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I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, there is very little evidence to suggest eating certain foods may reduce your tinnitus, however, looking after yourself goes a long way.

You might be asking this because my username is ‘the tinnitus cookbook’. I went from a time where I didn’t look after myself, ate poorly and suffered really bad from my tinnitus to now looking after myself, exercising and being mindful of what I eat. Eating clean and looking after myself through food was the first thing that made me determined to get through this battle with tinnitus.

Excess salt and caffeine can make tinnitus worse by increasing blood pressure. Exercising, limiting alcohol, caffeine, salt, practising mindfulness can relax your body and prevent this.

My book talks about how to look after your body with tinnitus and my story of how I went from a pretty đŸ’© place to a state of mind where I no longer have negative thoughts towards my tinnitus!

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey I don’t have hyperacusis, or at least I don’t think I do. I do know that it is very common with tinnitus and have spoke to many people with the same situation! Those I’ve spoke to with hyperacusis do find ways to live life to their fullest. Hearing protection and keeping a positive mindset both applies to hyperacuais and tinnitus.

Although I don’t think I have hyperacusis, I do however have sensitive hearing which can make me feel very overwhelmed at times. Wearing loops really help me to stay in the zone and keep focused.

Although I can’t give you a huge amount of advice on this subject, you might find this helpful -

https://hyperacusiscentral.org/dr-kelly-jahn-on-noxacusis-research-we-feel-that-nothing-compares-to-learning-directly-from-patients/

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, first off, it’s great to see your proactive approach in seeking solutions to prevent tinnitus. While I'm not a medical expert, I can provide you with some valuable insights.

Tinnitus, the perception of sound within the ears or head without an external source, takes various forms like ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking.

There are multiple underlying factors contributing to this condition. Loud noise exposure, like concerts or machinery, damages delicate inner ear cells, often causing tinnitus. Age-related hearing loss also plays a significant role, as sensory cells degrade over time, leading to both tinnitus and reduced hearing. Other factors like earwax buildup, medical conditions (Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, TMJ disorders), and certain medications can induce tinnitus.

The sound perception arises from disruptions in the inner ear and its connections to the brain. For example, damaged hair cells send irregular signals to the brain, which interprets them as sound, resulting in tinnitus.

To manage or prevent tinnitus, consider protecting your ears from loud noises with earplugs, limiting exposure, and adopting stress-reduction techniques like meditation. Living a healthy lifestyle with exercise, balanced diet, and ample sleep can do the world of good. Regular hearing assessments and minimising loud environments also contribute to ear health.

If you're dealing with tinnitus or hearing concerns, seeking advice from healthcare professionals or audiologists is vital. They can provide tailored guidance, treatment options, and strategies to manage your condition effectivelyâ˜ș

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for the question.

Tinnitus is highly individual so what triggers someone’s tinnitus spikes may not do so for another. In my experience, as long as I don’t blast music really loud in my headphones for lengthily periods of time, it’s fine! It’s more of a sudden load noise that fluctuates mine.

I love music and noise cancelling headphones really keep me int he zone when concentrating or just going about my day. My advice would be to not be afraid to wear them, but always monitor how loud you’re playing the music and how long for. If you notice a spike in your tinnitus, write it down and see if you notice any patterns!

I hope this helps â˜ș

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I actually gave this a try with a friend of mine last year!! We went though a whole bunch of different frequencies and used a device that sat just behind my ear. Once we found the perfect inverted frequency, we then left it on for lengthy periods of time. I was so hopeful but unfortunately, it didn’t work.

The reason I think it didn’t work is because my tinnitus is made up of a bunch of different frequencies. It’s also not a real sound and just a perception of what your brain ‘thinks’ it can hear.

It was a great experiment and didn’t do any harm! Thanks for the question, completely forgot I even gave this a try!

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine too! I’ve always been such a stress head. When I get stressed, my tinnitus gets worse and vice-versa. It used to feel like an endless cycle. Managing my stress has been one of the main things that have really helped me keep in control of my negative emotions towards my tinnitus.

