A tinnitus masker is any form of device which helps the tinnitus sufferer in drowning out the incessant ringing, whizzing, humming or buzzing sounds emanating from within his inner ears.
The device may come in the form of a machine, a CD or hearing aid while the latest innovation comes in the form of a pillow. Most often, these tinnitus masker devices make use of the white noise technology in order to provide the masking effect.
The white noise technology is something that was patterned after the white light concept. White light is made up of all the frequencies found in the light scale yet no particular color is being projected if all such frequencies are present.
The same is true with the white noise concept wherein all the frequencies present in the sound range or band will be produced in equal intensities. As a result, no particular sound will prevail or be singled out by the ears.
When used as tinnitus masker, the frequency created by your tinnitus ringing, hissing or buzzing sound will combine with all other frequencies of the white noise. The tinnitus sound will be masked by becoming one of the many unrecognizable frequencies you ears will hear.
A more vivid description of white noise technology is the one you experience in office environments. Part of the latter's ambience is the absence of the conglomeration of sounds similar to that which you experience in market places.
Notice how modern business offices still maintain a sense of being noiseless despite,the presence of customers and office workers all talking at the same time. On top of that office machines like printers which produce overbearing noises are likewise muted with the aid of the white noise devices.
Since all these sounds have different frequencies, not a single sound will prevail over the rest. These then are the same effect that a tinnitus masker will have in the ears of a tinnitus sufferer.
Some tinnitus masker machines are affordably priced at $20 while others can cost as much as a hundred dollars more. Obviously, the cheapest kind will have less refinement in terms of white noise technology.
The most common downside to affordable tinnitus masker machines is the quality of speakers used. If the speaker has limitations, there is a greater possibility that it will also have limitations in producing the entire range of sound waves found in the spectrum.
If your tinnitus masker cannot produce a high enough frequency equivalent to the high-frequency of your tinnitus ringing sound, the masking effect of the white noise will not be achieved.
As your option if you cannot afford the high-priced tinnitus masker machine, you can consider white-noise devices in the form of CDs. Some sufferers recommend CDs over tinnitus masker machines, since they can play the soothing masking sound just like a playlist in an MP3 or iPod.
The same is true for hearing aids equipped with white noise technology, although this option will require consultations with an ear specialist in order to achieve the best results.
