Spending Time at Sea (The Atlantic Ocean) / Sea Sounds Seem to Quieten My Tinnitus

Spending time at sea "improves" my tinnitus.

This vacation I woke up with a very bad tinnitus most days, but when I stayed many minutes at the sea it calmed down for the rest of the day. I can't achieve this with any other sound. Even if I search for "sound of the sea" on YouTube the effect is not the same.

How could I achieve a similar effect?

I talk about the Atlantic Ocean, which is loud and aggressive.

 

The sound of the sea resembles white noise, radio static, etc. It is like a layer of broadband noise.

 

I run along the Pacific coast. Just being close the beach has a calming affect on me whether it be the sounds, the people, or the ocean air. There's definitely something serene about it.

 

Hi @Don Tinny -

You are not the first to some comfort and relief from the ocean. I took my first Oceanography course after a very difficult time in my life in college, and I enjoyed it so much that I earned two graduate degrees in the field and have made a career as an Oceanographer ever since. There are others on the forum that have noticed that their tinnitus improves when on vacation possibly due to decreased stress or because vacation and/or the ocean may be viewed as an escape from life or other reasons. I live right on Puget Sound in WA State in the USA, and I do something to create the feelings you describe especially in the winter when it is too cold to go outside. So, I might be able to help you. Follow the steps below -

1) Clear a room in your house or apartment or a corner of a larger room. Disconnect and move any device that gives out an electromagnetic signal. Do whatever else you need to do to create a quiet, semi-private, and stress-free space.

2) Play some ocean sounds, sounds of running water, or sounds of waves breaking on the beach. I have a sound machine that plays the last sound. I also use the "Relief" app on Android to play these sounds as well if I am traveling. If I am not in a private room, I will play the sounds thru this device - https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-He...3?keywords=sleep+phones&qid=1584845190&sr=8-3. I always play the sounds quietly. My tinnitus is most likely not due to noise damage, so you may need to find the best delivery method and volume for your specific situation. I also run a fan quietly on the lowest setting to reproduce the breezes you get off the ocean - https://www.amazon.com/Vornado-OSCR...4?keywords=vornado+fan&qid=1584845425&sr=8-24.

3) Find a stool or chair that you can put your feet and lower legs up on so when you lie down your legs are at a 45o angle.

4) Clear your mind.

5) Put on some loose fitting clothing and practice static back (see video below).

Static Back

5) Once in the static back position, your pelvis will be in neutral. Focus on your breathing, practice good core breathing technique repeatedly (see attached screenshot), and take deep breaths. Do not worry reproducing the position in the screenshot - just focus on the breathing.



6) Close your eyes and visualize the beach and ocean in your mind. Wear an eye mask if needed.

7) Practice all this for about 10-15 minutes starting out. Within a couple of minutes, you should feel your pulse slow and you should start to relax. I do it for long as 30 minutes if I had a rough day.

During the week, I do this last in the battery of stretches before getting into bed. On weekends, I do it in the morning after waking up and at night before going to bed to bed as well. When it is warm enough in the summer, I do it on the dock off the property I live on lying on a yoga mat in the morning before sunrise and in the evening at sunset.



The ocean has long been known as the manifestation of the life cycle - birth, death, and rebirth. Every evening, I view this as one step in the long road leading to the death of my tinnitus and my rebirth as a happier and healthier person. Hope this helps you. Sending some good vibes and good luck with everything.

Edit - I should also add that static back is a great exercise for people who have back problems and other postural issues (e.g., anterior pelvic tilt in my case). This exercise keeps your pelvis in neutral for extended periods of time and allows your lower back to settle into the neutral position which eventually opens up your upper back.

 

Hi. Thanks for the information.

For some reason speakers and masking sounds usually incresease my tinnitus. The real sea sound have a different effect.

Days ago I ride an old gym bicycle. It makes a "biii bii" sound and my session lasted nearly 1 hour. After that my tinnitus was lower and softer. The effect dissapeared at night when I took a shower.

It doesn't work every time. Some days my tinnitus can't be softened. Even if I ride the bicycle a lot of time.