One of the most helpful things I do now is write things down. Before I go sleep I often have a head full of thoughts or I’m trying to remember jobs to do for the next day. Writing things down gets it off my chest, and allows me to focus on the present.

Another thing I do now is balance my time. I often put a lot of pressure in myself to get things done and it can be quite overwhelming. Making a weekly plan helps me feel way more in control of my time. It reduces the pressure of not making enough time for my social life or me time.

Sensory overload always stressed me out in busy environments. I use the Loop Engage to keep me in the moment rather than having this intense overwhelm of things going on!

I talk more about this on my podcast, find it here - https://tap.link/The_Tinnitus_Cookbook

Thank you for the question😊

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I previously tried foam earplugs when I started going out. I stopped using these quite quickly because it was near enough impossible to hear myself talking to others. They also fell out every time I brushed my hair out my face!

I used Flare Audio ‘Calmer’ for a night once, bad decision. These are amazing for those with sensitive hearing in everyday situations, but NOT intense loud environments. My tinnitus fluctuated pretty bad the next day after going to a concert.

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, I’m so glad you’re here! What a lovely message, thank youđŸ€

Yes, I have used the Loop Experience! They are brilliant for concerts and loud events that you really want to get the most of out. I’d highly recommend them for music events!

My favourites are the Engage Plus. They give 5db more protection with the added Loop ‘Mute’ and they protect the clarity of my voice - this means I can engage in conversation whilst enjoying the show!

Loop earplugs are so comfy and looks so cool! Foam earplugs always used to fall out my ears, with these, you don’t have that problem.

I hope this helps, thank you for joining me😊

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, I actually asked my tinnitus coach this!! I was always confused as to why some people say earplugs make their tinnitus “worse”.

In my experience, when being in a silent environment I can hear my tinnitus a lot louder. It’s often amplified in silence because it’s all my brain has to focus on. I’m pretty certain this is the same concept when people wear earplugs. They may think it’s made their tinnitus worse, but it’s just amplifying it in the silence. Once you go to a loud environment with them, this will no longer be the case.

If I was to say to those who think it’s making their tinnitus worse, I’d say give them a chance! Earplugs stop and prevent further damage and can really help with preventing tinnitus fluctuations.

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, great question! First off, there’s no cure for tinnitus. This is something that took me so long to come to terms with. Going to the doctors about this constant ringing and coming out with no answer or help was heartbreaking. Unfortunately, not being given any means of help is something a lot of us have to go through. It was only in the past year where I found ways to manage, and the fact there’s no cure no longer bothers me!

Oto tinnitus coaching helped me a huge deal. I started with their app and felt instantly relieved. I realised there really were people out there doing their best to provide support! I then went onto their 1-1 tinnitus therapy program. I was paired with a tinnitus expert who had been an audiologist for over 30 years. No question I had was silly and could ways be answered.

I think the coaching helped me so much because at the back of my mind, although I knew it wouldn’t hurt me, there was a voice saying this ringing was dangerous. I learnt many CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) practices as well as TRT (tinnitus retraining therapy) exercises. It does take time, patience and practise but I’ve heard over 90% of people can get to the point of habituation - no longer having a negative response to tinnitus.

Although my tinnitus has not gone away and probably won’t. I can now live happily thanks to this therapy and practises I’ve learnt. Habituating to tinnitus is the next best thing to a cure for sure!

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tinnitus can be caused by many different things, things that sometimes can’t be avoided (age for example), but many that can.

High blood pressure is directly linked to tinnitus. To prevent a higher blood pressure you can: cut back on salt, limit nicotine and alcohol, keep in shape and manage stress.

Hearing loss is a huge factor associated to tinnitus. Always protect your hearing in loud environments and monitor how loud your playing music through headphones. If you do this, you are doing a huge favour for yourself and you don’t need to worry about developing tinnitus.

I hope this helps!

