Frequently asked questions
What is Aku?
Aku is a digital companion for people living with tinnitus. At its centre is a conversation with an artificial intelligence that remembers your story and picks up where you left off. Aku is available whenever you need it and, day after day, helps you look at your days from a little further away.
Around the conversation there is a library of sounds, a diary, exercises for breathing, neck and jaw, and writing about tinnitus in plain language.
Why was Aku created?
For many people the weight of tinnitus is not only the sound: it is also the space it ends up taking during the day, and the feeling of having to handle it alone.
Aku was created to give continuity from one moment to the next: someone to talk to when you need it, who knows what you have already told them and who can help you see, over time, how your days change.
Does Aku cure tinnitus? Is it a medical device?
No. Aku is not a medical device, it does not diagnose or treat tinnitus, and it does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. It is a wellbeing app made to accompany people living with tinnitus.
Tinnitus that persists in one ear only, or that pulses, or that comes with a sudden drop in hearing or other new symptoms, should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
How is Aku different from other tinnitus apps?
Most tinnitus apps focus mainly on sounds, exercises or structured programmes. Aku puts continuity at the centre.
It remembers what you tell it, picks conversations back up over time, and connects what comes out of your days. The goal is not to make you check your tinnitus constantly, but to give you someone to turn to when you need it and, over time, a wider view of how you are doing.
Can I use Aku at night?
Yes. Aku is available at any hour, including when the rest of the world is asleep.
From 11pm to 6am the app switches by itself to a darker, quieter mode. You can talk with Aku or use the sounds available in the app.
Does Aku work without an internet connection?
Partly. The sounds are stored inside the app and can be used without a connection.
Talking with Aku, on the other hand, requires an internet connection.
What languages is Aku available in?
Aku is available in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish. Conversations, interface and content are localised in each language.
How much does Aku cost?
You can try Aku free for seven days. At the end of the trial you can choose a monthly or annual subscription.
The applicable price is always shown by the store before purchase.
Who created Aku?
Aku was conceived by a hearing care professional with experience in daily work alongside people living with tinnitus.
The idea grew out of that experience: to create something that can be present in the many moments of the day when a professional cannot be.