Everyone has moments when they want a little silence. Unfortunately, silent moments aren’t always silent for those suffering from tinnitus. Tinnitus is characterized by the perception of persistent ringing, buzzing or humming sound in the ears when no external sound is present. While tinnitus is an invisible illness, its impact can be profound.
An estimated 10% to 25% of adults have tinnitus. The invisible nature of the condition can make living with tinnitus a frustrating and isolating experience. If your loved one is living with persistent tinnitus, your emotional and practical support can make a huge difference in their experience.
Let’s look at a few ways you can provide your emotional and practical support to improve your loved one’s life with tinnitus.
Providing Emotional Support
Living with tinnitus can be emotionally challenging. Many patients experience feelings of frustration, anxiety and depression due to the constant presence of the sound. A few ways you can provide emotional support include:
- Active listening. Take the time to truly listen to your loved one’s experiences and validate their feelings. Let them know that you understand the impact tinnitus has on their life.
- Dealing with frustration and challenges. Understand that tinnitus can be frustrating for both the sufferer and their loved ones. Encourage open communication about their frustrations and challenges and find ways to cope together.
Practical Ways to Help
Beyond emotional support, there are practical ways in which you can assist your loved one in managing their tinnitus:
- Attend audiology appointments. Accompany your loved one to medical appointments and help them follow their management plans, whether that means encouraging them to wear hearing aids, helping them find sound masking devices or scheduling appointments for tinnitus retraining therapy.
- Create a quiet environment. Reduce or eliminate unnecessary noise in the home environment, especially during times when your loved one is experiencing heightened tinnitus symptoms. Provide a calm space where they can relax and find relief.
- Ask what they need. Like hearing loss, tinnitus is a highly personal condition. Your loved one may have different needs or experiences than others. Some people may want to relax alone in their rooms, while others might appreciate company when they pick up their favorite novel from Village Books to help them wind down. Ask how you can help and do your best to consider their personal needs and boundaries.
Support plays a vital role in the lives of individuals with tinnitus. You can make a significant difference in their well-being by understanding their challenges, providing emotional support and offering practical assistance. Remember, tinnitus may be an invisible condition, but its impact is very real. With your understanding, empathy and support, you can help your loved one manage their tinnitus and navigate their daily lives with greater ease and comfort.
To learn more about tinnitus management, contact Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.