Hello everyone, pleased to meet you all.
Brand new member of the club. Six weeks ago (16 October, 2017) I developed acute tinnitus after an accident with a firearm. Being in an enclosed space with no ear protection, I was in a lot of pain, and the first night was torture trying to sleep. I noticed soon afterwards that I had developed an extreme sensitivity to noise- even watching Youtube videos with guns, I would flinch and feel those exact same sensations that night- a rushing wind, with the almost tangible feeling of the hair cells in my ears flattening. In addition, I've lost a deal of hearing in my right ear and have only recently grown somewhat accustomed to the feeling of fullness and imbalance.
My quality of life has degraded.... SEVERELY. I will not claim to be the most socially active person on the board, but in recent weeks what I did have has simply fallen off. I cannot enjoy Mass anymore; the loud music played during service and the people singing next to me has become a painful experience. Several have commented on my use of ear plugs during the last party I attended (leading to a painful spike the following morning anyway). Music and headphones are no longer options- my tinnitus becomes intolerably loud when I don headphones and turning up the music to drown it out doesn't work- I have to turn it up to damaging levels to really hear it properly. Studying has become difficult; reading, impossible. I used to love being alone, riding my bike or sitting in bed. That's all out the window. Don't even ask me about the gun hobby- I've legitimately considered selling off my collection a few times now in anger.
How loud is my tinnitus? To put it in perspective: I can hear it over the sound of my truck engine, with music playing, the windows rolled down, and driving at 30 miles per hour. I cannot put a decibel rating on it; it is noticeable at all times. The only time this is not true is late at night when I am outside and the cicadas are chirping; apparently their frequency actually masks my tinnitus. But of course they cannot be in my truck, at home, or with me during the day.
I am ashamed to say that I have cried at least twice for hours since this has started. My ENT, though very polite and understanding, could only offer me a few bottles of lipo-flavanoids and a pair of $500 Widex noise makers. No medical professional I have met with has been any help offering even the slightest hope in medication or possible medical trials for me to enroll in. I do not wish to be dramatic, but to say I have felt despair is truly an understatement.
My situation is simple: in four day's time I am finishing an Associate's Program at University (I live in Florida). After this, I am free to do whatever; I am not regularly employed. I am greatly interested in any clinical trials for acute tinnitus anywhere in the United States (and possibly even abroad). I have been made aware that some programs have asked for patients who have become afflicted in the last 90 days- I figure 45 is plenty to spare, yes?
Thank you all so very much for your help. Even if nothing is available I want to say what you have been doing on this site for one another is great. God Bless you all. Thank you again.
Brand new member of the club. Six weeks ago (16 October, 2017) I developed acute tinnitus after an accident with a firearm. Being in an enclosed space with no ear protection, I was in a lot of pain, and the first night was torture trying to sleep. I noticed soon afterwards that I had developed an extreme sensitivity to noise- even watching Youtube videos with guns, I would flinch and feel those exact same sensations that night- a rushing wind, with the almost tangible feeling of the hair cells in my ears flattening. In addition, I've lost a deal of hearing in my right ear and have only recently grown somewhat accustomed to the feeling of fullness and imbalance.
My quality of life has degraded.... SEVERELY. I will not claim to be the most socially active person on the board, but in recent weeks what I did have has simply fallen off. I cannot enjoy Mass anymore; the loud music played during service and the people singing next to me has become a painful experience. Several have commented on my use of ear plugs during the last party I attended (leading to a painful spike the following morning anyway). Music and headphones are no longer options- my tinnitus becomes intolerably loud when I don headphones and turning up the music to drown it out doesn't work- I have to turn it up to damaging levels to really hear it properly. Studying has become difficult; reading, impossible. I used to love being alone, riding my bike or sitting in bed. That's all out the window. Don't even ask me about the gun hobby- I've legitimately considered selling off my collection a few times now in anger.
How loud is my tinnitus? To put it in perspective: I can hear it over the sound of my truck engine, with music playing, the windows rolled down, and driving at 30 miles per hour. I cannot put a decibel rating on it; it is noticeable at all times. The only time this is not true is late at night when I am outside and the cicadas are chirping; apparently their frequency actually masks my tinnitus. But of course they cannot be in my truck, at home, or with me during the day.
I am ashamed to say that I have cried at least twice for hours since this has started. My ENT, though very polite and understanding, could only offer me a few bottles of lipo-flavanoids and a pair of $500 Widex noise makers. No medical professional I have met with has been any help offering even the slightest hope in medication or possible medical trials for me to enroll in. I do not wish to be dramatic, but to say I have felt despair is truly an understatement.
My situation is simple: in four day's time I am finishing an Associate's Program at University (I live in Florida). After this, I am free to do whatever; I am not regularly employed. I am greatly interested in any clinical trials for acute tinnitus anywhere in the United States (and possibly even abroad). I have been made aware that some programs have asked for patients who have become afflicted in the last 90 days- I figure 45 is plenty to spare, yes?
Thank you all so very much for your help. Even if nothing is available I want to say what you have been doing on this site for one another is great. God Bless you all. Thank you again.