Tinnitus Notch / Masker Tone Tool - Sound Therapy Aid

How to use this tool

1. Use the uncalibrated reference slider and brief tone preview to choose an approximate starting frequency, or use a preset.
2. Select “Use this frequency,” then choose a notch width in semitones.
3. Choose white, pink, or brown noise and start at a comfortable, low volume.
4. Play the masker briefly; stop if symptoms worsen and consult a clinician about persistent or concerning tinnitus.

What this tinnitus masker does

This page generates white, pink, or brown noise in your browser and passes it through a digital notch filter centered on a frequency you choose. The generated sound may make tinnitus less noticeable while it plays, or may provide a steady background sound. It does not measure your hearing or send audio to a server.

The “Notch width” setting is a half-width in semitones on each side of the center frequency. For example, a 4,000 Hz center and a 6-semitone half-width gives guide bounds of about 2,828 to 5,657 Hz. The filter uses an approximate quality factor (Q) derived from the same geometric bandwidth: c = 2^(width/12), Q ≈ 1/(c − 1/c). At 6 semitones, Q is about 1.41. A biquad filter has gradual skirts, so the displayed bounds describe the intended span rather than sharp cutoffs.

White noise has roughly equal energy per hertz, pink noise has roughly equal energy per octave, and brown noise emphasizes lower frequencies. People may prefer different sounds, and a comfortable setting depends on the listener, headphones or speakers, and room. Keep the level gentle; masking should not require turning sound up to overpower tinnitus.

Choosing an approximate frequency

The reference control sweeps a sine tone logarithmically from 200 to 12,000 Hz. Move the slider toward a pitch that seems similar, preview it briefly at a comfortable level, then choose “Use this frequency” to set the masker. This is only an uncalibrated starting point, not a clinical pitch match or hearing test. Your audio device affects what you hear, high tones can be difficult to judge, and matching an overtone instead of the perceived pitch is possible. Stop the preview or masker if it makes symptoms worse.

Sound enrichment and clinical care

Sound enrichment can help some people cope with bothersome tinnitus, but responses vary and evidence is not uniform. The generated noise and notch on this page are not a validated, personalized treatment protocol and are not equivalent to notched-music approaches studied in research. The 2026 AAO-HNSF guideline says clinicians may offer sound enrichment as an option for adults with persistent, bothersome tinnitus, while separately recommending cognitive behavioral therapy; it does not endorse this specific tool. See the guideline executive summary and the NIDCD tinnitus overview for general information. There is no guaranteed result or cure from using this page.

Noise types

• White noise - equal energy at all frequencies. Sounds like static.
• Pink noise - equal energy per octave. Sounds more natural, like rain.
• Brown noise - emphasises bass frequencies. Sounds like distant thunder.

Frequency selection guide

If the reference tone is hard to match, these broad ranges can help you choose an initial slider position. They are examples, not diagnostic categories or a substitute for an assessment.

Use the reference tone to compare pitches; the masker itself can sound subtly different because its notch removes energy around the selected center. The slider cannot establish the true tinnitus pitch, and the apparent dip varies with the noise type and listening equipment.

Masking vs. habituation

There are two distinct approaches to managing tinnitus, and they have different goals:

• Masking adds background sound that may make tinnitus less noticeable during playback. Any perceived benefit varies and may end when the sound stops.
• Habituation describes becoming less bothered by tinnitus over time. It can involve clinical support and coping strategies; this noise generator does not provide TRT, counseling, or a prescribed regimen.