Does Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Help? What Actually Works

Lewis Steels

Sep 20

2 min read

What Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Actually Is

Audiologists commonly recommend using external audio to help your brain manage internal ringing. Using structured sound therapy for tinnitus acts like a background filter, reducing the stark contrast between the ringing and the room around you.

A calm sensory deprivation tank room at our Bristol studio, utilising ambient audio as a form of sound therapy for tinnitus to help clients relax.

Why Total Silence Often Makes the Ringing Worse

When external sounds disappear, your brain automatically amplifies internal noise. This is exactly why avoiding quiet spaces and relying on sound therapy for tinnitus is essential to keep the auditory cortex from over-focusing on the noise.

Masking vs Habituation: How Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Helps Your Brain

Background sound train your brain to stop fixating on the ringing over time. Effective sound therapy for tinnitus doesn't just drown out the noise; it lowers your nervous system's emotional response to it, helping it fade into the background.

What Kind of Audio Safely Lowers the Volume

Using targeted audio like white noise, gentle nature tracks, or soft ambient music can provide significant physical relief. Combining these soothing tracks with full-body muscle relaxation accelerates how quickly your brain learns to ignore the sound.

If you've read that silence is bad for tinnitus, you've read correctly - without something else to hold your attention, the ringing tends to become the loudest thing in the room. That's exactly why our pods aren't silent by default.

We play gentle background music through the float, and it's something a lot of our regular clients with tinnitus specifically ask for - it gives your brain something else to settle into, rather than fixating on the ringing. It's not a cure, and results vary person to person, but it's a genuinely different experience to sitting in a quiet room at home, and many people tell us it's the most relief they get from the ringing all week.

If you're in Bristol and want to try it, just mention your tinnitus when you book - we'll make sure the music's set up right for you.

Book your first float at Immerse Float Therapy in Bristol - new customers get their session for £39. Mention your tinnitus when booking and we'll set the music up for you.

Struggling with general sensory overload and a loud internal environment? Learn how to calm a [racing ADHD mind when you can't switch off]

252 Central Business Park, Hengrove, Bristol, BS14 9BZ

Does Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Help? What Actually Works

What Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Actually Is

Why Total Silence Often Makes the Ringing Worse

Masking vs Habituation: How Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Helps Your Brain

What Kind of Audio Safely Lowers the Volume

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Comments

Can I float with someone at the same time?

Float therapy is intended as a personal, deeply relaxing experience, unlike a couples massage where you share the space. If you wish to come with someone, please use our Double Bookings calendar.

Can I float while pregnant?

Yes! We strongly encourage it - The water is a warm 36º, around the same temperature as your body, so the baby is safe; unlike a hot tub that is heated to 40º.

Where are you based?:

Our float therapy centre is located at 252 Central Business Park, Petherton Road, Hengrove, BS14 9BZ, inside the Fit Body Bristol gym and Bristol Martial Arts Academy. Come up the stairs, turn left and you’ll walk right past us, you can't miss us.

Swim suit or birthday suit?

We encourage floating in your birthday suit because it enhances the sensation of weightlessness and helps you fully relax. If you’d rather wear a swimsuit, that’s absolutely fine - you’ll quickly forget it’s even there during your float session.

Do I need to bring a towel?

No need to pack a towel - we provide plenty of clean towels at no extra charge. Of course, you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

What if I fall asleep while floating?

Falling asleep in the float pod is common and completely safe - you’ll stay afloat thanks to the high salt content. Soon after your session ends, the pod automatically begins its cleaning cycle, which will wake you up! No one has ever slept over their session time.

How will I know when my float session is over?

Each float pod has built-in speakers that act as a timer. If you float in silence, gentle music will automatically play during the last 5 minutes. If you choose music for the full session, it will simply stop when your float ends.

Should I arrive on time?:

Please plan to arrive around 10 minutes early for your float session. This allows time for a quick introduction to the facilities, especially if it’s your first visit.

What about footwear?

We ask that outdoor shoes are left outside the float room to keep it spotless. You’re welcome to bring clean indoor shoes or simply use the Crocs we provide.

Do I have to close the pod lid?

The pod lid is optional. A few people are hesitant at first but find that once they try floating with the lid down, it feels surprisingly comfortable and not claustrophobic at all. If you’d rather keep it open, that’s absolutely fine.

Is it pitch black?

The float pod can be completely dark if you want the full sensory deprivation experience. But if you prefer, you can keep gentle coloured lights on throughout your session.

Is it silent?

You can float in complete silence or with relaxing background sounds such as spa music, waves or nature sounds. Many first-timers start with half music, half silence to ease into the experience.