Hello, I Don't Remember -Not- Having Tinnitus

Good.. whatever time it is for you.

My name's Sam, I'm 30, and as far as I can tell I've just always had the constant ringing in my ears. I actually used to think that everyone had it when I was a kid, and didn't know the name of the condition until I was into my teenage years. I've gotten fairly decent at tuning a good portion of it out so I could sleep, thanks to a few decades of practice.

My best guess is an injury; I fell down a flight of stairs as a toddler (luckily while bundled in winter outerwear) and would've smacked into an unfinished concrete floor if my uncle hadn't caught me.

The other guess is just that it's hereditary as my mother has it also. I'm not certain of the cause of hers, but I do know it's tonally different from mine. Hers has some buzzing whereas mine is a constant high pitched tone just above 8000 Mz (unofficially measured). We both have restless leg syndrome too and bad vision. Three for three!

Haven't been to an audiologist for it and my normal doctor isn't great. I was tested for hearing issues as a kid in school (anyone remember those headphones and the beeping machines?) but nothing much came from it.

But basically, I came to poke around and dream about what silence actually sounds like. Must be weird.

 

Welcome to the forum. Head or neck injury is a known cause for triggering tinnitus. But There are many causes, single or combined, which can trigger or aggravate tinnitus including but not limited to drug side-effects from ototoxic drugs, ear wax build-up, ear-wax removal suction, inner ear infection, Eustachian tube disorder or ETD, ear drum injury, fluid build-up in ears feeling pressured or fullness, sinus infection & congestion especially with a bad cold, TMJ, TTTS, autoimmune disorders such as Lyme Disease & Fibromyalgia, high blood pressure or blood circulation problem, anemia, loud noise exposure or acoustic trauma/shock, head injury or TBI, neck injury or muscle problems, hearing loss from aging or other causes, Meniere's Decease, barotrauma from rapid pressure changes in flights or diving, especially with congested nose or sinus causing failure to balance the pressure changes, slapping of the ears, deep grief, untreated sleep apnea, extreme/extended stress, anxiety & panic disorder, depression, sleep deprivation, etc.