Living with tinnitus can be distressing. So what can you do about it?
Tinnitus affects millions of people and it can take many different forms. But there are therapies that can help make it more bearable
TL;DR
- Tinnitus is the perception of sounds like ringing, buzzing, or hissing when no external noise is present.
- At least one-quarter of the population experiences tinnitus at some stage.
- Current theories suggest tinnitus arises from increased neural activity in the hearing pathway.
- There is no cure for tinnitus, but various therapies can help manage it.
- Medical conditions must be ruled out, as tinnitus can be a side-effect of issues like migraines or stroke.
- Hearing loss, often caused by loud noise exposure, is a common cause, and hearing aids can be beneficial.
- Psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aim to reduce distress associated with tinnitus, not eliminate the sound itself.
- Physiotherapy focusing on the neck and jaw can help reduce tinnitus associated with stress and teeth grinding (bruxism).
- Sound enrichment therapy uses tailored external sounds to help the brain habituate to tinnitus over time.
- Consistency with therapies is key to achieving benefits, and finding the right fit for the individual is important.