TRT is an individualized program that is usually administered by an audiologist or at a tinnitus treatment center. TRT combines sound masking and counseling from a trained professional. Typically, you wear a device in your ear that helps mask your tinnitus symptoms while you also receive directive counseling.

NYU Langone audiologists may recommend a masking device if you have tinnitus in both ears that is unrelated to an underlying medical condition. These small devices look similar to a hearing aid, but instead of amplifying external noise, they produce a pleasant, low-volume stream of white noise.

A hearing aid can be helpful for tinnitus in some cases. An audiologist can help you find and use the best hearing aid for you. You might find it helpful to use a device called a tinnitus masker. They look like hearing aids. They make a sound that masks, or covers up, the tinnitus. The masking distracts you from the tinnitus sounds in your ears.

A tinnitus masking device is a device that introduces sound, typically white noise or some other calming sound, into the listener’s ear to help distract the brain from the tinnitus. Most often, tinnitus masking devices come in the form of hearing aids meaning they are ear-level-devices and can be worn throughout the entire day.