Coping Strategies for Everyday Tinnitus Challenges

Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition in which individuals hear sounds that are not from external sources. These sounds typically take the form of a continuous ringing, humming or buzzing noise. Tinnitus can cause many challenges. Some of the common everyday challenges caused by this symptom include:

• Not being able to get to sleep at night.
• Not being able to concentrate on work.
• Not being able to focus on what people are saying.

Try Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Tinnitus retraining therapy is a form of therapy that can help to eliminate tinnitus. This form of treatment is typically provided by an audiologist or a therapist. Methods used in TRT include prescriptive sound therapy and a variety of stress relief techniques including mediation and deep breathing exercises. In many cases, these methods will be personalized to the individual receiving them. About 80% of individuals that try tinnitus retraining therapy find it to be effective.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Many unhealthy lifestyle choices can result in high blood pressure, which is believed to be a cause of tinnitus. It’s possible that you may be able to reduce tinnitus by quitting smoking or drinking less alcohol. Switching up your diet and exercising more may also have an impact if you eat a lot of junk food and live a sedentary lifestyle. You should also consider whether stress could be a factor. Taking steps to reduce stress in your life or finding ways to destress could help to ease your tinnitus.

Masking the Sounds

When coping with tinnitus, incorporating masking sounds into daily life can be a helpful strategy. Masking sounds involve introducing background noise to drown out or lessen the perceived ringing or buzzing associated with tinnitus. This can be achieved by using white noise machines, fans or soft music. These external sounds not only provide relief by making the internal noise less noticeable but also create a more soothing auditory environment. Additionally, some individuals find comfort in nature sounds, like ocean waves or birdsong.

Experimenting with different types of masking sounds allows individuals to discover what works best for them, enabling a personalized approach to managing the impact of tinnitus on their daily activities and overall well-being.

Consider a Hearing Aid

Hearing aids are mostly worn to treat hearing loss but can help individuals cope with tinnitus. Such devices can amplify background noise to help mask tinnitus. An audiologist can help you to choose the right hearing aid, as well as telling you how to operate it and maintain it. Hearing aids are particularly recommended for people experiencing tinnitus and hearing loss simultaneously. In many cases, an audiologist will recommend a hearing test to assess you for both conditions. Your hearing aids can have a tinnitus masking feature to help with alleviating your symptoms.