17 Months with 24/7 Tinnitus Caused by a Coworker Making a Very Loud Bang

1 year 5 months with tinnitus/hyperacusis. 53-years old. Sudden onset of tinnitus-very high-pitched constant ringing. A coworker just “messing around” caused a very loud bang. First 3 days headache & ringing, then non-stop ringing since then. I have become extremely “jumpy” at any abrupt noise; I can feel my heart clinch. I then learned a new word at the doctor’s office - hyperacusis. Hurray!! I used to be the person who never flinched, including the moment this happened. Day 5, I awoke 5 a.m., clawing at my ear in a state of utter panic.

Summary:

· Pray many nights that I don’t wake up (I’m ready to meet Christ)

· Depression, anger, denial I guess the norm for any life altering condition.

· Found that some people act like you’re over reacting, even some Doctors I’ve seen, but we’re crying out for help to cope - not pity.

· Phonak's white noise ear-piece on loan from my great Audiologist (forget ENT’s once any physical cause is ruled out). Prescribed “Westone DefendEar”

· Water-love it, need it, will move to it. The only relief I have had is when I’m near the ocean or a stream. Only the real pure natural sound works. I relax and yes have momentarily forgot about my tinnitus.

· Just when I think I have a handle on it (acceptance) I break down.

· Grown men do cry! I think it’s cathartic to a point. But what I don’t like is, just last week I started crying for no reason, super emotional. I work were I have to keep the stiff-upper lip. So, I sometimes struggle to get through the day... not cool.

· I joke around and still have happy times but honestly feeling confused, trouble concentrating, at the end of the day it’s like oh crap seriously, this is with me the rest of my life?

Silver lining:

· I have totally reevaluated my life. Always the nonconformist and never for this world. That being said I now don’t care about a job title or a bigger pay check or my home or any possession. God, family, my dogs, nature (seriously look at nature like you’re a kid again)

· Cleaning up my act x10. The beatitudes, that man is who I strive to be.

· Tinnitus has put me in an altered state (zombie-like) and/or I have done this to myself to cope. May not sound positive but…

No one and I mean no one can understand what you’re dealing with in life unless they’ve experienced it. I’m glad for Tinnitus Talk because tinnitus is something not fully understood so we are out on our own - doctors can’t save us, or even explain what’s going.

 

HI @Paul Hrvat

Tinnitus can be difficult to live with for some people and I'm sorry to hear about your circumstances, as I know how debilitating this condition can be. Since you have had tinnitus for quite a while and still find it problematic have you considered seeking professional help with trying to manage it better? Before I go into the options available I see that your tinnitus was Noise induced. This type of tinnitus usually (but not always) improves with time but certain things have to be addressed in order to make this happen. Do you work in a noisy environment or use headphones including headset? Headphones do not go well together with anyone that has noise induced tinnitus even when used at low volume. Not everyone will be adversely affected but many are.

Regarding professional help. Try and see an Audiologist that specialises in Tinnitus and hyperacusis management and treatment. Counselling, sound therapy, relaxation exercises and medication are some of the treatments this type of therapist offers to help a person with tinnitus management. It is not unusual to find some of these health professionals have tinnitus. Therefore will have an understanding how it affect a person's mental and emotional wellbeing.

All the best
Michael

 

Thanks for the input. Audiologists that specialize in Tinnitus are few and far between. I had 1 of the top one’s for Oregon, she had to drop me as my worker’s compensation refused to pay her. Then found another great Audiologist and she has been seeing me out of the goodness of her heart- worker’s comp. also refusing to pay her. She prescribed the “Westone Defendear” which would allow me to listen to white noise yet hear outside conversations and block out abrupt loud decibel noises such as the routine fire alarm testing, etc. where I work. But the State refuses to pay for it.

You’re right about some doctors understanding. My work sent me to an IME (Independent Medical Exam) doctor, you know the one’s that try to see if your lying. And he questioned me for an hour, gave me a hearing test, then questioned me another 45 min. Then he said “Paul, you’re telling the truth because I myself suffer from tinnitus myself”. Then he showed me the “made-up video” my State of Oregon managers submitted to the worker’s comp. showing my boss lightly tapping a notebook on the counter as evidence as to what happened to me. That’s the day I got an attorney. But still fighting to receive proper medical care (they won’t pay) even though the State has recognized me as 5% permanent partially disabled. 10 years of honest service to the State and I’m told “we can’t accommodate you” 1) find another job. 2) Will buy out all your medical rights & your job, if you agree to never work for the Oregon State Hospital again all for less than 1 year’s salary. What? Really?

I like others are just trying to survive with tinnitus, now my whole economic life is in jeopardy like I’m the one to blame-when I was sitting at my post minding my own business when a coworker screwed up my life forever. Thanks. I never anticipate this as I pride myself on honesty & integrity. They want me to disappear.

Done venting. Maybe others have had the same experience if their tinnitus was caused by a work injury.

 

Some of the tips in the thread below might be useful to you
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

There is still hope as a number of promising treatments are in the pipeline:

 

Sorry to hear about your work situation and if you can don't give up. You have seen two Audiologists so have some idea of kind of treatment they have to offer. You can also try self help so please click on the links below and read my posts which you might find helpful.

Best of luck for the future.
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

 

Thanks Michael I will check out some of your threads. Appreciate it. And I know I'm sounding stupid but someone in Oregon where I live wanted to know the name of my current audiologist so they can possibly go there. They started a "conversation" with me but when I scroll down no spot were to reply. I've been in a total brain fog and used to be pretty sharp. What am I missing.
Take care in the UK

 

HI @Paul Hrvat

You are not sounding stupid at all. Sometimes replying or starting a private conversation with someone isn't available to a New member. This may right itself after a few days or you could try sending a message to the forum Administrator. Normally, one clicks on a Member's Avatar and a box should appear with a Tab saying: Start conversation. When a member sends you a private message or an Alert message, you should see an indication of this highlighted in red at the top right side of your screen under: Inbox or Alerts.

When replying to a members posts as you did with mine. If you click on Quote, on the right-hand side of their chat box, their text will appear below. They will receive an alert message when you reply to their post. Similarly, you can right-click your mouse high-light a section of their text which will do the same. Writing the @ sign before a member's name they will also receive an Alert prompt: @Paul Hrvat

Take care
Michael

 

Bill- Thanks for the positive feedback of hope for new treatments.