Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use the SOMTUS™ therapy?
The therapy should be used when you are suffering from temporary tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears. For example use it after attending a concert, going to a disco, listening to a loud mp3 player or being in a loud environment. As a sufferer of permanent tinnitus you may use the therapy whenever you find it most beneficial, e.g. before going to sleep, before concentrating on a piece of work etc. However the therapy is only proven 99% effective in cases of temporary tinnitus and we cannot guarantee alleviation for all sufferers of permanent tinnitus.
What do I get for my money?
You will receive a tailor-made therapy package. This unique therapy package will contain information, personalised advice and one minute of sound therapy per credit purchased. If you have purchased a subscription then you have an unlimited number of uses within the time period paid for.
Will my therapy selection work for anyone else?
Each person's therapy package is tailor made for them and only them. Although other people may get some benefit from your treatment pack, it is very unlikely that they will get the full recuperative benefits as each treatment is based on the initial screening process that you go through prior to receiving your final pack. We cannot condone the sharing of therapy. It is for this reason that you should hold onto your details and use this therapy as if it were prescribed specifically for you.
How often should I use the SOMTUS™ therapy?
The therapy should work after just one use if you are suffering from temporary tinnitus. The therapy only lasts one minute. However in the case of permanent sufferers, it may also work in an accumulative nature that gradually relieves your tinnitus over daily treatments or it may abate the tinnitus for a period of hours.
What is temporary tinnitus and how will I know I have it?
Temporary tinnitus usually occurs after exposure to loud noise as may happen at a concert, in a nightclub, when listening to an mp3 player or when operating noisy machinery. If you do not experience ringing in your ears on a constant basis then any tinnitus experienced after exposure to loud noise is probably temporary. Tinnitus sounds like different things for different people but is often a ringing, buzzing, hissing or pulsating noise.
Will the SOMTUS™ therapy help me if I have permanent tinnitus?
We are currently carrying out research into the therapy's effect on permanent tinnitus. We are hoping that some relief will be experienced by sufferers given the positive effects already demonstrated for temporary sufferers. To date some sufferers of permanent tinnitus have received benefits including their tinnitus being less noticeable or going away completely for a period of hours. However there are other permanent sufferers how have not gained any beneficial effects and so we cannot make a conclusive guarantee at this point in time.
Can the SOMTUS™ therapy harm me in any way?
No, we have received full assurances from ENT surgeons and Audiologists that there are no adverse effects from our non-invasive therapy. In general, you should always operate headphones at a comfortable volume so that you do not damage your hearing. We recommend a mid level volume when using the sound therapy.
I think my tinnitus has gotten worse. Is this normal?
One of the major issues with tinnitus is that it is subjective. In other words, it is perceived by the sufferer. Therefore, in concentrating on it, it can appear worse, even though it may not have changed or may have even lessened. If you feel that the therapy is making you more aware of your tinnitus, feel free to stop using it and try other distractive methods.
Do I need any equipment to use the SOMTUS™ therapy?
You will need a broadband internet connection and a pair of outer ear headphones to use the therapy.
How do I choose which sound therapy in the selection menu is right for me?
The criteria for choosing the therapy that is best for you is to find the one that you find most comforting or soothing to listen to. Some people feel that their individual therapy gives them a relaxed feeling. It is entirely up to your own preference and there is no such thing as a 'wrong choice'.
Why outer ear headphones?
Headphones are required for the therapy so the sound therapy is administered within a specific area. The outer ear models lower the amount of sound energy being directed at your eardrum, hence reducing potential damage.
What volume level should I use?
We recommend a mid-level volume, one at which you are comfortable listening to the therapy. If you need to adjust the volume a little then feel free to do so but be careful with loud volume sounds of any nature as they can damage your ears. The therapy should be comfortable to listen to at all times.
How do I get started?
You can start the treatment by going to www.restoredhearing.com. On the homepage there is a 'Buy Now' box and when you click on this a test sound will play. This is to ensure that our therapy will work on your computer. If this all works fine then you will be brought to a page to register your name and email address. You will then receive an email with your password and further instruction on how to use the website. Use this password, along with your email address to log into your account from the box on the homepage.
Will the SOMTUS™ therapy work if I have hearing loss?
We cannot predict the results of customers with hearing impairments of varying degrees. However, there is every chance that the therapy will be able to provide some relief from ringing in the ears even if you have a hearing impairment. If you need to adjust the volume to hear the therapy, then adjust to a volume level that you are comfortable listening to.
Will the SOMTUS™ therapy work if I have tinnitus in one ear?
Whether your tinnitus is in the right ear, left ear or middle of your head the therapy will be administered in the same way. You may begin to see improvement first in one particular area but the therapy has not been proven more effective in one ear than the other or vice versa.
Will the SOMTUS™ therapy work if I have discharge from my ear/perforated ear drum?
In this case we advise you to see your doctor and not to use the therapy as the ear is in a very delicate state. Never use the therapy if you have a perforated ear drum but it may be helpful afterwards when your ear drum has healed as many people suffer from tinnitus in the aftermath of an ear infection.
What should I do if I'm worried about my hearing or my auditory wellbeing?
Consult your GP, ENT surgeon or Audiologist if you have any worries about your hearing or auditory wellbeing. They will be able to conduct all the necessary tests and examinations to diagnose any problems that you may have.
Is this a medical procedure?
No, this is a specific solution to a specific problem. It has been developed from a physics platform based on wave theory and sound energy formation. Although we are experts in the field in which we work we are not medical doctors.
Are there any geographic restrictions on purchasing this sound therapy?
No, there are absolutely no restrictions. We are currently retailing worldwide.
Can I use this therapy with other methods?
Yes, this can be a complimentary therapy, as it is a non-invasive drug free treatment. However, we are confident that it will be sufficient to reduce your temporary tinnitus without other measures.
Will this treatment improve my hearing?
While this treatment has not been proven conclusively to improve hearing, it has been found to increase your hearing to near previous levels before the loud noise was experienced. For example, some users have achieved an increase of 140 times in their hearing, after one minute of therapy. This meant that the loud noise caused their hearing to worsen by 140 times. The treatment just brought it back to a normal level.
What is the best environment to use this therapy?
Ideally, you should be in a quiet place with no distractions. Some of our clients have also felt that they received maximum therapeutic effect from closing their eyes while listening to the treatment. It is really a case of what suits you best and how you feel at the time.
When should I expect to see an improvement?
99% of the people we tested who had temporary tinnitus said that the tinnitus was gone after one minute of our therapy so we expect similar results for those in similar situations i.e. after concerts, discos, mp3 players. However, it may also work in an accumulative nature that gradually relieves your tinnitus over daily treatments.
What if I have a hearing aid?
We advise anyone who uses a hearing aid to take it out when using the therapy to avoid feedback. When your hearing aid is out you may not be able to hear the therapy but do not worry as the therapy will be working even if you cannot hear it.
What if I can’t hear the test sound?
The system requires that you have Apple QuickTime V7.6.2 or higher. This is free software from apple and can be downloaded from here . The system has been tested and works with IE6, IE7, IE8, Mozilla Firefox 3+, Safari 4+, and Google Chrome. We also recommend that you use the system on a 1Mb+ broadband connection.