Interactive Tinnitus Pitch Matcher & Notch Therapy Lab
Sweep the frequency slider between 250 Hz and 14,000 Hz at low volume (20–25%) to match your ringing pitch, verify one octave up/down, and launch 1-octave notched pink noise therapy.
1. Select Probe Waveform
2. Select Acoustic Therapy Mode
1-octave notch filter centered at 4000 Hz (2828–5657 Hz removed from pink noise).
About tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound, such as ringing, hissing, buzzing or whistling, without an outside source. It is very common: a 2022 meta-analysis in JAMA Neurology estimated that about 14% of adults experience it. For most people it is linked to some degree of hearing loss, noise exposure or ageing, and the brain partly "fills in" missing frequencies.
There is no single cure, but there are effective ways to make tinnitus less intrusive. Sound therapy is one of them; cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for tinnitus has the strongest evidence for reducing distress.
How to find your tinnitus frequency (tinnitus pitch matching)
Step 1: Tinnitus pitch matching (find your exact Hz)
- Start quietly. Set the probe volume very low before you press play.
- Move the slider until the probe sounds as close as possible to your tinnitus. Try both the pure tone and the narrow noise probe; many people's tinnitus is closer to a hiss than a whistle.
- Check one octave up and down. Pitches an octave apart are easy to confuse, so use the octave buttons to confirm.
Step 2: Tinnitus frequency therapy (notched noise vs. masking)
- Notched noise: pink noise with one octave around your tinnitus pitch removed. The idea is to stimulate the hearing system everywhere except at the tinnitus frequency, which may calm over-active nerve cells in that region over time.
- Masking: noise concentrated around your pitch so the ringing blends into it. This gives quick relief, for example at bedtime.
What tinnitus research says about notched frequency therapy
Notched sound therapy became known through a 2010 study in PNAS by Okamoto and colleagues, in which people who listened to music with a notch at their tinnitus frequency for about 12 months reported reduced tinnitus loudness and showed reduced related brain activity. Later, larger trials gave mixed results, so it does not help everyone. Masking and general sound enrichment are widely used in tinnitus management, often as part of programmes such as tinnitus retraining therapy.
A practical approach: listen to notched noise for one to two hours a day at a level just below your tinnitus for a few weeks, and keep a simple diary of how loud and bothersome the tinnitus feels.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor promptly if your tinnitus is in one ear only, pulses in time with your heartbeat, started suddenly, or comes with hearing loss, dizziness or pain. Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency: seek care within 24–72 hours. This tool is not a medical device and does not diagnose or treat any condition.
Always keep therapy sound below the level of your tinnitus and below conversation level. Louder is not better, and loud sound can make tinnitus worse.
Frequently asked questions
Can sound therapy cure tinnitus?
There is no proven cure, but sound therapy can make tinnitus less noticeable and less distressing for many people. Results vary from person to person.
How do I find my tinnitus frequency online?
Use the free tinnitus pitch matching slider at a quiet volume to sweep between 500 Hz and 12,000 Hz until the tone matches your ringing, then test one octave up and down to avoid octave confusion.
What is notched noise?
Broadband noise with a band of frequencies around your tinnitus pitch removed. Some studies suggest regular listening may reduce tinnitus loudness over time.
How loud should the therapy sound be?
Just below the level of your tinnitus, so you can still faintly hear the ringing. Never use it loud.
Should I see a doctor about tinnitus?
Yes, especially if it is new, one-sided, pulsing, sudden or comes with hearing loss or dizziness. An audiologist can test your hearing and recommend treatment.