If you or a loved one have tinnitus, you'll understand how challenging it can be to live with. Whether you experience ringing, buzzing or other persistent noises, it can impact everything from your sleep quality to your ability to concentrate.
At Complete Care Shop, we're committed to helping you find ways to live well with tinnitus. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what tinnitus is and what you can do to manage and cope with your symptoms. We’ll also share some useful tinnitus aids that could help make a difference in your day-to-day life.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition which causes you to hear sounds that are not coming from an external source. It is often described as ‘ringing in the ears’ but can also manifest as buzzing, humming, rumbling, whistling, whooshing, hissing or clicking noises.
Causes of tinnitus
The cause of tinnitus varies from person to person. There are two main types: primary and secondary tinnitus.
Primary tinnitus has no clear cause but is often associated with sensorineural hearing loss - which is a kind of hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear.
Secondary tinnitus is independent from hearing loss and caused by other factors - such as exposure to loud noises. It can also be triggered by ear infections, earwax blockages, head injuries and certain medications. Sometimes, it may be linked to an underlying condition such as Ménière's disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
It’s also possible to be genetically predisposed to tinnitus, with or without accompanying hearing loss. In this case, the condition may develop gradually with age. Stress and anxiety can also play a role in making symptoms worse.
Symptoms of tinnitus
The main symptom of tinnitus is hearing sounds that others can’t hear. These ‘phantom noises’ may seem to come from one ear, both ears, or inside the head, and you may hear them constantly or intermittently.
Tinnitus can also range in severity. If your tinnitus is mild or infrequent, it may be easy to ignore. However, severe tinnitus can have a significant impact on day-to-day life, sometimes resulting in secondary symptoms such as:
- Problems concentrating during work or daily activities
- Difficulty hearing real sounds, or increased sensitivity to noise
- Sleep disruption and insomnia, which may in turn cause fatigue, headaches and memory problems
- Depression, anxiety, or stress – this may lead to a cycle where stress makes the tinnitus worse
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms or finding them disruptive to your daily life, please speak to your doctor or healthcare provider.
What to do if you have tinnitus
If you suspect you have tinnitus, with or without hearing loss, your first step should be to visit your GP. They'll examine your ears and ask about your symptoms, medical history and lifestyle factors. They may also refer you to an audiologist or ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for further assessment.
Treatment for tinnitus
There is no known cure for tinnitus. However, in some cases, it may resolve or improve on its own – particularly if it was caused by a one-off exposure to a loud noise or a treatable underlying condition like an ear infection.
For persistent tinnitus, various approaches can help manage the condition and provide some relief from symptoms. For example, if your tinnitus is related to hearing loss, hearing aids may help. Your doctor might also recommend sound therapy, which uses external noises to mask or distract from tinnitus sounds.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and mindfulness exercises can be beneficial in helping you cope with the psychological effects of tinnitus and improve your sleep quality. CBT helps you to reframe anxious thoughts about sleep and tinnitus to promote a more restful mindset. Similarly, relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises, such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation, reduce the brain’s focus on tinnitus, and make it easier to fall asleep by making you feel calmer.
What helps tinnitus?
When it comes to living with tinnitus, there are many products that you may find useful. The right tinnitus aids can help to reduce the impact of the condition on your day-to-day life, and help to improve your overall well-being.
Recommended tinnitus aids and products
- Hearing aids: These can be particularly helpful for those whose tinnitus is related to hearing loss. They work by amplifying external sounds, making tinnitus less noticeable. At Complete Care Shop, we offer a wide range of hearing aids, from basic options to rechargeable hearing aids and discreet models designed to look like Bluetooth earbuds.
- Sound generators: These provide gentle, consistent background noise that can help distract from tinnitus, particularly when trying to sleep or concentrate. Options include white noise machines and nature sound generators, such as the Nature Sound Pyramid, which allows you to choose from five soothing sounds including ocean waves and birdsong.
- Sleep aids: Products designed to improve your sleep, such as supportive pillows and high-quality mattresses, can help create optimal sleeping conditions. When you're more comfortable and relaxed, you may find it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep despite your tinnitus symptoms.
Useful resources for living with tinnitus
Living with tinnitus can be challenging at times. If it’s affecting your emotional or physical well-being, you may find it helpful to talk to someone who can relate to your struggles.
Tinnitus UK provides free support to anyone living with or caring for someone with tinnitus. Their dedicated Tinnitus Support Team can be reached through telephone or online chat from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. They also have plenty of articles and tips for living with tinnitus on their website and a directory of face-to-face tinnitus support groups.
You can also find information about tinnitus on the NHS website, including the latest treatments, self-help techniques and more.
How can Complete Care Shop help?
At Complete Care Shop, we’re dedicated to helping you live comfortably. We offer a wide range of living aids to help improve your well-being and make living with tinnitus easier, from hearing and sensory aids to comfort and positioning aids for good sleep hygiene.
If you’re unsure where to start, our in-house Occupational Therapists can provide expert advice on choosing the right products. You can also browse our mobility and daily living blog for more tips on living well with tinnitus and other conditions. For anything else, don’t hesitate to contact us.
