What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition that affects millions of people around the world, causing them to hear ‘phantom noise’ , defined as a constant ringing, buzzing, hissing or other disturbing sound in their ears or head. Whereas short and transient phantom noise seems to be a ubiquitous phenomenon in the general population, 5–15% of people are more severely affected by a persisting manifestation, among those, up to 2% of cases are severely restricted in their quality of life (Axelsson and Ringdahl, 1989; Khedr et al., 2010; Shargorodsky et al., 2010) Today we ask – Can Music Therapy help cure or help alleviate this condition?
How does it affect one’s life?
The condition of Tinnitus can have a negative impact on one’s quality of life, as it is associated with additional psychiatric, psychosocial, or psychosomatic comorbidities such as anxiety and depression, concentration and attention deficits, as well as sleep disorders (Jacques et al., 2013).
This epidemiological profile points to the value of investigating the origins of tinnitus more thoroughly in order to get a better understanding of its nature and of the potential for remediation. Tinnitus is thought to be triggered in many cases by cochlear damage, resulting in abnormal or missing afferent input to the auditory cortex (Moller, 2007).
However, this specific defect seems to be insufficient to explain the whole genesis. To date, there are many methods available to explore brain involvement in phantom noise (Galazyuk et al., 2012; Langguth et al.,)
What can be done? – Can Music Therapy help?
While there is no definitive cure for tinnitus, there are various treatments and therapies that can help people cope with their symptoms and reduce their distress.
One of these therapies is music therapy, which involves using pleasant or calming sounds to mask the tinnitus sound, or distract subjects from it. This type of therapy can also help people relax, improve their mood, enhance their cognitive function and promote habituation, which is the process of becoming less aware of or bothered by the symptoms of tinnitus over time.
How does Music Therapy work for Tinnitus?
There are different types of this therapy for tinnitus, depending on the individual’s preferences, needs and goals. Some of the most common ones are:
Sound Masking.
A therapy which predominantly entails using external sounds, such as white noise, nature sounds, ambient music or other sounds that match or cover the frequency and loudness of the tinnitus sound. Sound masking can provide immediate relief from tinnitus by making it less noticeable or annoying. Sound masking can be done using devices such as sound machines, fans, radios, headphones or hearing aids. Some examples of sound masking sounds can be found in the ATA’s Masking Sound Library .
Notched Therapy
Notched Therapy [1] [2] [3]: involves listening to music that has been digitally modified to remove a narrow band of frequencies around the individual’s tinnitus frequency. The idea behind this is to stimulate the auditory cortex and reduce its activity in the tinnitus frequency range, thereby reducing the perception of tinnitus. Notched therapy can be done using customized music tracks or online platforms that allow users to create their own notched music .
Neuromodulation.
This is a very well researched form of therapy which involves listening to music that has been embedded with specific tones or pulses that are designed to modulate the neural activity in the brain regions involved in tinnitus generation and perception. The aim of this is to restore the normal balance and functioning of the auditory system and reduce the tinnitus signal. Neuromodulation can be done using devices such as Acoustic Coordinated Reset Neuromodulation (ACRN) or Lenire .
Probably the most well known and effective Neuromodulation technique is the “Heidelberg Neuro Model of Music Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus” [4] [5] [6] , which has been thoroughly researched and tested.
Binaural beats.
This involves listening to two tones that have slightly different frequencies, one in each ear, which create a third tone that is perceived by the brain. The third tone is supposed to entrain the brainwaves to a desired frequency, such as alpha or theta, which are associated with relaxation and meditation. Binaural beats can help people with tinnitus relax, reduce their stress and anxiety levels and improve their sleep quality .
What are the benefits of Music Therapy for Tinnitus?
This type of therapy for tinnitus can have various benefits for people who suffer from the condition, such as:
– Reducing the loudness and annoyance of tinnitus
– Improving emotional and psychological well-being
– Enhancing concentration and memory
– Promoting sleep and relaxation
– Increasing the enjoyment and appreciation of music
– Supporting habituation and adaptation
What are the limitations of Music Therapy for Tinnitus?
Music therapy for tinnitus is not a cure for this condition, but rather a coping strategy that can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life, it also may not work for everyone, as different people may have different preferences, responses and outcomes to different types of sounds and music. To be effective, Music therapy for tinnitus may also require regular practice, commitment and patience to achieve optimal results.
How to start Music Therapy for Tinnitus?
If you are interested in trying music therapy for tinnitus, you should consult your doctor or audiologist first to rule out any underlying medical causes for your tinnitus and get a proper diagnosis and evaluation of your hearing and tinnitus characteristics. You should also seek professional guidance from a qualified music therapist or a certified tinnitus specialist who can help you choose the best type of therapy for your specific case and provide you with personalized advice and support.
We recommend exploring various online resources and platforms that offer different types of music therapy for tinnitus, such as:
– ATA’s Masking Sound Library: https://www.ata.org/about-tinnitus/sound-therapy/
– Notch Therapy: https://notchtherapy.com/
– ACRN: https://www.tinnitustreatmentcentre.com/acoustic-cr-neuromod
References:
Sound Therapy | American Tinnitus Association
Tinnitus Cure In 30 Minutes | Most Powerful Tinnitus Binaural Beats Music – Sound Healing Therapy – YouTube
Sound therapy – Tinnitus UK – British Tinnitus Association
Notched Music Therapy for Tinnitus Treatment
Clinical references:
[1] Clinical trial on tonal tinnitus with tailor-made notched-music training
Shim, H. J., Kwak, M. Y., An, Y. H., Kim, D. H., Kim, Y. J., & Kim, H. J. (2015). Feasibility and safety of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation paired with notched music therapy for the treatment of chronic tinnitus. Journal of audiology & otology, 19(3), 159.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12883-016-0558-7
[2] A randomized, controlled trial of notched therapy for tinnitus patients
Atipas, S., Therdphaothai, J., Suvansit, K., Prakairungthong, S., Thongyai, K., & Limviriyakul, S. (2021). A randomized, controlled trial of notched music therapy for tinnitus patients. J Int Adv Otol, 17(17), 221-7.
https://advancedotology.org/Content/files/sayilar/108/221-227.pdf
[3] Tinnitus therapy using tailor-made notched music delivered via a smartphone application and Ginko Biloba combined treatment: A pilot study
Kim, S. Y., Chang, M. Y., Hong, M., Yoo, S. G., Oh, D., & Park, M. K. (2017). Tinnitus therapy using tailor-made notched music delivered via a smartphone application and Ginko Biloba combined treatment: A pilot study. Auris Nasus Larynx, 44(5), 528-533.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0385814616303728
[4] Long-term effects of the Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy in patients with chronic tinnitus
Argstatter, H., Grapp, M., Hutter, E., Plinkert, P., & Bolay, H. V. (2012).
International journal of clinical and experimental medicine, 5(4), 273.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3443887/
[5] Heidelberg Neuro-Music Therapy for chronic-tonal tinnitus-treatment outline and psychometric evaluation
Argstatter, H., Grapp, M., Plinkert, P. K., & Volker Bolay, H. (2012).
International Tinnitus Journal, 17(1).
[6] Heidelberg neuro/music therapy enhances task-negative activity in tinnitus patients.
Krick, C. M., Argstatter, H., Grapp, M., Plinkert, P. K., & Reith, W. (2017).
Frontiers in Neuroscience, 11, 384.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2017.00384/full
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