Find Healing from Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It can be a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring noise.

Types of Tinnitus

• Subjective Tinnitus: This is the most common type and can only be heard by the person experiencing it.

• Objective Tinnitus: A rare condition where the sound can be heard by others with the use of medical equipment.

• Acute Tinnitus: This is temporary tinnitus that often occurs after exposure to loud noise.

• Chronic Tinnitus: Tinnitus that persists for at least three months.

Types of Tinnitus Sounds

Tinnitus can manifest in a variety of sounds. Here are some common descriptions:

• Ringing

• Buzzing

• Hissing

• Roaring

• Humming

• Clicking

• Hushing

• Screaming

• Whistling

• Pulsating

It's important to note that these are just common examples, and the sounds experienced by individuals can vary greatly.

Some Tinnitus Statistics

• Prevalence: Approximately 10-15% of the population experiences chronic tinnitus, with rates increasing with age.

• Sensitivity: Over 90% of people develop tinnitus when placed in a completely quiet environment.

• Impact: Between 3-5% of individuals experience significant distress and functional impairment due to tinnitus.

• Common Challenges: People with tinnitus often report negative emotions, difficulty concentrating, and avoidance behaviors.

  Tinnitus Distress: Understanding the Difference

  While tinnitus refers to the perception of sound without an external source, tinnitus distress describes the emotional and psychological impact of this condition.

  Tinnitus Distress is characterized by:

  • Emotional Response: Experiencing distress due to the presence of tinnitus.

  • Obsessive Thoughts: Continual preoccupation with the tinnitus sound.

  • Coping Behaviors: Engaging in actions to reduce or mask the tinnitus, often leading to safety behaviors or compulsions.

  • Functional Impairment: Difficulty with daily activities, social interactions, or work due to tinnitus.

  • Avoidance: Avoiding certain situations or environments to reduce tinnitus awareness.

  • Mental Health Impact: Development of anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts in severe cases

  • Understanding the distinction between tinnitus and tinnitus distress is crucial for effective management and treatment.

    Therapy for Tinnitus

    In order to effectively treat tinnitus distress and find relief, it’s important to understand why only some people with tinnitus develop a distress response. What causes only some individuals to become overwhelmed and consumed by their tinnitus? Here are some contributing factors:

    - Loudness of the sound

    - History of anxiety

    - Perfectionistic and rigid personality style

    When one or more of these factors are present, they interact and impact how a person responds to the experience of tinnitus. For example, someone with anxiety may not just hear the tinnitus as a sound, but rather perceive it as a significant threat. This can trigger worries about the future and the person's ability to enjoy quiet moments, which can become overwhelming. Similarly, someone with a more rigid temperament may struggle to adjust to the presence of tinnitus in their life.

    Therefore, individuals with higher levels of anxiety and rigidity are more likely to focus on trying to eliminate their tinnitus. However, attempting to control or resist the tinnitus often leads to increased focus and attention on the sound, which in turn can make it feel even more consuming.

    Therapy for tinnitus distress involves addressing all the factors that contribute to feeling stuck with tinnitus. It is often observed that when individuals, even those with chronic tinnitus, disengage from trying to control or suppress the tinnitus, they find more inner peace and quiet. The tinnitus becomes just one more background noise, no longer receiving excessive attention. This represents genuine and attainable healing.