If your tinnitus has gotten worse recently, maybe over the holidays, you are not alone! It may help to hear that mine actually did! And I know why, but more on that later. When we are stressed, it can cause changes in tinnitus. Holidays can be loud: music, loud family gatherings, noisy restaurants, etc. It is important to note that not all tinnitus changes are permanent!
But what if they are, you might be asking. Well then you can improve your tinnitus management so that it does not trouble you as much as it does now.
Rule Out Medical Causes
No one who has tinnitus wants it to get worse. But what do you do if it does?
Well, first off, try not to panic, it is normal to be upset by this--BUT it is going to be okay, it really is. See your ENT physician as soon as you can to rule out any acute medical issue that might have caused the change. Ear infections, COVID, and many other medical problems can cause temporary changes in your tinnitus. Yes, there are some that have long term effects, but it is important to diagnose and treat any new medical issue that may be impacting your tinnitus. Pulsatile Tinnitus is a temporary condition that can be very distressing. I know, I had it right after I had COVID. But it eventually went away. I can definitely help you manage Pulsatile Tinnitus.
No Medical Cause? Now What?
So, what if your ENT finds no medical reason for the change in your tinnitus? Are you stuck with this new set of sounds for life? Maybe yes and maybe no, and honestly, you will be okay either way. I mentioned earlier that my tinnitus got a bit worse over the holidays. And I know why; I was trying out new ear bud types. I had read a few things about ear buds that clip onto your ear--they are like tiny speakers that sit outside the ear and not in the canal. I bought two different ones, and after reading, again, about how Bone Conduction head phones work for some people with tinnitus, I decided to take a set I bought a few years ago and try them again too. Now, please note, everyone is different and I don't want to encourage or discourage you from trying different ear buds and headphones. Check with a good audiologist if you are unsure what might be safe options for you.
Bone Conduction Headphones
So, first I tried the Bone Conduction headphones. It had been a long time since I last tried them. I like to listen to podcasts when I take walks, so I thought I would give them a try while walking. Well, they gave me a migraine and caused a slight uptick in tinnitus. So I have banished them permanently. No Bone Conduction headphones for me. They seem to work fine for some people. The symptoms I had went away after a day or two.
Clip-on Earbuds
Next I tried two different types of ear bud clips. One pair just didn't work well at all. The other pair I had to really crank up the volume in order to hear podcasts while walking. Needless to say, that was not a good idea. I didn't realize how loud that was until I put them on in the house and realized the volume could damage my hearing and potentially worsen my tinnitus. And it did.
Tinnitus Louder and More Frequent Whistles
As soon as I noticed it, I reminded myself that the changes are not likely permanent. They are transitory and seem to come and go. But I have that kind of tinnitus. My baseline is a buzzing that sounds like a flourescent light buzz. It varies in volume and type of buzz. On top of that, I get whistles and ringing in either ear that come and go. I am actually not sure if any new sounds stay because I habituate pretty well.
I am sitting in a quiet room right now so I can hear my tinnitus loud and clear. Now I am listening for the birds in my aviary and can hear a canary singing. Once I focus on bird sounds, the tinnitus is not as loud and not as annoying. I can easily put some music or a television on while I write this, or even some kind of white noise. But I am okay. It is good to have options. As soon as I get up and start doing things, the tinnitus will fade, if not disappear. How do I know this? Because I have learned that I will habituate to my tinnitus and it will not be as bothersome when I manage it. I just took a call and did not notice the tinnitus at all. I hear it now, but that is only because I am listening to it. Once I start doing something that involves more sound, it will fade into the background and not trouble me at all.
Help is Available
So if you are reading this and your tinnitus is bothering you or it has gotten worse over the holidays or just has gotten worse for reasons you are unsure of, please see your ENT to rule out any new medical issues that may have caused it.
If like me, you know the reason, then make a list of things you find helpful and start making some changes in what you are currently doing. Do not sit in a quiet room. Put on background music, noise, or the television so your soundscape is full. There are many, many other coping strategies that are effective and work long term.
if you are struggling, it may help to schedule an appointment, so together we can find effective coping strategies for you. If you wish to do that, click on the "Home" page link above, and there click on the "Book Now." red button. If you are in New Jersey, New York, Florida, or Virginia, you can book a Therapy appointment. If you are located anywhere else, please click Coaching. I cannot offer therapy to anyone outside of states where I am licensed. Coaching does not offer CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), but I can direct you to sources for that, as well as provide all of the effective coping strategies and options that I provide to everyone.
Medicare and Insurance
Please note that I currently am not accepting Medicare, but will be accepting Traditional Medicare only hopefully starting in Apriil, 2025, once Medicare sends me the approval. Also please note, I will not be accepting Medicare Advantage or other insurances, I am out of network for them, which means you will pay the session fees and submit the receipt yourself to your insurance. Coaching sessions are not reimbursable by insurance. Don't hesitate to contact me for more information or for clarity. I am happy to talk with you about how I can help, coaching vs. psychotherapy, and/or how it works with Medicare and insurance.
If you would like to learn more about other services we offer, such as art therapy, please go to our Art Therapy website: https://www.arttherapynj.com/. And also, my group practice website: https://holistichealthcounselingcenter.com/
We are here to help. You don't have to suffer alone.
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