Hello from Scotland!

Hi there,

I'm a British cartoonist and sometimes i'm a musician too, and i've been having to suffer from the plague that is tinnitus since I was 21 (I am now nearly 27). I already had been suffering from anxiety (mostly health related) most of my adult life, and when I first got chronic tinnitus it was very hard for me at first.

It was a loud and intrustive high pitched ring in both ears after a loud session on a pair of headphones. It is actually a kind of 'reactive' tinnitus in that it seems to get louder when surrounded by noise, and the noise fluctuates, so it can't exactly be masked. It also changes in pitch whenever I open my mouth wide. Thankfully, I learned to habituate to it, though I'd love it to go away ^^. It's just that it's hard to describe really. The other tinnitus I have is a faint droning in my right ear that hasn't really bothered me much since I've had it for over a decade (and it's only heard in quieter environments). I put that down to loud music also. I also have hyperacusis, but thankfully to a much lesser extent than when it started. Maybe I just got habituated to that too!

When I first sought help I found the GPs to be little help, and the ENT department from the NHS to be a somewhat mixed experience. I've had hearing range tests done (one in 2009 and one in 2014), both came back about the same - my hearing range at this moment is very good. I listen to music a lot, but at safe levels and I always wear earplugs at concerts. I am more careful these days, but that still doesn't stop me having some issues from it now and then.

In the last few days, I became aware of a 'new' tinnitus symptom in my left ear (a low-mid droning sound), which may have been there for some time because it was so quiet, but on one or two nights it got quite audible. It went back down to near silence again the following days. Still, this was enough to set me off into panic mode (because anxiety knows no bounds!) and for the last few days I've just been getting a bit down and anxious about my situation - partly because I don't know what caused this new T, but also because I fear I may have little to no control over it and it could get worse over time. I know stress isn't helping me at all (and could be making the symptoms worse) but it takes time to come to terms. I don't think I will know how it happened.

I don't like being negative, though it's easy to feel that way. I thought I'd join for some sharing and support, and also be kept informed on the latest developments for a possible cure in the future (stem cells look quite promising!)

 

Hi FuzyFrey from Scotland. Glad you've found this site ,on here were a mix of positive and negative ,lots have the anxiety ,so not alone ,lots to have gone past the anxiety with Tinnitus .Its what it does ,have good look on threads. Plenty of advice ,and tips . Good luck on site ,hope you posts your views as to T .
End of the day were all on same page with it .wanting it GONE .

 

Hi frey. I'm also from the UK. Just about to go to sleep so i'll keep it short. Sorry about your new T. Easier said than done, but stay relaxed, don't thret and who cares if the T gets a bit worse? You'll habituate again. Good luck. Ps i'm not beig flipant. But just putting a positive spin on it.

 

Hello everyone, thanks for your kind words! I know the main problem is not my T but my anxiety. Sadly I'm kind of wired that way and am still trying to learn how to overcome it whenever it spikes!

I didn't draw the fox in the avatar Karen, but it is a lovely photo I found online I tend to draw cartoonier things ^^.

 

I am also from gb and struggling too. It has been a life changing situation.