Studies Confirm Tinnitus Improves Over Time

[Steve]

@Steve when you say this is a small group of tinnitus sufferers here. Do you mean that's people with loud tinnitus or do you just say thats people with permanent tinnitus. Because for example my uncle has tinnitus for years but I am sure it's very mild as he still goes to concerts even without protection etc and he says it can be louder for a few hours after a concert but always goes back to being quiet, he seems very lucky with his!!

When people say loud tinnitus what exactly does that mean? Unmaskable?

The small group are the ones that suffer from tinnitus. the 1-2% where it has a big impact on their daily lives. People who live with tinnitus are a much larger group, one which we don't have a hugely accurate number on but generally thought to be 10% of the population.

I would say that we are characterised by the loudness, intrusiveness and inability to mask in most situations.

Everybody has their own experience of what "loud" means, it's a subjective disorder. For me it's the presence over virtually all other noises and the way it intrudes into daily life.

 

[Sam Bridge]

The small group are the ones that suffer from tinnitus. the 1-2% where it has a big impact on their daily lives. People who live with tinnitus are a much larger group, one which we don't have a hugely accurate number on but generally thought to be 10% of the population.

I would say that we are characterised by the loudness, intrusiveness and inability to mask in most situations.

Everybody has their own experience of what "loud" means, it's a subjective disorder. For me it's the presence over virtually all other noises and the way it intrudes into daily life.

Thanks Steve, can you mask yours? For example if I watch the tv it will not be totally covered, however if I put iPhone pink noise app on volume level 2 it totally masks it! I guess the pink noise is actually similar to my tinnitus noise anyway so that's why it works so well.

 

[Steve]

Thanks Steve, can you mask yours?

Not usually. I can create some sounds that mask it myself but I rarely have it masked in everyday life.

 

[Champ]

But Steve can this really be a reason of worsening?

Researchers have pretty much directly linked stress & tinnitus. When your stressed, your limbic system becomes overactive, and your tinnitus will increase in volume as a result. It's why when you're not stressed in any way, the tinnitus may be incredibly quiet, even if it's still there. Mine shoots up to a 10 and can be overwhelming, but I've also had it hit a 1 after those times. It's possible to manage your emotions - all of us who have it chronically work on that.

 

[Paulmanlike]

Researchers have pretty much directly linked stress & tinnitus. When your stressed, your limbic system becomes overactive, and your tinnitus will increase in volume as a result. It's why when you're not stressed in any way, the tinnitus may be incredibly quiet, even if it's still there. Mine shoots up to a 10 and can be overwhelming, but I've also had it hit a 1 after those times. It's possible to manage your emotions - all of us who have it chronically work on that.

Do you have any links to evidence that supports this

 

[Telis]

My tinnitus does not move at all based on my emotions, kind of annoying when people generalize based on their own personal experience. Tinnitus comes in many different forms, this much should be clear by now.

 

[Jomo]

Thanks Steve, can you mask yours? For example if I watch the tv it will not be totally covered, however if I put iPhone pink noise app on volume level 2 it totally masks it! I guess the pink noise is actually similar to my tinnitus noise anyway so that's why it works so well.

Mine is similar to yours...depends on what type of show I am watching...if there is a quiet scene on I will definitely hear it but if i put on an air conditioner or my i-phone white noise app sounds (recording of my steam from my heater. blends exactly with my T sound) while doing this i can pretty much block it out. I do believe that having a white noise that is similar to your T is key to blocking it out. IF we could figure out a way to customize white noise we could come up with a way to block it out no matter how high the pitch is. Back to topic - It doesnt bother me too much as long as i keep some level of noise in the background. In the beginning it was much worse but it has definitely gotten better. I am in a good place rit now..i hope it stays this way

 

[Paulmanlike]

The consensus is that your emotional reaction tends to improve to it over time, anxiety/depression diminishes as acceptance kicks in.

