Everyone experiences tinnitus a little differently, but many find that listening to ambient noise can help with tinnitus symptoms. While you could easily do this with a white noise machine or online tinnitus sound library, why not get outdoors and find some natural ambient noise in the beautiful environs of Ocala?
How Ambient Noise Helps with Tinnitus
Ambient noise is commonly used by tinnitus specialists to help with the incessant ringing. They do this in two main ways:
- Acoustic therapy. Also called tinnitus masking, this method uses ambient noise to cover up, or mask, the sounds of tinnitus. This shouldn’t mean playing sounds loudly to drown the sound out, but it should create just enough of a distraction to take your mind off it.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy. This method seeks to retrain your brain to perceive tinnitus as a harmless background noise. Using ambient noise to do this teaches your brain to treat tinnitus just like the background noise and deemphasize it, or even tune it out entirely.
Anything can be used for ambient noise in these contexts, from white noise machines to hearing aid programs to household appliances, such as fans or air conditioners. Now we want to encourage you to get outside and find ambient noise in the world around you.
Other Benefits to Getting Outside
The simple act of getting outside can also have numerous benefits, both for your tinnitus and your overall health. One of the biggest benefits is the de-stressing effect that a walk outdoors can have on the body. Stress can have wide-ranging effects on your health and wellbeing, and it’s well-known that tinnitus is closely linked with stress, so enjoying a nature walk may help turn the noise down.
The Sounds of Ocala
If you want to get outside to find some natural ambient noise but aren’t sure where to start, here are some ideas.
Birding
Our subtropical climate and multitude of nearby lakes, rivers and springs make Ocala a veritable paradise for birding enthusiasts. Grab your binoculars and hiking shoes and get ready to enjoy the joyful trilling of the magnificent birds.
Birdsong is soothing and cheerful, inviting you to shed the burden of tinnitus and immerse yourself in the birds’ calls. On a more scientific level, the high frequency of birdsong and its dynamic nature naturally grab the brain’s attention and distract from tinnitus.
Fishing, Paddling and Other Water Activities
The sound of beach waves, a river rushing or a waterfall spilling over are classic white noise sounds, but why use a machine when the real deal is right out your front door? Go fishing, kayaking or boating in one of the hundreds of lakes, rivers and springs in Ocala and immerse yourself in the sound of rushing water, gentle waves and the rhythm of your paddles striking the water. Pro tip: you can combine this activity with birding! Paddling in a kayak around Bird Island at Silver Springs One is a low-impact way to get up close to birds and nature.
One ambient sound might be less welcome: the high-pitched whine of mosquitoes. Bring your bug spray!
Equestrian Activities
You probably already know that Ocala is known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” so take advantage of our horse farms and horse-related activities while finding relief from tinnitus. Visit a horse farm and listen to the plodding of hoofs in the dirt, or go horseback riding on a scenic hiking trail.
Learn More About Tinnitus and Tinnitus Management
We love Ocala, and we love serving the Ocala community’s hearing and tinnitus needs. If you want to learn more about how ambient noise can help with tinnitus management, contact Beneficial Hearing Aid Center today!