Stress tinnitus - what is it and how can it be treated?
Stress tinnitus - Can stress causes tinnitus?
Have you heard an annoying noise in your ears that doesn't seem to come from anywhere? Maybe a beeping, buzzing or humming sound that bothers you when you're trying to sleep, work or enjoy the silence? Then you may have suffered from tinnitus, a condition which means that you hear sounds in your ears that have no external source.
Tinnitus is a very common problem that can affect people of all ages. About 15 percent of the population has some form of tinnitus. For most people, the tinnitus is mild and goes away on its own or with simple measures. But for some, the tinnitus can be so loud and bothersome that it affects their quality of life and mental health.
There are many different causes of tinnitus, but one of the most common is stress. Stress is a natural reaction to situations that are perceived as threatening, demanding or challenging. Stress can be positive and help us perform better, but if the stress is too high or prolonged, it can lead to negative consequences for our health and well-being. One of these consequences can be tinnitus.
In this article we will explain what stress is and how it affects tinnitus. We will also give you some tips on how you can alleviate the problems of stress tinnitus and improve your quality of life.
What is stress and how does it affect tinnitus?
Stress is a natural reaction to situations that are perceived as threatening, demanding or challenging. Stress can be positive and help us perform better, but if the stress is too high or prolonged, it can lead to negative consequences for our health and well-being. One of these consequences can be tinnitus.
Stress can affect tinnitus in several ways, stress can :
Cause or worsen tinnitus by damaging the auditory nerve or inner ear due to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, or tense muscles in the neck and jaws.
Making you more aware of and bothered by tinnitus by activating the brain's alarm system and reducing the brain's ability to filter out extraneous sounds.
Start negative feelings and thoughts that then lead to bodily reactions. When the brain's attention to tinnitus increases, it can lead to, for example, increased tension, irritation, concentration difficulties and sleep problems.
How can you alleviate the problems of stress tinnitus?
It is usually not possible to get rid of tinnitus completely, but there are many ways to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the impact of stress on tinnitus. A few examples are:
- Seek care if you have problems with tinnitus. It is important to rule out any underlying diseases or injuries that can be treated.
- Tinearity - Tinnitus Retraining Therapy : TRT is a treatment method for tinnitus and sound hypersensitivity (hyperacusis) Tinearity consists of two small sound components that are attached to adapters that are then attached behind the ears. Via the audio components, white noise is generated directly into the ears via the skull bone, leaving the ear canals free. During treatment, we recommend that you listen to white noise 6-8 hours per day for 6-24 months.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to learn how to manage your thoughts and feelings about the tinnitus. CBT can help break the negative spiral between stress and tinnitus and increase one's control over the situation.
- Create good sleep hygiene to improve your sleep quality and reduce fatigue and irritation. This can mean having fixed bedtimes, avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evening, having a dark and cool bedroom environment and doing relaxing activities before bed.
- Exercise to release endorphins, lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system and reduce tension in the body. Physical activity can also contribute to better mood, self-esteem and sleep.
- Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress levels and calm the body and mind. It can be breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, massage or anything else that makes you relax.
- Seek social support from family, friends or others who have experienced tinnitus. Talking about your problems, getting comfort and advice or just spending time with someone who understands can be very helpful.
We want to change and improve!
Our goal is to improve the everyday life of individuals with tinnitus and give them hope to be able to enjoy life again. Therefore, we have developed a medical device that can be used at any time, as each person experiences their tinnitus differently and needs different treatment times.
You can read more about the treatment by clicking here: Treatment with Tinearity G1 Please get in touch if you want to know more about how we at Duearity treat tinnitus: info@duearity.com