SOUND THE ALARM

CLOCKS to improve health. this week: S650 tinnitus sound therapy system, £61, actiononhearingloss.org.uk

CLAIM: This bedside alarm clock uses sound therapy to help people with tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears) to relax and sleep better. Choose from 12 sounds such as running streams and whispering woodlands, which can ‘mask’ tinnitus and allow you to drift off.

VERDICT: Vaitheki Maheswaran, an NHS audiologist in Hertfordshire, says: ‘Tinnitus can often be worse when patients are in quiet surroundings — for example, in bed at night. Anecdotal reports show that playing gentle background noise — like the sounds from this clock — can help them “tune out” tinnitus symptoms. Also, stress tends to exacerbate them — so waking up gently to a soothing soundtrack rather than a heart-stopping alarm may be of benefit to some, too. ‘The volume can be controlled and it can also be connected via headphones to avoid disturbing your partner.’