▷ Pink Noise in Hyperacusis 👂

Sound therapy continues to be a controversy in the treatment of Hyperacusis, since in some cases it has worked but in others it has caused worsening of their hyperacusis. When considering sound therapy, it is very important to choose the type of sound with which the patient will be stimulated, this can make the difference between the success or failure of the therapy.

Sound Therapy in Hyperacusis, what type of sound to choose?

Among the therapies of different sounds (white noise, pink noise and the different colors of sound), pink noise therapy is the optimal one to cover sound stimulation in hyperacusis. Since it is the broadband sound that gently stimulates the entire frequency spectrum of the human ear and also does so by decreasing its intensity 3dB per octave. Therefore, it accentuates the low frequencies more than the high frequencies, which are the ones that create the most discomfort in patients with hyperacusis. For this reason, pink noise is optimal for stimulating the ear of the patient with hyperacusis.

The frequencies that most often bother patients with hyperacusis are the high frequencies. This is why pink noise is optimal for sound therapy for patients with hyperacusis, since its intensity decreases 3dB per octave, being more intense in low sounds and less intense in high sounds. Cataloging itself as a broadband sound, which covers the entire frequency spectrum of the human ear

Sound therapy with white noise vs pink noise

Many of you may have wondered: why not choose sound therapy with white noise? What is the difference with pink noise therapy?

White noise is one of the most used to mask tinnitus to help you fall asleep, but the fundamental difference with respect to pink noise is that soft noise stimulates all frequencies with the same sound intensity, that is, the bass frequencies. at the same intensity as the treble. It is for the latter that we must differentiate between sound therapy in tinnitus and sound therapy in hyperacusis. Since in hyperacusis the highest pitched sounds are perceived as annoying and painful and could lead to worsening or relapse.

Below we show you a comparative graph between White Noise and Pink Noise

White Noise vs Pink Noise

In the graph above, the vertical axis represents the sound intensity (dB) and the horizontal axis represents the frequencies (100-1000-10k). As we can see, as the frequency becomes more acute (it approaches 10k) the sound intensity of the Pink Noise decreases, while that of the white noise remains flat.

What does this mean?

That both White Noise and Pink Noise stimulate the entire frequency spectrum of the human ear, but they do it differently for each frequency: While White Noise stimulates the entire frequency spectrum in a flat way (with the same sound intensity for all the frequencies, either low or high); Pink Noise does so by decreasing its sound intensity in a matter of 3dB per octave, that is, it stimulates the high frequencies (which are the ones that most bother the patient with hyperacusis) with less sound intensity compared to the low frequencies, which it stimulates with less sound intensity. more sound intensity.

Sound Therapy with Softened Pink Noise and Brown Noise

Although we have discussed pink noise as the optimal type of sound to treat hyperacusis, this is not always the case. For example, in the case of severe hyperacusis, even pink noise can cause discomfort, so we need another sound that is even less intense in high-pitched sounds: Brown Noise.

Brown noise is optimal for severe hyperacusis since it stimulates high frequencies much less than pink noise. In brown noise each octave contains half the sound intensity of the octave below it. In the following graph we can see the comparison between brown noise and pink noise:

Brown Noise vs. Pink Noise in Severe Hyperacusis

How to be successful in the Treatment of Hyperacusis with Sound Therapies?

Although in this article we have talked about how important the choice of noise color is in sound therapy, there are many more factors that influence when it comes to doing sound therapy properly.

If you want to do this therapy well, in addition to choosing the color of the sound, other factors must be taken into account, such as the adjustment of the intensity and the time of exposure to the sound. If you want to know more click on the following link.

HOW TO MAKE A SUITABLE SOUND THERAPY FOR HYPERACUSIA?

Are Sound Therapies the cure for hyperacusis?

Although they are one more tool to stimulate the frequency spectrum of the human ear, this does not mean that they are the real cure. Well, in many cases they have worsened the state of the patient with hyperacusis (it would be necessary to discuss in these cases if the failure of the therapy is due to an inadequate strategy in sound therapy: using the appropriate sound color, intensity and exposure time)

In the same way, the scarce scientific evidence on sound therapy in hyperacusis means that there is also a diversity of opinions among professionals: some are in favor and others are totally against it.

Sound therapies remain a controversial topic in the treatment of hyperacusis.

Although there is no scientific evidence to support sound therapy as a cure for hyperacusis. Overprotection against sound can also aggravate hyperacusis. That’s why it’s important to expose yourself to sound in a controlled way. know how sound therapies work and use them (or not) as a tool adapted and personalized to each user according to the degree of hyperacusis they have.

If you have hyperacusis, you are completely free to choose whether or not to treat your hyperacusis with sound therapy. In the event that you do, find out well before you start. It is essential that you start little by little, with a choice of sound color indicated for your degree of hyperacusis, mild intensity and short exposure time to gradually improve these ranges. VERY IMPORTANT: As soon as you notice any discomfort or pain, STOP! You should not force anything, if you do not stop you can end up in a relapse, and recovering will take even longer.

HOW TO MAKE A SUITABLE SOUND THERAPY FOR HYPERACUSIA?

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