 

[Flamingo1]

The consensus is that your emotional reaction tends to improve to it over time, anxiety/depression diminishes as acceptance kicks in.

So does a better emotional reaction to T equal a quieter tinnitus? Or is it the same and we just do a better job of ignoring it?

 

[t-man]

Eight years later and still miserable.

 

[Steve]

IF we could figure out a way to customize white noise we could come up with a way to block it out no matter how high the pitch is.

Technically I imagine that it's possible. Some hearing aids can customise how loud the sound is around you based on listening to the sound. Changing that function slightly (which I am sure would require some R&D) you could get them to play white noise but only in the frequencies that aren't detected - so it would effectively "fill in" the sound. Although at best this would be only up to 12kHz.

So does a better emotional reaction to T equal a quieter tinnitus? Or is it the same and we just do a better job of ignoring it?

Probably that sits with the person you ask. For example this morning I woke up after a good, long sleep and noted that mine was quieter. I came on here, where you can't help but have a constant reminder, I noticed it more and it feels louder. It's probably perception but it does genuinely seem louder to me.

 

[Paulmanlike]

So does a better emotional reaction to T equal a quieter tinnitus? Or is it the same and we just do a better job of ignoring it?

We do a better job at ignoring it.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

So does a better emotional reaction to T equal a quieter tinnitus? Or is it the same and we just do a better job of ignoring it?

If you read Kevin Hogans and Jullian Cowan Hill that is correct.. Or more so, to have ANY chance to get better, first you must habituate (that is having no emotional response to your Tinnitus).

I came on here, where you can't help but have a constant reminder, I noticed it more and it feels louder. It's probably perception but it does genuinely seem louder to me.

Haha, It sounds like you're suggesting we should stay away from your site, Steve

 

[Steve]

Haha, It sounds like you're suggesting we should stay away from your site, Steve

Yes, get away the lot of you

Realistically though, it is the perfect scenario. A new person with tinnitus views the forums, can see what's going on and what other people have used to help themselves, find your own patterns, improve then leave.

We kind of already are the demonstration of the title of this thread here at TT. We get a lot of traffic but have a very high turnover in unique visitors, suggesting that people come to find things out, do whatever it is they do, and then they are able to carry on with life.

The patient journey really interests me, understanding it and also trying to figure out what the perfect trajectory is for people to get better. If we could find the normal path (kind of like the stages of grieving) then it could be very useful for people to understand what they are going through and are likely to go through, which can only help.

It can never be so simplistic of course because there are many different causes and aggravating factors for people, so there will always be exceptions (the roughly 1-2% that we know to suffer now).

 

[Paulmanlike]

45% of people with tinnitus have an anxiety disorder at some time in their life According to Wikipedia.

Just wondering because I do, does anyone one else have one too? And not just because of t?

 

[TheDanishGirl]

45% of people with tinnitus have an anxiety disorder at some time in their life According to Wikipedia.

Just wondering because I do, does anyone one else have one too? And not just because of t?

Yes, i have general anxiety and have earlier in my life struggled a lot with this and social anxiety (anxiety being in social situations)

 

[fishbone]

http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/pages/1191

New research recently presented at the BSA Conference has confirmed that tinnitus impact does improve over time

Part of the counselling provided to tinnitus patients involves reassurance that both the emotional impact of tinnitus and tinnitus severity will improve with time. However, this study is the first support this statement and to quantify any such improvement from a systematic review and meta analysis of the tinnitus literature.

Comments David Stockdale, BTA Chief Executive, "People with tinnitus are often told "it does get better" and this is a very important study, as for the first time it gives us robust evidence to back this statement up."

He adds, "To show that tinnitus severity can and does generally improve without intervention will hopefully provide reassurance for those currently waiting for treatment."

The review was conducted by John Phillips, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Don McFerran, Consultant Otolaryngologist, Colchester Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust; Deborah Hall and Derek Hoare of NIHR Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit.

