http://www.rnid.org.uk/information_resources/factsheets/tinnitus/factsheets_leaflets/equipment_sound_therapy_and_tinnitus.htm
Equipment, sound therapy and tinnitus (factsheet)
Equipment, sound therapy and tinnitus (factsheet)
About this factsheet
This factsheet is part of RNID's tinnitus range. It is written for people who have tinnitus, their families and friends, and the professionals who work with them. Tinnitus is the word for noises that some people hear 'in the ears' or 'in the head', such as buzzing, ringing, whistling, hissing and other sounds.
At the end of this factsheet we give you details of useful organisations you can contact for more information.
This factsheet looks at:
* how sound and noise generators can help
* wearable noise generators
* bedside or desktop noise generators
* pillow speakers
* personal cassette and CD players
* buying equipment.
How sound and noise generators can help
Sound and noise generators can help you manage and live with tinnitus and hyperacusis, which is sensitivity to noise. They are forms of sound enrichment. Sound enrichment is a vital part of 'tinnitus retraining therapy' (TRT). Noise generators are also used in 'neurophysiologically based management', which is similar to TRT but may not include all parts of it. You can read more about TRT in our factsheet "Therapies to help you with your tinnitus".
Some sound and noise generators are specifically designed for people with tinnitus. These include:
* wearable noise generators
* bedside or desktop noise generators
* pillow speakers.
You can also use ordinary household equipment, such as a television or radio, to help you to manage your tinnitus. In this factsheet we have suggestions about using the following:
* fans (external link)
* radios (external link)
* personal cassette and CD players (external link)
* fountains (external link).
Wearable noise generators
Wearable noise generators have been known by various names in the past including tinnitus maskers, white noise generators, wide band noise generators, retrainers or blockers. They all produce a soothing "shhh" sound, known as 'white noise' or 'pink noise'. Pink noise is slightly richer and less shrill than white noise. Both types consist of a mix of high, middle and low sound frequencies.
Wearable noise generators need to be worn continuously for at least eight hours a day and ideally all the time you are awake. You do not wear them while you are asleep. When you are not wearing them it is important that other forms of sound enrichment are used (these are listed later in this factsheet).
In the past wearable noise generators were set at a level that was so loud it blocked out the tinnitus. Now they are set at a level which is either just below or at the same pitch as your tinnitus.
Wearable noise generators look like hearing aids. There are several types available:
* In-the-canal (ITC) models fit inside the ear canal.
* In-the-ear (ITE) models sit at the entrance of the ear canal.
* Behind-the-ear (BTE) models are worn behind the ear. Sound reaches your ear via a plastic tube and ear mould. They are also known as 'post-aural' models.
* Combination instruments are combined hearing aid and noise generators.
* A noise generator 'shoe' is an attachment on certain models of hearing aid, which makes a combination instrument.
Where to get them and what they cost
You can get ITE and BTE models, combination instruments and shoes as part of National Health Service (NHS) tinnitus treatment in hospital, where they should be free. You can also buy them privately from hearing aid dispensers and consultants but they can be expensive. If you are thinking of buying one look for a hearing aid dispenser who is able to offer you a trial period of at least 30 days, so you can test out the noise generator in a wide range of settings to make sure it will be of some benefit to you.
ITC noise generators do not need a personal fitting, and so cost a lot less. Some NHS hospitals supply them. You can also buy them privately from private dispensers or by mail order from companies such as Audio Medical Devices (external link) (see the "Useful organisations" section later in this factsheet for full contact details). If you are thinking of buying privately you will get more from your noise generator if you buy it as part of a tinnitus management programme. Prices start from £150 but you may able to claim back VAT if you go through your GP (family doctor) or hospital.
Bedside or desktop noise generators
These noise generators are freestanding and either have a built-in speaker and/or plug-in headphones, a speaker that goes under your pillow, or an in-the-ear receiver. They give out a range of soothing sounds such as light rain, a waterfall, a bubbling brook or birdsong. You can buy a range of additional sounds for many models.
