Bimodal stimulation is based on pairing an external sound with physical touch. The more accurately you can match the sound in the app to what you hear, the better you can focus your attention during your habituation sessions.
The following advice on matching is based solely on my own experience with using the app.
The 4 Steps of Matching
1. Frequency (Pitch)
Start by adjusting the Frequency slider. This controls the highness or lowness of the pitch. For many people, the pitch often sits somewhere between 4,000 Hz and 10,000 Hz. Move the slider slowly until the pitch perfectly mirrors the main ringing in your ear.
2. Spread (Bandwidth)
Tinnitus is rarely a pure, single crystalline tone. The "Spread" slider allows you to change the texture of the sound. Keeping it narrow sounds like a whistle or a pure ring. Dragging it wider introduces "hiss" or "static," turning the sound into a rushing noise. Adjust this until the texture feels right.
3. Lateralization (Pan)
Very few people experience tinnitus dead-center in their head. Usually, it favors one ear over the other. Put your headphones on and use the Lateralization slider to move the sound left or right until it feels like it is physically overlapping the exact spot where your tinnitus lives.
4. Volume
Set the volume of the sound so that it is just slightly louder than your actual tinnitus. It should match the phantom sound without being uncomfortably loud or painful.
Dealing with Polyphonic Tinnitus
Many people have polyphonic tinnitus, meaning they hear multiple overlapping sounds (e.g., a high-pitched ring in the left ear, and a low rushing hiss in the right ear). If this applies to you, do not try to make one single match.
Tinnitus Sync allows you to save multiple match profiles. Create one profile for your "High Ring", save it, and then create a second profile for your "Low Hiss." During training, the app can play these simultaneously to recreate your complex tinnitus profile perfectly.
Matching Insufficient for You?
Since I made this app originally for myself, I don't have a lot of exposure to the different ways other people experience tinnitus. If the matching interface doesn't cut it for you, please use the link at the bottom of the Match interface to submit feedback to me. You can include an email and I will write you back if you desire correspondence about your tinnitus. All correspondence will remain confidential. Please see our Privacy Policy for full details.