What Is Notch Therapy? And Can It Help My Tinnitus?

Woman having a hearing aid tried on; notch therapy for tinnitus

While there's still no cure for tinnitus, there are several treatment options that may help alleviate the symptoms, including a relatively new technique called notch therapy (or notched noise therapy).

In simple terms, notch therapy is a form of sound therapy that targets the specific frequency of the tinnitus sound. The idea behind this therapy is that by listening to sound frequencies that are similar to but not exactly the same as the tinnitus sound, the brain will "habituate" to the tinnitus and learn to ignore it.

The notch therapy process starts with a hearing test to determine the exact frequency of the tinnitus sound. Once that frequency has been identified, a custom sound signal is created, which is then used during the notch therapy sessions. The therapy consists of listening to the custom sound signal for a specific period, usually for an hour each day, over several weeks.

So, can notch therapy help with tinnitus? The short answer is, it depends.

While some people report significant improvement in their tinnitus symptoms after undergoing notch therapy, others do not see any improvement at all. As with any medical treatment, the effectiveness of notch therapy varies from person to person.

That said, several studies have shown promising results. In a study published in the journal PLoS One, researchers found that 75% of participants reported a reduction in their tinnitus symptoms after undergoing notch therapy. Another study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that notch therapy improved cognitive function in older adults with tinnitus.

A notched noise therapy clinical trial, combining a hearing aid and broadband noise, started on March 1, 2023. Its estimated completion date if May 31, 2026. Because tinnitus is the most prevalent service-connected disability for veterans, the study is sponsored by the VA Office of Research and Development.

It's worth noting that notch therapy is still a somewhat new treatment option, and more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness. However, for people who have tried other tinnitus treatments without success, it may be worth considering.

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