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.
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:
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.
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:
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) 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.
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:
Types of masking devices:
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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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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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