I been at this for almost 30 years and my tinnitus has not improved over time. Emotionally, yes I am able to handle this garbage and live with it. Saying it has improved and it can without anyone doing anything has not made any positive impact in my life.

I will say this much, my tinnitus and its cause is different , from others. Maybe for others it can get better, but for those that have damaged their ears through LOUD music/enviornments, I haven't seen my ears get better on their own, nor my tinnitus...

 

[vermillion]

Hello @Flamingo1,
I'm a little mixed up with a post of yours. If you can help me figure it out.

Plus, I know from reading this forum that the more attention you pay to T, the more strongly the neural path gets etched into your brain, so I try to keep my mind off of it!

I suppose by "neural paths" you mean the brain plasticity? In general is there a scientific documentation that support the above claim?

I suggest looking into it too while you're still in the early stages and there's still some plasticity in the brain.

What do you mean with "there's still some plasticity in the brain"? From what i've read brain plasticity or "neuroplasticity" is the brain's ability to cause lasting changes during the whole lifespan of a human being. Do you mean that eventually this ability cease to exist on a specific time mark after the onset of tinnitus? Again is there a scientific documentation that provides information on this theory?
Thank you.

 

[vermillion]

Virtually everything in the early days... I used to listen for it (it started as a low tone, only audible in quiet). If I was in a space with environmental noise I would plug my ears to see if it was still there, I would worry if I was going to go deaf, I worried that it would get so bad I wouldn't be able to take it any more. A general future anxiety that I actively reinforced with my patterns of thought.

It is a possibility but it isn't always the case, there could be a cause underlying it that you need to treat. I see you have unknown cause, have you tried to diagnose yourself or had any feedback from doctors on a possible cause?

On the whole the mental state plays a huge role in tinnitus. Learning to push it out of mind, to ignore it (if that is possible) or put a neutral label on it, learning to see it as an irritation rather than catastrophising it. Today as I write this mine is particularly loud, a screaming sound like a jet engine. I just think "I wish you would bugger off" rather than attaching something severe to it that would lead me into a spiral of anxiety and depression.

I don't know how I got to this point, it just happened (slowly). I do have an attitude that I won't let it beat me but I don't know how that impacts on how I approach it. I have a very large physical link to mine and I have a sore neck right now so that is part of the reason for it being loud right now.

Thank you @Steve for taking the time to respond.
What confuses me is this exact heterogeneity. Why some people remain mild while others worsen. I keep find it difficult to accept that our pure psychological response could be a main factor that would affect the overall progress. I mean the physiology of the condition haven't been yet understood through it's whole length. There must be something functional linked with the cause. On the other hand, who knows? Doctors easily use the "stress diagnosis" when nothing else is left to be said for a poorly understood condition, such as tinnitus. In order for me not to make just assumptions, i would appreciate if you happen to be aware of any scientific documentation on the matter, that you consider as an interesting reading and share.
All the best.
V.

 

[vermillion]

Researchers have pretty much directly linked stress & tinnitus. When your stressed, your limbic system becomes overactive, and your tinnitus will increase in volume as a result. It's why when you're not stressed in any way, the tinnitus may be incredibly quiet, even if it's still there. Mine shoots up to a 10 and can be overwhelming, but I've also had it hit a 1 after those times. It's possible to manage your emotions - all of us who have it chronically work on that.

Greetings @Champ,
Despite that i am not a huge fun of the "stress theory", i would be happy if you could guide me with links to those researches to read. Btw my tinnitus never lowers when i am in a relatively calm state. Thanks in advance.
V.

 

[Amiel]

Why some people remain mild while others worsen.

Some have more hearing damage than others, it's not all psychological.

 

[vermillion]

Some have more hearing damage than others, it's not all psychological.

Dear @Amiel,
If you read my posts throughout the thread you will understand that this is also my claim. In addition though, severe tinnitus doesn't always come with great amount of hearing loss. Members of TT is a proof. So there's definitely a neurological pathology that spans throughout the brain, which i also believe is not psychological. Keep in mind the contrary as well; that is hearing loss but no tinnitus.
V.

