax: 020 7296 8199
SMS: 0780 0000 360 (supported by Lloyds TSB)
Email: tinnitushelpline@rnid.org.uk
Tune out tinnitus website (external link, opens new browser window)
Available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm