White Noise for Tinnitus: How Sound Masking Helps

Tinnitus — the ringing, buzzing, or hissing that only you can hear — is often at its worst in quiet moments, especially as you're trying to fall asleep. That's where sound masking comes in. It won't make tinnitus disappear, but for a lot of people it makes it far easier to live with. Here's how it works.

How sound masking helps

In silence, your brain turns up its sensitivity and the tinnitus stands out sharply. Adding a gentle, steady background sound gives your ears something else to listen to, so the ringing blends in and stops demanding your attention. The relief is immediate while the sound plays, and many people find it especially helpful for getting to sleep.

Which sounds work best

• White noise — broad and even, it covers the widest range of tinnitus pitches.
• Pink noise — softer and warmer than white, which many people find more comfortable for long periods.
• Brown noise — deep and low, good if your tinnitus is higher-pitched and you want a gentle contrast.
• Ocean and rain — natural alternatives that feel less clinical than pure noise.

How to use it for relief

The goal is partial masking, not blasting the ringing into oblivion. Set the volume just loud enough that the tinnitus fades into the background — you should still be able to hear the sound comfortably. At night, a fade-out timer lets the sound carry you to sleep without running at full volume until morning.

Find your match

Because the right masking sound is so personal, it helps to compare several. LumaSleep lets you switch between white, pink, and brown noise plus rain and ocean, mix them, and set a sleep timer — so you can dial in the exact tone that quiets your ears.

Important: this is general comfort advice, not medical guidance. If your tinnitus is new, persistent, one-sided, or getting worse, please see a doctor or audiologist.