Tinnitus white noise and masking sounds
Updated 22 October 2026
Many people with tinnitus find the ringing worst in a quiet room. A soft sound in the background makes the ringing less obvious, which can make it easier to fall asleep or focus. This is called sound therapy or masking. It does not cure tinnitus, but it is one of the most common ways people cope with it day to day.
Press play
Play opens the sound masker with this mix already loaded, so you can hear it and shape it.
How to set it up
- Press Play on Masking to start with noise shaped through the middle of the range, plus rain.
- If your tinnitus is a high whistle, try High ringing. It lifts the bands from 2k to 12k, where most ringing sits.
- Open it in the sound masker and move the sliders near the pitch of your ringing up a little. Small changes are enough.
- Set the level so the ringing is softer but still faintly there. Many audiologists suggest partial masking, not drowning it out completely.
- Water sounds suit people who find noise irritating. Try Water for tinnitus.
How sound helps with tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound that has no outside source. In silence the brain turns up its sensitivity, and the ringing seems louder. A background sound gives the hearing system something real to process, and the contrast between the ringing and silence drops.
Clinical guidelines list sound therapy as an option alongside counseling and hearing aids, mostly because it helps people feel more in control. Results vary a lot from person to person.
White noise or a shaped sound?
White noise covers every frequency, which is why it is the classic choice. Many people find it harsh over hours. Shaping the noise so it is stronger near your tinnitus pitch and softer elsewhere often feels better at a lower volume. The ten-band equalizer in the studio lets you do that.
Questions
Does white noise help tinnitus?
It can make tinnitus less noticeable while it plays, especially at night. It does not stop the tinnitus itself.
What is the best sound for tinnitus?
There is no single best one. Try shaped noise near your pitch, water, and rain, and keep whichever is most comfortable at a low volume.
Should I fully cover the ringing?
Most audiologists suggest setting it just below the ringing, so you can still faintly hear it. That may help the brain get used to it over time.