A different kind of video today.

I'm filming this right after my therapy appointment. It's been a difficult couple of weeks for me — burnout recovery, workload, and some personal challenges I've been navigating.

This video isn't polished. It's not heavily edited. It's just me, being human, and sharing something I think is important:

You're not alone with tinnitus. And I'm not alone either.

Why I'm sharing this:

Tinnitus is incredibly isolating. Most people tell me they feel like they're the only one experiencing it — and that isolation is often worse than the sound itself.

But here's the truth: 15-25% of people experience tinnitus. Millions of people around the world are going through exactly what you're going through.

The feelings — anxiety, despair, anger, isolation — are not unique to you. They're part of the human experience of this condition.

And when we feel alone, tinnitus gets worse.

Loneliness and isolation do one thing: they make you focus more on the sound, perceive it more intensely, and get stuck in the same vicious cycle of thoughts and feelings.

Habituation moves further away when you're alone. It comes closer when you're connected.

Why I built My Tinnitus Club:

I built this community because I know what it's like to feel completely alone with tinnitus. I was 19, deaf in one ear, and the ENT said "there's nothing we can do."

I needed:

People who understood

A space where I didn't have to explain

Support that wasn't just an app or pre-recorded videos

So I created that space: My Tinnitus Club.

It's not just a program. It's a community where:

You meet people from around the world who share your experience

You practice ACT tools together (not alone)

You realize you're not the only one — and that changes everything

Because your nervous system needs to hear: "I'm fine. Other people have been through this. I can do it too."

That's how habituation happens.

My message to you today:

Whether you connect through YouTube comments, or join us at My Tinnitus Club, or find support somewhere else — please don't do this alone.

I've had a difficult week. I'm going through my own challenges. And what I need most right now is connection — people who understand, who care, who remind me I'm not alone.

You need that too.

Not because it's nice to have. Because it's how your nervous system learns safety. And safety is what creates habituation.

Coming soon:

I'm working on a full webinar about how ACT and community work together at My Tinnitus Club. I'll let you know when it's ready.

For now, if you want to explore the community or learn more about our 12-week program, visit www.habituate.online.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for allowing me to do this work. And thank you for being part of this community — even if we've never met.

I'm grateful for every single one of you.

Let me know in the comments: How do you deal with isolation when tinnitus feels overwhelming?

See you next week.

— Frieder

P.S. I'm human. I try my best. I stand for what I believe is right — connection, care, and community. That's what this channel is about. That's what My Tinnitus Club is about. And I hope it helps you feel a little less alone today.