Where to get them and what they cost
See the "Buying equipment" section at the end of this factsheet for more information about buying a bedside or desktop noise generator. They cost from £25 to £65.
Pillow speakers
Pillow speakers do not actually generate sound themselves. Instead you connect them to a sound source of your choice, such as a tape, DVD or CD player, radio, hi-fi or television. You slip the pillow speaker under your pillow and you can then listen to your choice of sound without having to wear headphones or earphones. As the sound comes through the pillow, it will not disturb other people providing the volume is at the right level.
If your bedside clock radio has a sleep or snooze button you can plug the pillow speaker into it and listen to it until it turns itself off. This means you can go to sleep without leaving the radio on all night. Pillow speakers are not designed to go under your mattress.
The Sound Pillow is a pillow with stereo speakers buried inside. You can connect it to any sound source and so listen to a sound of your choice.
Where to get them and what they cost
See the "Buying equipment" section at the end of this factsheet for more information about buying a pillow speaker. Pillow speakers cost from £6 to £10. The Sound Pillow costs around £25 excluding VAT. You can buy the Sound Pillow online from the RNID Shop.
Fans
Desktop fans usually make a whirring sound as their blades spin and they vibrate on whatever surface they are sitting on. Quite often the cheaper the fan, the louder the noise. You can expect to pay from about £15 upward for a fan. Try do-it-yourself stores or shops that sell electrical goods.
Radios
A radio tuned off-station in the frequency modulation (FM) band creates a "shhh"-type noise that is similar to white or pink noise.
Personal cassette and CD players
Personal cassette and CD players direct sound into the ears via headphones or earphones. Used at sensible volume levels they are perfect for sound enrichment. You can also use them to play tapes of pink noise or white noise, or relaxation tapes and tapes of soothing sounds such as the sea or other sounds of nature. Talking books can be a relaxing and enjoyable way of taking your mind off your tinnitus. Tapes are available in bookshops, record shops and occasionally health or 'new age' shops.
RNID sells cassettes and CDs to help people with tinnitus relax. They have all been recommended by people with tinnitus and are available online from the RNID Shop or from the RNID Information Line:
* "Pure Calm" includes tranquil music to help you drift calmly away from your everyday problems.
* "Ultimate Relaxation" has TV doctor Hilary Jones talking about the signs of stress and why we get stress. He then takes you through two practical exercises to help you meditate and relax your muscles.
* "Sea and Garden" takes you through two simple relaxation journeys
* "Natural stress relief" is a combination of nature sounds and music to help you relax.
You can also try the British Tinnitus Association (external link) and Hush (external link) for cassettes and CDs.
Fountains
The sound of running water can be very soothing and can help to mask tinnitus. Try installing an indoor fountain in your home. These are available from garden centres or general stores such as Argos and cost around £25.
Buying equipment
Contact the RNID Information Line for more information about buying equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people.
RNID Sound Advantage
You can visit the RNID Shop to buy equipment online. Alternatively, send off for a copy of the RNID Sound Advantage Solutions catalogue, which gives details of equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people.
RNID Sound Advantage, 1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX
Telephone: 0870 789 8855
Textphone: 01733 238 020
Fax: 0870 789 8822
Email: solutions@rnid.org.uk
Useful organisations
Audio Medical Devices
Audio Medical Devices sells wearable noise generators.
Audio Medical Devices, Enterprise House, 511-513 Upper Elmers Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BD
Telephone: 020 8663 0760
Fax 020 8663 0163
Email: info@audimed.com
Website: Audio Medical Devices website (external link, opens new browser window)
British Tinnitus Association
The British Tinnitus Association campaigns for better services for people with tinnitus. It supports a network of local tinnitus groups around the country, has a range of publications and produces a quarterly magazine called "Quiet".
British Tinnitus Association, Ground Floor, Unit 5, Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB
Telephone: 0800 018 0527
Fax: 0114 258 7059
Email: info@tinnitus.org.uk
Website: British Tinnitus Association website (external link, opens new browser window)
Hush
Hush is the name of the Hull tinnitus self-help group. They run a helpline and produce information and tapes for people with tinnitus.
