How to Cope with Tinnitus

I hate the word cope.

Merriam Webster offers a couple of different definitions for cope. The first, is to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties —often used with with. The second, is to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success —used with with. Both definitions describe coping as battling with a certain difficulty or frustration. In my honest opinion, the word cope, offers little hope. It is not my intention to be discouraging, I'm just sharing the reality of my own experience. For instance, I am coping with tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing in the ears, but it also can sound like roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing. It may be soft or loud, high pitched or low pitched. You might hear it in either one or both ears. Roughly 10 percent of the adult population of the United States has experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year. This amounts to nearly 30 million Americans. If you've only experienced tinnitus for a short duration, count your blessings. For those of us who have suffered the ear ringing for decades, we can only imagine the beauty of occasional silence.

If you'd like to briefly experience what tinnitus sufferers endure, hold a sea shell to your ear. Many compare the whooshing noise emanating from the sea shell as the sound of the ocean. Add a high pitch squeal, and you can truly be empathetic for those of us who cope with tinnitus on a daily basis.

What Causes Tinnitus?

There are several suggested causes. First, though, Tinnitus is not a disease. It is a symptom that something is wrong in the auditory system, which includes the ear, the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, and the parts of the brain that process sound. Something as easy as a simple ear canal cleaning can stop the ringing, but in many cases tinnitus is a sign of other underlying health conditions. Causes can be exposure to loud noises over time, a response to certain medications, the first sign of hearing loss in older people, or in more serious cases, the sign of a potential brain tumor.

Unfortunately, even stress can precipitate ear ringing. And if stress triggers whistling, ringing, and whooshing in the ears, the anxiety intensifies. In fact, the sound can become debilitating. Recently, the CEO of Texas Roadhouse committed suicide. He had been suffering from severe post-Covid-19 symptoms, the most notable being tinnitus, or ringing in the ear.

What Can Be Done About Tinnitus?

Nothing.

Well, not much.

In my case, it may be hereditary. My uncle has suffered tinnitus for years. My tinnitus started around 15 years ago, and there's never a day that passes that I don't hear it.

I wish that I could be more encouraging. If someone ever invents a cure, a fortune rivaling that of Bill Gates awaits. I quizzed my doctor a few years ago about treatment, she offered little hope. "There's no cure," she said sympathetically. If you suffer ear ringing, you should definitely request a thorough exam. Maybe you will be the fortunate one...you only need the earwax removed from your ear canal. Maybe your problem stems from medication, and the doctor can prescribe a different drug without the possible side effects of ear ringing.

There are some things that I have found helpful. First, be sure to do what is necessary to get a good night's sleep. I have found a free app that offers several different noises to sleep to at night. My preference is light rain. I've been using it for years, and it truly helps to mask the incessant ringing in my ears.

Second, exercise. Remember, stress intensifies the ringing in the ears. Exercise combats stress. We all know that exercise is good for the cardiovascular system, but exercise also strengthens your mental health. Exercise releases the feel good endorphins in your body which in turn encourages the body to relax.

Lastly, some holistic doctors suggest certain supplements like B12, Magnesium and Zinc alleviate Tinnitus. Even if these fail to work, they will help the body in other beneficial and tangible ways.

On kind of a humorous note, my chiropractor suggested a temporary cure for the days the ringing drives me crazy. He told me to add something sharp inside my shoe. My brain will then focus on the pain in my foot instead of the ringing in my head. I have yet to follow this prescription...

I guess coping isn't really that bad of a word. It implies the ability to press on, even when life's obstacles present frustrating challenges. Tinnitus is definitely one of those. If you have suggestions on how to lesson the symptoms, or better yet, silence the racket in my head, feel free to contact me. In the mean time, I will press on and enjoy life, and do what I can to prevent tinnitus from becoming a debilitating factor.