Tinnitus and Stress

 

Tinnitus and stress go hand in hand, and revolve in a close cycle so it sometimes is difficult to know which came first, the tinnitus or the stress.  While stress is often the usual response to the many challenges of our lives, it results from what might be called good and bad experiences.  

 

Just as many people become sick while on vacation or around the holidays, this reaction is due to the good experiences that demand the body to react and adapt to positive and happy occasions.  This is to say nothing of the stress of a job loss, death in the family, or ongoing tinnitus.  All of these situations – good and bad – cause a wide biochemical and hormonal changes to occur primarily in the adrenal glands) which, in turn, cause small and large physical changes in our body.  Blood vessels constrict throughout the body causing reduced circulation, and related increase of heart rate, breathing and blood pressure responses. Under usual stress circumstances, like being frightened by a large dog, when the situation is over the body quickly returns to a normal state.

However, in the case of stress related to tinnitus, the body continues to react in a negative way on a near continuous or continuous basis. When constant and prolonged, tinnitus stirs a response of anxiety, depression or insomnia, which in turn stirs greater tinnitus.   The prolonged stress of tinnitus make the noises of tinnitus seem louder and more irritating than they would be otherwise.

Why tinnitus is so linked to the stress response is important to understand, because this information is helpful to the recovery process.

Tinnitus and the central nerve system

Tinnitus can be heard because of a problem within the ear.  But tinnitus can also be heard when there is no problem at all within the ear, but within other areas of the head removed from the ear.  Tinnitus that is heard within the head is generally caused by problems of altered blood flow, nerve and cellular degeneration from pathways that lead from the ear to an area of the temporal lobe of the brain, specifically the hippocampal-amygdala complex. The sounds of tinnitus are heard, stored and evaluated within this area of the temporal lobe, and it is here that most treatment issues must be directed.   

It is theorized that there is always some negative, stressful, and usually fearful emotion that either starts the process of tinnitus in the first place or soon begins because of tinnitus.  The first example might be the fear of death when a child gets hit on the side of the head from a baseball bat or falling off a bike.  The second example is the fear and stressful emotions associated with the new and strange sounds of tinnitus after a drug overdose, exposure to a loud noise, TMJ stress after a dental procedure, or some type of head trauma.  Once the connection or association of tinnitus and a negative emotion (usually fear) are started, they tend to continue in a reflex pattern that simply goes on and on.

TTI has found that this tinnitus reflex must be addressed at the conscious and subconscious levels for recovery to be prompt and lasting.

Those products TTI has had very good experience with to ease the mind and calm the emotions, allowing uninterrupted sleep to occur are:

·        Maximum Strength Formula 303 – Helpful to calm and relax through a completely natural and effective combination of natural valerian and passiflora with magnesium in a proprietary homeopathic formula.  Completely safe – won' t interfere with natural body chemistry, will not cause side-effects, non habit-forming,  and will not interfere with medication being taken.

·        Tinnitus Stress Formula  - Recommended by leading EENT physicians for their tinnitus patients.   This is a high potency, B-vitamin complex designed to alleviate anxiety and frustration of stress caused by tinnitus.     

In addition, other forms of therapy can be effective in overcoming tinnitus stress reactions.

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy is a form of personal counseling intended to the emotional reaction to tinnitus, rather than the tinnitus itself.  This form of therapy will change the perception of the sounds of tinnitus, and reduce many negative behaviors and thought patterns that arise because of tinnitus.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a pleasant and easily learned relaxation technique that allows  people to gain control of certain automatic functions such as blood pressure, pulse and even brainwave activity. The goal of learning biofeedback is to help people learn to reduce and control the body's physical reaction to constant and high level tinnitus.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is a procedure used in treating tinnitus in which the hypnotherapist will suggests positive changes in thought, feelings, perceptions or behavior to the presence of tinnitus.  While hypnotized the tinnitus sufferer is given an external focus of concentration, such as being on vacation or a comforting scene from childhood, to redirect attention away from the tinnitus.  The Tinnitus Hypnotherapy Treatment Program of Dr. Kevin Hogan is perhaps the best available, and for this reason is available through TTI.  

Stress Reduction Ideas

1. Practice relaxation  
   Progressive relaxation is one way to naturally relax the body. By tensing and deliberately relaxing a pattern or series of muscles throughout the body (perhaps, start with the toes and work up to the top of the head), it is possible to induce a state of complete body relaxation. This will not make the tinnitus disappear but it will help greatly in making you feel calmer, sleep better and be equipped to handle the stress without worsening the tinnitus.
   Here is one method of progressive relaxation:
   • Sit in a comfortable chair with eyes closed, arms on the armrest, palms down.
   • Breathe deeply and slowly a few times.
   • Tighten each of the following muscles for 5 seconds, then release for 30 seconds:
     -  Clench both fists, then release.
     -  Press your back against the chair, then release.
     -  Tighten your abdomen, then release.
     -  Tighten your jaw, then release.

2.   Deep breathing  
Abdominal breathing is a natural relaxant. To do this, allow the abdominal muscles to relax and push out with your waist, as you breathe in. Inhale  through the nose to the count of eight, slowly filling the lungs. Hold for the count of four then exhale slowly through the mouth to the count of eight, as the abdomen and waist flatten.  Repeat at least five times.

3.  Exercise several times a week
Take a walk, jog, swim, work in the garden, play tennis or golf –anything that does not create a loud noise.  Any pleasant exercise you enjoy doing will make you feel stronger and more alive.  It is a great way to work off stress and anxiety.

4.  Move
T'ai Chi, yoga, gentle stretching exercises are several body movement disciplines that require you to slowly move, breathe and stretch at the same time. These relax tight muscles and improve circulation in an excellent way to relax and calm the spirit.  Classes, videos, and books are available for all ages and physical abilities.

5.  Sleep
Many people with tinnitus have trouble sleeping. Sleep is absolutely essential to keep your body fit and relaxed. Make sure your bed is comfortable, use a tabletop environmental sound machine and avoid food or drink in the evening that will keep you awake. There are many relaxing teas on the market that will aid sleep, such as melatonin supplements and Kava Kava.