Folks. I did the course and embraced it. However, it did not work for me. I sat there each week listening to be T getting louder and louder. My T seemed to rejoice in the silence. I came home each week and it took days to get it back to a manageable level.
I like the concept of "relaxing" and taking time out but this did little for me. I like "active relaxing" such as cycling and Yoga.
How was it for you?
Ade
Not really Ade, not if I just sit and think! My mindfulness is quiet distraction eg sewing, gardening, baking etc. I never was able to just sit and focus - my mind too busy! Angela xx
I also tried this with a trained psychologist who was trying to address my severe tinnitus. After a couple of sessions I was relaxed but my tinnitus was louder. I was encouraged to continue for several more sessions and the impact on the tinnitus was awful, it got much louder. I eventually stopped and it took weeks to return to previous levels.
Paul
Very similar experience. Tinnitus just seems to feed of silence.
Kind regards.
Ade
Mindfulness, in whatever form , works for some and not for others. I personally think it's the ' in thing ' like antidepressants were , then CBT - but each will work for someone. It has to be the right thing for the right person at the right time. I couldn't manage it either , and it got me more upset that I couldn't and that tinnitus made me not even good enough to do the in- thing and I felt that I was failing. Like Angela , my mindfulness was different to classes listening etc - I loved walking in country parks as it's important to find a way to relax the body and mind. Unfortunately I can't do this anymore because of the intensity of the tinnitus and echo back from all sounds but I urge you , if that's not being bossy , to find something that can relax body and mind 😊
Thanks for your reply. So far no one has had success with the mindfulness classes. Like you, i loved walking but now it is less enjoyable due to t and hyperacusis.
I do yoga which is good for body and mind. Also short bursts of reading with classic fm in the background.
I like to keep busy. That seems to work.
Wishing you well.
Ade
I have tried this approach also. Can't say it was much help. Very much puts focus on the T in my mind. I revisit it though once in a while. Just to see...
What I get out of the Mindfulness sessions I attend is the companionship of fellow sufferers ...and also the sessions do make me sit still and centralise my thoughts ....trying to over-ride the head noise. Mindfulness is also used in the control of pain - and there is definitely some benefit to it. I think I shall persevere since I am lucky to be offered the sessions at the Royal Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital in Gray's Inn Road.
I think the companionship of fellow sufferers must be very good. Having the T focus must have helped greatly. My group was mixed and I was the only one with -T.
Anything that brings relief is great in my books. Very pleased that you got something from it
Kind regards
Ade
Just a bit more to add.....our sessions are based on breathing ....and when the mind wanders off on to some other topic - as, of course, it does - one has to bring the concentration back to the breathing. By doing this I'm hoping to strengthen the control over my thoughts ...but I'm not sure that I am winning!
As far as companionship is concerned - thank goodness for this forum where we all know what T is like - and that's a great source of comfort, even though I wish it wasn't the reason for us being in touch with one another.
Every best wish.
Hi Ade, interesting post and great feedback. I am waiting for my appointment to come through but after reading your post I'm having second thoughts. I can just about tolerate the T if I'm busy and at times have spells when I forget it's there. But boy when there's silence I suffer.
Is the concept of this course to train your brain in silence? I hate silence, even before the T, my brains too active to sit still and stare at nothing. This course would be like inviting an alcoholic to an AA meeting at the Dog and Duck pub!
Very funny. It might work for you but most replies have been negative. I don't want to put you off but the 12 week course has a lot of silence. In fact, there is one whole day of silence from 9am to 4pm. I had to bring my iPod to get through it
I would be interested to see how you get on.
All the best
Ade
12 weeks! I bet your'e ready for counselling now. I agree, from your replies fellow sufferers agree with your thoughts on the course. I think I'll wait for the appointment to come through then decide. 12 weeks of silence, I can't get over that, who's the teacher...Marcel Marceau!
Good lord, no way could I put up with 12 weeks of that! As I said before, mindful distraction is the way for me. I can read a book without my T bothering me, but that is because my mind is occupied. Love, Angela xx
Agree that Mindfulness completely useless for tinnitus. So sad that BTA keeps spending money on this failed therapy when there are far better ways to spend it!
It's the in thing alas , something will replace it in a few years
High pitched Tinnitus 
Moved to the other side.
6 months in and no improvement 
Is this a breakthrough - I'm going to try it ASAP
Its not getting better its beginning to drive me mad
