{"id":582,"date":"2019-12-26T21:29:59","date_gmt":"2019-12-26T21:29:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chelmsfordhearinggroup.com\/?p=582"},"modified":"2020-11-30T16:21:15","modified_gmt":"2020-11-30T21:21:15","slug":"relieving-the-mental-burden-of-tinnitus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/massachusettshearinggroup.com\/relieving-the-mental-burden-of-tinnitus\/","title":{"rendered":"Relieving the Mental Burden of Tinnitus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you suffer from tinnitus in Chelmsford or Nashua, you know how disturbing\nthat ringing in your ears can be. In addition to interfering with sleep and\nimpacting work, tinnitus can cause a great deal of mental distress. While there\nis no cure, there are steps you can take to help reduce its impact on your\nlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tinnitus May Cause Stress & Depression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Probably the top reason a cure for tinnitus<\/a> has yet to be found is because it affects everybody differently. Not only are the symptoms unique to each individual (it can manifest as a ringing, hissing, roaring, whooshing, clicking or humming sound), its frequency, duration and intensity vary from person to person. Tinnitus is so debilitating to some individuals, a Swedish study in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery <\/em>found that people with severe tinnitus have higher rates of suicide<\/a>. Another study in the American Journal of Audiology<\/a> <\/em>found evidence of a link between suicidal and self-harm thoughts in adults who had experienced mental illness such as anxiety, depression and anger as children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discussing Your Tinnitus and Mental Health Helps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Those with tinnitus in Chelmsford and Nashua are likely to experience anxiety, stress and depression, at least to some degree. The American Tinnitus Association estimates that 75 percent<\/a> of people with severe tinnitus suffer from these and other behavioral disorders, but the majority of medical professionals avoid any discussion concerning the mental health burden that accompanies tinnitus. Experts believe an honest conversation about these issues can lead to improvements in the quality of life for tinnitus patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caroline J. Schmidt, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Yale Medicine in New Haven, CT, says, \u201cAudiologists should be aware that patients with tinnitus are potentially fragile emotionally, especially during the early months following onset of tinnitus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there is no cure, coping strategies can make a positive difference for individuals with tinnitus. Sound therapy (white noise), hearing aids<\/a>, counseling and breathing\/relaxation exercises can all help reduce stress and the accompanying mental burden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional strategies include the following:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n