With chronic tinnitus, it isn’t the ringing in your ears that’s the real problem. It’s the continuous non-stop ringing, that’s the real problem.
The continuous noise, perhaps somewhat moderate in volume, might start as little more than a nuisance. But the ringing can become aggravating and even debilitating if it persists for days or months or more.
That’s why it’s crucial to have some tips to fall back on, tips that make living with tinnitus less difficult. When you’re lying in bed, having difficulty falling asleep because you keep hearing ringing from your left ear, having a plan is going to do you a world of good.
Your Tinnitus Can be Exacerbated
Chronic tinnitus, after all, is frequently not a static problem. There are increases and decreases in the presentation of symptoms. At times, your tinnitus may be an afterthought, hidden in the background of everyday life. In other moments, that ringing could be as difficult to dismiss as a full-blown, personalized symphony.
That can leave you in a very scary place of uncertainty. Maybe you even get panic attacks while driving to work because you’re concerned about your tinnitus flaring up during a meeting. That panic attack, in and of itself, can lead to the very situation you’re concerned about.
Tips For Living With Tinnitus
You will be in a better position to prepare for and control tinnitus the more you know about it. And, because there’s no known cure for tinnitus, management of symptoms is vital. With the proper treatment, there’s no reason that chronic tinnitus needs to negatively affect your quality of life.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is One Approach
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a standard approach to tinnitus management. The sound of rain on a rooftop is a common analogy: it’s very loud and noticeable when it first begins but by the time the storm is ending you stop focusing on it and recedes into the background. It’s the same basic concept with TRT, teaching your brain to move that ringing into the background of your attention where it’s easier to disregard.
Mastering this method can take some practice.
Distract Your Brain
Your brain is constantly looking for the source of the sound and that’s one of the reasons why tinnitus can be so frustrating. So supplying your brain with a variety of different sounds to focus on can be quite helpful. You could:
- Play music while you paint a picture.
- Bring a book to the park and listen to the birds while you read.
- Read a book while taking a bubble bath.
You get the gist: Your tinnitus may be able to be decreased by engaging your brain.
Meditation, as an alternate approach, helps you focus your attention on a mantra, or your breathing which helps take your focus away from your tinnitus. Some individuals have found that meditation reduces their blood pressure, which can also help with tinnitus.
Consider a Hearing Aid For Tinnitus Management
Hearing aids that help reduce tinnitus symptoms are already being manufactured by a number of hearing aid companies. This option is very convenient because they are small and out of your way compared to other strategies. You can relax and let a discreet hearing aid take care of the ringing for you.
Have a Plan (And Follow-Through)
The effect of some tinnitus episodes can be lessened, and your stress reaction can be managed if you have a good plan for any spikes in your symptoms. Think about having a “go bag” containing things you may need. Anything that will help you be more ready and keep you from panicking, like making a list of practical exercises, will go a long way toward management.
The Key is Management
Chronic tinnitus is a condition that has no known cure. But that doesn’t mean that people cannot regulate and treat their tinnitus. These everyday tips (and more similar to them) can help make certain you are living with tinnitus, and not suffering from tinnitus.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3303565/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5050200/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17956798/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4447068/
https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008664