FAQ — Zen Timer

What exactly is Zen Timer?

A native Android app that generates calibrated brown noise to accompany meditation practice. It is designed for people with tinnitus, but anyone who meditates with background sound can use it.

What Android version do I need?

Android 7.0 Nougat (API 24) or higher. The app is built with Ionic + Capacitor + VanJS + Tailwind CSS.

Does it work offline?

Yes, 100% offline after installation. The noise is synthesized in real time on your device — not streamed or downloaded. The only things that require a connection are serving ads in the free version and processing the Pro purchase via Google Play.

What exactly is brown noise?

Brown noise (also called Brownian noise) is an acoustic signal with more energy in the low frequencies than white or pink noise. It sounds deeper and “warmer”, similar to a distant waterfall or a slow plane. Zen Timer generates it mathematically in real time — no audio file is played back.

Why around 430 Hz?

Although brown noise covers the full audible spectrum, Zen Timer applies a calibration that emphasizes the region around 430 Hz. For many people with tinnitus, the perceived tone sits in higher frequencies (3–8 kHz). An enveloping sound with enough energy in the mid-low bands helps “fill in” the silence in which the brain amplifies the tone, without overlapping the tinnitus frequency directly.

Important: this is perceptual masking, not clinical treatment. Effects vary from person to person.

Does it work with any kind of tinnitus?

Zen Timer is designed for tonal tinnitus (a continuous, stable tone). Pulsatile tinnitus (a tone that beats with your heartbeat) usually has vascular or muscular origin and requires specific medical evaluation. If your tinnitus is pulsatile, consult a specialist before trying.

Why are there ads?

To keep the app free and accessible to as many people as possible. Ads are served by Google AdMob, with a GDPR consent form for users in the European Economic Area. If you prefer an ad-free experience, a one-time purchase of £1.99 removes them for good.

How do I remove the ads?

Inside the app, in the settings, there is a “Buy Pro version” option that opens the Google Play Billing flow. The price is 1,99 € / $1.99 / £1.99 depending on your region, as a one-time purchase (not a subscription). After buying, the app disables the ads SDK and becomes fully offline.

Does my data leave the phone?

No. Your last meditation settings and your daily meditation log are stored only in the app’s internal storage. We run no backend, there is no cloud sync, and we send absolutely nothing to our servers.

The exception is the free version: the AdMob SDK processes advertising identifiers and device metadata to serve ads, subject to your consent. This goes away once you buy the Pro version.

How long can I use it?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. As a general reference:

• Sessions of 10 to 30 minutes are typically enough to accompany a meditation practice.
• Keep the volume low enough to be comfortable and in the background, not so loud that it blocks every external sound.
• Rest your ears between long sessions. Prolonged sound exposure, even at moderate volumes, can affect hearing.

Can I use it with headphones?

Yes, but with care:

• Use reasonably good headphones. Very small or worn-out ones distort the bass and lose the effect.
• Start at minimum volume and raise it just enough to feel present. If in doubt, it is too loud.
• Avoid active noise-canceling headphones if you find the pressure sensation uncomfortable.

Can I suggest improvements or report a bug?

Yes. See Support for channels and formats.