Can't Take Much More

I've only had tinnitus for about 3 months and in that time it has gone from a low hiss that I only hear when trying to get to sleep to a mild hiss that I hear any time it is quiet and I need to use background noise to get to sleep. Now recently. That mild hiss has turned very intrusive. It sounds like I have a gas leak in my head 24/7. Not even having the TV or music on blocks it out.

I have just turned 26 and feel like my life is ruined. I'm not old and have never been to a concert or anywhere with loud noise. Hardly ever used hardphones either. Due to living in the UK. I still have to wait 2 months to see a ENT and Neurologist. Already been waiting 2 months. So, that's 4 months altogether. My family do not understand and think I'm crazy. If my tinnitus has another spike. Don't think I will be able to cope and I already feel alone

 

Three months is not a long wait to see an ENT doctor and to be honest, most prefer to see a tinnitus patient preferably at 6 months and there is a very good reason for this. When you read my posts in the links below then you will understand. The ear is very delicate organ and the best treatment for tinnitus in the early stages as you are in is to leave it alone and do absolutely nothing believe me. If you were having additional symptoms such as: Pain in your ears, dizziness, balance problems or deafness then your doctor would make sure that you are seen very quickly.

The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise . Typically this is headphone use or listening to music at loud clubs, concerts where music levels are high. If you were to seek private treatment trust me you would be wasting your money. After tests are done you would be told to go back to the NHS after they've emptied your bank account!

Please click on the links below and read my posts. Try to read them in full and not skim through them. Avoid quiet rooms especially at night but using "sound enrichment" more is explained in the links.

Take care
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/is-positivity-important.23150/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-ent-doctor-and-hearing-therapist.24047/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/inspiration.22894/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/can-tinnitus-counselling-help.22366/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/a-change-of-lifestyle.20643/

 

@Anthonyr ,
Thats the sound of my tinnitus in both ears.
I did have it in my head but that went away so I understand how you feel.
I have hearing loss also due to menieres but Im doing really well with hearing aids.
I went on Nortriptyline and it stopped my head tinnitus but its in my ears for good.
Love glynis x

 

I hear it in my head and right ear all day. Strangely enough. My left ear has been completely fine from the start of all this.

I should mention that I also have muscle problems and I can feel my muscles clicking and popping in my ears. It's almost like Morse code 24/7. Not sure if the two are connected though.

 

T changes there is a good chance that your T will eventually get quieter. You just need to give it time.

I found that protecting my ears from even the moderate sounds (like that of a vacuum cleaner, blender, hair dryer) had promoted healing.

Do keep in mind that what you describe as the worst (a gas leak) you had experienced is better than the best/least intrusive experienced by many people on this forum. A high pitch tone is a lot harder to ignore.

Also check out
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/spontaneous-recovery-stats-over-70-recover-3-studies.21441/
in case you haven't seen it before.

 

Sounds like tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS). It is usually caused by an acoustic trauma.

 

In all honesty, time is the biggest healer of them all. There is no telling how your tinnitus will be, whether it gets less intense or not. Time is the element, that can make this ordeal more manageable. Some resort to meds, that's fine. There are both good and bad aspects to the meds....It can take your attention away from the ringing and relax you, but also it can be addicting and have side effects.

You need to build up some support base and tackle this issue with support. When I got tinnitus my father would laugh at me and call me crazy. He had no empathy towards my pain and suffering, that's all fine now. It was hard at that time cuz i was a teen. SO, you are not alone. People may not understand your situation or simply might be ignorant and cold.

Try to remain calm and not get too stressed out. Being stressed is a sure way to ramp up, the tinnitus. Everyone has it hard and had it hard with tinnitus. It took me 1-2 years to understand what is going on, so know that all of us have been there and still deal with it on a daily basis.

This forum is always here to support, those that suffer

 

Well said ... I come on this site less than a week ago in real panic, not to say I’m not bouncing around emotionally but I’m going long periods no masking, trying to hear it out without panic, which for good periods of time is working & I’d say the ringing is louder at the mo in right ear than it was..
Stressing 100% makes everything worse this website is a god send even accepting it may never go at this level, people like yourself @fishbone @Bill Bauer @glynis & others been so helpful in such a short period, way better than the doctors opinions “can’t do anything “ I bet a lot of people get it under control & never come back to the website, without knowing for 35 years I’ve habituated to it since crying as a child, just got to do it again....

 

Marc. It is important that you don't listen to your tinnitus in a quiet room. Always use some form of sound enrichment especially at night. Ideally, buy an "Oasis sound" machine and place it by your bedside or attach it to a pillow speaker. Keep the sound slightly lower than your tinnitus. Tinnitus must not be masked (covered up ) so it is unable to be heard. If this is done, it will make habituation more difficult.

Michael

Oasis sound machine, model: S-650 is popular.

 

Marc, I suggest you try it both ways and do what seems to be working better for you. I Have been listening to my T in a quiet room, and it worked out ok for me. Having said this, it is possible that for others it is different.

 

For me that's when it's the quietest

 

you will see from reading the positive stories that many people adapt.

i understand why you feel your life is over, but i can assure you, that it is most certainly NOT.

have a look at julian cowan hills youtube video on handling a spike.

you will reach a point (though unbelievable) where you no longer react to your t as you are now.

have a look at the back to silence video and thread also.

i have, what i feel is severe t and slight sound sensitivity.

and yet, my life (outside dealing with another illness) is different but mostly enjoyable and productive.

you wont believe me now, but eventually your brain (and you) will grow bored monitoring your t.

just protect your ears.

youll be fine

 

Got one on route thank you, send the kids to sleep if not me

 

Yeah wierd I sit in silence it’s sometimes better too, noise seems amplified lately bugger knows what that’s about, especially kids screaming dog barking

 

The amplified sound that you refer to is likely to be caused by hyperacusis. It comes in different levels of severity, and is often present when a person has tinnitus caused by noise trauma. Please read my post: Hyperaacusis, As I see it, in the link that I sent you for advice on treating it.

Michael