Notched sound therapy: what it is and does it help tinnitus?

The notched approach is one of the few sound methods that aims not only for temporary relief, but for a lasting change. Here is how it works and who it is for.

What notched therapy is

First the exact frequency of your tinnitus is measured (with a brief sound test). Then a narrow band precisely around that frequency is "removed" from the therapeutic sounds — like taking a key off a piano so it can no longer ring. You listen to these sounds regularly, usually 30–60 minutes per day.

How it differs from masking

Masking adds sound over the tinnitus to cover it — it helps while playing, but once it stops, the ringing returns. The notched approach does the opposite: it does not add energy around your frequency, it removes it. The goal is not to hide the noise momentarily, but to act on its cause over time.

Why it works

Tinnitus is maintained by a group of overactive and overly synchronised neurons in the auditory cortex. When you stop feeding sound at exactly their frequency, neighbouring neurons inhibit them (lateral inhibition) and the brain gradually "recalibrates" the abnormal activity. It is a form of neural plasticity — slow, but lasting.

What studies show

The approach has been studied in randomised trials. In the study by Okamoto and Pantev (PNAS, 2010), regular listening to individually filtered music leads to approximately 30% less ringing after 12 months, with a measurable reduction in hyperactivity in the auditory cortex.

Who it is suitable for

The notched approach works best with tonal tinnitus — when the noise has a clear, measurable pitch. With broadband noise without a defined pitch, the result is more uncertain.

In short

It is not a quick pill: the effect is gradual and requires regular listening for months. That is why it is important for the method to be comfortable every day — at home, during sleep, without equipment. This is exactly what we have built into AURALIS.