Discovering the Link Between Tinnitus and Anxiety
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Anxiety can cause many ailments, including tinnitus. Meanwhile, tinnitus can worsen anxiety. The two together can fuel a vicious cycle, but there are ways to tame down each and help alleviate the tinnitus and anxiety relationship.
The Vicious Cycle: How Tinnitus Fuels Anxiety
Those who have or have had tinnitus will likely agree that the constant noise is hard to get relief from. For many, it can worsen anxiety, and for some, it can directly cause it. Unfortunately, tinnitus and mental health issues often feed on each other.
When general anxiety elevates to a fight-or-flight response, it creates an elevation in heart rate and shortness of breath, which heightens tinnitus. Alone or together, tinnitus and anxiety often make it hard to relax, to fall asleep, and to stay asleep.
For some, the combination of tinnitus and anxiety also leads to social avoidance and isolation. That worsens the anxiety and contributes to depression. Concern may grow that the tinnitus will never go away and that it may be a sign of something more serious. This can lead to insecurity about the future and a feeling of hopelessness.
The Amplifier: How Anxiety Worsens Tinnitus
Stress hormones, including adrenaline, cortisol, and epinephrine, affect the nervous system and can affect the auditory system itself, leading to a reduction of blood circulation in the ears. The overstimulation of the nervous system can also cause cell damage through a lack of oxygen, worsening tinnitus, and contributing to a loss of hearing.
For those who experience panic attacks, both a temporary ringing and long-term tinnitus, along with a pulsating in the ear canals, may begin as a panic attack heightens. The sound and pulsations can contribute to anxiety and cause a fear of potential threats. As such, the tinnitus amplifies and becomes louder, more noticeable, and more irritating.
Breaking the Cycle: A Holistic Approach to Relief
Tinnitus affects millions of people around the world, yet there is no tried-and-true cure for it. However, there are holistic approaches to managing anxiety, and at the same time. If tinnitus is affecting your life, visiting an audiologist and having an assessment is the best place to start, and for those living in Arizona, the Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona team is ready to help.
Exploring mindfulness and meditation can help reduce the intrusion of tinnitus and anxiety reactions to it. Hearing protection, sound therapy, white noise machines, and notched music therapy will also help.
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Hearing protection when around loud machinery, chain saws, music, and firearms will help protect your hearing and reduce the chances of tinnitus getting worse.
Sound therapy apps and white, pink, green, or brown noise machines offer relief from anxiety as well as annoying outside noises and continuous tinnitus, replacing them with soothing, relaxing sounds instead.
Notched music therapy involves listening to music altered to eliminate the frequencies of your specific tinnitus. This personalized approach helps retrain your brain to lessen the impact of your tinnitus and the anxiety it may induce.
Finding ways to help reduce stress will further help. Deep breathing exercises, getting the proper amount of sleep, and routine physical exercise can help with your tinnitus and your mental health.
Help Is Available for Your Tinnitus and Your Anxiety
There is no doubt that tinnitus and anxiety are related, and understanding that link is your first step to finding relief. You are not alone in your struggle, and the Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona offers a personalized and comprehensive approach to support you.
If you're in Arizona and ready to take control of your tinnitus and anxiety, our team will provide the expert care and support you need.
Contact us today for your comprehensive evaluation.
Image credit: Studio Romantic / Shutterstock
