Habituation

[Zicaton]

Hi. I'm 14 months in with T. Aged 47, male. Has several hearing checks, minor hearing loss but doesn't warrant hearing aids. My main question was about habituation. How exactly do you define this? I've got to a point were it doesn't cause me distress, it's more annoying than anything else. Is this a form of habituation? I've read that habituation is getting to a point when you rarely notice it? There are certainly periods in the day when I forget about it, but it's always there waiting for me. Over time it has got softer, particularly in the morning. I just don't know if I'll ever reach this magical habituation stage I read so much about.

[Jamdonut]

It sounds like you have. It doesn't annoy you is the key!

[Austen17]

Hi Zicaton, the explanation I found most helpful is that habituation is when a sensation is still present but no longer paid attention to. For example, when we first put on a belt we might feel it tight around our waist but after a while, it's still there but we stop noticing it. Of course, if you think about it, you feel it again immediately. Does this help?It sounds like you are on your way! Good luck!

[Karlos99 in reply to Austen17]

I was told a similar analogy except with wearing glasses. At first you feel them on your nose then after a while forget you’re wearing them.

[Inajiffym8]

Yea I'm about 2 years in....its still there...you kinda get used to it....though a lingering fear it doesn't get worse

[Fridays_Child_62]

I would say that when my tinnitus was relatively low-level and confined to a handful of frequencies, I could have periods when I wasn't even aware of it and would have to listen out for it to realise it was still there - that was true habituation, I'm sure. It was like that for over 20 years. In more recent years it has got louder with more frequency components and now I would say I am always aware of it. However, it is variable in loudness and texture, and it is more intrusive and annoying on some days than others. So, nowadays I am grateful when it is not so intrusive and I have learnt to live with that, which I suppose is now my version of habituation.

[Finzifan]

I am also just over a year into this, and would say my experience is very similar to your own. (I'm similar age and only a small amount of hearing loss). I would say I have habituated, but still hear my T every morning and at bedtime, and randomly at other points, but it doesn't cause me much anxiety. I still hope it will become better over time though.

[vincentchan]

There is a myth that if u ignore and teach your brain to ignore, its next to nth even if its there

[vincentchan]

It really depends on how loud and intrusive. But psychologist says in cbt treatment it doesnt matter anyway

[vincentchan]

Like Ben Thompson a audiologist And bruce hubbard psychologist

with severe tinnitus , they can finally think its nth