TINNITUS
IS IT REALLY WORSE DURING MENOPAUSE? By Louise Furby Events and communications manager at Specsavers
T
innitus is the perception of sound when no corresponding external sound is present. It can be a ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling or other noise and the sensation can be constant or intermittent, vary in volume, and occur in one or both ears. Those who have experienced tinnitus will know that it can vary in its severity and for some, it can be a very distressing and debilitating condition. The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) reports an estimated 13.2% of the British population suffers from persistent tinnitus which is around 1 in 8 people. Luckily, for many sufferers, tinnitus is a mild irritation. For me, I notice it most at bedtime when the house is at its quietest and just after I plug in my earplugs, ready to drown out the freight train already snoring beside me! Tinnitus is also a condition that can be aggravated by psychological events and experiences. With many menopausal or perimenopausal women reporting a noticeable increase in their tinnitus during this time, it’s no surprise that a change in oestrogen levels can cause tinnitus to be another one of those menopausal symptoms that many women are dealing with. The change in oestrogen levels is the key factor here because we all know the impact that those changing hormones can have on us during menopause and perimenopause.
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MENOPAUSE LIFE SUMMER 2022
Put simply, the speed at which our senses react and heighten during menopause is a key factor for many women noticing tinnitus during this time.
Health and wellbeing The good news is, there are many ways you can help ease tinnitus side effects and most of these are very easily adopted. And it’s mostly about treating the external reaction, rather than the symptom itself, meaning that many of us can apply quick solutions to the problem.
• For those who notice the condition more at night, try having a low-level sound to help mask the ringing such as a fan, music or a sleep app that uses rainfall, seashore, or similar sounds to help aid sleep
• Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT) can help manage the effect that tinnitus has on your life by offering techniques that can help you deal with anxiety and distress
Like many menopause-related symptoms, a healthy, balanced lifestyle really can work wonders so exercise can help too.
• Try exercises that improve strength,
cardiovascular fitness, suppleness, and flexibility
• Find ways to manage stress levels like deepbreathing exercises and relaxation techniques. This can reduce the volume of your tinnitus as well as breakdown stress levels and anxiety
