Calling all Farmers

Just wondering how many people who have tinnitus are/were farmers?

 

I have T probably from noisy tractors,combines, etc. But I know other farmers that don't have T. I also had adult ear infections, possible ototoxic meds etc., so I am not sure in my case if it is a combination of things.

 

nice sense of humor

 

But I erased it ,because I thought my other post was being erased by ?Probably by myself.
I am a PITA, I know.

 

I also have mild TMJ Disorder that TMJ doc says can cause T which in my case I believe is.

 

Am a farmer, and have it. Think it was a combination of going to rock concerts and loud tractors. Yet, things were worse in my dad's time, on both counts, and he doesn't suffer. Life is strange.

 

No. but I was a trucker so there was a noisy environment plus played guitar in a loud rock band.

 

I am half pig and half human & walk on all fours. I have a piglike squeal in both ears. Don't ask me who my parents are either. Humor is good for T somebody said. Any likes Louise etc. ?

 

I like it

 

I have been around a lot of combines, tractors, etc. I worked in seed conditioning plants (which are loud as hell), unloaded seed trucks, ran up and down the elevators and now I work in the office... for the same seed company.

Although I attribute my Tinnitus to rock concerts.

 

Grew up on a cattle ranch in eastern Nevada. Returned to manage it in my early to mid-30's. Lots of farm machinery, big dozers, etc. My guess - just one of many contributors to my overall condition. For me, the whys and where'd it come from has little relevance in dealing with the present condition. Doesn't matter... while varying in intensity, it seems my T is here to stay, probably for life. Just have to keep working on coping mechanisms as it passes from one stage to another.

 

That's exactly the conclusion that I've come to Paul - that it's here to stay and I'll just have to keep working on coping. I hope for habituation, once the noise stabilizes. If it ever does that is.

What do you mean by "as it passes from one stage to another"?

 

I liken it to a sine wave. For example, my T is very noticable lately a few short minutes after I get up in the morning. While I try not to focus on it, in the back of my head I'm thinking "are symptoms going to accentuate as the day progresses, or is this as bad as it will get today? Or will I actually feel later in the day that the T plained out at a lower levels with more severe symptoms held at bay until mid to late evening (when it always goes up)?"

So one stage would be where it goes from bad to worse as the day progresses. I try to prepare for it so I don't freak out. Another stage would be progressing to a medium high pitch over the day, staying that way until the day is done. And I catagorize a third stage, where the T is overwhelming and ever-present over a prolonged period. Not much to do about it but tough it out, knowing that this worst phase normally doesn't last for more than a week to ten days.

I think my whole coping strategy is based primarily upon acceptance. Yes, it's there, at one level or another, and there's little I can do about it other than stay calm, eat right, try to get some exercise, attempt to focus on other aspects of my life. The situation, the intensity of the T, inevitably will change. Normally within a few days to a week. Sometimes worsening, sometimes improving, sometimes even offering a few days respite from moderate to intense noise levels in my head.

 

Crikey, I was thinking the same thing earlier when walking.... that acceptance is the stage after devastation and is where abouts I am, or where I'm coming to and where I actually now want to be.
Thats it exactly, nothing you can do, just accept it. I accept I have tinnitus. (I think I do!). Sounded like an AA member standing up!
I think this stage has to come, (for some people who dont see theirs going away), before actual improvement in quality of life. I think some sort of improvement comes next. Hopefully.

I did wonder if your meant by the stages that the T has worsened overall, and keeps getting worse, like mine has. Its currently in the other previously 'good' ear. And its getting worse. I'm ignoring it and just thinking 'F off'.

 

Alcholic reporting in. The first step of AA is the only step that has anything to do with drinking. The other 11 are about life and learning to cope with challenges that come up in life without drinking. A friend of mine who is in narcotics anonymous and also has T isn't bothered by his much at all. He keeps telling me that acceptance and surrenders are the keys to dealing with any situation you can't change. Not to get all religious but it reminds me of the serenity prayer:

"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Right now I know that I need to accept I may have made my Tinnitus a little worse than what it was, because all this freaking out isn't making anything any better. As always, things are easier said than done in life though.

*edit

I think my Tinnitus was why I began drinking in the first place. I got it when I was 17, and had constant obsession/worry about that hissing in the back of my head. I figured out that I could go out one night a week with my friends and party and drink beer. I wouldn't think about Tinnitus or the anxiety the entire time. It was magical. I habituated to the tinnitus, but the love of getting drunk stuck with me. It sucks, because now that it's flared back up I think "If I get plastered, it will definitely give me a few hours of not giving a shit and feeling good."

 

I can see how acceptance and surrender are the keys. Definitely keys for T. Thats what Im gonna work on. I've already got sick of research and reading about it, just no more appetite for that. Its here, its a thing I've always feared, but it's here. That's where I am and I have to deal with it.

I have mixed feelings about alcohol. I do think it can be good. It can give you a 'rest' and make you feel strong. Of course that's gone when it wears off but its a break at least. I know its not supposed to be the answer, but if life throws you something hard to deal with then why not? If the drinking is only once or twice a week in the evening and never encroaches into addicion and drinking in the day then why not?
I know its destructive to the liver and also blood sugar levels etc but there are other things we eat that are bad for us too and we dont completely scorn them.

I dunno, T is so hard I could excuse any means of relief I think.

I think a poll is needed; T in relation to alcohol, for both a reason for onset and also a means of relief after onset (and then does it make the T worse or even better?).