The real problem with chronic tinnitus is not simply that you have a ringing in your ears. The real problem is that the ringing won’t stop.

The continuous noise, perhaps somewhat moderate in volume, may start as little more than an annoyance. But the ringing can become aggravating and even incapacitating if it goes on for days or months or more.

That’s why it’s crucial to have some tips to fall back on, tips that make living with tinnitus less difficult. It can make a huge difference if you have a plan when you’re lying in bed struggling to fall asleep because of the ringing or buzzing in your ear.

Your Tinnitus Can be Exacerbated

Chronic tinnitus, after all, is commonly not a static problem. There are spikes and valleys in the manifestation of symptoms. Sometimes, your tinnitus might be an afterthought, lost in the background of daily life. At other times, that ringing could be as hard to dismiss as a full-blown, individualized symphony.

That can leave you in a rather scary place of uncertainty. You may be so concerned about your tinnitus flaring up during a meeting that you get a panic attack while you’re driving to work. That panic attack, in and of itself, can cause the very situation you’re concerned about.

Tips For Living With Tinnitus

The more you understand about tinnitus, the better you can plan for and control the effects. And management is crucial since tinnitus has no known cure. There’s no reason that your quality of life needs to suffer if you establish the proper treatment.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is One Option

Many treatment options for tinnitus incorporate some kind of tinnitus retraining therapy (or TRT). The sound of rain on a roof is a common analogy: it’s very loud and obvious when it first starts but by the end of the storm you stop paying attention to it and fades into the background. TRT uses the same concept to teach your brain to move the tinnitus symptoms into the background of your thoughts so you will have an easier time ignoring them.

Mastering this strategy can take a bit of practice.

Distract Your Brain

One reason 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 more (and varied) stimulation to concentrate on can be helpful. You could:

• Bring a book to the park and listen to the birds while you read.
• Take a bubble bath while reading a book.
• Do some drawing or painting while listening to music.

You get the gist: Your tinnitus may be able to be reduced by engaging your brain.

Meditation, as an alternate path, helps you focus your attention on a mantra, or your breathing which helps take your attention away from your tinnitus. Some individuals have discovered that meditation reduces their blood pressure, which can also help with tinnitus.

Consider a Hearing Aid For Tinnitus Management

Hearing aids that help minimize tinnitus symptoms are already being developed by several hearing aid companies. This solution is very 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)

Having a plan for unexpected spikes can help you control your stress-out response, and that can help you minimize 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 that doesn’t mean that individuals can’t manage and treat their tinnitus. 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