The real issue with chronic tinnitus isn’t simply that you have a ringing in your ears. It’s the continuous non-stop ringing, that’s the real problem.
The constant noise, possibly somewhat moderate in volume, might start as little more than an annoyance. But after a day or a week or a month, that ringing or buzzing can become aggravating, frustrating, even debilitating.
That’s why it’s vital to have some tips you can rely on, tips that make living with tinnitus simpler. When you’re lying in bed, having trouble falling asleep because you keep hearing buzzing from your left ear, having a plan is going to do you a world of good.
How You Can Exacerbate Your Tinnitus
Chronic tinnitus, after all, is frequently not a static condition. Symptoms manifest themselves in spikes and valleys. There are times when your tinnitus is minimal and practically lost in the background. In other moments, that ringing could be as difficult to dismiss as a full-blown, personalized symphony.
That can leave you in a rather frightening place of uncertainty. You might be so concerned about your tinnitus flaring up during a meeting that you get a panic attack while driving to work. That panic attack, in and of itself, can trigger the very episode you’re concerned about.
Tips For Coping With Tinnitus
You will be in a better position to prepare for and manage tinnitus the more you know about it. And, because there’s no known cure for tinnitus, management of symptoms is essential. There’s no reason that your quality of life has to suffer if you establish the right treatment.
Think About Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Several treatment options for tinnitus involve some kind of tinnitus retraining therapy (or TRT). The analogy that gets floated around frequently is the sound of rain on your rooftops: it’s very loud and obvious when it first begins but by the time the storm is ending you stop paying attention to it and fades into the background. TRT uses the same concept to teach your brain to push the tinnitus symptoms into the background of your thoughts so you will have an easier time tuning it out.
It can take training to get this technique down.
Get Your Brain Distracted
One reason tinnitus can be so frustrating is because your brain is continuously looking for the source of that noise, attempting to signal you to its presence. So supplying your brain with a range of different sounds to concentrate on can be very helpful. Try these:
- Enjoy some time outdoors listening to the sounds of nature.
- Have music playing while painting a picture.
- Read a book while soaking in a bubble bath.
You get the idea: engaging your brain can help you manage your tinnitus.
Meditation, as an alternate approach, helps you concentrate your attention on a mantra, or your breathing which helps take your focus away from your tinnitus. Another benefit of meditation, at least for some, is that it can lower blood pressure which is a common cause of tinnitus symptoms.
Manage Tinnitus With a Hearing Aid
Hearing aids that help minimize tinnitus symptoms are already being developed by a number of hearing aid companies. This option is really convenient because they are small and out of your way compared to other approaches. The ringing will be managed by the hearing aid and you can relax and enjoy your life.
Have a Plan (And Follow-Through)
The effect of some tinnitus episodes can be lessened, and your stress response can be managed if you have a good plan for any surges in your symptoms. Consider having a “go bag” full of stuff you may need. 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
Chronic tinnitus is an affliction that has no known cure. But control and treatment of tinnitus is a very real possibility. Make sure you are dealing with your tinnitus not suffering from it by using 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