Reducing the ringing sound in the ears.

[Milkyiron]

What can be done to reduce tinnitus apart from not listening to loud music?

[NicTinnitus]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum. Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

Tinnitus does generally get better over time. And even if it doesn’t go away completely, it can get to a level where it isn’t intrusive, and it isn't noticeable - in the same way you probably don’t really notice traffic noise when you walk down the street.

The time tinnitus takes to disappear or reduce in intensity varies from person to person, but there are some tips and techniques you can do to help. These are the things we at the BTA generally recommend:

Information - you will probably feel better when you find out more about the condition, that it is very common and that you are not alone.

Counselling - techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be helpful, either as a standalone therapy or combined with sound therapy.

Correcting any hearing loss - if your tinnitus is accompanied by any hearing loss, then trying to correct this loss with hearing aids is often very helpful. Do make sure that these are adjusted correctly, and that they are worn – they do not work if they are kept in a drawer!

Sound therapy - if the noises seem louder at quiet times, particularly during the night, it may help to have some environmental or natural sound from a CD, a sound generator, or even a fan or ticking clock in the background. Some people use in-ear sound generators.

Relaxation - learning to relax is probably one of the most useful things you can do to help yourself. Those who practice relaxation techniques say they reduce the loudness of their tinnitus and helps them become indifferent to it. Yoga and tai chi can also help.

Mindfulness is showing some very promising results after recent clinical trials, so that is something else you might like to try.

I would say that none of these solutions is an "instant" fix - they take time and perseverance. Some people do expect tinnitus to subside after one session of breathing exercises, for example, and that just isn't the case.

There is no drug or medication which directly helps tinnitus, so we do not recommend any.

There’s a lot of good information on our website tinnitus.org.uk - try to avoid sites which promise “tinnitus miracles” or “tinnitus cures” as there’s no such panacea - but with time, you will learn to manage your tinnitus well.

We have a free tinnitus management e-programme as well takeontinnitus.co.uk which you may like to try.

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone]) can also answer your questions and give you support.

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[TotallyDeaf66]

I have beautiful coloured lighting in my bedroom, that also shows wonderful pics of beaches around the world. Or I just watch the colours shape into high waves then blues skies etc etc.

Many times I still have bloody Tinnitus, but I do get times when I can relax, sadly not often enough 😢

Today is very very bad LOUD day 🙁

[HissingSid]

I’ve said on here before that we would all love to have a mute button to turn down or switch off our T sounds or noises. While that’s not possible the next best thing is to distract yourself from the T. I do this by getting out as often as possible so that the street sounds and Mother Nature takes over. Everyday sounds near me like vehicles, trains and planes help to drown out my T sounds, which are also masked by white noise I have filtering through my hearing aids. Even in shops, restaurants and pubs the chatter of people talking is another good distraction. On holiday recently I enjoyed all of these plus being beside the sea with gentle breaking of waves, or out in the country with birds singing was all sweet music to my ears. So my simple answer is to get out and about more and try to enjoy life. It’s the only way to kick the misery of T into touch!