MINDFULNESS MAY EASE TINNITUS SYMPTOMS

Dr Laurence McKenna

New research led by Dr Laurence McKenna, pictured, from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and Dr Liz Marks from the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath has found that a mindfulness-based approach to tinnitus can make the symptoms of the condition less severe, less intrusive and less troublesome.

Tinnitus is a physical condition experienced as noises or ringing in the ears or head when no such external physical noise is present. The condition, which can result from a wide range of underlying causes, is usually caused by a fault in the hearing system itself, and is a symptom, not a disease in itself. At present there is no actual 'cure' for tinnitus. However, many of the causes of tinnitus are treatable.

It is an extremely distressing, even disabling, condition in and of itself. Worse, the condition is associated with many other problems such as emotional stress, insomnia, auditory perceptual problems and concentration problems. Tinnitus afflicts a significant percentage of the population—about ten to twenty per cent of the population. Some people are more at risk for the condition—musicians, military personnel, people who otherwise work in loud environments, and seniors.

Regrettably, there is at present no treatment to stop the noise of tinnitus. That’s where mindfulness comes in. The essence of mindfulness is—acceptance and non-reaction. It’s like the old-fashioned tape recorder or the modern-day video surveillance camera; the equipment records but does not react to what it hears or sees. So it is with mindfulness.

The research team found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) helps to significantly reduce the severity of tinnitus compared to relaxation-based treatments, an approach recommended by many tinnitus clinics.

For the study, which has been published in the journal Ear and Hearing, seventy-five patients took part in a trial at UCLH’s Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, receiving either MBCT or relaxation therapy. The research team found that both treatments led to a reduction in tinnitus severity, psychological distress, anxiety and depression, but the MBCT treatment led to significantly greater reductions in tinnitus severity than the relaxation treatment, and this improvement lasted for longer.

‘MBCT turns traditional tinnitus treatment on its head — so rather than trying to avoid or mask the noise, it teaches people to stop the battle with tinnitus,’ Dr Marks said. 

In other words, people learn how to 'allow' and 'accept' tinnitus rather than fighting it or trying to push it away. This is the practice of non-resistance: what you resist, persists. How true that is!

Study: McKenna L, Marks E, & Vogt F. (2018) ‘Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for chronic tinnitus: evaluation of benefits in a large sample of patients attending a tinnitus clinic.’ Ear and Hearing, 39(2), 359 - 366. DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000491

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: See the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. The information provided on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your medical practitioner or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on this blog.

MINDFULNESS MAY PROVIDE RELIEF FROM TINNITUS

Tinnitus is a physical condition experienced as noises or ringing in the ears or head when no such external physical noise is present. The condition is usually caused by a fault in the hearing system itself.

Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease in itself, and it can result from a wide range of underlying causes.

At present there is no actual 'cure' for tinnitus. However, many of the causes of tinnitus are treatable.

Approximately 17 to 20 per cent of Australians suffer from some degree of tinnitus, varying from mild to severe. As regards the latter, the noise can vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal or whine, and it may be heard in one or both ears.

The majority of tinnitus sufferers use what may be referred to as the ‘direct’ approach, that is, they attempt to drive away the ringing in their ears. However, new research suggests that acknowledging (or, in mindfulness parlance, 'noting') the sensation and learning to live with it can help decrease suffering.

As I see it, this is just another one more example, or rather illustration, of the metaphysical or mental ‘law of indirectness’. That ‘law’ or principle says, ‘Don't attempt to put a thought or problem out of one's mind directly but rather let the problem slip from the sphere of conscious analysis.’ Don't try ... instead, let ... for we all know from experience that, 'Whatever we resist, persists.'

Easier said than done, of course, but it can be done ... with practice. Is persistence needed? Not in the sense of 'will-power.' (Actually there is no such thing as will-power. The will has no power in and of itself, but that's for another blog.) Here's another metaphysical law worth remembering ... 'Effort defeats itself.' Got the picture? So, forget about gritting your teeth and flexing your muscles, as though some form of mental toughness would achieve the desired result. No, the type of persistence needed for success, if that be the right word, takes the form of what has been described as an effortless effort ... in the form of an awareness, and 'noting', on an ongoing basis ... from one moment to the next.

Lead researcher Jennifer Gans (pictured right), an assistant professor at the University of California at San Francisco says a technique called 'mindfulness-based tinnitus reduction' helps people separate the ringing from the stress, anxiety and other negative emotions tinnitus often causes.

‘Instead of pushing it away, it's dealing with what it is and experiencing it as a body sensation without the fear and depression that's creating the suffering,’ says Gans.

Mindfulness-based tinnitus reduction is an adaptation or special application of mindfulness-based stress reduction, which previous studies have found to be effective in helping people deal with chronic pain and arthritis. The tinnitus version is specifically designed to deal with the symptoms of tinnitus.

For more information see this article from ABC News/Health ... as well as this YouTube video on using mindfulness in treating tinnitus:

Finally - This blog sets out a simple form of mindfulness sitting meditation.

Resource: Gans J J, 'Mindfulness-based tinnitus therapy is an approach with ancient roots', (2010) Hearing Journal, Nov 2010, v 63, issue 11, doi: 10.1097/01.HJ.0000390823.09995.f3


RELATED POST

MINDFULNESS MAY EASE TINNITUS SYMPTOMS

IMPORTANT NOTICE: See the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. The information provided on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your medical practitioner or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on this blog.