Since I was about nine years old, I have lived with a form of tinnitus, but it wasn’t until 2019 that I realised that the ringing I occasionally heard on quiet evenings was not only coming from me but also not going away.
Meanwhile, it has gotten slightly worse, but that’s mainly been my fault, but that hasn’t stopped me from living a normal life. One of the reasons I have decided to write this is because I might be able to help someone who is having a crap time of it.
It is important to state first of all that tinnitus isn’t just one sound at one volume. Tinnitus can be a roaring, it can be a whooshing, or it can be a whistling. Furthermore, it can also vary in volume depending on each circumstance.
What I mean is – broadly speaking – everyone’s tinnitus is different, but I hope some of what I say can at least be of help, comfort and support to someone who has a life without silence.
Tip 1: Remember you are not alone
It’s a cliché first tip, but there is genuine comfort in knowing that tinnitus is more common than you think. According to Tinnitus UK, around 7.6 million people have tinnitus in the UK, that’s a large proportion of the population with a constant noise in their ears.
This means if you Google ‘Famous people with tinnitus’ list upon list of famous faces come up. Examples of British celebrities with the condition include Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, and Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid. What’s more, Tinnitus UK has a search tool where you can find support in your area.
Tip 2: The importance of rain
One of the best ways to cope with tinnitus is to cover it up with another noise. This means turning on a radio or listening to some music.
If that doesn’t do it for you, open a window to let noises from the outside world drift in, something as simple as the sound of the rain can be comforting to some. It might sound daft, but it can help.
Tip 3: Don’t panic
Tinnitus can be alarming, especially if you develop it as an adult. In this respect, I feel strangely lucky because my brain had years of getting used to tinnitus before I realised I had tinnitus.
Realising you’ll never hear silence again can be unnerving and for many disorientating, but not deadly. It is completely reasonable to mourn the silence you’ve lost.
One of the things I’ve noticed and discovered is that tinnitus can get louder if you’re stressed or anxious. If it’s particularly high, try to do what works for you to reduce that anxiety and stress and you’ll find that while the noise won’t fully go away, the volume and pitch will ease slightly.
Tip 4: Wear protection
This isn’t a joke. Tinnitus can get worse if you’re exposed to very loud noises repeatedly. This doesn’t mean don’t go to gigs or loud places but if you know you’ll be in a club next to a very loud speaker, buy some earbuds beforehand and slip them into your ears. Not only will your ears thank you, but you probably won’t be the only one who’s done the same thing.
Tip 5: Be Patient
Sounds weird doesn’t it given it’s incurable, but during times when tinnitus is bad, you’ll be desperate for that noise to just go away or leave you alone. The annoying thing is that you have to let both yourself and your body get used to it.
At first, it will be irritating, but I promise you that you will get through it, you will get used to it. There will be times when it spikes – I’ve had examples where I couldn’t drown it out no matter what I did – but those spikes often drop away and you will make it through.
Tinnitus is s*** and like almost every person who has it, I would jump at the chance to hear silence just for a moment, but I hope what I’ve said above can be of use to someone, whether they’ve had tinnitus for years or just been diagnosed.
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