What is Tinnitus?
What is tinnitus? It’s the condition where a person hears ringing in the ears. Tinnitus causes a constant or intermittent sound in the ears that can be very bothersome and affect one’s quality of life. Tinnitus is a common and often distressing condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can have a negative impact on your quality of life, your mental health, and your ability to enjoy everyday activities, and nightly activities such as rest, relaxation, and quality sleep.
Tinnitus is a symptom of an under-lying cause. It is a perception of noise in the ears or head that has no external source. People experience tinnitus as hearing many different and sometimes variably changing and intertwining sounds. For example, they may hear ringing, hissing, roaring, crickets, screeching, sirens, whooshing, static, pulsing, ocean waves, buzzing, clicking, dial tones, and even music.
Most people experience tinnitus in both ears, this is called bilateral tinnitus. Less commonly it develops in only one ear, called unilateral tinnitus. Tinnitus may be a sign of injury of the inner ear. It can be a temporary condition that lasts for days or a few months. It can also become a chronic condition that lasts for years up to an entire lifetime.
Tinnitus can be short lived and situational. For example, many people have had a brief period of tinnitus after hearing live music or working with loud industrial equipment. This steady “ringing in the ears” usually goes away after a few hours or up to several days of quiet time. Beware of this type because frequent exposure to loud sounds can lead to permanent on-going chronic tinnitus.
For many others, tinnitus does not have such an obvious identifiable cause and is present all the time. Later in this book we’ll identify and explore the many causes and their cures, remedies, and treatments for relief.
Two Forms of Tinnitus
Subjective Tinnitus
Subjective tinnitus occurs if you are the only person who can hear the noise. Regardless of how loud the noise seems to you, others cannot detect it. Subjective tinnitus is the most common type of tinnitus. This book focuses primarily on this type of tinnitus although we will touch on the others as well.
Objective Tinnitus
Objective pulsatile tinnitus occurs if a condition that affects mechanical structures near the ears, such as high blood pressure or muscle contractions, is the cause of the noise. Pulsatile tinnitus is a condition in which a rhythmic sound is heard in the ear, which may be related to the blood vessels near your ears. This rhythmic noise usually matches the rate of your heartbeat and may have a rushing or roaring quality.
It is not loud enough to be heard from a distance but is detectable using a stethoscope or sensitive microphone. Pulsatile tinnitus may be caused by a vascular tumor or a blood vessel disorder such as atherosclerosis, in which deposits of plaque or other substances narrow the arteries. A skillful doctor or medical professional should be able to detect objective pulsatile tinnitus during an ear examination.
Tinnitus Cures, Treatments, and Coping Methods
Tinnitus can have many causes, such as hearing loss, ear infections, earwax buildup, and exposure to loud noises, stress, or certain medications.
Doctors commonly claim there is no known cure for tinnitus. That’s because it is not a disease to be treated with drugs or surgery. However, they are speaking from their own perception based on the limited view that western medicine offers. So take their opinion for what it is.
Doctors are partially right about there not being a single cure for tinnitus. But they are not telling you the entire truth. What doctors aren’t telling you is that tinnitus has more than one cause. And many of those causes certainly do have cures. Each cause having its own unique situation and cure and/or treatment, method, or protocols. These specific causes and their respective treatments and cures are the primary focus of this book.
Depending on the primary cause, a best case scenario is you find a way to cure your tinnitus. In the worst case scenario you’ll have zero success. However most people, after reading and applying the information found in this book, find their results are somewhere in between. It is common for many to reduce their tinnitus irritation by 50% or more, thus finding relief in the process and in the outcome.
When a doctor says there is no cure they are merely protecting themselves. Also, they are usually referring to the type of tinnitus that is caused by inner ear damage and brain damage. Concerning those specific causes, they are correct. As of the time of writing this book there is no medical cure for inner ear damage or brain damage. With advancements in cochlear implants and neurosurgery technology perhaps they might someday be able to resolve inner ear and brain damage.
However, at this time there is treatment available to substantially reduce the volume of the irritating sounds that you alone are hearing inside your ears due to inner ear damage. For the types of tinnitus where there is no known cure, there are ways to manage it and reduce its impact.
Some of the ways to cope with tinnitus are using a hearing aid, a sound therapy device, behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, or avoiding triggers. These methods can help mask the tinnitus sound, distract the attention from it, change the negative thoughts and emotions about it, or accept it without judgment. Some people may also find relief from certain medications while others enjoy results from supplements and natural remedies such as gingko biloba, zinc, magnesium, or acupuncture.
In some cases, depending on the cause, tinnitus may go away on its own or become less noticeable over time. This can happen if the underlying cause of tinnitus is resolved, such as by treating an ear infection, removing earwax, stopping a medication, or recovering from head and neck trauma.
