Can Binaural Beats Cure Tinnitus?
Recently I’ve heard a lot of noise surrounding binaural beats and tinnitus. I’ve been working with binaural frequencies for well over two years now and I frequently get asked the question “Can binaural beats cure tinnitus”.
So, lets start off by finding out what a binaural beat actually is. A binaural beat is an auditory illusion perceived when two different “pure-tone” sine waves, both having frequencies lower than 1500 Hz and both with less than a 40 Hz difference between them, are presented to a listener via the left and right ear (in other words a unique tone for each ear). When this takes place the listener will perceive an auditory illusion of a third tone. That is a third tone in addition to the two “pure-tones” which are presented in the left and right ear. It is this third tone, which is called the binaural beat. The real question is, can this binaural beat cure tinnitus? Can an auditory illusion Cure our tinnitus?
Well as I’ve always maintained in my writings and my personal findings, tinnitus isn’t as simple as that. Tinnitus suffering is subjective and finding an out and out simple cure is a tricky and so far unheard of.
But just as exposure to a specific frequency at a harmful volume can be the cause of our tinnitus, an exposure a healing frequency at the right volume can bring soothing relief and even aid or even speed up habituation process
Can binuaral beats cure tinnitus or are they simply a glorified masking device?
We all know that an easy and somewhat temporary fix for tinnitus is to add an additional constant sound into our lives this could be the radio, the TV or a designated masking device such as a white noise machine. Although this is relieving, it is simply masking because as soon as the secondary constant has been switched off we very quickly become aware of our tinnitus again.
So what’s the big difference with a binaural beat? And can binaural beats cure tinnitus?
Binaural tones on the other hand are not a masking device, but a complex auditory science. Behind the binaural resonance is a powerful and potentially helpful process, which may help many subjective, emotional conditions ranging from depression to tinnitus.
According to recent research the human brain has the ability to replace its dominant electrical response frequency (in this case tinnitus) and mimic or copy a frequency from an external stimulus (a specific binaural tone set at the right tone)
It’s this ability of the brain, which encourages brainwave adjustment, balance and relaxation.
Can binuaral beats cure tinnitus? It’s all in the frequency! What is Frequency Attachment?
Not all frequencies are born equal!
Using the principle of “frequency attachment,” over time the brain can reproduce the frequency it receives via auditory or visual stimulation, leading to a desired change.
This research has led some therapists to propose the use of binaural tones as an effective treatment for tinnitus.
“Tinnitus is a non-auditory, internal sound. But patients can use real, external noise to counteract their perception and eventually lessen their reaction to tinnitus. Sound masking may cover the sound of tinnitus, but more advanced therapies may provide a more robust and long term solution.”
Will it Work for You?
I’m still a firm believer that we all react to different treatments in different ways. And there is no one quick fix when it comes to tinnitus.
This is one of the reasons why the Tinnitus Retrain System has such a varied and broad treatment spectrum. Our comprehensive multi pronged approach to tinnitus habituation takes the holistic approach to a new level.
Binaural resonance training can help with Tinnitus, however they’re not a stand alone CURE!
So after conducting my own binaural research, both on clients and myself I’d have to say that binaural beats do work, but not as a stand-alone independent therapy.
Can binaural beats cure tinnitus? I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, and I’d say that on their own, used randomly and unassited they wouldn’t do much other than chill you out (depending on the frequency) however when combined with a holistic therapy they can make are a powerful complimentary addition to a successful habituation.
In order to understand why they work best in conjunction with other cognitive and physical therapies we need to explore the subjective mechanisms of tinnitus suffering.
Tinnitus is a multi faceted condition one which straddles the physical and emotional realms and no “one” therapy covers the entire holistic spectrum.
One thing I can assure you is that binaural beat tinnitus therapy will not work without a firm understanding of the roots of tinnitus suffering.
Binaural resonance therapy certainly compliments the tinnitus retraining process and it will for sure aid you in opening the pathways, which allow for true habituation.
Here is a recent quote from a prominent researcher after an exhaustive experiment using binaural frequencies on tinnitus sufferers.
“We believe this modality is very effective, it positively affects both habituation to the reaction of the offending stimuli by its relaxing effect causing a habituation to the perception. This dual effect can be achieved because the BWE auditory stimulation is very pleasant to listen to. This enables it to provide a positive daily stimulation, which in turn produces an extra relaxation effect when incorporated with other auditory cognitive relaxation techniques.”
It’s due to this kind of promising research that we have now incorporated a sequence of 4 ascending binaural beats at 5Hz into our extensive and unique tinnitus program.
What’s with 5Hz?
Not all binaural tones are created equally.
Binaural tones are generally separated into four waves it’s these waves that match the brain’s vibrational states during various points of consciousness and unconsciousness.
The waves are as follows, alpha, beta, theta and delta. Alpha is generally considered relaxing, calming (not thinking) beta is our awakened state, normal, alert, conscious. Theta is the brain’s state during deep relaxation, meditation and mental imagery. And finally delta represents the waves of deep, dreamless sleep.
The waves we are interested in are those that resonate between 4-8Hz the theta waves. It’s these waves, which are closely associated with our brain’s state when meditating or in deep relaxation. So dwelling in the theta state when treating our tinnitus is considered the optimal state.
Can binaural beats cure tinnitus?
Beware!
There are other binaural waves, such as beta, which have been known to irritate and increase tinnitus agitation. Beta waves are typically anywhere between 14-30Hz and represent the alert, hyperactive state of our brain.
Submerging ourselves in the theta state during the habituation process will reduce excessive beta wave frequencies, which we know enhances hyperactivity and awareness. When overriding our beta waves with alpha and theta waves, we not only promote tranquility and relaxation we also promote acceptance.
The use of binaural tones in therapy is a relatively new field of neurological science and thus far all the news points in a positive direction.
Binaural therapy is firmly in line with Tinnitus retrains mantra of allowing the intelligence of the body to heal its self.
If there is anything we have learnt during these years of studying tinnitus it is that the subjective nature of tinnitus does not need drugs, expensive or complicated therapies or drastic surgeries to overcome.
Before leaping into the next greatest tinnitus cure or asking can Binaural beats cure tinnitus.
Ask yourself this one simple question, “Why is it the vast majority of those afflicted with tinnitus are either oblivious or not bothered by their tinnitus whatsoever?” And before you say, well, my tinnitus is louder, research now tells us that it has nothing to do with an individuals tone, pitch, volume or type which they are afflicted by, but rather the way in which they perceive the noise in their heads. Tinnitus is physical, but the way in which we suffer is subjective. Tinnitus suffering is an emotional condition more than anything else, if we can learn how to change our perception we can learn how to naturally bypass our condition.
Binaural beats do help ease tinnitus suffering
To say can binaural beats cure tinnitus is a little far fetched
We think when combined with the cognitive and physical exercises found within the tinnitus retrain system they go a long way toward habituation and overriding troubling tinnitus.
Check it out for yourself and see if you notice the tinnitus retrain difference.
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