Back After Seven Years: Struggling with a Three-Week Tinnitus Spike and Looking for Motivation

[momo]

Welp, I never thought I would be back on this forum after seven years, but here I am. I'm having a spike that's lasted about three weeks now, and it's stressing me out so much that I feel like the me from seven years ago—full of anxiety and unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The frustrating part is that I truly felt like I had habituated. I just didn't think about the ringing in my ears anymore. Of course, I still heard it and noticed it, but it no longer triggered that fight-or-flight reaction.

But now… ugh. I was sitting with tears streaming down my face, reading my old posts, thinking, "Wow, I've had this for seven years now." I'm hoping this spike settles down, or at least that I habituate again.

Anyway, I just wanted to vent a bit. Woe is me.

I don't feel like ending my life anymore, but I'm scared I'll end up back in that headspace again. Forget this spike. I will keep living until I'm cured, even if I'm ninety-nine.

I will hear silence again. Ugh.

Does anyone have anything that could motivate me through this spike? Thanks.

 

[Badger55]

If your spike is idiopathic, meaning not associated with loud noise exposure, an ototoxic drug, or physical trauma, it is likely temporary and caused by stress or another trigger that will reverse over time. In the meantime, stay in environments below 70 decibels and make sure you get as much sleep as possible.

 

[Sydnears]

I've heard that if you've habituated once, it's much easier to do it a second time. You already know the process. I wish I did, since I'm still fairly new to this!

So even if this spike doesn't settle down, you will get back to where you were, in time.