The real problem with chronic tinnitus is not only that you have a ringing in your ears. It’s the continual non-stop ringing, that’s the real problem.
The continuous noise, perhaps rather moderate in volume, might start as little more than an annoyance. But the ringing can become frustrating and even debilitating if it persists for days or months or more.
That’s why it’s crucial to have some tips you can rely on, tips that make living with tinnitus easier. When you’re lying in bed, having trouble falling asleep because you keep hearing ringing from your left ear, having a plan is going to help you a lot.
Your Tinnitus Can be Exacerbated
It’s beneficial to keep in mind that tinnitus is often not static. Symptoms manifest themselves in spikes and valleys. There are times when your tinnitus is minimal and virtually lost in the background. At other times the noises will be screeching in your ears so loudly it’s impossible to ignore.
This can be a very uncertain and scary situation. You might be so concerned about your tinnitus flaring up during a meeting that you have a panic attack while driving to work. That panic attack, in and of itself, can lead to the very episode you’re concerned about.
Tips For Coping With Tinnitus
The more you know about tinnitus, the better you can plan for and control the effects. And, because there’s no known cure for tinnitus, management of symptoms is vital. There’s no reason that your quality of life needs to suffer if you establish the right treatment.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is One Option
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 noticeable when it first starts but by the end of the storm you stop focusing on it and fades into the background. It’s the same basic strategy with TRT, teaching your brain to move that ringing into the background of your thoughts where it’s easier to disregard.
Perfecting this technique can take a bit of practice.
Get Your Brain Distracted
Your brain is constantly looking for the source of the noise 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. Try these:
- Enjoy some time outdoors listening to the sounds of nature.
- Read a book while taking a bubble bath.
- Play music while you paint a picture.
You get the gist: engaging your brain can help you manage your tinnitus.
Meditation, as an alternate path, 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 people, is that it can reduce blood pressure which is a common cause of tinnitus symptoms.
Consider a Hearing Aid For Tinnitus Management
Numerous hearing aid companies have manufactured hearing aids that help reduce the ringing in your ear. Hearing aids are an ideal option because you put them in and can forget about it the entire day, you won’t need to carry around a white noise machine or constantly use an app. You can relax and let a discreet hearing aid manage the ringing for you.
Have a Plan (And Stick to it)
Making a plan for unexpected surges can help you control your stress-out reaction, and that can help you reduce certain tinnitus episodes (or at least keep from worsening them). 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
Chronic tinnitus is an affliction that has no known cure. But management and treatment of tinnitus is a very real possibility. These everyday tips (and more like them) can help make sure you are living with tinnitus, and not suffering from tinnitus.
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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