The apparent sensation of the sound can seemingly diminish in perspective if the brain adapts and learns to ignore it. This is called habituation. Normally it can take months or years to occur, and sometimes it never does naturally. However there are methods to encourage and promote rapid habituation. These methods can speed up the healing process to a few days or less instead of months to years.
Emotional Stress and Other Issues from Tinnitus
The primary issue with tinnitus is how we react to the sound physically and emotionally. When it’s bothering us we have a stress response. When left untreated the stress can be overwhelming. This fuels a vicious cycle of annoyance, frustration, emotional suffering, and sometimes even physical pain.
People with tinnitus often face various emotional challenges that can significantly impact their well-being and overall quality of life. Some of the common emotional challenges associated with tinnitus include:
- Anxiety: The constant ringing or buzzing in the ears can cause feelings of worry and anxiety, especially when the sound becomes intrusive or difficult to ignore. Fear of the tinnitus worsening or interfering with daily activities can exacerbate anxiety levels.
- Depression: Chronic tinnitus can lead to feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and despair, and unfortunately for sometimes even suicidal thoughts, particularly when individuals struggle to find relief from the constant noise.
- Irritability: Dealing with the ongoing distraction of tinnitus can leave individuals feeling irritable and frustrated. The constant noise can make it challenging to concentrate on tasks or engage in conversations without becoming annoyed.
- Social Isolation: Tinnitus can lead to withdrawal from social activities and gatherings, as individuals may feel self-conscious about their condition or fear that others won’t understand their struggle.
- Stress: Coping with tinnitus can be stressful, especially when it interferes with work, relationships, or daily activities. Heightened stress levels can, in turn, worsen tinnitus symptoms, creating a cycle of increased stress and discomfort.
- Cognitive Impairment: The persistent noise of tinnitus can affect cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities, making it harder to focus and function effectively.
- Lack of Control: Tinnitus can give individuals a sense of loss of control over their own body and emotions, leading to feelings of helplessness and frustration.
- Sleep Disturbances: Tinnitus can disrupt sleep patterns, resulting in insomnia or poor sleep quality. Sleep deprivation can, in turn, exacerbate emotional challenges, making it difficult for individuals to cope with their condition effectively.
- Reduced Self-Esteem: Feeling unable to find relief from tinnitus may lower self-esteem, causing individuals to doubt their abilities to manage the condition and their overall worth.
- Fear of the Future: Tinnitus sufferers may worry about the long-term impact of their condition and how it will affect their personal and professional life in the future.
Rediscovering Joy and Well-Being
It’s essential to recognize that emotional challenges arising from tinnitus are valid and should not be dismissed. Seeking support, adopting coping strategies, and exploring various treatments can help individuals better manage these emotional challenges and improve their overall well-being.
The good news is we can change the way we react to the noise, and when we do, we can start to tune it out naturally. Tuning out the sound, or ignoring it, is called habituation (more on that in Sections Four and Five).
When tinnitus goes away or becomes less bothersome, that can bring joy and relief to the person who suffers from it. They may feel more relaxed, happier, and more able to enjoy their daily activities and hobbies.
They may also sleep better, have more energy, and be more productive. They may also appreciate the sounds of nature, music, or silence more than before. Others achieve a calm serenity, a state of inner peace and tranquility towards their tinnitus.
Finding Hope and Resilience
Tinnitus is a complex condition that affects millions worldwide, impacting not only our physical well-being but also our emotional state. While there may not be a universal cure, this book sheds light on the diverse causes and approaches to managing tinnitus.
Remember that each individual’s journey with tinnitus is unique, and the path to relief may vary. By seeking knowledge, support, and implementing the strategies outlined here, individuals can embark on a path towards improved quality of life, greater emotional well-being, and the rediscovery of peace and joy amid the challenges of tinnitus. Together, we can face this condition with resilience and hope.
Take the Leap Towards Tinnitus Freedom
Your relief from tinnitus begins with a single step. Don’t let tinnitus continue to overshadow your life. Embrace this opportunity for profound change and lasting relief. Get your complimentary personal consultation now, and let’s embark on this transformative journey together. Embrace tinnitus freedom and rediscover the serenity that awaits you!
Start Healing Today
Don’t let tinnitus hold you back any longer. Take the first step towards lowering the volume and eliminating your ringing in ears. Book your complimentary consultation now, and let’s explore how my services can help you unlock the power of habituation and thrive with coping strategies. Say goodbye to tinnitus distress and hello to a life of peace and harmony!
Learn More in the Tinnitus Book
Learn about the entire tinnitus relief process, along with self-help tutorials, in the book titled: Turning Down Tinnitus. Available in paperback print, Kindle, and ebook PDF instant download. Choose which one you want and click the link below.
Instant Download PDF – $6.99 Available for purchase directly from this website.
Amazon Paperback Print Book: $19.97
Contact
Daniel Sweet, NLP
Tinnitus Relief Specialist
Email: support@danielsweetnlp.com