Tinnitus is when individuals experience constant or intermittent ringing in their ears. Certain factors can worsen this ringing, which may occur without external sounds. Studies indicate that about 45% of workers experience some level of tinnitus, but many employees with tinnitus choose not to disclose their condition to their employers or colleagues.
For many people with tinnitus, the workplace can become a psychological battleground. The constant ringing in their ears can lead to increased anxiety and stress, making it difficult to maintain focus and composure. The fear of job loss, dealing with difficult coworkers, and stressful meetings can exacerbate these challenges. Over time, the struggle to ignore the sound of tinnitus and concentrate on tasks becomes increasingly difficult.
Tinnitus Causes Difficulties in Concentrating
Tinnitus can make it hard to concentrate. In a survey, 41% of people with this issue had mild trouble concentrating, 33% had moderate trouble, and 20% had severe trouble. Only a few said they had no problems concentrating. It’s important to tell the difference between concentration fatigue from hearing loss and concentration problems caused by tinnitus. The constant noise in your head makes it hard to focus. Severe tinnitus can also lead to anxiety and sleep problems, making it even harder to concentrate.
Recommended Tinnitus Solutions:
Tinnitus Sound Masking
Sound masking, also known as sound therapy? It’s a way to lessen the loudness of tinnitus by playing background noise. This can help make the problem less bothersome, especially in quiet places. Finding the proper background noise that enables you to concentrate and work effectively can make a big difference.
Hearing aids
Ideal for individuals with hearing challenges.
If you have trouble hearing and experience ringing, using hearing aids can be beneficial. These devices come with modern features like Bluetooth and built-in tinnitus masking to help reduce the perception of the ringing. They can be adjusted to play sounds like white noise to lessen the impact of the ringing.
Hearing aids subtly mask the ringing while allowing you to listen to the world around you. The main drawbacks are that they can be expensive, and the sound quality might be better than that of headphones or speakers.
Headphones for Tinnitus Masking
Open-ear headphones
Open-ear headphones are a recent technology that directs sound into the ear without blocking the ear canal. This allows you to listen to masking sounds or music while still being able to hear your surroundings. They are ideal for masking in office settings where you must be attentive to conversations or meetings and work well for people in communal spaces.
Bone conduction headphones
Bone conduction headphones are fabulous for those who must be aware of their surroundings. They transmit sound through the skull to the inner ear, leaving your ears open to hear ambient sounds. This is perfect for work environments where situational awareness is essential, and they work exceptionally well for those with hearing aids.
Bluetooth speaker
A Bluetooth speaker is an excellent choice for playing masking sounds or calming music for private spaces, such as closed-door offices or remote work environments. Many Bluetooth speakers are portable, allowing you to move them from room to room as needed.
Noise-canceling headphones
In noisy environments, such as crowded offices or communal workspaces, noise-canceling headphones can effectively block out loud external sounds. This allows you to listen to masking sounds clearly at lower volume levels. However, a downside is that you may have to take them off to communicate with others frequently.
Re-directing Your Focus & Pay attention to your environment
One helpful way to manage the ringing in your ears is by learning to redirect your attention elsewhere. Because tinnitus differs for everyone, various factors can influence how much you notice it.
If you focus on the ringing, it can feel even louder. So, instead of dwelling on it, try focusing on your work or something that needs your attention. Background noise, like the hustle and bustle of an office, can also distract you from the ringing.
However, the ringing could worsen if the noise around you is deafening. For example, if you work in a noisy place like construction, you should use high-quality earplugs to block out the extra noise.
Minimize Stress and Anxiety
Stress can worsen symptoms. It’s a two-way street – stress can make the ringing worse, and the ringing can cause more stress and anxiety. Managing stress is essential, especially at work. You can leave home earlier to avoid getting stressed by traffic, ensure you get a good night’s sleep, and set limits for yourself so you don’t get overwhelmed with work.
Even if you love your job, tinnitus can make it hard to handle stress. So, it’s important to take some time to relax and calm down when you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Ignoring your tinnitus and pushing through anxiety can just make things worse.
Federal protections for employees with Tinnitus
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a US law that ensures people with disabilities are treated fairly at work. It applies to companies with at least 15 employees. The ADA says that if a person can do the job with a few changes, the company must make those changes.
The ADA doesn’t specifically mention tinnitus (a ringing in the ears), but it has rules that cover a wide range of disabilities. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) mentions tinnitus, which ensures that the ADA is followed at work.
The EEOC explains that even though the ADA doesn’t spell out tinnitus, it should be considered a disability in the workplace under the ADA. This means employers should make reasonable changes to help employees with tinnitus do their jobs better.
What you can do
Employers and employees can collaborate to take straightforward actions that will make a significant difference.
Dealing with tinnitus can make it hard for some people to work due to anxiety. They may need time off, and accommodations when possible are important. Most people eventually get used to the condition, but some may need to make permanent changes, such as finding a less demanding job. It’s important to be open to discussing available options.
Small changes in the workplace, like adjusting seating and using headphones to block out noise, can make a big difference. Employers could also consider letting employees work from home. Everyone’s needs are different, so it’s essential to understand and accommodate them.
It’s important to educate employers and HR departments about how to support individuals with tinnitus at work.
If you need guidance, Salem Audiology Clinic offers free Tinnitus classes. Or call us today at (971)701-6322 and schedule a 1:1 consultation with one of our audiologists.