Season changes often mean routine changes, especially moving from winter to spring and moving from spring to summer. It’s common to go outside more often and make more social plans after we slough off the winter blues, and kids’ spring sports mean going to and from practices and games. In no time, it’ll be summer vacation.
If you’re one of the 25 million people who suffer from tinnitus, you know that routine changes such as this can sometimes trigger tinnitus flare-ups. Let’s discuss why that is and some methods you can use to stay on top of the ringing in your ears.
How Seasonal Routine Changes Can Affect Tinnitus
There are several facets of spring and summer that might worsen tinnitus symptoms. Some are environmental, such as humidity, temperature, air pressure, or the dawn of allergy season. Elements such as these can affect your ear health in subtle ways, which may in turn affect your tinnitus.
You may also find your daily routines changing with the weather. Perhaps soccer practice is now a part of the weekly agenda, or you’re meeting friends for coffee on a more regular basis, or your workload has picked up in Q2. All of these introduce new potential tinnitus triggers into your life: work or new schedule commitments may raise your stress levels, and visiting noisy places can cause noise-induced hearing damage.
Identifying New Triggers
As you adapt to your new warm-weather routines, keep an eye (or ear) out for changes in your tinnitus, such as new triggers or shifts in the sounds you hear. For example, stress is commonly associated with tinnitus; if your stress levels have been rising, take a moment to reflect on whether you’ve noticed any related changes to your tinnitus.
Adapting Daily Habits Without Abandoning Proven Coping Strategies
Consistency is key when it comes to tinnitus management, but that can be difficult when your daily routine is in flux. That’s where adaptability comes in. If you have strategies for coping with tinnitus that you know work for you, make time for those strategies.
For example, we mentioned stress levels above; if a calming pre-bed routine has been helpful in coping with your tinnitus, don’t stop that routine now, even if it seems like everything else is changing. Diet is another example; studies suggest that keeping to a healthy diet and staying hydrated can influence the severity and frequency of tinnitus symptoms. You may be on the go a lot, making a healthy home-cooked meal a little harder to pull off than it was in the winter, but you can still try to stay consistent by carrying a water bottle with you and choosing healthy restaurants when you do decide to dine out.
Building a Flexible Tinnitus Management Plan That Lasts All Year
Tinnitus is a complex condition, and it’s made even more complex when your life gets hectic or your routines get shaken up. A tinnitus management plan could make a huge difference in how you handle your tinnitus. Contact SH Audiology today about your symptoms; we’d be happy to discuss making a customized tinnitus plan that works for you and adapts with you year-round.