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Ever hear a sharp ringing noise in your ear? The major misconception about this discomfort is that it is a disease in itself. However, tinnitus is usually a symptom of another condition. In the UK alone, it affects 1 in 8 of the population of all ages, only becoming less common when people pass the age of 69.

Signs that tinnitus is going away

It might be a silent condition to others; however, it is a life-altering condition that affects millions worldwide. The constant ringing can cause stress, compromise sleeping patterns, and affect mental health. Characterised by a sound manifesting internally rather than externally, tinnitus can be debilitating.

Although there is no known cure for tinnitus, it is not a permanent condition. Here are some signs that tinnitus is going away:

• It occurs less often in shorter durations
• It may start to seem a lot softer or less perceptible 
• Even with the symptoms, you can relax and concentrate. As you incorporate your tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) into your daily regimen, you may notice the tinnitus diminishing
  
  

Research and tinnitus studies in the UK

According to the British Tinnitus Association, an estimated 1.05 million general practice (GP) consultations take place in the UK alone, generating £750 million in treatment pathway costs. 

Findings have resulted in the call for further support, and charities have released additional support and raised the “Hear us Out” campaign. The campaign emphasises the condition as a recurring concern for patients struggling with the state and seeking help to treat their tinnitus. 

But the mere question still posits: Can tinnitus go away? Is it permanent? 

Tinnitus, according to research, is incurable; however, symptoms can go away. Treatment and increased advancement in scientific study have given rise to tinnitus retraining therapy, methods and techniques.

This advancement hopes that those struggling with the symptom can live their lives in the healthiest way possible, even with the day-to-day challenges that come with it.

Research and treatment are further refined by practitioners and scientists alike, as the condition has become a salient and relevant issue that presses many today and individuals in the future as it is a transient condition.

Management and therapy for tinnitus

Tinnitus is a symptom characterised by the perception of sound in the absence of an external stimulus. Although it is not a disease, it is a symptom of an underlying illness. Tinnitus is also an indication of an auditory issue.

Some of these issues include:

• Issues with the external ear (ear canal and eardrum)
• Parts of the brain that control sound processes
• The auditory nerve (connecting the inner ear to the brain)
• Internal ear issues (where the sound converts into an electrical signal.)

Having auditory issues causes unimaginable stress and discomfort, affecting people’s general disposition and health. However, while tinnitus isn’t curable, there are ways to manage its symptoms to lessen the ringing sound and improve overall hearing. The following sections are the different known methods.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) 

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is an approach that roots in the neurophysiological model of tinnitus. TRT hypothesis suggests that the distress from tinnitus comes from abnormal non-auditory mechanisms. TRT has identified limbic and autonomic nervous systems as the main drivers and mediators for tinnitus to manifest. When TRT protocol follows immediate implementation, the approach results in a 20% improvement rate for two or more impact-on-life scales, approaching or exceeding 80% improvement.  A Cochrane systematic review conducted a trial that compared TRT with tinnitus masking intervention.

The investigators found that both treatments for tinnitus were effective when introduced in 18 months; however, TRT resulted in more significant improvement in patients with greater tinnitus severity. However, the Cochrane reviewers found a design flaw that could have biassed findings. Since then, three other trials reviewed the research gaps of the previous one. Researchers Bauer and Brozoski found that both TRT and general counselling effectively address the presence of tinnitus for 18 months. This study reflects positive results for either sound therapy or masking rather than with counselling treatment for tinnitus alone. However, there was a high dropout rate for all treatment arms.

Tinnitus Masking Devices

Sound masking, a known standard approach for treating tinnitus in adults, was introduced as a means to filling in a gap. The sufferer gets a chance to shift his attention to white noise and sounds of nature. It allows him to shift his focus away from the noises of his tinnitus. The new sound masks the patient’s tinnitus sounds. Although it is important to note that CBT is a more common form of treatment for tinnitus, sound masking is a more standard form or approach to dealing with tinnitus. 

As of late, research suggests that there have been no significant medical findings that suggest that masking devices directly help in the treatment of tinnitus, and should not be treated as medical equipment. However, masking does help facilitate relaxation and enable the sufferer to cut across his challenges with tinnitus.

According to the American Tinnitus Association, sound-based therapy may work under different means:

• Masking - Makes use of external noise loud enough to partially or completely mask (or completely cover) the sound of tinnitus
  
  
• Distraction - Distracts the patient from tinnitus sounds using external sounds to ward off annoying tinnitus sounds
  
  
• Habituation - Reclassifies the patient’s brain to ignore tinnitus and consider it as unimportant sounds that should be consciously ignored.
  
  
• Neuromodulation - Minimises nerve overactivity that is believed to be the root cause of tinnitus using specialised sounds

Types of masking devices:

• Desktop
• Headphone type
• Hearing aids type
• Pillow type
• CD
• Smartphone App

Wellcare’s Naturcare sound shielding technology aids you in your tinnitus journey. Use it supplementary to your tinnitus regiment. Our technology has been proven and tested since 1997, with millions of people in the United States and Britain having benefited from its conception because of its ease of use.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in treating tinnitus

A psychological approach for dealing and treating tinnitus, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on perspective training. A counsellor, psychologist or even a social worker can facilitate exercises to help you reframe your mindset about tinnitus. CBT uses different techniques to treat a range of psychiatric disabilities or mental health concerns - such as depression, eating disorders, marital problems or even depression because it uses specific approaches to treat tinnitus.

