Tinnitus Group – September 2019
We are thrilled to be back with our Tinnitus Support Group after a little hiatus. This group, as part of our Tinnitus solutions, was designed to be a safe place to discuss your tinnitus, the symptoms, your thoughts and feelings, as well as a place to find support, hope, and, hopefully, a few new strategies to try out.
This Month’s Group
In this month’s group, we had 3 individuals with Tinnitus, 2 due to Meniere’s disease, as well as 2 spouses that are big advocates for their partners.
These individuals have had Tinnitus for a number of years; so they have tried a variety of strategies and found what works for them. However, through discussion, we found that sometimes revisiting strategies you’ve tried previously can demonstrate different results based on the level of the Tinnitus at that point in time.
Tinnitus Triggers and Strategies
Through our discussion, we talked about what triggers seem to increase the Tinnitus and what strategies have been working recently for the group. These included:
| Trigger | Strategies |
| Motor noises (big trucks, lawnmowers, etc.) | Noise-canceling headphones Sound therapy (ocean noise *use a sound that you love) |
| Stress and General Flare-Ups | Sound therapy Using a cane (stress of possible dizzy spell and falling, due to the Meniere’s, the cane helps with security) Distraction therapy – playing solitaire on the computer Animal therapy (petting the neighbour’s dog) Visceral Manipulation Gardening |
| Clinking plates while washing dishes | Moving to a different room Using plastic or paper plates |
| Sleep Difficulties | Natural remedies – herbs given by a natural path Gravel Sound therapy |
| Emotions | Knowing it WILL come down Herbs Sound therapy |
| Weather (barometric pressure) | Using whatever works |
The key for any trigger is to be prepared with strategies or try to avoid those situations.
Other Topics Discussed
A spouse brought in a really great blog from ‘But You Don’t Look Sick.’ We sometimes forget that Tinnitus and hearing loss are injuries to the ears; however, it’s an injury that people can’t see. Meaning we may have to regularly remind people how they can help you hear better (i.e. looking at you when they are talking) or why you might be having a bad day or avoiding a particular environment.
This is where advocates, family, a spouse, friends, or those closest to you, can really support you. They can be the ones to help explain or remind others of what you need and why. While this can also be tiring and at times, I’m sure, frustrating, it is part of having an invisible injury.
We are going to continue this conversation in a later session about how to advocate for our loved ones with Tinnitus, working on Tinnitus awareness, and how to better explain what you’re going through when your Tinnitus is at its peak and how others can help you in those situations.
Check out the ‘But You Don’t Look Sick’ blog for other great contents about having an invisible injury – how to talk about it, others’ experiences, and much more.
Next Month’s Group Topic
In October we will be back on the 9th with a special guest from East Central Therapy Dogs talking about the benefits of animal therapy. There may also be an extra special furry guest involved! Please give us a call at 705-749-0707 to let us know you’ll be attending.
We have lots in store for 2020! If you have a therapy that you would like is to look into for discussion, leave a comment below.
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