Tag: Tinnitus

4 ways of coping with Tinnitus

Focus on something else…

When you have constant tinnitus there is no silence.

Noise is always there. When I wrote this post, I was sitting on commuter train in their Quiet Zone area which of course was not so quiet because the fan in the cabin was very loud.  But helpful.  It was constant and it helped me to focus on something other than the ringing in my ears. This brings me to the last suggestion in coping with tinnitus – Focus on Something Else

Some people are so disturbed by their tinnitus that they ask for some kind of solution in desperation; from operations, medications or therapy. What works for some may not work for others. People do different things to help with mild to moderate cases of tinnitus. The list below is a simple suggestion and can be used as a starting point.

My advise is to always see a professional first: your Doctor, Audiologist or Hearing Instrument Specialist.  These people are trained to help and know the best avenue for you to take.

Everyday Coping Methods for Those with Tinnitus

  • Diet – Some swear by having a well-balanced diet.   And to watch the sodium intake and the amount of caffeine you consume daily.
  • Relaxation – a good vacation or a staycation, just time off from that busy schedule to de-stress and relax.  Find a quiet place to close your eyes and put your head back if only for 15 minutes daily to start. Have a good night sleep. Check out this cool post: Power Napping vs Sleeping
  • Exercise –  is good but in moderation. If you are starting a new exercise program please check with your doctor especially if you haven’t been active for a while. Take up walking.  It is great exercise and it doesn’t cost much.  All you need are good pair of walking shoes and comfortable clothing.  No time?  Take a walk at lunch or on your break. It doesn’t have to be a long walk just enough to get you moving. Or learn a new game or sport to keep active.
  • Learn something new or do something old you enjoy –  revisit that stamp collection or take an art class or learn to play an instrument the list goes on. My example:
    Last year my sister and I took up Line dancing. Who would think! But we loved it. We had a workout, met new people and learned something new.  Got the brain working differently. It was a great exercise for the body and healthy for the brain.

The Take Away

When you are occupied with something else other than the noises in your ears you can slowly begin not noticing the ringing as much.

Remember – before starting any form of exercise speak to your doctor first.  

For some exercise ideas check out:  Social and Emotional Benefits of Regular Exercise

Tinnitus- the Unwelcomed Family Member

Tinnitus is an unwelcomed experience.  For all of us who suffer from tinnitus it could come and go as it pleases or it could decide to stay.  We have no control over this ringing in- the- ear- menace but, we try to live with it daily, sometimes with success and others times without.

One thing you must realise is that you are not alone.  Tinnitus does not only affect the sufferer but others like family members, friends and colleagues, basically anyone close. These people could become your greatest support group.

What is the best way to get this support?

Take a guest with you to your appointment for the hearing test and tinnitus assessment.  It will deepen their understanding about what you are experiencing which could then lead to a good sense of sympathy.

It is this sympathy that is needed.  Sympathy leads to kindness.  And kindness leads to support.

You need support because tinnitus could at times be overwhelming.  People closest to you can give you the support you need. The more they understand the better the support.

Don’t keep your tinnitus suffering to yourself.  Tell someone who would listen.

Next post — a few tinnitus treatments…

Talk later….

Carry- on Tinnitus Step#2

Step #2

Now that you’ve seen the Audiologist or the Hearing Instrument Specialist and they’ve given you a hearing test what is there left to do?

Talk…..

The hearing professional will discuss the results of the hearing test.  You may or may not have hearing loss but you may still suffer from tinnitus.

How is that possible?

Don’t people with hearing loss all have tinnitus?

It is true about 90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss and tinnitus affects 1 in 5 people. What about the rest of us?

Let’s work backwards with some basic information about tinnitus.

Tinnitus or some pronounce it tin-eye-tus or tin-a-tus is not a disease but a symptom resulting from a number of causes most common is hearing loss but others are: ear infections, hearing loss, constant exposure to loud noises, brain tumor, emotional stress, exposure to certain medication , head or neck injury, hypertension, heart disease and earwax to name a few.

There are different types of tinnitus: subjective, objective and pulsatile.  Subjective is the most frequent type and it is explained as hearing sound when there is no external sound and it can present itself as ringing, clicking, hissing or buzzing; some people even experience hearing music.

Tinnitus also triggers an emotional response in each individual in unique portions. In other words, tinnitus affects everyone differently and their reactions are all different. Some people can ignore the noise in their ears, whereas others are frustrated and even can be emotionally distraught. No two people are the same.

So where do you go from here?

Counselling is needed and your hearing professional is going to be able to help you with that.

Find out more next week.

If anyone has any questions, please e-mail me.

Until next time…

That Constant Ringing in My Ears

There is no cure.

I hear the ringing, the buzzing, the clicking that noise sometimes throughout the day but it happens mostly at night before bed when everything is quiet.  This is called Tinnitus and many people young and old suffer from this condition.

I work as at a hearing clinic as a Hearing Specialist and I’ve noticed since the flu season began several people have visited the clinic with symptoms of tinnitus. Most are getting over the flu virus and report that the tinnitus was strongest when they were laid up with the flu and now they’re “better” the tinnitus is still present.

I know my tinnitus began with a virus and never went away even after I got better and that was over 10 years ago.  The ringing in my ears gets more prevalent when I am stressed or I’m lacking sleep and then calms down when I sleep better and take my vitamins.  That works for me so far, but it may not work for others.

At the clinic before I suggest any kind of solution to help the client with tinnitus, I take a case history and I do a full hearing assessment.  You see tinnitus and hearing loss go hand and hand but there is also a percentage of people suffering from tinnitus who have no hearing loss.

Step #1  get your hearing tested by a registered Audiologist or a Hearing Instrument Practitioner.  These people can help you and guide in the right direction.

Recently, I learned of a tinnitus workshop at Sunnybrook Hospital and check out their website called Your Health Matters @ health.sunnybrook.ca/wellness/tinnitus-ringing-ears/ This is a great resource.

I’ll write about Step #2 next time

Ringing in the Ears

Ever heard some buzzing, hissing, ringing or even a chirping sounds in the ear? If your answer is yes, then you may have experienced something called Tinnitus.

Tinnitus pronounced tin-a-tus or tin-eye-tus is a medical term derived from the Latin word “tiniere” which means to ring.  It refers to any sort of sound heard by the individual, but with no external source.

No, you aren’t going crazy but tinnitus can be heard constantly and can cause a great deal of stress, frustration and mental anguish.  Some neuroscientists describe it as “phantom auditory perception” whereas the ordinary folks call it noise.  Noise that can be managed.

Tinnitus is not uncommon. Today in the hearing industry as the number 1 disability for military veterans and it affects 1 in 5 persons.  With or without hearing loss, no matter the age at some point in everyone’s lifetime tinnitus may occur.

There are tons of information on the internet about tinnitus but I will break it down with ease and compassion because I too suffer from tinnitus.

What causes tinnitus?

Can tinnitus be treated?

Where can you go for help?

Stay tuned for my next entry….