How to Distract Myself from Tinnitus During the Work Day?

When I'm working from home I usually play music or a podcast on speakers, but I'm fearing going back to the office and sitting in relative silence. I suppose I can't use headphones as that might make things worse.

Does anyone have any methods they use at the office?

 

So listen to music on speakers at work...

 

I can't do that in an open office, sorry to say.

 

Listen on Bose Headphones.

 

These days companies boast about being inclusive and open to disability (equality act etc), although it often looks like just a PR facade.

Perhaps you could request a cubicle office facing the open space, with glass walls as they do on trading floors, for medical reasons, like a small converted meeting room? Also tell them it's temporary? This would be done, ideally, after you are already an employee or have been for some time, as going in with such a request at the interview would be more difficult.

In any case you are lucky that music and podcasts distract you. Mine is so horrid now that there is no distraction. I'm trying to meditate on the sound but it's impossible.

 

I understand your concerns and agree with you not to use headphones. Most offices' aren't completely quiet, so I suggest using a small portable sound machine. The correct way to use it is having the sound playing at a low level so it can easily be ignored and not drawing attention to itself. Social distancing is now in place in most working environments. Therefore, a sound machine set at the level I recommend shouldn't be an annoyance to any of your co-workers two metres away.

Sound Oasis make some of the best sound machines and they are especially made for people with tinnitus. I have three models and recommend the S-850 travel version. It is just 140mm x 75mm x 35mm in depth and should easily fit on a desk without taking up much room.

A sound machine is not like music and won't easily draw attention to itself in an open office. The S-850 can be mains or battery operated.

Michael

 

How about wearable speakers?

 

+1 on a sound machine, fan or air purifier.

I know someone who had a Dyson air purifier on his desk, and no one said anything about it.