How Tinnitus Helped Me

Photographer: Wendy Spickerman

Most people who suffer from tinnitus will tell you it's a horrible condition. There's not enough funding to find a cure. The treatments that are out there, aren't one size fits all. What works for one person might actually make another person's tinnitus worse.

So you're probably wondering...

How could there possibly be a positive side to having tinnitus.

Once you work through the denial, pain, and suffering, anger, hopelessness, fears, and doubts you realize it's not going away. In that moment, you choose.

You can choose to be the victim of tinnitus or accept it, learn to cope, and adapt.

It's a struggle that would bring even the strongest person to their knees and make them weep. But you're not alone. According to the American Tinnitus Association, over 50 Million Americans suffer from tinnitus and 2 Million extreme debilitating cases are on record.

That means 2 Million People have extreme difficulty coping and adapting to our world with tinnitus. Other's with tinnitus find treatments helpful with bridging that gap. That's 48 Million People, I don't know about you but that number alone gave me "hope".

What I've Learned From Having Tinnitus

Surround Yourself With Supportive People
I learned who my true friends were. Those who stuck around, and put up with me, on my worst days. Having a great support group of family, friends, co-workers, and even knowing others with tinnitus is helpful, comforting, and encouraging. It gives one strength to fight the fight.

Be Your Own Advocate

You're going to run into doctor's and people who don't take you seriously, want to just prescribe medication, or even try to tell you it's not as bad as it seems. You're going to need to use your voice. I started to feel better the minute I said "NO" for the first time.

One doctor tried to tell me, "Everybody has tinnitus these days". He acted as if it wasn't serious and brushed it off. But the moment I said enough was enough, explained my condition, made them listen to my concerns, and clearly stated what I was looking for in my care; that all changed.

A door opened up and I stepped through to a whole new level of care. I wasn't an inferior patient in a room with a superior doctor anymore. We were equal contributing members on the playing field of my life.

After that point, it was the same with my personal life, as well as my professional life. Having tinnitus brought front and center my own strengths and weaknesses. I was learning about myself on a whole new level. Having 24/7 tinnitus is no easy matter. It can drive you mad if you let it. I found staying active helpful.

I highly recommend walking therapy for anyone like myself, who has difficulty with TRT Training.

Walking therapy is just getting out in everyday sounds, enjoying the world around you. Letting life takes the focus off the ringing, buzzing, hissing sounds one might hear. I like to take my camera with me on my walks.

Using some form of sound therapy at night can also help you sleep. A quiet room can cause one's tinnitus to seem 5x louder at night. Whether you like the hum of a fan, sounds of nature, even a t.v. on low; these are all helpful ways to get the sleep we need. Never use medication without seeking medical advice from your doctor first. 

Some people may need to use medication to help with things like depression, anxiety, lack of sleep. Know that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness but strength.

By knowing the signs and listening to what our bodies are telling us, we can live a happier, healthier life even with tinnitus.

NOTE: Wendy Spickerman was diagnosed with tinnitus, hyperacusis, and directional hearing issues in 2013. She's a mom of three, loves to cook, garden, and stay fit. Her articles have been featured on a number of online publications news sites. Wendy is currently listed with the American Tinnitus Association as a Volunteer Network Support Member giving nonmedical support to those with tinnitus.