Hi, I was wondering whether you hear additional sounds when really stressed? I am incredible anxious right now and can hear an additional humming sound. I am so scared and can think of nothing else!
How do you calm/shift focus?
Hey
@Elfin - sorry it took some time to answer. I'm very sorry you're having such hard time. Are you feeling any better now?
If I am calm, I basically have two main tones - one in each ear. The other tones mostly fade away into the background nowadays. However, when I am stressed and anxious, those other tones come forward and start an orchestra. Then I can have multiple noises in both ears, even pulsating ones etc. which are not usually included. This is especially true if I am having a full-on anxiety attack or am on the verge of breakdown.
Anyway, based on this... I do believe that T can change volume, tone and even bring out additional sounds, triggered by (strong) anxiety and stress. Since anxiety makes our nervous system go haywire, it's no wonder it can alter our brain-based T noises as well.
How do I calm down is a trickier question... For anyone with anxiety problems, I do suggest therapy. It's a vicious thing to live with and a battle that is hard to win without support and help. When it comes to solely tinnitus, the main thing is: distract yourself, don't fall into listening to T and analyzing it. It does not help to measure it - you cannot control it by doing so - instead, T will control you that way. For me soothing masking noises (find one that works for you) are very important and I always still put them on from my phone if I find myself focusing too much on T. And if you are already in the middle of anxiety attack... Always stop to ask yourself what would be the smallest thing to make you feel better. And do that. Then ask the same question again and do that. Keep finding and doing things you enjoy, even if your anxiety-fueled thoughts would like to fixate on T.
Not sure if this helped at all, hope it made some sense at least.
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