The thought of losing the ability to hear is a terrifying prospect for many, as it means saying goodbye to the myriad of sounds that enrich our lives. But what about the opposite scenario?
What is it like to live with a condition that ensures you’ll never experience silence again, where your life is perpetually underscored by a cacophony of roaring, ringing or whooshing noises?
This is the reality for seven million Brits, myself included, who live with tinnitus – an incurable condition that affects each person differently. It sees sufferers hear noises that do not come from an outside source.
Among those affected are actor and former Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp and his wife Shirlie, as well as Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid. In my case, I constantly hear a ringing sound in both ears, louder in the right than the left, but always present.
I first noticed it when I was around nine or 10 years old. While it doesn’t significantly impact my life, there are moments when I wish it would just stop.
My journey with tinnitus started at a young age, and in some ways, I consider myself lucky that it began when I was still a child. Growing up in a bustling household with multiple siblings in London – a city that’s anything but silent – perhaps made it easier to adapt.
Consequently, there were few instances where the ringing could make its presence felt, except during quiet moments. Being very young at the time, I assumed it was an external sound, not something originating from my own head.
As time passed, not much changed. I stumbled upon information about tinnitus at school and looking back, the condition didn’t worsen, only making itself known when external sounds were minimal.
That was until one fateful night at a race track 10 years later. Working as a paddock marshal at an event, I joined a colleague to watch the start of the final race.
He offered me earplugs, which I foolishly declined. As the cars sped away, all I could hear for the next few minutes was an intense ringing in both ears, drowning out all other sounds.
Although it eventually subsided, my hearing was forever altered. Since that night in the mid-to-late 2010s, I’ve taken steps to prevent my tinnitus from escalating.
This includes wearing earplugs at loud venues, managing stress levels that can cause temporary spikes, and keeping busy to distract myself from the noise.
While my personal journey doesn’t call for a symphony of sympathy, being diagnosed with tinnitus as an adult can be a daunting experience as you grapple with the loss of silence. With this in mind, I’d like to share some tips on how to manage your tinnitus.
My five tips to living with tinnitus
Firstly, remember that you’re not alone. There are seven million Brits living with this condition, which means there’s a vast support network available to help you on those particularly challenging days.
Secondly, try to embrace other sounds and let them distract your mind – whether it’s the patter of rain or the hum of traffic; allow your mind to tune into these sounds instead of focusing on the tinnitus. My third piece of advice is to avoid panic.
From personal experience, I can tell you that stress and anxiety only make tinnitus worse, so try mindfulness techniques or find ways to relax, such as listening to music or exercising to release positive endorphins and hormones. The fourth tip, which I’ve already touched upon, is to protect your ears.
I’m not suggesting you need to hit the dance floor wearing ear defenders, but affordable earplugs are readily available at places like Boots and Superdrug, allowing you to enjoy a night out without exacerbating your condition. Lastly, patience is key.
Yes, tinnitus is incurable, frustrating, and frankly, a bit rubbish, but part of living with the condition involves getting used to it. It takes time, but gradually you’ll learn to live with it and eventually, it’ll just become that annoying noise you hear every now and then.
NHS advice on tinnitus
Of course, I am no healthcare professional and it is always best consulting the NHS before undertaking lifestyle changes. On their website, they offer a range of advice on dealing with tinnitus, such as:
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try to relax – deep breathing or yoga may help
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try to find ways to improve your sleep, such as sticking to a bedtime routine or cutting down on caffeine
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try to avoid things that can make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noises
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join a support group – talking to other people with tinnitus may help you cope
They also suggest visiting A&E in two specific incidents:
- you have tinnitus after a head injury
- you have tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, weakness in the muscles of your face, or a spinning sensation (vertigo)