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- $Unique_ID{BRK00470}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What is a "Tinnitus Masker"?}
- $Subject{hearing sound tinnitus masker Sense senses ear ears buzzing ringing
- hissing roaring covers over sound Maskers}
- $Volume{F-21}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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-
- What is a "Tinnitus Masker"?
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- QUESTION: The noise in my head has been diagnosed as tinnitus. Besides the
- use of a hearing aid, my doctor spoke of employing a "tinnitus masker" to
- help, but I am not sure I understood what he meant. (Maybe I didn't hear
- him!) Can you explain what he meant?
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- ANSWER: Although science has not yet discovered the cause of that noise in
- your head, tinnitus remains a problem for as many as 30 million Americans.
- That constant buzzing, ringing, hissing or roaring noise can be most
- distracting and many victims seek methods to overcome the annoyance. Many
- people prefer an external sound to the one in their head, and a tinnitus
- masker is the device that provides such a sound. It looks much like a hearing
- aid, but instead of amplifying sound, it produces a type of sound that
- "masks," or covers over, the sound produced in your head. If you have a
- hearing loss as well, an amplifying hearing aid and masker can be combined in
- a single unit. Maskers do not work for everyone, and some patients can obtain
- relief from simple background music, or devices that reproduce the sound of
- the wind, waterfalls or surf. You will have to try a masker for yourself to
- know if the device can provide you some relief.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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