White noise for tinnitus
White noise has equal energy at every frequency, which gives it a bright, hissy sound that covers high-pitched tinnitus well. Play it softly, just under your tinnitus. If it feels harsh, switch to pink noise. If your ringing is very high, try blue or violet noise, which lean even further into the treble.
Start quiet and stay below the level of your tinnitus, or just at it. If a sound is uncomfortable, stop. Headphones work best for the notch filter.
How to use it
- Press Play to start white noise.
- Lower the volume until your ringing is softened but still faintly there.
- Too sharp? Switch to pink noise. Very high ringing? Try blue or violet.
- Add a notch at your pitch if you have matched it in the frequency finder.
Why white noise suits high tinnitus
Most ringing tinnitus sits at high pitches. White noise has plenty of energy up there, so it blends with a high ring at a lower volume than darker sounds need. The trade-off is that it can sound harsh over long periods, which is why many people move to pink noise for all-day or overnight use.
White noise machine or browser player?
A dedicated white noise machine is handy at the bedside, while a phone or browser player costs nothing and offers more sounds. What matters is a steady, comfortable sound at a low volume.
Frequently asked questions
Is white noise good for tinnitus?
It is one of the most common choices, especially for high-pitched ringing. Keep it quiet and switch to pink noise if it feels harsh.
What are blue and violet noise?
Brighter variations of white noise that emphasize treble even more. They can blend with very high-pitched tinnitus, but they are tiring to hear for long periods.
How loud should the sound be?
Quieter than you think. Set it just below the level of your tinnitus, or at the point where the two start to blend, so you can still hear both. Fully drowning out tinnitus is not the goal, and long sessions at high volume can damage hearing.
Sources
- Tunkel DE, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Tinnitus. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 2014.
- World Health Organization: Make Listening Safe.
Last reviewed by the TinnitusBuddy team.
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