When you first encounter tinnitus, and then are told ‘there’s nothing you can do about it’, it can be hard to believe that it’ll ever get better.
However, evidence shows that using techniques, such as the ones provided by Oto, tinnitus is manageable. With time and Oto's support, tinnitus can fade into the background and become a sound that is so normal, that you barely notice it anymore.
This is known as habituation.
Habituation is a gradual change, with many people noticing a significant difference after 6-18 months. If you'd like, you can read more about habituation here.
Therefore, it’s important to remain committed and patient while using Oto, to be able to finish your journey to a life free from disruption.
There are several different ways to check if your tinnitus is improving. These include:
How disruptive it is
How easily you relax
How well you sleep
Your ability to hear others
How often you have feelings of anxiety
Tracking your response to tinnitus is each day will help you to understand how Oto is helping you. Maybe you’ll notice your tinnitus less, or the noise itself may be softer. You may even find it easier to sleep and concentrate and start to experience more ‘good’ tinnitus days than ‘bad’.
Managing tinnitus is possible with the right support. It takes time and effort to learn how, so don’t give up. You can do it.
If you are finding it difficult to cope with tinnitus, help is available:
The first step is to visit a medical professional and tell them about your experience.
There are also a number of online support groups, including Oto’s.
You can see the BTA’s support groups list for the UK and the ATA’s support groups list for the US here.Perform some self-care: This can look like taking a shower, eating one of your favourite meals, phoning a friend, taking a walk or just doing something you love.