Hypnotherapy for a problem

Hypnosis for Tinnitus: A Mind-Body Approach

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Hypnosis is not a way to switch tinnitus off. What the NHS-recommended talking therapies aim at is your reaction to the sound: cognitive behavioral therapy is offered “to change the way you think about your tinnitus and reduce anxiety.” Hypnosis is not on that list of treatments, but it can be used in the same spirit, for relaxation and for shifting attention away from the noise.

What is tinnitus, and what causes it?

The NHS page on tinnitus defines it as hearing noises that do not come from an outside source: ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing, throbbing, or even music or singing, in one or both ears or in the head. It is not usually a sign of anything serious and may get better by itself.

The cause is not always clear, but it is often linked to hearing loss, Ménière’s disease, conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders or multiple sclerosis, anxiety or depression, and some medicines, including certain chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory painkillers and aspirin.

When should you get it checked?

The NHS advises seeing a GP if you have tinnitus regularly or constantly, if it is getting worse, or if it is affecting your sleep, concentration or mood. It advises an urgent appointment for tinnitus that beats in time with your pulse, and emergency care for tinnitus after a head injury, or with sudden hearing loss, weakness in the muscles of your face, or a spinning sensation. A GP can look for treatable causes such as an ear infection or a build-up of earwax, and check your hearing.

What treatments does the NHS describe?

If the cause is unknown or cannot be treated, a GP or specialist may refer you for:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy, usually offered first in digital form through an online program or app.
  • Tinnitus counselling, to learn about tinnitus and find ways of coping.
  • Tinnitus retraining therapy, which uses sound therapy to help the brain tune out the tinnitus. The NHS notes it is unclear whether it works for everyone.

What can you do yourself?

The NHS suggests trying to relax, with deep breathing or yoga; improving your sleep; avoiding things that make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noise; and joining a support group. It also advises against total silence, since soft music or sounds may distract you, and against focusing on the tinnitus, because that can make it worse.

Can hypnosis make tinnitus less intrusive?

As one way of doing what the NHS recommends: relaxing, and turning attention away from the sound. A session can help you:

  • Relax deeply, especially at bedtime.
  • Practice shifting attention to other sounds, sensations or an absorbing image, with the aim of letting the tinnitus sit in the background.
  • Rehearse a calmer reaction when you notice the sound, since the NHS notes that focusing on tinnitus can make it worse.

Treat it as an addition to the GP’s assessment and to the therapies above, not a replacement.

Make an attention plan

List three situations where the tinnitus bothers you most, such as falling asleep, quiet offices or reading. For each, choose a sound or activity to put in the foreground instead: soft background sound at night, a radio at low volume, a hobby that absorbs you. Use a short relaxation or self-hypnosis routine to move into that activity when you notice the tinnitus.

This article is general information, not medical or psychological advice; talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation.

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