One question I hear a lot is, “How long does it take to habituate?” Everyone I’ve ever worked with on an individual basis asks something along these lines. It’s an important question, and unfortunately, the answer varies wildly from person to person, depending on several factors: How loud the tinnitus seems How bothersome/intrusive it is Level of emotional suffering, stress, and anxiety Possible underlying medical …
Tinnitus: What Can I Do About it? (VEDA Webinar Replay)
I recently had the honor of co-hosting a webinar about tinnitus for the Vestibular Disorder’s Association (VEDA) with audiologist Barbara Grossman. It took place during VEDA’s annual Balance Awareness Week for 2017. We explored the mechanisms behind tinnitus, how it is diagnosed and treated, and how I personally learned to cope with this debilitating condition. Enjoy! Additional Links and Information: The Vestibular …
Tinnitus Spikes and Habituation: A Long-Term Strategy for Lasting Relief
Last night, I experienced one of the loudest tinnitus spikes I’ve had in a very long time. And today, now that I’m feeling better, I want to talk to you a little bit more about habituation, what it’s like to have a tinnitus spike after you’ve habituated, and how you can cope more effectively over the long-term. But first, let’s …
Can CBD Help Tinnitus Sufferers Find Relief?
DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A DOCTOR or a medical professional. Always speak with your doctor before trying any new drug, supplement, or treatment. (Full disclaimer) If you follow any of the tinnitus message boards or Facebook groups, you’ve probably seen people mention a supplement called Cannabidiol (or CBD for short). For a while now, CBD has been on my radar. And …
Tinnitus and Meditation: A Practical Guide to Find Relief
Meditation is the answer to tinnitus. It’s a bold claim, I know. But stay with me for a moment, because if you suffer from tinnitus, meditation can change your life. It changed mine, and I’ve seen it change the lives of countless other tinnitus patients. I’ve watched people tortured by debilitating tinnitus transform back into their old, productive, happy selves. …
Tinnitus, Mindset, and Learned Helplessness
I recently came across an interesting psychological concept that explains a lot about the mindset of a person living with a health condition like tinnitus. It goes like this: When a person or an animal is repeatedly subjected to a terrible situation that they think they can’t escape or control, they eventually stop trying, even if escape suddenly becomes possible. This …
Why Your Tinnitus is Not too Loud to Habituate and Find Relief
When I talk about tinnitus and habituation and finding relief, people often say to me, “No. My tinnitus is too loud to habituate. I could never ignore it when it’s this loud.” And I get it. I completely understand, because I’ve been there myself. But that response is based a set of assumptions that don’t quite grasp the bigger picture. …
Trekz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
I’ve been fascinated by bone conduction technology for a long time and always suspected it could be wonderful for people with hearing loss and hearing disorders like tinnitus. Because with bone conduction audio, the vibrations of sound are transmitted through the bones of the head and face directly to the inner ear. Now you still need to have a functioning cochlea …
How to Help a Loved One Struggling with Tinnitus
It’s never easy to watch a loved one suffer from a debilitating illness like tinnitus. The feeling of powerlessness in the face of so desperately wanting to help…it’s devastating. At it’s worst, ringing in the ears can feel like torture, raining stress and anxiety on the affected while destroying quality of life. It’s hard to watch someone you care about …