We live in stressful times. In October 2010, the BBC reported on a University of Manchester study which found that work stress levels had risen by 4% in the previous two years. The article states that stress ‘could trigger depression, anxiety, workplace injuries and suicide, and lead to a greater risk of heart disease.’
What is perhaps less well known is the link between stress and tinnitus. However, since its launch earlier this year, The Tinnitus Clinic has already treated a number of patients who attribute their tinnitus to a stressful lifestyle. Tinnitus can also make their lives more stressful, as the ‘ringing’ in their ears makes it difficult to concentrate on all the things they need to get done. This link between stress and tinnitus is also evident in published medical research.
A study by the School of Occupational Safety and Health at the Chung Shan Medical Research University in Taiwan found that ‘The relationship between perceived job stress and health complaints indicated that workers who perceived higher job stress had significantly increased risk of multiple health problems, including… tinnitus…’ (read abstract).
A 2011 Swedish study into the probability of developing tinnitus found that, ‘Exposure to noise and stress emerged important for the probability of tinnitus. However, for the transition from mild to severe tinnitus, stress turned out to be especially important.’
The Tinnitus Clinic can offer range of holistic packages, aimed at improving both the tinnitus and the stress levels experienced by the patient. These can include Acoustic CR® Neuromodulation or another of our evidence-based treatments for tinnitus, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and relaxation training.
