Tinnitus masker

[msemma]

I have a tinnitus in ear masker which I was given about 5 years ago when I was referred to a specialist for tinnitus. I now have initus in my other ear too - whe I can I buy an additional masker?

[sqad617]

Can't answer your question re. buying a second masker, but I am a little confused as to how you are going to hear with bilateral maskers?

[msemma]

it just makes very low level white noise to mask the tinnitus not block out sound!

[saxy_jag]

Are you referring to a tone generator? If so then you should only need the one. My bloke has tinnitus in both ears equally and needs just one generator, which he began by wearing several hours a day but now (less than two years later) hardly needs, so effective was it.

The tone generator, sqad, is a small device that emits something similar to white noise but at a different frequency. The idea is that it trains your brain to tune out the frequencies highlighted in tinnitus, which are normal frequencies for most of us but which those with tinnitus have become super-sensitive to. That's because tinnitus is also a brain thing rather than a purely physical ear thing - hence why my bloke only needs the one generator.

Msemma, if wearing your original tone generator isn't having any effect any more, then I suggest you go back to your GP and get yourself re-referred to your specialist (unless you can go straight to the specialist). Could be you just need some sort of upgrade.

[msemma]

Cheers think I'll do that.

[sqad617]

Thanks saxy_jag, I do appreciate your helpful answer, but I thought that a tone generator and tinnitus masker were synonymous. I agree with you about mechanism of masking the tinnitus, but with a bilateral masker (tone generator) he would be totally confused as to sound during the normal hearing process. e.g he would be unable to tell where the sound was coming from and the person talking would sound "muffled", as well as making theTV impossible to comprehend. Good advice from you re. going back to see the specialist.