“hearing from people who had learned to live with tinnitus gave me something I really needed at that time: hope.”

Layla grew up in France, spent the last eight years living in London, and recently moved to Australia to start a new chapter. working in creative production, storytelling and bringing ideas to life has always been a big part of who she is.

Outside of work, Layla is a huge fitness lover – CrossFit is a massive part of my life and something that keeps me grounded. I’m also a big music person. She loves everything from The 1975, Fleetwood Mac and The Rolling Stones to classical music and film scores. Layla’s family is spread all over the world, but they’re very close, and they’ve always been a big part of her support system.

Layla shares her tinnitus story after being diagnosed a year and a half ago, sharing how it affected her personal life and hobbies, and what support helped her to live well with her tinnitus.

When did you first notice your tinnitus, and what was that experience like?

My tinnitus became permanent around a year and a half ago. I was at a work event when I first noticed it creeping in. I’d experienced tinnitus before in short episodes, so initially I didn’t think too much of it – I assumed it would pass like it always had. But this time, it never left.

That was incredibly difficult for me. I was alone at the time, and I remember feeling scared, confused, and honestly quite isolated. At first, I didn’t fully understand what was happening, and the uncertainty of not knowing if it would ever stop was one of the hardest parts.

As the days turned into weeks, it started affecting me mentally. The anxiety, the overthinking, the fear – it became about so much more than just the sound itself.

How did tinnitus affect your daily life in the early days?

In the beginning, tinnitus affected almost every part of my life. It was the first thing I noticed when I woke up and often the last thing I noticed before trying to sleep. Quiet moments became really difficult because suddenly there was always this noise there.

It started affecting my sleep, my concentration, my work, and my mental health. I became hyperaware of it, constantly checking if it was still there, and that cycle of anxiety made everything feel heavier.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when you were first trying to understand or manage tinnitus?

The biggest challenge for me was definitely the mental side of it. I think people often focus on the sound itself, but for me, it was the fear and anxiety around it that felt the hardest.

I kept asking myself: Will this ever go away? Is this my life now? Will I ever feel normal again? I found myself Googling constantly, searching for answers, which sometimes made me feel even more overwhelmed.

Did any services from Tinnitus UK help you begin to cope or move forward?

Yes. Finding Tinnitus UK was a really important part of my journey. When you first experience tinnitus, it can feel incredibly lonely, especially when people around you can’t physically hear or understand what you’re experiencing.

Finding an organisation with trusted information, support, and people who genuinely understood made me feel less alone and gave me a sense of comfort during a really difficult time.

Did you find any support, advice, or strategies from Tinnitus UK that made a real difference for you?

What helped me most was learning that what I was feeling: fear, stress, frustration, anxiety – was actually very normal. Reading other people’s stories and hearing from people who had learned to live with tinnitus gave me something I really needed at that time: hope.

It helped me understand that while tinnitus can feel overwhelming in the beginning, your relationship with it can change.

Have you been able to return to any activities, hobbies, or parts of life that tinnitus once made difficult?

Yes – and that’s something I’m really grateful for. In the beginning, tinnitus made me feel disconnected from a lot of the things I love. Music felt different. Socialising felt harder. Even focusing on work or enjoying quiet moments felt challenging.

But over time, I’ve slowly found my way back. I still train, I still work in a creative industry, I still travel, I still connect with the people I love, and I still enjoy music. Tinnitus became part of my life, but it didn’t define my life.

What would you say to someone who has just been diagnosed with tinnitus?

Breathe. I know how hard this feels right now, and I know how overwhelming those first days or weeks can be. But I promise – you are not alone, and it does get easier.
Give yourself time. Be gentle with yourself. Try not to isolate. Talk to people, connect with others who understand, and remind yourself that what you’re feeling right now won’t feel this intense forever.

What message or piece of encouragement would you like to share with others living with tinnitus?

Have hope. I know that in the beginning it can feel all-consuming, but things can get better.

One of the biggest things I learned was acceptance – not giving up, but accepting that this may be part of your reality right now. For me, that acceptance actually helped calm a lot of the fear and stress around it.
And also – it’s okay not to be okay. Some days are harder than others, and that’s completely human.

What Tinnitus UK support services would you recommend to someone who is newly diagnosed with tinnitus?

I’d definitely recommend starting with Tinnitus UK’s information resources and real-life stories. When you’re newly diagnosed, your mind can go into overdrive, and having reliable information can be incredibly grounding. For me, hearing other people’s experiences made me feel understood and reminded me that I wasn’t alone in what I was going through.

Why do you think it’s important to share stories about living with tinnitus?

Because tinnitus can feel incredibly invisible. From the outside, someone may look completely fine, but internally they could be struggling with anxiety, fear, sleep issues, or feeling isolated.

Sharing stories helps people feel seen. It helps remove shame, fear, and loneliness. When I was at my lowest, hearing other people talk openly about their experiences gave me hope – and if sharing my story can help even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it.