Living with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

Tinnitus can be a terrible affliction, both for the individual, and also for friends and family, and many people with tinnitus are currently left to fend for themselves. Despite this, prospects for recovery have never been better, based on recent advances in psychology, auditory neuroscience and medicine. Tinnitus (colloquially known as ringing in the ears) is common, affecting some five percent of people. Hyperacusis, or hypersensitivity of hearing, is commonly associated with troublesome tinnitus. However, these basic definitions give no idea of the individual, even idiosyncratic nature of both disorders, which can be profoundly affected by someone's personality and psychological state. While this may complicate medical treatment, it does mean that self-help techniques can often be effective in minimizing the distress caused by these disorders, which can range from lack of sleep and irritability, to loss of concentration and confidence. This book looks at strategies for living with tinnitus and hyperacusis, and includes a complete programme for recovery. Topics include: causes and mechanisms of tinnitus and hyperacusis; the impact of these hearing disorders; effective treatments; relaxation and sound therapy; relieving the stress of tinnitus and hyperacusis; avoiding relapse