Yoga is a collection of exercises, meditation and breath control used to balance the mind and body. The benefits of yoga are well-known and wide-ranging, including but not limited to:
- Muscle pain relief
- Physical strength and flexibility
- Better sleep
- Stress reduction
- Improved emotional health
Some research also suggests that yoga might have one more amazing benefit: tinnitus relief.
The Research
A 2018 study from Turkey followed 12 tinnitus patients through a three-month guided yoga practice, including body, breathing and meditation exercises. The researchers hypothesized that the stress-relief benefits of yoga could reduce the severity or prevalence of stress-related tinnitus.[1]ย
The results of the 2018 study were supported by a 2023 review. Covering five studies, the review examined the impact of yoga on tinnitus. Of the five studies, three reported positive outcomes from regular yoga practice; reductions in tinnitus severity, anxiety, irritability and related stress.[2]
Developing a Yoga Practice
You donโt need to do handstands and backbends to reap the benefits of yoga. If youโre a beginner, look up beginnerโs yoga videos on YouTube, your preferred fitness app or another streaming service. An expert will guide you through a simple practice, and you can move on to more advanced poses when you feel ready. You can even take an introductory class at Duluth Yoga for in-person instructions!
Remember that yoga should be a relaxing endeavor; there is nothing wrong with sticking with beginnerโs poses if thatโs where you feel most comfortable.
In addition to physical exercise, the meditation and deep breathing exercises often found in yoga can help reduce your tinnitus-related stress. Two types of meditations that many people find helpful include:
- Emotion-centered: focusing on positive emotions like joy or gratitude
- Body-centered: focusing on physical sensations in the body, like the sound of your breath, to ground yourself
Combining yoga with other tinnitus management techniques, such as sound masking or tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), can significantly improve your symptoms. Call Hearing Wellness Center to talk to one of our specialists about your management options.
[1] Kรถksoy, S., Eti, C. M., Karataล, M., & Vayisoglu, Y. (2018). The Effects of Yoga in Patients Suffering from Subjective Tinnitus. International archives of otorhinolaryngology, 22(1), 9โ13. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1601415
[2] Gunjawate, D. R., & Ravi, R. (2021). Effect of yoga and meditation on tinnitus: a systematic review. The Journal of laryngology and otology, 135(4), 284โ287. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022215121000566