Many people with tinnitus find music particularly enjoyable at night, which helps them fall asleep more easily. On the other hand, very loud or chaotic sounds are not good for the ears; they can cause stress, which in turn exacerbates tinnitus. Sufferers should avoid listening to very loud music through headphones, as while this may temporarily mask the tinnitus, in the long run, it can damage the sensitive sensory cells in the ear, which in turn leads to hearing loss and tinnitus. For those who do not want to listen to music continuously, so-called tinnitus maskers can be used. These small devices, which are placed in the ear, emit faint sounds—usually a hiss or a hum—with the aim of improving the perception of tinnitus and partially masking it. The German Tinnitus and Hearing Foundation pointed out that cognitive behavioral therapy is the best option for treating exhausting tinnitus. This therapy is based on the premise that the burden of tinnitus depends less on the loudness of the sound and more on how a person deals with it. The association explained that cognitive behavioral therapy helps sufferers manage tinnitus better by helping them develop coping strategies tailored to their individual needs, which in turn alleviates feelings of helplessness, loss of control, and frustration, and provides them with more stability and security in their daily lives. Tinnitus is more than just an annoyance; it not only causes sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and severe psychological stress, but if severe and persistent, it can lead to anxiety and depression. The German Tinnitus Treatment Society stated that music therapy is an effective weapon against tinnitus, as it helps to distract from the sound. This therapy involves using calm sounds and melodies with regular rhythms, such as the gentle sound of a fountain, birdsong, rain, or ocean waves, with the aim of promoting relaxation, reducing psychological stress, and gradually making the tinnitus fade away. In some cases, the music can be customized to suit the type of tinnitus; for example, different melodies may be more soothing when hearing a whistling sound compared to a ringing or buzzing. Depending on the type of music, different frequencies are used to achieve relaxation.
