- Tinnitus is ruling and ruining your life
- You’ve changed since your tinnitus started – and not for the better
- You look back at your life before tinnitus with nostalgia and longing
- Your tinnitus is making you anxious, depressed, angry or irritable (or a combination of all of them)
- You can’t imagine how you’ll cope with this noise for the rest of your life
- You struggle to fall asleep because all you can hear in the quiet of the bedroom is your tinnitus
- You’re worried you’ll lose friends because you no longer want to socialise in loud venues
- You’re irritable with your kids who are just being normal, noisy kids
- You feel guilty because of the impact your tinnitus has on those around you
- You’re fed up with struggling to hear conversations over your tinnitus
- You’ve stopped doing hobbies that you used to love before tinnitus came on the scene
- Every evening you battle with your partner over the volume control on the TV
- Your tinnitus distracts you so much at work you’re worried your customers or colleagues will notice. Or they have already noticed and you’re worried about keeping your job
- You don’t dare go to the dentist because you’re concerned that the sound of the equipment will trigger your tinnitus
- Whether or not you go for a walk in your neighbourhood depends on whether you can hear leaf blowers or chainsaws
- Holidays are off the cards because you worry the airplane noise will make your tinnitus worse
- You’ve stopped exercising because the increased blood flow spikes your tinnitus
- You wear ear protection in any situation where you can’t control sound
- You’re exhausted from listening to your tinnitus soundtrack 24/7
- You can’t keep living like this. Something has to change
If you’re nodding as you read through this, then remember you’re not alone. The reason I am able to write this list is because these are all things I did earlier in my tinnitus journey.
If you feel ready for something to change, take a look at the Bee Empowered course and coaching that I offer.