Feeling isolated at work

[P2023]

I’ve had tinnitus and Hyperacusis for about a year now. I’m gradually coping better but feeling so isolated in the office. There’s alot of street noise (sirens, constant building works and loud motorbikes) which give me ear pain although improving slowly. But I’m finding all the noise so stressful. The whole office is street facing so there’s not really anywhere else to sit. I can’t wear headphones cause music makes my tinnitus spike and the office is open plan so a lot of noise from colleagues all day which competes with my tinnitus. Everyday is so stressful. I can work from home two days a week but I find this even worse as there’s nothing to distract me from my tinnitus. My level of work has definitely declined and I find it so hard to concentrate or care about what I’m doing. I just wondered if anyone had any success in finding away to get by in the office? Or even if they’ve found a way to get by working from home. Just at a bit of a loss.

[lesley2015]

Hi There

I use a white noise machine/baby music machine. I have it set on a trickling brook which suits me and distracts me from external noise or no noise at all which is almost worse!

I sleep with it on also.

I have found it’s a constant need to distract from the noise. I also have hearing aids with a white noise feature.

Good luck !

[P2023 in reply to lesley2015]

Thank you. I’ve really struggled with masking noises as annoyingly they seem to aggravate the tinnitus!

[lesley2015 in reply to P2023]

Yes absolutely- I guess it doesn’t mask the tinnitus but for me, I have taught myself to focus on that.

Hopefully you will get some support from work but my tinnitus has made me change many things. I can’t go to anything with loud noises- cinema, concerts or really crowded places. It spikes my tinnitus - even my grandchildren cause a spike which takes several days to calm down.

Good luck

[Ssmf]

Hi, have you spoken to your line manager to see if there’s anything at all they can do to help you. I work in a very big organisation & they have certainly helped me with where I sit in the office etc . Also when I work from home I always have some background noise ie, the t.v or radio to help with the distraction.

Hope you find some help.

[P2023 in reply to Ssmf]

Thank you. My line manager knows about my tinnitus but it’s been difficult finding some where suitable in our office. HR have mentioned the possibility of contacting occupational health, I think perhaps I will need to get their input. Thanks again

[Ssmf in reply to P2023]

Definitely, take all the help they can offer you as I found out through occupational health that it is classed as a disability so they do have to help you. Good luck x

[LunaVi]

An occupational health assessment is essential. They will advise your employer of any reasonable adjustments that can be made so you are not put at a disadvantage in the workplace due to your disability. They may recommend things like sound boards around your desk or the installation of a noise reducing pod or permanent home working. Your employer has a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments to support you in your role.

Meantime it may be worth investing in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones especially when working in such a challenging environment. These can help dull done background noise to more tolerable levels for you. The Bose QC 45s have top notch ANC, expensive but imo are worth every penny. Simple to use, comfortable to wear and no need to listen to anything just use purely for noise cancellation. You could also use a sound therapy app on a very low level, if you can tolerate it with your H, to help distract you from being more aware of your T (which happens when you block your ears with anything) I can only tolerate using this kind of thing for short term use but everyone is different. It's definitely worth trying to see if it helps with the stress of constantly being exposed to this level of noise and also give you some much needed respite from overwhelming day to day sounds. It also makes you feel like you've got a wee bit control over the environment you're in.

Good luck!

[P2023 in reply to LunaVi]

This is very helpful thanks. When you are using the noise cancelling headphones (with just ANC and no music), do you find you hear your tinnitus louder?

[LunaVi in reply to P2023]

Yes, it does increase awareness and make it seem louder. If you can tolerate some low level sound therapy along with the ANC, such as soft pink noise, this can help with distraction. I have severe T&H which reacts to all sounds and find using ANC can help minimise spikes in noise/pain and give me some control over my environment at the touch of a button.

[PTNewbie]

Sounds tough. Have you tried loop ear plugs? They’re great for blocking out background noise while enabling you to still hear conversations etc. not too great for Tinnitus as can seem louder. But if you’re unable to mask sounds at work and your productivity is being impacted, might be worth a go. Also if you’re UK based (England and Wales) then you’re protected under disability (Equality Act) meaning you can explore reasonable adjustments with your employer and if they’re reasonable your employer must accommodate x

[P2023 in reply to PTNewbie]

Thank you I’ve now spoken to HR about getting in touch with Occupational Health so I’m hopeful they’ll have some useful advice