The real problem with chronic tinnitus isn’t just that you have a ringing in your ears. The real issue is that the ringing doesn’t stop.
The continuous noise, possibly rather moderate in volume, may begin as little more than an annoyance. But the ringing can become aggravating and even incapacitating if it persists for days or months or more.
That’s why it’s crucial that if you are coping with tinnitus you adhere to some tips to make life easier. When you’re lying in bed, having difficulty falling asleep because you keep hearing buzzing from your left ear, having a plan is going to help you a lot.
How You Can Worsen Your Tinnitus
Chronic tinnitus, in fact, is commonly not a static problem. There are spikes and valleys in the manifestation of symptoms. There are times when your tinnitus is minor and practically lost in the background. At other times the noises will be screaming in your ears so loudly it’s impossible to dismiss.
This can be a very uncertain and scary situation. You may be so worried about your tinnitus flaring up while you’re in a meeting that you get a panic attack while driving to work. And the very panic attack brought on by this worry can itself cause the tinnitus.
Tips For Living With Tinnitus
The more you know about tinnitus, the better you can prepare for and control the effects. And, because there’s no known cure for tinnitus, control of symptoms is essential. With the right treatment, there’s no reason that chronic tinnitus has to negatively impact your quality of life.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is One Approach
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a common strategy for tinnitus management. The sound of rain on a roof is a common analogy: it’s very loud and obvious when it first begins but by the end of the storm you stop focusing on it and recedes into the background. TRT uses the same principle to train your brain to move the tinnitus symptoms into the background of your thoughts so you will have an easier time tuning it out.
Mastering this technique can take some practice.
Distract Your Brain
One of the reasons that tinnitus can be so infuriating is because your brain is constantly searching for the source of that noise, trying to signal you to its presence. So supplying your brain with a variety of different sounds to concentrate on can be very helpful. You could:
- Enjoy some time outside listening to the sounds of nature.
- Do some drawing or painting while playing music.
- Enjoy a book while taking a bubble bath.
You get the idea: Your tinnitus may be able to be reduced 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. Another advantage of meditation, at least for some, is that it can decrease blood pressure which is a known cause of tinnitus symptoms.
Manage Tinnitus With a Hearing Aid
Hearing aids that help decrease tinnitus symptoms are already being manufactured by several hearing aid companies. This solution is very convenient because they are small and out of your way compared to other approaches. You can relax and let a discreet hearing aid manage the ringing for you.
Have a Plan (And Stick to it)
The impact of some tinnitus episodes can be lessened, and your stress response can be controlled if you have a practical plan for any spikes in your symptoms. Pack a bag of useful items to bring with you. Anything that will help you be more ready and keep you from panicking, like making a list of helpful exercises, will go a long way toward management.
Management is Key
There is no cure for tinnitus which is usually chronic. But control and treatment of tinnitus is a very real potential. Make sure you are dealing with your tinnitus not suffering from it by utilizing these tips and any others that you find helpful.
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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