I first noticed my tinnitus in college. I don't recall any specific event that started it, just that one night while lying in bed that, if I focused on it, it could become so loud that it was painful. At the time I didn't know anything about tinnitus and learned to ignore it. It was always still there but taught myself to sleep with the TV or music on to distract myself from it. It was only really bad when I focused on it.
I get my ears checked annually and there is nothing wrong with my hearing. Until the last couple of years, my hearing was above average for the most part. Tinnitus was always there though. I believe it just became an unconscious practice to ignore it.
I suffered from Persistent Depressive Disorder for many, many years which became a co-morbid relationship with Alcohol Use Disorder. During this time I was passing out more than trying to sleep so tinnitus didn't affect my sleep, but it was always there if I focused on it. After 10 years of therapy and a stint in a substance use program, I have been alcohol-free for 5 years, and depression reduced for the last 2.
I am a medical cannabis user. It helps with some arthritis issues, as well as mood and anxiety, and really helps with sleep.
My tinnitus has been getting louder and more intrusive over the last year. I've tried headphones, sleep masks, I use a CPAP machine, and use sleep apps and music/tv to help distract me from my tinnitus but it is becoming harder and harder to ignore. It doesn't feel/sound like it is in my ears though, much deeper in my head. My audiologist didn't have any answers for me since it didn't affect my hearing and I'm going to address it with my doctor on Friday to see if there are any medical options we can take.
I've read that if it is not in the ears that it could be a sign of something deeper in the brain, is this true? Are there some things I should be asking about when I see my doctor? Any advice will be useful.
I just feel like I'm going a little mad at this point. I get, on average, about 6.5-7 hours of sleep due to the cannabis and distractions; however, even right now, it is becoming a constant piercing in my head.
Thanks in advance.
I get my ears checked annually and there is nothing wrong with my hearing. Until the last couple of years, my hearing was above average for the most part. Tinnitus was always there though. I believe it just became an unconscious practice to ignore it.
I suffered from Persistent Depressive Disorder for many, many years which became a co-morbid relationship with Alcohol Use Disorder. During this time I was passing out more than trying to sleep so tinnitus didn't affect my sleep, but it was always there if I focused on it. After 10 years of therapy and a stint in a substance use program, I have been alcohol-free for 5 years, and depression reduced for the last 2.
I am a medical cannabis user. It helps with some arthritis issues, as well as mood and anxiety, and really helps with sleep.
My tinnitus has been getting louder and more intrusive over the last year. I've tried headphones, sleep masks, I use a CPAP machine, and use sleep apps and music/tv to help distract me from my tinnitus but it is becoming harder and harder to ignore. It doesn't feel/sound like it is in my ears though, much deeper in my head. My audiologist didn't have any answers for me since it didn't affect my hearing and I'm going to address it with my doctor on Friday to see if there are any medical options we can take.
I've read that if it is not in the ears that it could be a sign of something deeper in the brain, is this true? Are there some things I should be asking about when I see my doctor? Any advice will be useful.
I just feel like I'm going a little mad at this point. I get, on average, about 6.5-7 hours of sleep due to the cannabis and distractions; however, even right now, it is becoming a constant piercing in my head.
Thanks in advance.
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