Meditation Could Help Alleviate Tinnitus

Do you ever find yourself about to go to sleep or finally in a quiet place, only to be confronted with a pervasive ringing in your ears? It can be incredibly frustrating as it often feels there is nowhere to hide from it. This sensation is called tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a phantom sound in the ears which has no external source. It is often described as a ringing in the ears but may also be manifest in many different sounds described as a buzz, hum, rush, roar, or many even describe a phantom music. It is estimated that around 50 million people in the United States suffer from some degree of tinnitus. The American Tinnitus Association, that while most sufferers experience symptoms that come and go, an estimated 12 million people report symptoms described as chronic while around two million report symptoms so constant and distracting that it is described as debilitating. No one knows what causes tinnitus, however, while not everyone with hearing loss has tinnitus, 90 percent of people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss.  

The Dangerous Side Effects of Tinnitus

What harm could a pesky hum or buzzing cause? Well, depending on who you ask, it could be quite a lot. What starts as just a simple ringing in the ears can trigger feelings of being trapped or not able to escape from a sound which is pervasive within your own head. Chronic tinnitus can cause stress when it presents itself. It’s common for tinnitus to interrupt sleep, making it hard to fall or stay asleep and can contribute to concentration issues during the day.

Tinnitus and Stress

The problem with tinnitus is not the sensation necessarily but the reaction to it. On the onset of tinnitus, it can be stressful, distracting you from getting the rest you need and staying focused. This can put you in the danger zone for chronic stress which is more serious than many understand. What starts as a simple buzz can cause stress which releases cortisol, the stress hormone in the body. Cortisol in the body triggers a fight or flight response, making it hard for us to rest, access calmness and can cause ongoing sleep issues as well as dangerous levels of high blood pressure increasing our risk for heart attack or stroke.

Addressing Tinnitus

While there is no cure for tinnitus, it can be addressed using several methods. Some of these revolve around masking tinnitus so it is covered by other sounds. For instance as you drift off to sleep you may find a white noise machine or listening to music helpful. Other treatments focus on your response to tinnitus—particularly on your stress response. This can include talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise or even acupuncture. One method which is getting increasingly more popular is meditation.

 What Is Meditation?

Mediation is a mental exercise in which you attempt to focus on the simple concept of simply being. This is more difficult than it may sound as pervasive thoughts are difficult to keep out in order to stay focused on the act of just existing in the current moment. Meditation has been practiced as far back as 5000 to 3500 BCE in what is now known as India and has been adopted by several surrounding nations and integrated into religion and customs. Today meditation is incredibly popular in the US to increase relaxation, focus and awareness. Many who report bothersome or chronic tinnitus also report that after meditating, they are less bothered by their tinnitus than before.

“During the meditation sessions, the ringing in my ears would subside. Despite the silence of the meditation room, the roar of my tinnitus would fade away,” explains Shari Eberts, a hearing health advocate and writer. “This occurred subtly at first, but by the end of the week, my body seemed to anticipate what was to come. I would assume the meditation posture, begin to mindfully breathe, and the quiet would come, as welcome as a gift.”

Exploring Meditation

The beauty of meditation is that you don’t need much to do it but a quiet place where you can relax. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, focus on your breath and let go of other thoughts. This can be difficult at first but with practice it may be what you need to reduce the impact of tinnitus. 

Tinnitus is a common sign of hearing loss, meaning if tinnitus is bothering you, be sure to schedule a hearing exam with us today.