Hush, 109 Southella Way, Hull HU10 7LZ
Telephone: 01482 656033
Email: hush@btinternet.com
Website: Hush website (external link, opens new browser window)
Further information from the RNID Tinnitus Helpline
If you want to find out more about tinnitus you may find the other factsheets in RNID's tinnitus range useful. You may also wish to get RNID's leaflet "Questions about tinnitus".
The RNID Tinnitus Helpline offers information and advice to people with tinnitus, their families and friends, and the professionals who work with them. You can contact the Helpline for printed copies of this factsheet and the full range of RNID information factsheets and leaflets.
RNID Tinnitus Helpline, 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 6666
Textphone: 0808 808 0007
Fax: 020 7296 8199
Email: tinnitushelpline@rnid.org.uk
Contact a local group
If you feel you need more help with your tinnitus directly from other people who also have it, you could contact a local tinnitus support group. There are about 100 of these in the UK. They are set up and run by people with tinnitus. The type of support and help they are able to offer varies between groups. Contact the RNID Tinnitus Helpline for details of your nearest group.
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/gallery/sound/sound.html i came across these rather interesting sounds after looking for one of those waves sound generator's for sleeping. would kind of like one from santa.
found this:
http://www.relaxingsoftware.com/atmlitetour.htm
looks pretty good 'a software' version
post on mics for low db
For vehicle work we generally use type 1 instrumentation, A weighted, as we are interested in frequencies down to 30 Hz, but they are so loud they overshadow everything else (there is a good argument that we should use B weighting).
Do you mean microphone , or SLM, or microphone+preamp?
AEither way have a look at B&K http://www.bksv.com/1130.asp
Another post:
As to mikes themselves, I'd recommend looking at the Larson-Davis ICP mikes, since you'll save a significant amount of money, and the L-Ds are quite durable. I used mine day-in and day-out, and they're very relaible.
Cabling for them is cheap too.
Sound waves transport energy from one location to another in a chain reaction. An initiating event, such as the pluck of a guitar string or a knock on the door, disturbs nearby molecules and pushes them into each other, creating a region of higher density, called a compression, and leaving a region of lower density, called a rarefaction, in its wake. In wavelike fashion, the alternating compressions and rarefactions move outward in all directions through the medium (metal, wood, air, water, or whatever is transmitting the sound) as sound waves. Waves continue to form until the source of the disturbance stops making the vibrations that generate the waves.
Sound waves move faster through a denser medium because energy is more easily passed between tightly packed molecules. This helps explain why sound travels faster through water than through air, and faster still through steel than through water. But even more influential than a conducting medium's density is its elasticity. Elasticity refers to how well a medium can return to its initial form after being disturbed by a force. Steel has high elasticity. It bounces right back to its original shape after an applied force is removed. At the particle level, the molecules in elastic materials transfer energy more efficiently, so sound waves travel faster through steel than through water or air. But not all solids are good conductors of sound. Cork, for instance, has low elasticity. Its molecules tend to absorb energy rather than conduct it.
Air, a mixture of gases, is less elastic than most solids and all liquids. Despite being the standard medium through which we hear sounds, it is actually a relatively poor conductor. For this reason, you can hear the clanging of a metal hanger against a table much more loudly when your ear is pressed to the table or when the vibrating hanger is touched to your head, that is, when the sounds are transmitted through solid objects instead of through air.
Questions for Discussion
* What would happen if you replaced the yardstick with string, a straw, and a metal curtain rod?
* If you could "see" inside the yardstick, what do you think it would look like?
* Are there any solids that you think won't carry sound well? What about liquids? What could you do to see if liquids carry sound well? Have you had any experiences that might help you with this? What do you know from swimming underwater at a pool or in the ocean or a lake?
[http://www.teachersdomain.org/K-2/sci/phys/howmove/zlistenstick/]
water dowsing stick.
