What is tinnitus and how to cope with symptoms

What is tinnitus

Tinnitus is sound in the ears or head with no external source. For many, it's whistling, buzzing, chirping, humming, ringing, or even shrieking. The sound might come from one ear or both, from inside the head, or from a distance. It may be constant or intermittent, steady or pulsating. In this blog, we provide help and advice on how you can cope with the symptoms of tinnitus.

Relax

Relaxation methods, including deep breathing, meditation, sound enrichment therapy and progressive muscle relaxation, offer effective avenues for reducing stress and anxiety, potentially easing the severity of tinnitus symptoms. The practice of deep breathing has been proven to decrease blood pressure and enhance mental focus, further supporting overall well-being and the management of tinnitus. Integrating these techniques into daily routines can help cope with tinnitus symptoms.

Stay healthy

As with most health conditions it is recommended to maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and try to get good sleep, all of these contribute to overall well-being, which may help manage tinnitus symptoms and feel better in general.

Seek professional help

Consulting with a healthcare professional, such as an audiologist, is essential for the proper diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus. We can provide a tinnitus consultation with personalised care based on your specific needs, please contact us here.

Join a support group

Connecting with others who experience tinnitus can provide valuable support and coping strategies. Making new friends and contacts within online forums, support groups, or counselling sessions may offer opportunities to share experiences and learn from others. It's much easier to discuss your issues with groups who understand where your situation. We recommend this support group in Cornwall. www.hearinglosscornwall.org

​Did you know? Removing an earwax blockage can decrease tinnitus symptoms. Book your ear wax removal with us.

Get better sleep

Enhancing your sleep quality is essential for managing tinnitus symptoms effectively. For individuals having trouble falling asleep, learning ways to improve sleep can be beneficial. Consider implementing a consistent bedtime routine and reducing caffeine intake as a starting point to promote better sleep.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy can help with prolonged cases of tinnitus. It is based on identifying negative thoughts associated with these symptoms and reframing the way you think about them. A trained professional can help you learn to cope and use techniques to make symptoms less irritating. Visit Tinnitus UK for more information on the benefits of CBT.

Helpful advice on tinnitus 

Check for underlying conditions

Tinnitus is often seen in people with hearing loss. It also can be a side effect of some medicines. In extremely rare cases, it’s caused by a more serious issue involving the nerve responsible for hearing. See a hearing specialist who can diagnose the cause of your tinnitus and help you treat or manage it. We offer full tinnitus consultations with advice and how to manage your personal symptoms.

Learn your triggers

Write down the circumstances when tinnitus symptoms bother you, this helps you to anticipate, prevent, and change situations that may make tinnitus worse. For example, some people feel their tinnitus worsens after drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks, although there’s little evidence that alcohol or caffeine causes tinnitus, you should learn your triggers as symptoms vary from person to person.

Can ear candling help tinnitus?

Ear candling isn’t a safe or effective way to treat tinnitus. There’s no real evidence that it removes earwax or toxins, and it can actually do more harm than good, this process can cause burns, blockages, or even a perforated eardrum. Studies have shown that it does not create a negative vacuum as advertised. If you’re dealing with tinnitus, it’s worth talking to a doctor or audiologist about safer, proven options. Things like hearing aids, sound therapy, or even relaxation techniques can make a real difference. Talk to us about help with managing your tinnitus.

Avoid loud noises

Taking precautions to avoid loud noises can help tinnitus symptoms from getting worse. Using ear protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, in noisy environments like music concerts or construction sites prevents further harm to the ears and minimises the risk of making tinnitus more of a long-term problem. Recent studies show that an estimated 11000 construction workers in the UK suffer hearing problems each year as a result of their work environment.

​Book a tinnitus consultation with K & M Hearing Solutions

Get in touch today if you are experiencing any of the above issues. We are clinically trained in all aspects of audiology, so you are in safe hands. Click the button below to find out what is involved in a tinnitus consultation or book here.

Tinnitus consultation