If you or your client live with tinnitus, you may have heard that the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is contraindicated. This isn’t quite accurate - but it is a situation where experience matters.
Let’s start with what’s true.
Tinnitus is the only issue I’m aware of where, if it worsens during SSP, there’s a possibility that it could persist being worse, into the long-term. By contrast, other types of dysregulation that can arise during SSP are quite temporary and tend to resolve on their own. For providers who have done my Advanced Training for SSP Providers and are equipped with my Mini Reset technique, moments of dysregulation tend to settle instantly - often followed by a big burst of improvement.
That said, I have offered SSP to at least several hundred people, a significant number of whom live with tinnitus. Many of my clients are highly sensitive or complex, and tinnitus tends to show up more often in these groups. Of all those cases, I’ve only ever had one person report a lasting worsening of their tinnitus in relation to SSP. In that situation, the client had not remained in contact during the process. While she had gone slowly, we’ll never know if closer support would have helped prevent that change. Please ensure you stay in touch with your provider.
On rare occasions, tinnitus can appear as a new symptom during SSP, but if tinnitus shows up as a new symptom during SSP, it tends to be quite temporary. I have only seen this one time as well.
It’s also important to note that some people actually experience an improvement in their tinnitus with SSP. As their nervous system shifts into a more regulated state, they may find their perception of the sound less intrusive or bothersome -sometimes even reduced in intensity. While this isn’t guaranteed, it’s absolutely possible.
I live with tinnitus myself. I’ve had it my entire life. Because my tinnitus doesn’t bother me, I’ve never taken special precautions when doing SSP personally - and I’ve never experienced any increase in symptoms.
For my clients with tinnitus however, I have many recommendations for ways to reduce the risk of worsening tinnitus. In my practice, I go over these specific considerations in detail with every SSP or RRP client. I also cover this in depth in my advanced SSP trainings and in my individual or group consultations with SSP providers.
SSP is never a one-size-fits-all process - and this is one of those times when individualized support and pacing matter most.
So, is SSP contraindicated for tinnitus?
No. However, tinnitus it does call for an extremely experienced provider, thoughtful pacing, and a customized plan of titration.
If you or someone you support has tinnitus and is considering SSP, don’t rule it out - just make sure you are working with an SSP expert.
Are you someone with tinnitus who is looking for an SSP provider? I would be happy to help! Please feel free to contact me.