{"id":1302,"date":"2020-02-05T10:00:31","date_gmt":"2020-02-05T15:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlestonhearing.com\/?p=1302"},"modified":"2020-02-10T12:21:38","modified_gmt":"2020-02-10T17:21:38","slug":"how-meditation-can-help-reduce-tinnitus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearingsc.com\/how-meditation-can-help-reduce-tinnitus\/","title":{"rendered":"How Meditation Can Help Reduce Tinnitus"},"content":{"rendered":"

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from some degree of tinnitus, a condition marked by pesky ringing, buzzing, whistling or humming in the ears that has no external source. According to the American Tinnitus Association, approximately 12 million people experience tinnitus chronically, and two million find it debilitating.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for tinnitus<\/a>, and in many cases, there is no identifiable cause either. However, many have found that meditation can help provide relief from the noise.<\/p>\n

What Is Meditation?<\/h2>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Mediation is a mental exercise that is performed for increased relaxation, focus and awareness. Many with tinnitus have reported that after meditating, they are less bothered by their tinnitus than they were before.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the meditation sessions, the ringing in my ears would subside. Despite the silence of the meditation room, the roar of my tinnitus would fade away,\u201d explained Shari Eberts, a hearing health advocate and writer<\/a>. \u201cThis occurred subtly at first, but by the end of the week, my body seemed to anticipate what was to come. I would assume the meditation posture, begin to mindfully breathe, and the quiet would come, as welcome as a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to Meditate<\/h2>\n

There are just three basic steps for mindfulness meditation:<\/p>\n

Sit comfortably with your eyes closed<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

You are going to hold this position the entirety of your meditation session, so make sure it is a position you are comfortable in. Closing your eyes will help prevent distractions.<\/p>\n

Focus on your breath. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Become aware of your breathing and explore how breath feels moving through the body. Focus on your nose, chest or belly \u2013 wherever you feel the breathing process the most.<\/p>\n

Let go of other thoughts<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

This is the hardest part for most people. Try not to think about something that frustrated you earlier in the day or what\u2019s left on your to-do list. If any of these thoughts come up, acknowledge them, then let them go. The same goes for physical sensations if you start to feel restless.<\/p>\n

You can find videos online to help guide you<\/a> through your first meditation session.<\/p>\n

While meditation is effective for many, there are other options for helping manage your tinnitus<\/a>. For more information, call the The Hearing & Balance Center<\/a> at Charleston ENT today!<\/p>\n

Learn about Hearing Aids:<\/h3>\n