Tinnitus Home Page

At SoftTouch Labs, know about tinnitus.

SoftTouch Labs works with leading researchers in constant development of new tinnitus and hyperacusis management devices. Our sound therapy products are available in over-the-ear and in-the-ear styles that can be used for tinnitus relief and hyperacusis management programs.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus, pronounced (TIN-ih-tus) or (tih-NIGHT-us), is the perception of sound in one or both ears. It is often described as a ringing, hissing, or whistling sound that ranges in intensity from very mild to severe. Discovering that you have tinnitus does not automatically mean that you have a serious medical condition. Tinnitus is a symptom not a disease and it affects more than 50 million Americans to various degrees. At least 12 million of those suffer enough to seek medical attention.

There are various conditions (almost always benign) that can trigger tinnitus:

• Aging
• Caffeine
• Medications
• Jaw alignment (TMJ)
• Ear wax
• Noise-induced hearing loss and other medical conditions.

Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus unless it is caused by a treatable condition such as earwax or medication. In these cases it might go away following successful medical intervention. However, there are successful treatment programs available which can provide significant tinnitus relief. One strategy is to use a sound therapy device. This device produces a soft, soothing noise similar to the sound from a shower head, a fountain, or gently falling rain. The noise helps reduce the perceived “loudness” of tinnitus. With the loudness of tinnitus reduced, tinnitus becomes less annoying and more manageable. Audiologists who offer a therapy program, may instruct users to decrease the volume level of their device over a time period to reduce their long-term dependency of the device.

Hyperacusis is a rare hearing disorder whereby a person perceives normal environmental sounds to be abnormally, even unbearably, loud. It is often, but not always accompanied by tinnitus and/or hearing loss. Hyperacusis is very treatable with desensitization sound therapy. In hyperacusis treatment, a noise is used to “de-sensitize” the central auditory system.

Devices For Tinnitus or Hyperacusis Relief

SoftTouch Labs offers various device styles and circuit options for tinnitus therapy. Tranquil I devices are preprogrammed to produce either a general white or general pink sound profile. Tranquil II devices can produce two different sound profiles (general white and general pink noise). The Triad is a combination device that features both amplification for hearing loss and a sound generator for tinnitus and hyperacusis. Tranquil devices are available in three styles: Tranquil OTE (Over-the-Ear), Tranquil Custom, and the Simply Tranquil.

The Tranquil COE uses a patented Custom Open Ear design. The Simply Tranquil features a non-custom soft body made of medical grade silicone in a small ITC (In-the-Canal) design that will fit most adults without the need for ear impressions. All devices have a 0 dB SL noise floor. This means that the general pink or general white noise is inaudible for initial volume settings even for individuals with normal hearing. Click on a image below to view device specifications.