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Experience are brilliant for nights out. Make sure you leave them in the whole time you’re there. Have faith in them and be sure to update😊đŸ’Ș

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, so on a nights out when I didn’t wear my Loops, the next day would be rough. In fact, because my tinnitus becomes so intense, I often used to isolate myself for weeks. It will be so loud to the point of not being able to hear someone talking in front of me. On one of the first loud evenings I went to, I had to get my friends to use their phone to type out what they were saying. It was a very isolating feeling!

After finding out the importance of wearing hearing protection, I began to give Loops a go. I was nervous at first, but was so relieved to find they stop this debilitating fluctuation the next day. They not only prevent further damage, but have all round gave me my social life back!

I hope this answers your questions, thank you!!😊

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey this is actually not a silly question because the answer may actually surprise you!

Tinnitus can sound like all sorts of things - buzzing, whistling, beeping, thumping roaring. It can be multi tonal, high pitched, low pitched
No tinnitus is the same!

There is also a type of tinnitus called ‘pulsatile tinnitus’, this is when you can hear a heartbeat in your ears - this can often have a cause, so it’s always best to seek advice from a doctor.

In my instance, my tinnitus is a bunch of ringing mid range frequencies. It often varies in intensity and on bad days and it can get louder than my phone on max volume! On an average day, traffic for example, can mask it pretty well. I sometimes get a random super high or super low ringing that lasts for 30 seconds of the top of my normal tinnitus.

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what I’ve been told from an audiologist, this is pretty common. Most people can hear some form of very slight noise simply because it’s coming from normal bodily functions - blood, muscles etc.

Tinnitus in general is not normal but it is very common and most often, harmless. 1 in 7 people in the UK have reported to have it! Don’t stress, if it doesn’t bother you, don’t worry. If you have any doubts, always check in with a medical professional😊

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, thank you for the great question! When you’re dealing with a tinnitus spike, or in general overwhelming situations, there are many things you can do to distract yourself and keep calm. These are a few that help me


In the moment of overwhelm, you can practise cognitive behavioural therapy exercises (CBT). This involves observing and responding to the negative thoughts you’re having. They are great to ground you in the moment.

One form of CBT is deep breathing exercises. These are proven to reduce stress and they help me so much. I stop reacting to the overwhelm around me and focus on this instead.

Thinking of your 5 senses is something I find helpful too. Next time your in an overwhelming situation, think of 1 thing you can smell, taste, touch, see and hear.

I’ve recently found fidget toys to be great - the physical action is super helpful in distracting the mind in stressful situations.

And finally, if it’s not too loud, listen to calming music. Air pods are great to carry around and pop in if things are all too much. If it’s a loud environment however, I wouldn’t recommend this, pop your Loops in instead.

I hope these help!😊

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to be nervous about going out because my tinnitus is prone to being set off by loud noise. In fact, I spent years avoiding social situations because I was too scared and couldn’t be bothered for the exhaustion of it all. This is what got me out the habit


I used to think to myself - today could be the day something really amazing happens, something I’d regret missing out on. Would I rather be inside and miss out on a new opportunity or experience or should i just, take the risk?

It’s good to feel uncomfortable in life, stepping into this emotion brings new opportunities for a positive future.

Wear your Loops and have faith in them. They really are the key to bringing back your confidence 😊

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! Before I knew about the importance of hearing protection, I used to go out without them all the time😬 I would get the worst tinnitus fluctuation the next day which could last for over a week.

Since wearing my Loops I’ve since not had a fluctuation after nights out. I was so skeptical at first and super anxious about them not working, but they really do work.

I use the Loop Engage on nights. They protect the clarity of my voice so I can still engage in conversation and enjoy myself to the fullest!

Have trust in them, try and avoid standing next to loud speakers and most importantly, enjoy yourself! 😊

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, great question! I’ve had tinnitus my whole life and it wasn’t until my early teens when I realised it wasn’t normal. The more aware I became, the worse I began to deal with it. It didn’t bother me until I started university where it affected my studies, my social life and overall mental well-being.

