Will my tinnitus get worse over time is one of the most commonly asked questions. The answer, however, should fill you with hope.
Will my tinnitus get worse with time?
If you seek medical attention immediately and identify the issues that may have caused your tinnitus (i.e., exposure to loud sounds), tinnitus does not worsen over time. Aside from spikes (temporary increases in perception lasting 2-3 days), tinnitus generally lessens as your tinnitus habituation progresses.
Why your tinnitus seems worse some days.
When you notice an increase in your tinnitus intensity, take note of what you are doing.
Odds are, you are both physically and mentally idle whenever your tinnitus is roaring in your ears. With nothing else to focus on, you fix your attention on the noise. Without even realizing it, you have blundered into an ambush.
A tinnitus ambush is crazily deceptive. Even if you think you know what is happening, you are wrong. You may even believe the problem is you’re focusing too much on the sound of your tinnitus. Wrong! You aren’t not even listening to it.
Nope, what you are doing is thinking about the future ramifications of this change in your tinnitus. You think you cannot possibly cope with your tinnitus if it gets any worse.
Your escape from this ambush is closed tight the instant you begin to imagine your tinnitus reaching an unbearable level. Once you do, your tinnitus will seem much, much louder today than ever before.
Never overreact when you think the ringing in your ears is worsening.
Your fears about tinnitus are certainly normal and natural. However, the initial onslaught of tinnitus can be distressing, confusing, and threatening.
However, catastrophizing your tinnitus (imagining the absolute worst possible thing that could happen) is dangerous. A severe adverse reaction will delay your healing process and make your tinnitus seem louder.
Therefore, it’s critical to understand the facts in your first three months. The vast majority of tinnitus suffers recover and lead everyday lives. You can counter negative thoughts and speed up your recovery by:
- Anticipating daily fluctuations in tinnitus intensity.
- Learning a few coping methods.
- Adopting a positive attitude about your eventual recovery.
Your recovery is nearly guaranteed. 97% of people who get tinnitus eventually habituate to it and move on with ordinary lives.
Need more help? You can access my book The 15 Minute Challenge for free on Amazon if you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber.
Spikes do not mean your tinnitus is getting worse.
Tinnitus spikes are sudden, sharp increases in the intensity of your tinnitus sound. They can be painful (like having an ear infection) and demoralizing. The first thing a spike will do is convince you this is the new normal. It is not. Spikes usually subside within 1-3 days. The only practical thing you can do with a spike is wait it out.
While we all bitch and moan about spikes, they are beneficial. Like it or not, you start to habituate to the newer, louder level even during a short spike. As a result, it sounds a bit muted when your regular tinnitus returns.
So, don’t be fooled or dismayed when you get a few spikes every once in a while. Hunker down, and wait them out. Then, if you want to, spend some time exploring the potential causes of a spike. Were you eating something potentially unhealthy? Were you drinking too much alcohol? Not getting enough sleep?
To sum up, spikes are temporary, unpredictable, and always bearable. They are not signs your tinnitus is getting worse.
Tinnitus intensity changes may be related to your emotional state or activity level.
There is no better relief from tinnitus than a good night’s sleep. Rested and with your batteries charged, your tinnitus will often seem significantly reduced in the morning. If you have a solid plan for handling your day job and how you will function at work with tinnitus, your mood will also take the edge of the tinnitus noise for another eight hours.
You can also get a couple more hours of freedom from your tinnitus noise by working on simple chores.
Are you noticing anything yet? You have a great deal of control over your tinnitus. That control comes the moment you eliminate your emotional response to tinnitus. When separated from constant attention and fear, tinnitus fades for hours at a time.
Tinnitus does not get worse with time; it gets better.
Within 6-18 months, you will have moved through the four stages of habituation. Often, despite your own worst efforts to prevent it. Then, in the final stage, you’ll find the peace you once thought was gone forever.
You’ll barely pay any attention to your tinnitus. The ringing in your ears will not intrude on your thoughts or have any effect on your daily activities. And finally, you will have no emotional reaction to your tinnitus.