According to the National Library of Medicine, CBT focuses on two areas: 

• Treatment for tinnitus perception that aims to limit or reduce tinnitus perception. 
• Treatment of the response to tinnitus, the focal point in which tinnitus affects one’s life. 

CBT is a time-structured therapy to address unrealistic perceptions that may lead to maladaptive behaviours. CBT exercises help an individual construct positive and realistic thoughts about their condition, rather than reducing the acoustic levels of the symptom.  

Biofeedback therapy

One of the less known and used procedures is biofeedback therapy. This procedure is noninvasive and helps not only for tinnitus but also other conditions that involve bodily pain (e.g. chronic pain, migraine, high blood pressure). Biofeedback helps patients deal with tinnitus through technology that measures and identifies what type of activities can help manage tinnitus symptoms. 

There are three ways to measure the body’s patterns: thermal, electromyography, or neurofeedback. Any of these procedures involve connecting electrodes to the patient, with the machine picking up various body signals. A computer then processes these visual or sound signals that represent stress levels, skiing temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, or brain waves. The machine then provides feedback that shows changes in thoughts and emotions. In a few weeks, the patient learns to be aware of these bodily functions.

Extensively, scientists designed biofeedback therapy for the treatment of tinnitus. The House Ear Institute conducted a study on tinnitus patients given 10-12 one-hour feedback sessions for 6-12 months. Results point out that a few patients dramatically improved their condition, while none got worse. 

A Cornell University study provided five-month weekly biofeedback sessions to seven subjects with chronic tinnitus from moderate to severe cases.  Results show no change in tinnitus loudness. Results show that all patients showed satisfaction in the training. Three patients (43%) revealed that they experienced substantial satisfaction from the activity, while two (28.5%) reported moderate improvement and moderate experiences. 

Exercises for Tinnitus

Here are some quick and easy ways to deal with tinnitus on a daily basis. Having the condition is a difficult situation that one should tackle, even with the pressing challenges of everyday life. The incessant ringing can cause increased levels of anxiety and stress and even take a toll on mental health. 

Some exercises for Tinnitus one can do to help alleviate the effects are the following:

• Deep breathing - Take at least 10-15 minutes a day within three to four increments to relax and focus on deep breathing exercises to help you when you’re feeling anxious about your tinnitus.
  
  
• Guided imagery - While concentrating on your deep breathing, close your eyes and visualise a safe place that will help condition you into a relaxed state. This will help alleviate the stress that comes with tinnitus. 
  
  
• Music therapy - Music provides a temporary sense of relief in stressful situations and will help with the incessant ringing in the ears that tinnitus brings. 
  
  
• Autogenic Relaxation - Good for the brain and body; staying active will trigger the production of your happy hormones. Thinking of a phrase that helps you relax and think of a safe place will help reduce anxiety and stress levels. Do this with exercise in order to manage your blood pressure that controls and reduces the effects of tinnitus.
  
  
• Yoga - This is a great exercise for tinnitus as it helps you focus on your centre. It makes use of meditative and relaxation techniques that help you deal with particularly intensive tinnitus sounds.
  
  

Tina’s Tinnitus Story: Tuning Out Tinnitus Noise

Every tinnitus story is unique, and Tina’s is no different. She started suffering from tinnitus from an ear infection that wasn’t treated properly. In the first weeks after her infection healed, she was hoping that the ringing sound would go away. However, the tinnitus stayed with her for close to eight years. When the symptoms were really bad, it was hard for her to even form a coherent thought. The sound was like a whirring washing machine in her head, making it difficult to sleep or rest. Her mental health suffered greatly from this ordeal, especially when it was difficult for her friends and family to understand what she’s going through.

Through the countless doctor appointments and different treatments, there wasn’t a lot that she could do. Nothing came out from her different hearing tests. At this point, the tinnitus had combined with hyperacusis, where even slight sounds would hurt her ears. Most music started to sound horrible and she had to stop this type of therapy. 

Because it was difficult to get through just one hour, she decided to enroll for yoga classes so that she can redirect her mindfulness to the rest of her body. This practice was recommended when she had difficulty meditating through the noise.

At first, the practices were just as difficult as her daily tasks, but as she attended more classes and her body became familiar with basic poses, it became easier to feel through her movements instead of listening to her instructor. This was the turning point. Though her tinnitus settled at a medium frequency, she paid less attention to it.

She also made it a point to acknowledge and accept that her tinnitus might not disappear, and made peace with it. In time, she would realise that she hasn’t thought about her tinnitus for weeks. Though her tinnitus was still a problem, her body was no longer on alert mode all the time. She regained her passion for studying and used her condition as a means to pursue her dreams.

Tina’s story is a message of hope for our viewers that a condition like tinnitus should not be a hindrance to living a full life, all it takes is to take wellness with care. Seek professional help and commit to a healthcare plan that works intrinsically for you.

Conclusion

Although there has been no known cure for tinnitus, there is still hope for treatment and therapy. Getting the proper advice from a medical practitioner is necessary to help you face your day-to-day challenges with the symptom, and diagnose and treat illnesses related to it. Your journey to staying mindful of the present through Wellcare’s advice, so you’re able to tune out the tinnitus noise is achievable.

Disclaimer

Wellcare products should not be used for treatment and should not be a substitute for medical care. Seek a medical practitioner for diagnosis and proper medical treatment. Wellcare products are only supplemental to existing treatment or temporary self-care when no medical treatment is readily available. Wellcare should not and is not intended for pain relief, treatment or diagnosis and should not replace advice, diagnosis or treatment from a medical practitioner or specialist.

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