Tinnitus Awareness Week, 2024

Tinnitus is defined as the perception of noise or ringing in the ears or head. The noise is not from an external source and can manifest itself in many forms. The varying sounds have been described as whistling, whirring, clicking, screeching, hissing, ringing, buzzing, pulsing, whooshing, or even musical. Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition such as hearing loss, ear injury, or circulation problems. From the moment I lost the hearing in my left ear, I simultaneously gained these unwanted sounds. My life became noisier.

My Tinnitus Story

When I first started to experience tinnitus, it was all-consuming. I struggled to believe I could live well with these intrusive sounds all day, every day. It took my attention from conversations, and I struggled to sleep. One night, when I was feeling particularly frustrated from lack of sleep and at my failed attempts to ignore the unwanted sounds, I decided instead, to give my attention to my tinnitus and really focus on the types of noises I could hear. I hoped that if I could make peace with the different elements of my tinnitus, I could learn to accept its intrusion on my life and start to manage it more successively. 

Here’s what I heard…

With time I made peace with my tinnitus. I stopped focusing on it with negativity. With time, my tinnitus faded into the background of my days. With time, I reached a point where my tinnitus no longer bothered me; I reached habituation.

If you're new to tinnitus, know you can live a full and happy life with it. With time it is possible to habituate.

As you habituate to tinnitus, you will begin to have more days when you don't notice it as much. If you do hear it, you'll notice that it bothers you less. The volume of your tinnitus may even seem quieter.

Habituation takes time. 

Tips for Tinnitus Management

There is currently no magic pill you can take to eliminate your tinnitus, though researchers are working hard to find a cure. The aim of tinnitus management is not to get rid of your tinnitus but rather to reach a state of habituation.

There are resources and people who can help you on your journey to habituation.

If you are struggling with your tinnitus or need some support in habituating, don’t struggle alone: reach out for dedicated tinnitus support.

Here are some tips and resources you may find helpful in learning to live well with your tinnitus: 

Consult with your doctor and audiologist

Identifying underlying causes early can allow for a tailored treatment plan and improve overall well-being. Your doctor or audiologist will also be able to recommend support services in your area.

Try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):

CBT can help people with tinnitus by addressing negative thought patterns and emotions associated with the condition. It can help you foster coping strategies, promote a more positive mindset, and improve your well-being. CBT is typically provided by licensed mental health professionals. There are also tinnitus management apps that incorporate CBT into their tinnitus therapy—Check out the Oto app.

Try meditation, yoga, or other activities that help you feel calm

OK, yoga isn’t for everyone, but engaging in calming activities can help manage tinnitus by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which may alleviate associated symptoms.

Experiment with sound therapy

Sound therapy for tinnitus involves introducing neutral or pleasant sounds to help minimize the perception of tinnitus, promoting relaxation and aiding in symptom management.

Connect with others

You may find it helpful to connect with others living similar experiences, in face-to-face or online support groups. Check out social media platforms for tinnitus support groups. Just make sure the group is a supportive and positive environment, as sometimes these types of groups can become negative spaces and places where people try and sell various “snake oil” products (unproven treatments that claim to cure or significantly alleviate tinnitus but lack scientific evidence or even proof of safety.)

Get in touch with a tinnitus organization

Tinnitus UK and the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) have lots of resources to help you on your tinnitus journey.

How Can Coaching Help People with Tinnitus? 

Transformational coaching can be extremely beneficial for people dealing with tinnitus. It can help you navigate the emotional and psychological impact of living with this condition. Through coaching, I can assist you in developing coping strategies, promoting a positive mindset, and exploring ways to improve your overall well-being. 

To determine if coaching is right for you, please arrange a complimentary discovery call. During this call, we can talk about your objectives, the topics you'd like to delve into, and how we can collaborate to bring about positive changes.