A UK Person with Recent Tinnitus

[Morzy]

First noticed the tinnitus last year. I'd been to work, didn't feel too well, went home, woke up at about 1 am with noise 'blasting' out of my ears. Scary stuff! Somehow made it through work the next day, and it died down after a total of about sixteen hours. I actually thought that was the end of it. I remember going in to work, someone asked if if I was better, and I told them the noise had stopped. I'd had a tooth extracted a few weeks previously, and at the time I wondered if that had anything to do with it.

I started noticing it again some time earlier this year, though. I'm rather vague about exactly when that was. It didn't bother me too much at first, but then I started getting persistent headaches. It basically felt as if my brain and ears were been slightly squeezed! Also, the top of my head just felt numb. I just hoped it would go away, and sporadically took paracetamol, which didn't help much. I eventually made an appointment with a GP. I've been prescribed low dosage amitriptyline (which does now seem to be helping somewhat with the headaches), and have a hospital appointment coming up. The total time from making the GP appointment to my hospital appointment is eleven weeks. I've been for an eye test (healthy), and a hearing test (both ears just the right side of normal) already.

The noise itself... I would best describe it as a hissing noise accompanied by a high pitched electronic whine. It can change somewhat depending on which side of my head is on the pillow. Most of the time I think it's coming from both ears. Sometimes I'm not so sure. I think I could actually get used to the noise, but the headaches are something else.

I could certainly do with losing some weight. I've succumbed to 'comfort eating' these last few months. It's possible that this year's weight gain has contributed to the headaches. I go swimming a few times a week, but that isn't enough. I'm trying to cut down my food intake, and I've cut out the sugary stuff. I also slowly made the transition from regular tea to decaf. tea, but that hasn't helped. Been teetotal for about a decade, and packed in smoking twenty years ago.

Anyway, that's enough for now! I don't know if anything I've posted is useful, but I'm going to be rummaging through this forum looking for anything that might help.

Thank you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Anyway, that's enough for now! I don't know if anything I've posted is useful, but I'm going to be rummaging through this forum looking for anything that might help.

HI @Morzy

Something usually causes the onset of tinnitus and the most common cause is exposure to loud noise. Typically, it is listening to music through headphones for long durations and at too high a volume without realising it. Going to clubs or concerts where loud music is played. Working in a noisy environment. Wearing a Headset to play computer games etc. Playing loud music at home or in the car.

If the answer is yes to any of the above then your tinnitus is "Noise induced". If your tinnitus isn't noise induced, then it is usually caused by an underlying problem within your auditory system or elsewhere within your body. Some medications can cause it too. If your tinnitus is noise induced then I suggest, that you do not use headphones even at low volume and keep away from listening to loud music. Eleven weeks is not long to wait for an ENT first appointment, in fact this is rather soon as long as you don't experience additional problems such as: deafness, balance problems, dizziness or pain in the ears. Up to 6 months wait is quite acceptable for straight forward tinnitus. There is a good reason for this which I explain in my article below: Tinntius, A Personal View, in the link. Please take your time and read the other articles.

Whatever you do please do not make an appointment to see a private ENT doctor as you will be wasting your money. Private healthcare for tinnitus in the UK cannot match what the NHS can do for you. Please be patient and wait for the appointment. I suggest you start taking Gingko Biloba, in Tincture form. Avogel is a good brand. Available from health food shops or buy from Amazon.

All the best
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/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

 

[Morzy]

Thanks for replying, Michael.

The key phrase I keep hearing is that it's caused by listening to something loud 'over a long duration'. I cannot recall been exposed to any loud noise for all that long. That day last November I was working in a warehouse, and the only noises were the radio (not loud) and the ceiling mounted heating system which was on for an hour or two. No other machinery. Nobody else reported any problems. I was working right next to several other people. I just cannot pin the cause down to anything specific.

Thanks for those links. I'll work my way through them.

My ENT appointment cannot come soon enough. I'm actually looking forward to it. I had hoped to get checked out sooner, because I start a new job next week. I'm not confident I'll be able to manage, but I have to give it a go. If I can't manage I know I'm going to be in a bad place mentally, but at least I'll have that appointment to keep. It'll be something to aim at.

 

[Michael Leigh]

HI @Morzy

As I have previously mentioned many things can cause tinnitus. The most common is exposure to loud noise over a long period of time, although it can occur temporary for a short period or a suddenly burst of loud noise such as being close to a fire alarm or at a firing range which would make it last longer. If the tinnitus isn't noise induced then it's a medical problem within your auditory system. Stress can cause it too.

Before the onset of the tinnitus were you a regular user of headphones or a headset?

Michael

 

[Morzy]

No. I never use headphones at home, and haven't used them in any job. The only time I use earphones is with my iPod Shuffle, which I haven't used that much, and it isn't set very loud anyway.

I've used desktop PCs a lot. Maybe the fans from those caused it? I don't know. Probably never know.

 

[Michael Leigh]

The only time I use earphones is with my iPod Shuffle, which I haven't used that much, and it isn't set very loud anyway.

I didn't know what iPod Shuffle, was until I looked it up. The fact of the matter is this. In most cases (not all) tinnitus is noise induced and usually it is Headphones, earphones etc that are the number one culprits. Although you might not think you have been listening at high volumes you would be surprised. It is not just the volume either but duration of use is also important.

I've used desktop PCs a lot. Maybe the fans

The sound of desktop computer fans can aggravate tinnitus and for this reason I cannot have one in close proximity. My computer tower unit is in another room. I use an external TV as a monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse. I was unable to use a Laptop because of the sound of the internal fan made my tinnitus ramp up. I now have a Laptop that has a solid state hard drive, and have no problems using it as there's no spinning hard drive making sound or internal fan.

If your tinnitus isn't noise induced then it's a medical problem within your auditory system that's causing it. Stress, build of earwax or something else. Something usually causes it.

When you are seen at ENT you are likely to have the tests that I have mentioned in my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View. These are the standard proceedures in the UK.

Michael

 

[Morzy]

I've been for my ENT appointment. They did a quick hearing test (nowhere near as comprehensive as the Specsavers one), had a look in my ears, asked a few questions, and discharged me. No scans or anything like that. I'm going to tinnitus therapy sometime in the future.

Like most other NHS appointments I've attended, the whole thing felt rushed. Dentist next.