I used to be a bit confused between tinnitus noise distraction and tinnitus sound masking. So to clarify – noise distraction means to use a method of distracting your mind away from the noise. Sound masking is to use a substitute noise to hide (mask) the noise. Of course each of these can have a proper place in your personal tinnitus relief program.

Before we look at how you might train yourself to use noise distraction techniques let me tell you what it is not. It is not thinking ‘Oh this is one of those times when I normally get a tinnitus attack'. Remember my pink elephant quotation. If I tell you not to imagine a pink elephant what do you immediately see in your mind? Yes indeed – a pink elephant.

Noise distraction methods are, I believe, more useful in the long term and should be learned before you go to the expense of buying masking equipment and sound discs. Because once you have learned and practiced noise distraction as part of your tinnitus relief therapy you can use it anywhere – in fact as I am about to explain if you know your tinnitus well enough you can probably anticipate the kind of circumstances that are likely to bring on an attack. Well how would you like to be able to plan ahead of such an event and use noise distraction as part of your tinnitus treatment to stop the attack occurring or keeping it under control?

In addition to your diet and exercise, sleep preparation exercises and favorite ‘deal with it' methods, let us look at putting an extra routine exercise in place to deal with likely tinnitus attacks before they arrive.

We know that our tinnitus is likely to recur or be worse if we are stressed out. I used to worry about this and the worry got me stressed so that my tinnitus noise was guaranteed. Nowadays  is a different scene so I suggest this might work for you too.

Let us assume that each day is going to be stressful to a greater or lesser degree. Even on a sunny day in the park with the kids there is going to be a squabble or a mishap to raise your blood pressure a bit so rather than brace yourself for the event do some behind the scenes preparation.  Every day utilize this tinnitus relief noise distraction exercise.

As a matter of routine you should always take a couple of extra minutes every morning before you present yourself to the family to do some relax mental and physical exercises. In the bath or under the shower is always a good idea because these are naturally relaxing for most of us.

You are expecting a particularly trying day, perhaps an important task or meeting. Start now including some positive visualization whilst you are doing your normal relaxation exercises. For example imagine the task and see yourself dealing successfully with it and remaining free from tinnitus sound. And as part of your preparation time for the task allow couple of extra minutes so that you can relax again and take your mind back to that relaxed you in the bath this morning – think how great and in control you felt and how well prepared you are for the task. Know that all you have on your mind is getting the job done well. You have no stress because you are properly and fully prepared. You are making the right decisions without any fuss or worry.

This works for me and I would not hesitate to recommend it to you as part of your tinnitus relief therapy.