LACE AI Pro vs Tinnitus Pro: What Is the Difference?
Auditory training and tinnitus support are not the same treatment
You may have come across the names LACE, LACE AI Pro and Tinnitus Pro when researching apps that aim to help with hearing or tinnitus. It is useful to understand the difference before choosing a programme.
What is LACE AI Pro?
LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) is an auditory-training programme designed to practise listening tasks such as understanding speech in noise. It is aimed primarily at hearing rehabilitation and may be used alongside hearing aids. Like other forms of auditory training, benefits vary, and the programme is not a guaranteed solution for background noise or tinnitus.
We explain the approach in our guide to LACE AI Pro and auditory training.
What is Tinnitus Pro?
Neurotone’s Tinnitus Pro is a separate programme, accessed through the company’s app when enabled for a patient by their provider. The manufacturer describes features that include adjustable soundscapes, learning materials, relaxation exercises and cognitive-behavioural elements aimed at managing responses to tinnitus.
The presence of CBT-style learning materials in an app does not mean every user is receiving a course of individually delivered psychological CBT from a qualified therapist. Apps also do not replace assessment for hearing loss, medical causes of tinnitus or significant distress.
Can an app cure tinnitus?
No tinnitus app should be presented as a reliable cure. Different approaches may help reduce distress or improve coping for some people, but the evidence varies between interventions and products. If hearing loss is present, appropriately fitted hearing aids may improve access to everyday sound. Tinnitus-focused CBT from a qualified practitioner is another recognised approach when tinnitus is distressing.
See our tinnitus, hearing aids and CBT guide.
How do I know which programme I can access?
Access to LACE AI Pro and Tinnitus Pro is managed separately. Do not assume that access to one automatically includes the other. Wigan Hearing can explain the auditory-training services currently available through the clinic; please ask us directly about any tinnitus-specific app before making plans based on its availability.
For product information, see Neurotone: Tinnitus Pro and how Tinnitus Pro access works.
When should tinnitus be assessed?
Contact a healthcare professional if tinnitus is persistent, troublesome or mostly in one ear. Seek urgent advice if it beats with your pulse, and emergency assessment if it begins with sudden hearing loss or after a head injury, or occurs with severe vertigo or facial weakness.
If you have tinnitus accompanied by hearing difficulties, you can contact Wigan Hearing about whether a hearing assessment is suitable. Speak to your GP about medical concerns or psychological therapy.