Tinnitus: You can turn down the volume
Like pain, tinnitus is considered chronic after three months.
But just because it's called chronic doesn't mean that the phantom sound in your ear can't change. You can change your experience.
Living with chronic pain and chronic tinnitus, I've found success in changing my experiences with both conditions by changing how I think about, feel about, and behave with them. I no longer focus on them, fear them, or let them stop me from living well.
I hope you find the information below helpful.
Similarities between pain and tinnitus
Chronic tinnitus and chronic pain share much in common and are often common conditions
Listen to sample tinnitus sounds
If you have tinnitus, you can use this playlist to find the sound that best matches your own condition. You can also share this resource with your primary care provider, audiologist, family, and friends, so they get a sense of the noise in your head.
Learn more and get help
External links are not maintained by or are in any way affiliated with Chronic Pain Champions, LLC, and are provided for information only as a convenience. They don't constitute an endorsement, representation or warranty of any third party. If you decide to access a linked website, you do so at your own risk. Your use of other websites is subject to the terms of use for such sites.
But just because it's called chronic doesn't mean that the phantom sound in your ear can't change. You can change your experience.
Living with chronic pain and chronic tinnitus, I've found success in changing my experiences with both conditions by changing how I think about, feel about, and behave with them. I no longer focus on them, fear them, or let them stop me from living well.
I hope you find the information below helpful.
Similarities between pain and tinnitus
Chronic tinnitus and chronic pain share much in common and are often common conditions
- Unpleasant sensory and emotional biopsychosocial experiences with cognitive, behavioral, and attentional factors.
- Invisible (can’t be seen/heard) – diagnosis primarily relies on subjective assessments and self-reports.
- Considered hyperactive chronic disorders.
- Tied to central sensitization.
- Difficult to diagnose often with no single cause or cure.
- Commonly suffer from psychological distress and disability.
- Linked to anxiety and depression.
- Affected by stress.
- Known to disturb sleep.
- Unique – changing in quality and/or character over time.
- Difficult to treat with just biomedical therapy. Treatment is typically aimed at reducing impact and improving quality of life rather than specifically addressing the actual condition. Acceptance therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation therapy, stress reduction, and use of distraction/attention diversion are common and effective treatment options.
Listen to sample tinnitus sounds
If you have tinnitus, you can use this playlist to find the sound that best matches your own condition. You can also share this resource with your primary care provider, audiologist, family, and friends, so they get a sense of the noise in your head.
Learn more and get help
- 4 Stages of Habituation
- American Tinnitus Association
- Break Free from Chronic Pain (my pain course) - the same concepts are also useful for tinnitus
- Chronic Pain Won't Stop Me (my free e-book) - the same concepts are also useful for tinnitus
- Current Approaches to Helping the Tinnitus Patient - Dr. Richard Tyler, UIHC (53:51)
- Hearing Aids for Tinnitus: A Comprehensive Guide
- How to Manage Your Tinnitus: A Step-by-Step Workbook (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ) - free download
- International Conference on the Management of the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Patient (for clinicians and patients) - I attended this conference
- National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
- New thinking about tinnitus
- Nothing To Fear. Just A Noise In My Ear. (my free e-book for children)
- Self-management skills and strategies (my website) - many of the same skills and strategies, like changing thoughts and behaviors and relaxation are also useful for tinnitus
- The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus - Dr. Richard Tyler
- Tinnitus Activities Treatment (University of Iowa)
- Tinnitus Champions - Turn Down the Volume - No Whining Allowed (my new support group)
- Tinnitus: Learn More – Chronic tinnitus: What helps – and what doesn’t?
- Tinnitus: Part of a Larger Puzzle and Challenge (my article)
External links are not maintained by or are in any way affiliated with Chronic Pain Champions, LLC, and are provided for information only as a convenience. They don't constitute an endorsement, representation or warranty of any third party. If you decide to access a linked website, you do so at your own risk. Your use of other websites is subject to the terms of use for such sites.
CHRONIC PAIN CHAMPIONS, LLC AND THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
All information is for educational purposes only. Use at your own risk.
By accessing/using this website and any related pages/information/products/services, you agree to the terms and conditions.
PLEASE SEE THE DISCLAIMER PAGE TO LEARN MORE.
©2024
Chronic Pain Champions, LLC
All rights reserved.
For personal, non-commercial use.
All information is for educational purposes only. Use at your own risk.
By accessing/using this website and any related pages/information/products/services, you agree to the terms and conditions.
PLEASE SEE THE DISCLAIMER PAGE TO LEARN MORE.
©2024
Chronic Pain Champions, LLC
All rights reserved.
For personal, non-commercial use.