Tinnitus - when the body makes noises that nobody hears

A whistling, a hissing, a buzzing. Constantly there. Constantly annoying. For many people, tinnitus is more than just a ringing in the ears - it is a stressor, a sleep robber, a trigger for anxiety, withdrawal and exhaustion. And: it is a symptom that affects the whole person.

It is estimated that more than 10 million people in Germany suffer from tinnitus - many of them permanently. The good news is that even though tinnitus is often not completely "curable", there are now effective therapeutic ways to regulate it , calm it down and live better with it.

What is tinnitus - and why does it occur?

Tinnitus is the conscious perception of a sound without an external sound stimulus being present. It usually affects both ears or is localized "in the head". A distinction is made between

• Acute tinnitus - less than 3 months

• Chronic tinnitus - over 3 months

There are many causes:

• Hearing loss or noise trauma

• Tension in the jaw, neck or shoulder area

• Circulatory disorders in the inner ear

• Infections or diseases of the ears

• Stress, lack of sleep, emotional strain

• Central processing errors in the brain

Tinnitus is not a purely "ear-related" problem - it is often an expression of a multifactorial dysregulation in the interaction of the body, nervous system and psyche.

Why tinnitus becomes chronic - and what keeps it going

Not all tinnitus persists. Many acute cases heal. However, the longer the ringing in the ears persists, the more it becomes anchored in the brain. This means that the noise becomes part of a neuronal network that is further reinforced by attention, anxiety and vegetative activation.

Classic amplifiers:

• Permanent tension (muscular and emotional)

• Sleep problems

• Concentration on the sound

• Helplessness and loss of control

This creates a cycle:

Noise → attention → stress → tension → louder tinnitus → more stress ...

Physiotherapy - more than just neck stretching

Physiotherapy can make a noticeable contribution, especially in the case of muscular-mandibular influenced tinnitus (CMD, cervical spine blockages):

Therapeutic focus:

• Treatment of the cervical spine and jaw region - mobilization, fascia techniques

• Posture training and relaxation of the shoulder and neck muscles

• Breath work and vegetative regulation - to calm the autonomic nervous system

• Sensorimotor training & body awareness - for more calm and self-control

• Medical yoga & mindful movement - for inner relief

Aim: to de-dramatize tinnitus, relieve the body and down-regulate the nervous system.

Occupational therapy - when tinnitus takes over everyday life

Tinnitus not only affects the ear - but often also the ability to concentrate, relax or maintain social contacts. Occupational therapy helps people to regain their ability to act and enjoy life despite the noise.

Occupational therapy approaches:

• Pacing and stimulus regulation - especially with additional noise sensitivity (hyperacusis)

• Structuring the day - more rhythm, less sensory overload

• Everyday strategies for exhaustion, sleep disorders and concentration problems

• Strengthening self-efficacy - what can I do to regain control?

• Creative forms of expression - e.g. creative or body-related techniques for dealing with inner tension

The focus is on people - not the noise

At Hockenholz, we also work with tinnitus according to the biopsychosocial model. This means that we do not treat the symptom in isolation, but look at the whole system - nervous system, emotions, posture, habits, relationship to one's own body.

Our approach:

• Creating understanding - knowledge takes away fear

• Movement & regulation - instead of withdrawal and tension

• Therapeutic relationship at eye level - the person is not a passive recipient, but an active part of the solution

Conclusion: Tinnitus is not always treatable - but the symptoms and daily stress can often be significantly improved.

Even if the noise remains - it does not have to be dominant. The way forward is not through control, but through understanding, regulation and attentive support. With the right therapeutic approach, the disturbing sound in your ear becomes a background melody that no longer dominates your life.

Are you a therapist and want to find out more about the holistic treatment of tinnitus?
👉 Then find out about our further training courses on psychosomatic therapy, chronic pain and vegetative regulation:
👉 www.hockenholz.com/weiterbildungen

Are you affected yourself?
We'll support you - calmly, empathetically and individually.
In Berlin or via online counseling.