The Morning Roar

By Ann Ramsey

Some of us have experienced this – some perhaps not – but if you do, it feels like a double cross.  After all, sleep is one of our refuges as Tinnitus sufferers. Sleep usually offers respite, a chance to hit the re-set button.  We always hear: “Things will look better in the morning.”  “Rise and shine.” “One never knows what the morrow will bring.”  We are hopeful for a brighter day.  In our dreams, we might even have forgotten our condition. So it’s doubly disappointing, if not crushing, when we open our eyes from oblivion, to find our head bursting with sound, louder than the night before.  It may seem out of all proportion, and insupportable.  A horrible, sudden blast, combined with high reactivity that makes it worse.  Our defenses are down.  I recall awakening to the feeling of a freight train barreling toward me where I lay in bed.  Terror flooding through my body, I felt shocked, attacked, and broken by my symptoms.  

I came across the term Morning Roar in a British book about Tinnitus and recognized it instantly.  There are differing theories about Morning Roar. Some attribute it to being prone overnight, and the blood running to the head.  Being in a quiet room.  The overnight suppression of stress hormones coming to an abrupt end. The wearing off of any anti-anxiety medications taken the night before.  Being without one’s hearing aids or other in-ear sound devices. I suspect a combination of all of these things.  Certainly the resumption of symptoms in a sudden rush can drive up the volume and re-start the autonomic spiral.  Result?  Panic, horror, depression, despair…altogether a nasty way to start the day. 

I still experience it, but can say that now I pay no attention, and it dissipates quite quickly.  Here are things that help me: 

-I remind myself it’s just the Morning Roar.  I won’t be like this all day.

-I get non-prone quickly, even if it’s just sitting up.

-My ambient sound in the bedroom mitigates the quiet (an audiobook and a sound pillow). 

-I set my alarm to begin on a low volume and increase slowly, so I’m not jolted. 

Other advice to consider:

-Take several long deep breaths. A short relaxation activity such as Chi Gong or gentle yoga can help to slow down your heart rate. 

-If distraction works, grab that crossword, read a little, or watch a funny cat video.

-Put your in-ear devices on if you wear them. 

-If you have a cat, pet it and listen to its purr. Hug a loved one.

-Avoid catastrophic self-talk.  Instead of “OMG why me?” think “This will pass.” 

-If you are taking anti-anxiety medication, you might schedule a fast-acting one for your morning dose. 

Be good to yourself and remember you are not alone!

Your thoughts?  Your suggestions?  Your experience?  Share your comments.  

Photo:  Ann Ramsey