Tinnitus’s Effect on Daily Life

People with chronic tinnitus may be bothered by it but do not complain because of habituation, better coping strategies, or having been told by doctors to learn to live with it. And some report that they are not bothered only if they do not focus on it or when they are in noisy places. For most, reactions to chronic tinnitus range from annoyance and distraction to anxiety and depression, and in extreme cases, suicidal tendencies. 

Concerns that the tinnitus is a sign of something serious and/or the tinnitus sound itself can make it difficult to ignore their tinnitus, causing problems with sleep, concentration, and emotion.

Many tinnitus patients also experience hyperacusis, or difficulty tolerating external sounds of even moderate intensity. Some may also experience misophonia, or negative reactions to certain sounds.

Why tinnitus may be bothersome to some more than others depends on many other factors like age and gender; coexisting hearing loss, vertigo, and hyperacusis; personality traits; and psychological factors like depression and anxiety.

Hearing Health magazine has featured many stories from people with tinnitus who share what has and has not worked for them. These include:

• In the Spring 2021 issue, HHF’s former Board of Directors chair John Dillard shares the story of his tinnitus, a result of his military service, and the various treatments he tried, and his advice for coping.

• The director of the online resource and community Tinnitus Hub shares her experience with tinnitus and the remedies the Tinnitus Talk online community tried, detailed in a research article they co-authored.

• Emerging Research Grants scientist Richard Tyler, Ph.D., who helped develop Tinnitus Activities Treatment, speaks about his research and efforts to measure tinnitus in this research webinar.

Learn More:
What Is Tinnitus?
What Causes Tinnitus?
Diagnosing Tinnitus
Tinnitus Treatments
Effect on Daily Life
Tinnitus News and Research