Hello everyone, this is my first time posting. I will try to make this as brief as possible.
In October 2024, I experienced lower-frequency hearing loss following an ear infection. After treatment, the hearing loss is now only mild, but I have been left with multi-tonal, reactive tinnitus. I have around four different tones: a hissing sound that comes and goes, a pylon-like electric noise, a ringing tone, and a high-pitched whistle that worsens with sounds like cars, fans, hairdryers, and so on. All of these sounds react and become louder in response to general noise, including talking and everyday environmental sounds.
I also have a low buzzing or humming sensation that feels like fluttering in my ears. It stops and starts when I speak. I'm scheduled to begin treatment for this soon, as it may be middle ear myoclonus — although it might just be another form of tinnitus.
The reactive nature of the tinnitus has had a devastating impact on my life. I feel completely overwhelmed and don't know how to make the reactivity stop. The stress has caused me to lose a stone in weight. I feel sick with anxiety every day and have diarrhea every morning. I'm struggling to care for myself, and my parents have been helping look after both me and the kids, as my husband works away for a month at a time.
I am not coping. I feel lost. I keep reading conflicting advice — some say to protect your ears, which I've been trying to do, but it's very isolating and difficult. I am extremely depressed because I can't talk, spend time, or interact with my family without the tinnitus worsening. I can't watch TV, listen to music, drive, or go out anymore. I'm basically housebound.
Am I doing the wrong thing? Should I actually be exposing myself to more sounds so that my ears gradually stop reacting this way? I have no idea which path to take. I feel like I'm spiraling, and I'm desperate.
PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME.
In October 2024, I experienced lower-frequency hearing loss following an ear infection. After treatment, the hearing loss is now only mild, but I have been left with multi-tonal, reactive tinnitus. I have around four different tones: a hissing sound that comes and goes, a pylon-like electric noise, a ringing tone, and a high-pitched whistle that worsens with sounds like cars, fans, hairdryers, and so on. All of these sounds react and become louder in response to general noise, including talking and everyday environmental sounds.
I also have a low buzzing or humming sensation that feels like fluttering in my ears. It stops and starts when I speak. I'm scheduled to begin treatment for this soon, as it may be middle ear myoclonus — although it might just be another form of tinnitus.
The reactive nature of the tinnitus has had a devastating impact on my life. I feel completely overwhelmed and don't know how to make the reactivity stop. The stress has caused me to lose a stone in weight. I feel sick with anxiety every day and have diarrhea every morning. I'm struggling to care for myself, and my parents have been helping look after both me and the kids, as my husband works away for a month at a time.
I am not coping. I feel lost. I keep reading conflicting advice — some say to protect your ears, which I've been trying to do, but it's very isolating and difficult. I am extremely depressed because I can't talk, spend time, or interact with my family without the tinnitus worsening. I can't watch TV, listen to music, drive, or go out anymore. I'm basically housebound.
Am I doing the wrong thing? Should I actually be exposing myself to more sounds so that my ears gradually stop reacting this way? I have no idea which path to take. I feel like I'm spiraling, and I'm desperate.
PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME.