 

[Flamingo1]

Hello @Flamingo1,
I'm a little mixed up with a post of yours. If you can help me figure it out.

I suppose by "neural paths" you mean the brain plasticity? In general is there a scientific documentation that support the above claim?

What do you mean with "there's still some plasticity in the brain"? From what i've read brain plasticity or "neuroplasticity" is the brain's ability to cause lasting changes during the whole lifespan of a human being. Do you mean that eventually this ability cease to exist on a specific time mark after the onset of tinnitus? Again is there a scientific documentation that provides information on this theory?
Thank you.

Hi @vermillion, Don't listen to me, I'm not am expert in tinnitus!! I was just repeating what I've heard and read on Tinnitus Talk and what my audiologist told me. The whole idea behind habitation is learning to ignore T, and how can you do that if you're constantly looking for it?!

 

[Steve]

I keep find it difficult to accept that our pure psychological response could be a main factor that would affect the overall progress. I mean the physiology of the condition haven't been yet understood through it's whole length. There must be something functional linked with the cause

I agree. The psychological definitely plays a role but I do not believe it is the only thing at play. There are many different causes and many different potentially aggravating factors.

To dismiss as solely psychological is incorrect. Although you do sometimes feel that it is a big factor for many people.

It is possible that the psychological reaction and inability to ignore cause it to become chronic, which then takes root in the brain and whatever process it is that ensues. But again, this will never be a hard and fast rule for all.

I hate the word "neurotic" being used here but this paper discusses the relationship between people with neurotic tendencies and bothersome tinnitus http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399913003358

 

[Freeatlast]

I agree. The psychological definitely plays a role but I do not believe it is the only thing at play. There are many different causes and many different potentially aggravating factors.

To dismiss as solely psychological is incorrect. Although you do sometimes feel that it is a big factor for many people.

It is possible that the psychological reaction and inability to ignore cause it to become chronic, which then takes root in the brain and whatever process it is that ensues. But again, this will never be a hard and fast rule for all.

I hate the word "neurotic" being used here but this paper discusses the relationship between people with neurotic tendencies and bothersome tinnitus http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399913003358

One quick question! if you get noise trauma tinnitus without hearing loss, is it then possible that the hair cells recovers?

 

[Paulmanlike]

One quick question: if you get noise trauma tinnitus without hearing loss, is it then possible that the hair cells recovers?

Damage to hair cells is cumulative. Even if your T disappears, the damage will still be there (according to what I've read). That is why one never should use the word cured if t does disappear, because next time the damage may build up to cause permanent T. I had a few temp T's before it eventually never went away..

 

[Ambassador]

Once a hair cell dies, it will never grow back.

 

[Steve]

One quick question: if you get noise trauma tinnitus without hearing loss, is it then possible that the hair cells recovers?

I'm not really qualified (or knowledgeable enough) to say for sure. But...

If the trauma has caused hair cells to die then ambassador is right, they don't grow back - well, until one of the people working on regeneration crack the problem they don't anyway.

But if they are damaged then yes they can repair. When they are damaged beyond repair they go, never to return.

 

[Paulmanlike]

I'm not really qualified (or knowledgeable enough) to say for sure. But...

If the trauma has caused hair cells to die then ambassador is right, they don't grow back - well, until one of the people working on regeneration crack the problem they don't anyway.

But if they are damaged then yes they can repair. When they are damaged beyond repair they go, never to return.

Once they are damaged they can repair. Steve do you have any links for evidence of this?

 

[Freeatlast]

I'm not really qualified (or knowledgeable enough) to say for sure. But...

If the trauma has caused hair cells to die then ambassador is right, they don't grow back - well, until one of the people working on regeneration crack the problem they don't anyway.

But if they are damaged then yes they can repair. When they are damaged beyond repair they go, never to return.

How does one know if they are damaged beyond repair?