Are you currently dealing with loud and clear Tinnitus? Is a constant ringing the only thing you can hear? Is it making you anxious, angry or feel helpless? Below, we will tell you how to cope with Tinnitus that sounds maddeningly loud and clear.
How to Deal with Very Loud and Clear Tinnitus?
1 Stop Fighting Tinnitus
It’s easier said than done. But, one of the first and most critical things you must do is resist the urge to fight Tinnitus with your mind. The more you wonder why you have this horrible sound in your head, the louder and more distinguishable it will become. The same applies for other persistent thoughts about your T, like; ‘When will this end?’ or ‘Is it going to get louder!?’. Make a conscious effort to keep such thoughts at bay. It will be impossible to completely eliminate these thoughts. But, you must make an effort to gradually reduce the intensity and frequency of these thoughts. The process is called habituation. It’s a process where you will still acknowledge that you have Tinnitus, but will not feel debilitated by it.
What is Your Tinnitus Handicap Score?
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Habituation is not an overnight process. It takes time and persistent effort. But, we all have to start somewhere. To begin with, simply tell yourself the following – Yes, I have Tinnitus. It is very loud and clear. Is worrying about it making it any better? No. Then what can I do. Just let the ringing ring and try to focus on your life. Accepting Tinnitus for what it is can be incredibly depressing. But, the moment you accept Tinnitus for what it is, you will find that you will begin to cope with it better. It’s almost like a moment of awakening. It will slowly but surely start to fade into the background. Full habituation can take even six months or even a year. However, it will be well worth the effort when the ringing doesn’t dictate your every waking moment.
Many who have successfully navigated habituation to Tinnitus compare the process to getting over a very rough heartbreak. At first, it might seem like your whole world came to a screeching halt. But, slowly but surely, you might have moved on. The same can happen with your T, regardless of how loud, clear and impossibly difficult it seems to ignore now.
2 Try Tinnitus Remedies
Tinnitus doesn’t have an FDA approved cure. To complicate things, it’s also officially classified as an idiopathic condition that can be caused by many number of factors. But, there are still Tinnitus remedies you can try. Read through our popular article that gives you 11 natural ways to treat Tinnitus. There, you will learn about remedies that can reduce or even resolve Tinnitus with the help of supplements, vitamins or even just lifestyle changes. Not every remedy will work for everyone. But, when it does, the relief can be profound and life-changing, especially if your Tinnitus is very loud and clear.
How Severe is Your Tinnitus?
Find out by using this THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) Scoring Calculator
3 Seek an Audiologist’s Help
A visit to an Audiologist’s clinic is going to be expensive. But, it will be a worthwhile investment to make if you haven’t done so already. It is estimated that 90% of people suffering from Tinnitus also have hearing loss. Such hearing loss can be partial and difficult to diagnose on your own. Hearing loss can be progressive and a worsening of your hearing can also mean a worsening of your Tinnitus. In many cases, an Audiologist might be able to intervene and stop progressive hearing loss, by giving you hearing aids to wear. Such hearing aids can typically cost anywhere between $1,000 to as much as $5,000 for high-end models. You will also have to additionally incur consult fees and fees for tests and scans if required. But, there is a good chance that hearing aids can potentially at least downgrade your Tinnitus from a loud and clear sound to one that is more manageable in nature. Please however do note that a visit to the audiologist is usually not covered by many insurance plans. You might have to fork over such fees from out of your pocket, or at least pay very high copays.
But, despite these financial constraints, you must at least consider taking hearing test to see if you have any form of hearing loss. This is something an Audiologist can administer fairly quickly and easily. You can also use the appointment to discuss the cost of hearing aids and fitment to then figure out a way to afford it. But, it is important that you take this step as unattended hearing loss can worsen your Tinnitus.
4 Protect Your Ears against Tinnitus Triggers
Protect your ears against triggers that can cause your T to spike. Loud noises are usually the biggest culprit when it comes to triggering spikes. You can either avoid loud environments altogether or use musician’s ear plugs (aka high fidelity) ear plugs. These tinnitus preventing ear plugs can normalize decibel levels before they enter your ear canal, protecting your ear drum and inner ear structures like your cochlea. Ear protection isn’t just against loud noises though. There are plenty of other triggers as well. Stress, anxiety, ototoxic medicines (most anti-depressants, NSAIDs, chemotherapy drugs etc.) and even allergies or the flu can all trigger Tinnitus. Do your best to keep all such triggers at bay and your T might just downgrade itself from a loud and clear to one that is more mild
On a side note, please know that improperly used ear plugs can actually cause Tinnitus, instead of protecting you against it. Learn more about how ear plugs can cause Tinnitus here.
5 Open Up to Someone Close
Tinnitus can make you feel very lonely. Most people who have normal hearing will not understand what it is like to have a persistent ringing in their ears. But, you must still make the effort to talk at length to someone about your condition. Find someone who is compassionate and willing to give you the time to listen. Tell them about how you struggle with your Tinnitus. Just venting out your troubles will make you feel more at peace with yourself and your Tinnitus.
It also makes good sense to inform everyone in your close social or work circles about your condition. This will allow them to be more accepting and inclusive of your limitations like not being able to follow conversations or not being able to concentrate for long periods of time at a stretch, for example.
6 Try Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy employs a two-pronged approach to helping one habituate to Tinnitus. The therapy first uses a sound generating device that is placed either behind the ear or even directly into the ear canal. This device then emits a sound that will help you distract yourself from the ringing that you otherwise always hear. This is followed up by psychological therapy. A psychologist will help you perceive Tinnitus as a harmless experience as opposed to one that debilitates or worries you. Though it can take several months to work, TRT has been very successful in lessening the burden of loud and clear Tinnitus for many.
7 Sleep Better
Even marginally improved sleep can greatly reduce the effects of very loud and clear Tinnitus. Sleeping with Tinnitus is definitely not easy. But, remember we said that even marginally improved sleep can make a difference. It is very possible to sleep at least 10% better, even with loud and persistent Tinnitus. There are many ways to go about accomplishing this. For starters, cut out all caffeine after about 3 or 4 PM. Clean up your diet, especially your dinner. Consume a dinner that does not contain a lot of fat, sugars or processed foods, as they can all be Tinnitus triggers. Also consider taking melatonin after talking to your doctor. Melatonin is a hormone that should be naturally produced by your body. But, because of erratic circadian rhythms or body clocks, thanks to digital screens all around us, it is often disrupted. Taking it in a supplement form before bedtime can help you regulate your sleep cycle better. A uniform sleep cycle will in turn help you sleep better.
So, there you have it. 7 practical ways to try to cope with Tinnitus that is loud, clear and persistent. With a positive attitude and a bit of persistence, you can learn to live with your Tinnitus.
