Lesley Dorfman, PhD
TINNITUS AND MISOPHONIA
TINNITUS
Tinnitus occurs as an unfortunate sound where no external source exists. Such sound can be a ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing in the ears or head. This can range from mildly annoying to a disabling condition. It has been shown that Tinnitus can affect 10-25% of adults and its causes can include a wide range of issues.
It has been thought that hearing loss, ear infections, Meniere disease or a disorder of the inner ear that can involve hearing loss and dizziness. Other causes can be a sigh of high blood pressure, allergy, with TMJ exacerbating the disorder. Injury or or the causes are still being investigated.
Tinnitus is often reported to be worse at nigh or in quiet surroundings. This disorder is should be reviewed with your health care provider to rule out other disorders . CBT can provide new and helpful ways to use tools for not only distraction, but to treat the anxiety and often depression that can co-occur with this disorder.
POSSIBLE REASONS FOR ONSET OF TINNITUS
- Exposure to loud noises
- Hearing loss
- Ear infections or blockage
- Head or neck injuries
- Medications
- Other chronic medical conditions
RESOURCES
American Tinnitus Association
https://www.ata.org/about-tinnitus/why-are-my-ears-ringing/
Mayo Clinic
John Hopkins Medicine
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tinnitus
MISOPHONIA
This is a chronic conditions where sounds such as chewing, or breathing sounds can create extreme emotional responses. Where as an individual without Misophonia would not react to the sounds or sights. You may be experiencing physiological responses such as sweating, pressure in your chest, or increase in blood pressure or increase in heart rate. Many people report very strong negative emotions such as irritation, disgust, anxiety, anger to rage. The fight-or-flight response that gets triggered can lead a person to feel an intense pressure that they need to escape the situation. Specific quiet sounds such as a cough, sneeze, swallowing or throat clearing can trigger an individual with Misophonia. If you find yourself avoiding eating around others due to the sounds or visual of people chewing or drinking, or sounds are intolerable to sit in a classroom (other students, tapping a pen, or the keyboard sound) it is possible that it could be Msophonia. The debilitating results can make it difficult to be in social, family, or career or school settings. Social isolation is common, leading to depression and or anxiety. CBT is a treatment that offers help to create a more functional way of life. If you have said,’that persons sniffing is driving me crazy” “or “ I can’t sit with you and watch you eat” its possible that Misophonia could be an issue for you. While the condition is not curable , with training, and education on how to manage difficult situations, you can lead a more social and fulfilling life.
POSSIBLE REASONS FOR ONSET OF MISOPHONIA
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- Family history or genetics
- Area of brain that processes emotions like disgust, fear with threatening situations
- Can be more common in people with certain conditions such as neurodivergence, such as ADHD, Autism , and Tourettes
- Certain mental health conditions such as OCD, PTS, or depression
- Some health related conditions, such as tinnitus, hearing loses, or Hyperacusis
RESOURCES
Misophonia Association
https://misophonia-association.org/
Misophonia Conference in San Diego
https://www.facebook.com/MisophoniaAssociation/
Annual International Misophonia Conference
SoQuiet