T has its own behaviour

[Pink6-]

T started January 2021 and it's been on and off ever since. I have a mild to moderate hearing loss mainly in left ear. There are days (today is an example) when the T just disappears. Possible reasons are the little hairs damaged through life, I get that but why does this T thing come and go? Does anyone know why it has it's own behaviour! I'm on the whole a very calm, relaxed and positive sort of person so why does the brain produce sounds sometimes (may be for a day or two) then the thing will change and go away for three days or more (haven't heard anything since Wednesday and that was more a light annoying hiss sound). I tend to hear the thing when lying down. Does anyone know why the brain produces noises even though I wear HA's with my hearing profile programmed in? Thanks!

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Pink6.

I'm sure others will have their own take on this - for my part, I believe that the 'coming and going' of tinnitus is closely related to mood. When we're feeling more positive or able to focus on things outside the T sound, we notice it less. When our mood is lower or our energy levels are not playing ball, we're apt to be aware of tinnitus more, because it's just one more thing to have to deal with.

I'm going to link to this advisory from the University of Michigan - whom students of tinnitus research may be familiar with - uofmhealth.org/health-libra....

It's an interesting take on the mind/body relationship.

[Pink6- in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you BTAPat. That makes sense. At my son's wedding, T was silent. I will have to start getting even more positive. Just asking whether you have researched the effectiveness of the following Therapies? All of which I'm trained in: REBT Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy,

ACT Acceptancec and Commitment Therapy and,

EMDR Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming.

I watched a YouTube video of two people mentioning EMDR as well as CBT as a treatment for T.

Many thanks!

😊

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to Pink6-]

Hi again, Pink6

We've written about EMDR a few times on the main BTA website - tinnitus.org.uk/pages/searc... but not ACT or REBT yet.

If you would like to suggest future topics for treatment advice on the website, feel free to drop a line to [e-mail] and we'll pass the request on to our team.

With best wishes

Pat

[doglover1973 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you TinnitusUKPat The article from the Uni of Michigan feels like the missing piece of the jigsaw 🙂

[Happyrosie]

I think that this is the wonder of T - it tries to get us when we do t expect it!

[doglover1973]

Very interesting Pink6- I guess it's a good sign that your T comes & goes because one day it might go. Mine doesn't come & go but it spikes if I'm anxious and settles if I'm relaxed. The challenge is to stay calm whatever happens. Not easy! 🙃

[Pink6- in reply to doglover1973]

Hi doglover1973, I will think positive about it going away completely. It's a strange beast. Having a thought about it going away is very powerful. You could metaphorically see it marching out of your head from your ears and and into the open atmosphere!

[doglover1973 in reply to Pink6-]

You really made me chuckle Pink6- 😆 That's the first time I've ever laughed about T !!!

[Pink6- in reply to doglover1973]

Great, well I am a hypnotherapist so I use metaphors like this. Glad it made you laugh doglover1973.

[Yogachamp]

Hi Pink

I am thinking of trying hypnotherapy to see if it helps with my T , do you think it can help some people .

[Pink6- in reply to Yogachamp]

Hi Yogachamp, there is no guarantee unfortunately but the hypnotist will do their best I'm sure. It's a long shot. Some people feel they get relief while others it still remains. Here's the thing, the hypnotist will empower you to make changes. The hypnotist is rather like a GPS, the facilitator but it's you who does the real work. It should help lower anxiety, stress and fear once they explain how the mind works. They may also use behavioural, cognitive, analytical or regression techniques that may also help. I can't guarantee it but it's worth finding a local hypnotist and having a chat on the phone.

Just reiterating that tinnitus is very hit and miss when it comes to hypnosis etc. The best option is to reduce stress levels and go for acclimatisation rather than attempt to stop it.

If you find a Hypnotherapist who has had good results then worth it. Hope this helps. T is difficult to treat otherwise us hypnotist would be very busy seeing clients with the condition. It's worth also seeing if you could send a message to Kevin Hogan. He's in the states but I understand specialises in this conditions. I put the link in a previous post about hypnotherapy. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Also see

YouTube recordings. @The_Mind_Liberator.

[Yogachamp in reply to Pink6-]

Thanks PinkYes I agree , I actually think staying calm is the key to habituation & just accepting the noise is there it’s not easy but I think it’s the only way. I have just got the book by Kevin Hogan & yes he reckons he is cured completely now but as T is such an individual thing what works for one doesn’t always work for another & he is quite expensive . I will check out that utube you mentioned too .

Thanks so much , here’s to habituation for us all .

Laney

[Pink6- in reply to Yogachamp]

Hi Yogachamp, I'd be interested in your thoughts once you have read the book. Hope it provides some useful information. Yes, habituation to us all. My T is near to silent today! Yesterday it was a bothersome.

I suggest everyone starts a gratitude book, if you haven't already! The more we are grateful for (small things are important), then we will see more things to be grateful for.

[Yogachamp in reply to Pink6-]

Thanks PinkYes I will let you know what I think about the book. I too like you had. Quieter day yesterday & today it’s bothersome , so at least you get some hope on good days . Yes think that’s a good idea a gratitude book,

Let’s pray for a quiet day tomorrow 🙏

[Graham-E]

Thanks for your insight and thoughts.I don’t experience the same thing unfortunately as mine is incredibly loud 24x7x365 with no let’s up. It never changes tone, pitch or the type of sound. It’s just like a jet engine inside my head, not my ears.

The monotony of it is really awful as there is no change. The thought of living like this is just terrible. The only difference comes if I am able to be ‘sufficiently’ distracted with audio and visual maybe touch as well. I wonder if my virus hadn’t taken my sense of smell and taste, when it gave me my T all those years ago, then that would be more distraction. The instant I think “I cannot hear my T” in these specific circumstances it smashes back in full volume.

The reason for me tell you this is because I also wonder why the brain seems very capable of playing the sound or not if it chooses. I’m always wondering if I can program my brain to turn it off.

Thanks for your thoughts and ideas,

keep well - Graham.

[Pink6- in reply to Graham-E]

Keeping distracted seems to be a good way to deal with the T. There is still much research needed by medical professionals and scientists to understand the full workings of the human brain. Thanks for sharing Graham-E. Take care.