Four stages of habituation

[doglover1973]

Hello all. I found the following description very useful - taken from a book written by British psychologist Richard Hallam in the early 90's . It's helpful to see where you are on your tinnitus journey and where you're going. I'm at the end of stage 2. Where are you?

cbtfortinnitus.com/stages-o...

[Yogachamp]

Hi DogloverThank you so much this is a very usual tool

I have just also today received the book Rock Steady in the post so - I am going to look at this as day one of my CBT training oh well maybe after my CT scan later today . I love the people on this site for giving me hope x

[rabbits65 in reply to Yogachamp]

Your sounding a lot better Yogachamp . Very good

[doglover1973 in reply to Yogachamp]

There's hope YC. I really believe CBT is the way to go 🙂

[rabbits65]

That sounds really good positive news . Thanks

[Yogachamp in reply to rabbits65]

HiI have been on my own today & I know now that’s it’s not good for me as all I do is listen to my T all day so I have started reading the book & reading that useful link that Doglover put on . I understand the only way to beat this thing is to accept it & I know I have this cancer to deal with first & foremost then after that I hope to deal with T x

[Happyrosie in reply to Yogachamp]

Yogachamp: I hope what I'm going to say is helpful - I mentioned before that I'm a cancer survivor as well as a T sufferer.

If you practice breathing techniques you'll find it helpful for both conditions. You, as a yoga person, know this already but I'm writing this for anybody else reading this post.

Start with "breathing exercises for stress" from the NHS. this one is the most simple, you can progress through these.

[rabbits65 in reply to Yogachamp]

It’s good your sounding so positive and I hope your treatment starts very soon. Your be fine, I’m sure !!!

[Yogachamp in reply to rabbits65]

Thanks rabbit65I was doing quite well yesterday afternoon then I had a full body CT scan in the evening & I can only think it’s the dye they inject set my T of so loud with headaches & buzzing loud bells everything like it was in the beginning . I had to get up at 4am for painkillers & now I’m drinking gallons of water to flush it out my system . Don’t know if anyone experienced this . I am not going to let it take me right back though I’m sat out in the garden now reading my Rock Steady book .

[rabbits65 in reply to Yogachamp]

Agh yes I keep meaning to invest in a few tinnitus books . It just goes to show how the stress and noise and dye running through the system can affect the t , how annoying . Is the book good . Which two can you recommend me to get.

[Yogachamp in reply to rabbits65]

Thanks rabbit65

[Yogachamp in reply to rabbits65]

OopsOops sorry think that dye give me brain fog too. I’m lucky my daughter came to rescue me today as don’t want to start feeling negative. I’m frustrated at having so many scans then having to wait for results . I just want my lump removing ASAP. The book I am reading at the minute is Rock Steady by Joey Reminyi It’s nice n positive so that’s good . I let you know if it helped me when I have read it. Hope you OK x

[rabbits65 in reply to Yogachamp]

Thank you. I am ok thanks, as you say keep positive and this site is lovely because I am not alone . None of us are alone . I must get a book !!!!

[Happyrosie]

At stage 4, sometimes slipping into Stage 3. But not for long!

[Yogachamp in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks HappyrosieYes your right , Meditation has been my saviour , I do love yoga but I’m no champ I don’t know why I chose that name probably wishful thinking . I have the headspace app on my phone & do the meditation off there every day . So happy for you surviving cancer let’s hope it’s same for me. My partner also survived cancer twice so he try’s to keep me positive . I am really going to try the CBT as think it’s the only way .

[doglover1973 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks Rosie. I thought you might be stage 4. It's good to know it's attainable 🙂

[Allgie]

I think I’m kinda a 2.5 aiming for a 3 - I’m re-engaging with my friends, hobbies, music - had an hour in my music studio tonight and really enjoyed it (used a Db app to keep the volume under 70 Db). Got a busy weekend ahead which will be a good distraction.

[doglover1973 in reply to Allgie]

Nice work Allgie 🙂

[RONf in reply to Allgie]

Well done Allgie. Enjoy the fine weather this weekend. Getting out in the warm sunshine can be uplifting. Keep up the positive action. Good work!

[Matt489]

Morning everyone.

I think it's important to remember one day at a time, don't rush ahead and and try not to run before you can walk. Having had T for 30 years, I get to look back and see, it's time that is needed to put T to the background.

I don't use the word Suffer when talking about T because it's such a negative word, I use 'live with' as this tells your sub conscious, that it's part of you, not something to fear or fight against.

Four stages of habituation is a great tool and helps you understand where you are and that it's ok to go back a stage because you never stay there that long.

Stay strong yogachamp you can do this, no problem.

Allgie my friend, you are all over it.

As a great friend of mine said to me... Own it, grip it, conquer it.

Have a great weekend folks.

🙂

[Beesmac]

Hello Doglover and thank you for posting the four stages of habituation. I found this so interesting and have come to the conclusion I am (hopefully) nearing the end of stage 1. I suffered Tinnitus for about 20 years which came with hearing loss although never bothered me at all until last December when I suffered a bout of Labyrinthitis which left me almost totally deaf in my right ear. I was prescribed high dose steroids but after a week I was aware that I was hearing music. This was the beginning of my horrendous journey of Musical Tinnitus. 7 months on and my hearing hasn't improved despite change of hearing aids and I have come to realise that it probably won't change. I have been through all sorts of emotions and at times just prayed I wouldn't wake up. It is getting better in that I am learning to realise "acceptance" is the key word, however I will never give up hope. I am sure we are all different with the timescale it takes us to reach stage 4.

One of the hardest things I have had to come to terms with is that I have lost the ability to hear higher pitched tones so all music sounds very flat with the bass notes very prominent. I am a music lover and find this distressing however the Audiologist with whom I have been having video consultations informs me that the music I already know and love will be in my brain so it is a matter of trying to bring that to the fore. I am currently concentrating on doing just that.

Thanks again for posting - I think I will download the book.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Terry x

[doglover1973 in reply to Beesmac]

Hi Beesmac. I'm sorry you're having a tough time. The book is called Tinnitus : Living with the ringing in your ears. I hope you find peace on your journey towards habituation.

[Sazzyrich]

Thanks for the article. Very useful. I'm probably end of stage 2 but there seems a big jump between 2 and 3. I have pulsatile tinnitus which I find harder as when I focus on it I tune into my heart beat which causes more anxiety.

[doglover1973 in reply to Sazzyrich]

There does seem to be a big jump between 2 and 3. I'm wondering how to take the leap ..

[SUS776]

4 years in I'm think I'm nearly at stage 4 what a journey and still learning 75% not fearful but still get depressing days but cbt helps hard but learning grt post thanks

[doglover1973 in reply to SUS776]

Good for you. It's great to know people can and do habituate. Gives me hope 🙂