So it's been a whole month of this wonderful sound in my head ( sarcasm). There have been times I've almost forgot its there until it's quite and sometimes I feel it's the worst thing ever. Is this a normal process? I know habituation takes a long time I just want to know from those who have reached this if they went through the same at the start and how they are now.
Many thanks
recalling what others have said over the years, I think you are lucky that you are already beginning the habituation process after such a relatively short time. So well done!
You may well find that (along with a lot of things in life) you think you have taken one step forward and two back. But habituation has started .
Hi Helen
Its great to read that your already noticing periods that it isn't there. You will learn ways to manage the periods where your Tinnitus feels more intrusive.
I also really like how you framed your Tinnitus. Albeit sarcastically it does really help to to not use negative descriptive words that you sometimes read or hear from people. Key to habituation is having no emotion towards your Tinnitus at all this will happen naturally over time but you can help it along by managing your thoughts, thinking positively and framing things in ways that dosnet trigger an emotional reaction
Some key milestones for me in achieving habituation where (in no particular order)
1.Going through the ENT process via my GP and getting the all clear on anything sinister that may have caused my Tinnitus. (This is almost always the outcome)
2.Realising those moments where i didn't notice my Tinnitus. (You are already achieving this 
)
3.Accepting I had Tinnitus and stop looking for a magic pill or someone to save me
4.Realising I had some control over it. So the more relaxed i was the lower the impact it had on me
5.Getting on top of my sleep. White noise of a fan and exercising so i was tired really helped with this
I hope this helps - we are here for you
Habituation is I would say forgetting what not having tinnitus is. You've a few months to go, then. Tinnitus has for me joined traffic noise. I'm still on this site as when the treatment breakthrough comes, here is where we'll read about it. I'm looking forward to being among the first in the queue from that.
Hello Helen89W
I can relate to what you describe above. I remember this well from 2016.
"There have been times I've almost forgot its there" - that is a very very good early sign. If you've got this already I would suggest your brain is already in a position where it is starting to filter the sound out, even just for some short periods.
It took me almost 3 years to achieve habituation, that does not mean it will take you 3 years.
It took me 3 years because I am a perfectionist, pessimist and defeatist. I'm the type of person who has to beat things, I don't like change. I took the long way round.
What I'm saying is my personality got in the way of the process because I did not believe I could live alongside this condition. I wanted it gone and started out the wrong way.
What I did was kept background noise around me all the time, and I mean all the time including overnight. I got my sleep back on track which took a while and if I slept well I pushed myself to pack the day with lots of things which kept my brain focus away from the tinnitus ringing sound.
As a result my brain or subconscious mind pushed the tinnitus into the background. I've essentially had habituation for 6 years now.
It wasn't easy but now the sound drifts in and out from time to time each day, usually more when i try to sleep but I no longer have an emotional reaction to it because I know it will drift away again.
I think you are on the right track. Keep your brain really focused on other things in the day time, challenge yourself. The busier you keep your mind the more the sound will stay away and the better you will sleep - that's just my opinion.
People habituate using different strategies and whatever you've started doing seems to be helping. For me, being busy even if it's busy with something 'silent' is key. So if I read, sew, or crochet I really don't notice it much. Then I stop, and I do. So it's kind of stop start, stop start, but overall it is not the most important part of my life or even my hearing story. (Meniere's to single sided deafness fluctuating, to second side non-fluctuating, to hearing aids, to cochlear implant a year ago.) Oh the fun. Good luck with continuing to get used to this.
From cbt tinnitus book
Just think B instead of A
244
Living Well with Tinnitus
1
A.
Tinnitus makes me feel tired, as I cannot sleep well at night. Tinnitus is a terrible disease with no cure!
B
I am lying down and con despite hearing tinnitus. This is the second best compared to a deep sleep. Resting helps to energise me. Even if there is no cure, I can still live well with tinnitus
2
A Tinnitus affects my sleep and concentration. Hence it reduces my efficiency. I can no longer be in control at my workplace.
B
I can concentrate on my tasles most of the time. I can do whatever I need to do despite the difficulties caused by tinnitus. This makes me feel strong.
3
A.Tinnitus invades every aspect of my life and makes me feel useless.
B.
Tinnitus is present most of the time and is a nuisance Regardless of tinnitus, I can do whatever I need to do. This makes me feel useful.
4. A I make lots of mistake coz of my t
B.
I can do most things as well and accurately as I used to before I had tinnitus. It may take me slightly longer to complete my tasks. It is OK to double check my work for accuracy. My performance is intact despite tinnitus.
5
A.
Tinnitus is like a fog that affects my performance.
B.
I can see, hear and think even when I hear tinnitus Loud and clearly.
My alternative approach to acceptance/habituation and "making friends" with Tinnitus 
Habituation doesn’t happen for everyone 
Re- Habituation.
