What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. It’s often described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or a high-pitched noise in one or both ears. It isn’t an illness on its own but a symptom that can have many causes, including ear infections, fluid buildup, hearing loss, stress, fatigue, or prolonged illness.
Background Story
In March this year, what I thought was just a stubborn cold turned into something much more frightening. After days of fever, congestion, and pressure in my head, I suddenly experienced hearing loss in my right ear and developed a constant ringing sound. I was sent urgently to a larger hospital, where doctors found fluid trapped in my ear that was affecting my hearing. Thankfully, there was no severe or permanent damage, but I was warned that waiting longer could have led to lasting hearing loss.
By September, a health check confirmed mild hearing loss in one ear. The hearing loss stayed — and so did the ringing. What started as a temporary illness slowly became something I now live with every day.
How Am I Doing Now?
The ringing is still present. Some days it’s mild and easy to ignore; other days it’s loud and exhausting. My hearing has improved compared to the worst days in March, but it still doesn’t feel completely normal.
Living with tinnitus can be exhausting. I’m hopeful things will continue to improve, but I’m also learning how to adapt.
How People Learn to Live with Tinnitus
For many people, tinnitus becomes easier once they understand it and stop fearing it. Constantly checking whether the sound is louder often makes it feel worse. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up — it means teaching the brain that the sound isn’t a threat. Over time, the brain can habituate, and tinnitus fades into the background, like traffic noise or a fridge humming.
Silence often makes tinnitus more noticeable, so many people use gentle background sounds such as white noise, rain, or soft music, especially at night. These sounds don’t eliminate tinnitus, but they make it less dominant.
Stress and fatigue play a huge role. Poor sleep, illness, and emotional overload often make tinnitus louder. Regular rest, gentle movement, mindfulness, and limiting triggers like caffeine or alcohol can make a noticeable difference.
Most importantly, many people who now live peacefully with tinnitus once felt scared and overwhelmed. For many, tinnitus becomes quieter or less noticeable over time. Living with tinnitus is usually about adjustment, patience, and kindness toward yourself — not constant struggle.
