The real problem with chronic tinnitus is not just that you have a ringing in your ears. It’s the continuous non-stop ringing, that’s the real issue.
The constant noise, perhaps rather modest in volume, may begin as little more than an annoyance. But the ringing can become frustrating and even incapacitating if it continues for days or months or more.
That’s why it’s critical that if you are coping with tinnitus you adhere to some tips to make life easier. It can make a huge difference if you have a plan when you’re lying in bed unable to fall asleep because of the ringing or buzzing in your ear.
How You Can Exacerbate Your Tinnitus
It’s beneficial to remember that tinnitus is often not static. Symptoms manifest themselves in spikes and valleys. At times, your tinnitus might be an afterthought, lost in the background of everyday life. At other times the noises will be screaming in your ears so loudly it’s impossible to ignore.
This can be a very uncertain and scary situation. You may be so concerned about your tinnitus flaring up while you’re in a meeting that you get a panic attack while you’re driving to work. And the very panic attack brought on by this worry can itself cause the tinnitus.
Tips For Coping With Tinnitus
You will be in a better position to prepare for and control tinnitus the more you understand about it. And, because there’s no known cure for tinnitus, control of symptoms is vital. There’s no reason that your quality of life has to suffer if you put in place the right treatment.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is One Approach
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a common strategy for tinnitus management. The sound of rain on a rooftop is a common analogy: very apparent at the start of a storm, but you stop focusing on it after a while and that rain-on-rooftops sound fades into the background. TRT uses the same principle to teach your brain to push the tinnitus symptoms into the background of your thoughts so you will have an easier time ignoring them.
Perfecting this method can take some practice.
Get Your Brain Distracted
Your brain is continuously searching for the source of the sound and that’s one of the reasons why tinnitus can be so aggravating. So supplying your brain with a variety of different sounds to concentrate on can be really helpful. You could:
- Enjoy some time outdoors listening to the sounds of nature.
- Play music while you paint a picture.
- Take a bubble bath while reading a book.
you get the gist: engaging your brain can help you control your tinnitus.
Alternately, many people have discovered that meditation helps because it focuses your attention on something else, your breath, a mantra, and so on. Another advantage of meditation, at least for some, is that it can reduce blood pressure which is a known cause of tinnitus symptoms.
Think about a Hearing Aid For Tinnitus Management
Many hearing aid companies have manufactured hearing aids that help minimize the ringing in your ear. 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 Stick to it)
The impact of some tinnitus episodes can be minimized, and your stress response can be managed if you have a good plan for any surges in your symptoms. Pack a bag of useful items to take with you. Anything that will help you be more ready and keep you from having a panic attack, like making a list of practical exercises, will go a long way toward management.
Management is Key
There’s no cure for tinnitus which is often chronic. But that doesn’t mean that people cannot regulate and treat their tinnitus. Make sure you are managing your tinnitus not suffering from it by utilizing these tips and any others that you find helpful.
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