What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a parasitic noise (ringing, buzzing, whistling, etc.) that affects one or both ears. They are heard in the ear or in the head, and are very unpleasant for the sufferer. They can last from a few minutes (after a concert, for example) to hours or years (known as chronic tinnitus). For a proportion of the population (between 10 and 18% in Switzerland), they are chronic, and therefore have a very detrimental effect on the quality of life of the sufferer.
What could be the cause?
There are two types of tinnitus:
- Subjective tinnitus - which accounts for 99% of tinnitus sufferers. In this case, the source is not in the ear, but rather due to abnormal nerve cell activity in the brain. Their causes are not yet well defined, but they are often correlated with a pathology (impaired hearing, auditory trauma, inner ear disorders, cervical or lower jaw problems, hypertension, diabetes, hormonal disorders...). Chronic stress can also trigger tinnitus.
- Objective tinnitus - very rare. It is caused by a real sound source.
When should you see a doctor?
The sudden onset of tinnitus calls for an urgent consultation with your ear, nose and throat doctor to identify the cause. If it's a simple earwax plug, the problem is easily treated. Otherwise, a number of therapies may be appropriate to alleviate and possibly eliminate tinnitus. Prompt treatment will improve the chances of success.
Perceived noise can be very annoying and significantly alter the quality of life of tinnitus sufferers. They can cause nervous disorders such as stress, sleep problems (insomnia)...
In addition to potential medical treatment, it may be appropriate to explore a therapeutic approach (osteopathy, traditional Chinese medicine).
Sophrology can help you limit the impact on the mind by working on the ability to live better with tinnitus.
Tinnitus: How can sophrology help?
Sophrology is a marvellous tool for supporting tinnitus sufferers, with tailor-made protocols carefully prepared by the practitioner after a thorough history has been taken with the patient. This allows you to be accompanied in the problem that corresponds to you.
Here are just a few examples of how sophrology can significantly improve quality of life:
- Hyperacusis - learn to live with the sounds and noises around you more serenely, to manage pain more easily, and to regain confidence in your body's ability not to reactivate its self-preservation reflexes.
- Ménière's syndrome - although the causes are still unclear, it is now well known that stress and fatigue act as triggering factors. In this case, as in the case of hyperacusis, you can play an active part in your recovery with sophrology. The aim of our carefully prepared protocol is to help you live more serenely with crises. To achieve this, we'll suggest exercises to help you release anxiety and regain confidence in your body, so that you no longer feel negatively about future attacks.
- Hearing aids - get to grips with your new hearing aid and experience this sometimes negatively perceived transition with peace of mind and confidence.
- Difficulty falling asleep and sleeping - Insomnia Insomnia
- Isolation - regain calm more easily and regain confidence and hope, so that you can emerge from the situation with greater serenity and self-esteem.
- Stress- Stress can be the cause of tinnitus, but it can also be generated by the tinnitus itself, by its impact on daily life and mood. In both cases, specific work is carried out with the therapist.
More explanations/information on sophrology here.