Subjective tinnitus, characterized by a ringing or buzzing that only you can hear, is a common symptom. While the symptom has no known cure, there are a few ways you can manage it. One surprising way is by doing yoga for stress relief.
The Tinnitus-Stress Connection
Stress is often thought of as an emotional or mental challenge, but its effects can reach far beyond mood alone. A 2023 study found a strong connection between stress and tinnitus. A few highlights of the study include:
- Psycho-social stress may increase the risk of developing tinnitus at a rate similar to long-term exposure to loud workplace noise
- The combination of high stress levels and occupational noise can double the likelihood of developing tinnitus
- Emotional stress can make existing tinnitus feel more intense and serve as an accurate indicator of the severity of tinnitus
Finding ways to reduce stress in your life, such as through yoga, is the first step in tinnitus relief.
The Impact of Yoga
A 2021 review examined the effects of yoga on tinnitus symptoms. The results were very promising: three of the five studies showed that patients who practiced yoga had reductions in tinnitus severity, anxiety, irritability and overall stress. While the study states the need for further research, it recommends a combined approach of yoga, meditation and audiological care to reduce symptoms.
Taking a few classes at Black Swan Yoga or following along with a few online yoga teachers are great ways to try the practice. If you’re new to yoga, look for beginner classes or classes that spend a fair amount of time meditating. As you move through your practice, you might find that certain types of classes offer the most relief. Try keeping a journal of each class you take and a gauge of your tinnitus before and after to track how much yoga helps.
Audiological Care
Combining the stress-relieving practice of yoga with audiological interventions like sound masking and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) may be just the ticket to minimizing your tinnitus symptoms.
Remember that tinnitus is a very personal symptom; what works for one person, or even a group of people, may not necessarily work for you. We’re here to help you find the right combination of tools to relieve your symptoms. Contact Hearing Systems today to schedule your tinnitus consultation with one of our specialists.