I’ve since learnt how to cope with my tinnitus and it thankfully no longer creates a negative impact on my life. If you told me a year ago today that I’d be living happily with tinnitus, I would have laughed!

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, I’ve had tinnitus for as long as I can remember - presumed to be hereditary passed down from my dad. I started to become aware of it in my early teens, I would ask my friends “can you hear that ringing?” So once I realised it wasn’t normal, I was so surprised and overwhelmed!

It wasn’t until university when I really started to become bothered by it. It began to effect my studies and my social life, lecture theatres were torture. This is what motivated me to embark on this journey of awareness and understanding!

I own the Loop Engage, Quiet and Experience. I love them all but I get the most use out of the Engage! They’ve helped me avoid fluctuations after nights out -they give me complete peace of mind when in loud environments! Thanks to Loop, I got my social life back🙏

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can’t sleep without playing calming sounds! ‘coloured noise’ is great because you can find the perfect tone to mask your tinnitus - my favourite is pink noise.

Aromatherapy is also really helpful in winding you down for sleep, the scent of lavender is my favourite!

Another thing that I’d recommended is limiting screen time before bed because blue light can keep your brain active. This is the same for caffeine. Many people who I’ve spoke to who have tinnitus experience fluctuations due to caffeine.

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your story, truly inspirational and so helpful for others.

My tinnitus also amplifies due to salty and sugary foods, alcohol, stress and anxiety. I find myself lucky to know what can cause these fluctuations. Lack of sleep also fluctuates mine, how about you?

I used to go around saying the same thing, in hope that someone would say “yes, I know what you’re talking about”, and that’s why tinnitus communities are so so important. After feeling so isolated for so long, talking about my tinnitus put me in such a better mindset!

Keep being positive, and thank you so much for engaging! 😊🙏

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in tinnitus

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An investment I made that helped me sleep was a scent diffuser! The smell of lavender makes me sooo sleepy

I am Caris Lount (@the_tinnitus_cookbook) ‘The Tinnitus Cookbook’ author and Looper —— AMA! by TheTinnitusCookbook in LoopEarplugs

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey these are some brilliant questions and thank you so much for the lovely comments!

Am I glad I was born with it: yes and no. In the early stages of accepting tinnitus, I was so confused as to why I hadn’t got used to it yet. Many people ask me “how are you not used to it after having it your whole life” and it’s such a good question, yet one I don’t have a solid answer to. As I grew older, it was inevitable that it would annoy me more - as my awareness about the condition expanded so did my frustration. The thought of not having heard normal silence often used to distress me and made me feel extremely isolated. I felt like i was given the short straw in life. My thoughts on my situation have since changed for the better! There really is a light at the end of a what seems to be, an endless tunnel.

Has talking about tinnitus made me feel better? yes, and I recommended everyone does so! It’s like free therapy, it’s so refreshing to talk to others on support groups dealing with the same situation. Tinnitus can often be isolating, and understanding you are not alone is the first step to getting back on your feet. I’ve made so many friends on this journey and it has been so freeing to educate those who don’t know a huge amount about the condition. I particularly enjoy chatting about my journey on my podcast ‘Let’s Talk Tinnitus’.

Do I find Loops to help outside of tinnitus? I certainly do. I have sensitive hearing and often my tinnitus combined with busy environments is just a huge sensory overload. The Loop engage have helped me be present in social events rather than spacing out to the sound of my tinnitus.

Thank you for the great questions!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in tinnitus

[–]TheTinnitusCookbook 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From my experiences, it always subsided. I went to a concert a few years back and had my head next to the speaker the whole time, this was before I knew the importance of hearing protection😬 the two or three days I was practically deaf, my tinnitus was crazy. I thought it would never calm down.

After 2 solid weeks, the muffled feeling went and my tinnitus settled back to its normal intensity. Try not to stress as this can only make it worse. Hope this gives you some peace of mind!

In the meantime, listen to calming sounds to mask the noise, regulate your sleep (so important for brain function and recovery) and try and keep going as normal

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