Extreme Newbie Seeking Some Answers.

This past Wednesday May 20 at about 10 AM ay my office desk I noticed a ringing in my head. About a level 2 or 3 as best I can determine using the scale I have seen online. I have an appointment to see my Dr next Wednesday. In the meantime I am stressing out. I don't think I have hearing loss and I did not have a significant event that triggered the T. I assume I can call it T even tho it's been only 4 days. What I have discovered is that I can really manipulate the type and volume of of ringing by turning my head left and right. Sticking my lower jaw out really drives up the volume as well. When I press on both sided of my face where my jawbone is by my ears I change the volume massively as well. Anyone out there ever have this type situation or hear of anything similar? I can also hear a weird scrunching sound in my neck when I turn my head. I am a 58 year old male in relatively normal health. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

 

I have the same thing with sticking my lower jaw out or pressing against my chin. I can drive the volume up 50%. Don't have TMJ, but my acupunturist says, it's transfer through the jawbone. Can be misalignment of teeth causing it as we age or recent dental work also.

If there is hearing loss at all, ask your ENT about putting you on a tapered course of Prednisone. This has to be done immediately! Be mindful that, ENT's don't have a clue about T. They will most likely call for an MRI scan. Most will say, "go home and live with it." Don't despair, this site has all the info on what to do and what not to do, initially.

If you are lucky, your T may resolve itself on it's own in a few days. Hope it does. Stay calm and wait to see what happens.

Good luck and God bless!

Sailboardman

 

Sailboardman,
Thanks for your prompt and helpful reply. I am still amazed that on Tuesday I had never heard of a condition has essentially taken over my life since Wednesday. I hope and pray it abates however, I may have to live with it. This morning I called a friend of mine who is involved with the Canadian Hearing Association. I started to inquire if he knew anything about Tinnitus. He floored me by telling me he has had Tinnitus for 15 years at a level of 7 or 8 sometimes. I never knew and he is the poster boy for positivity in most aspects of his life. He advised you learn to live with it and not let it take over your life. Regards Gary

 

If your tinnitus is a 2-3 then you'll be fine. Trust me, be lucky you don't have it like a 10/10. You won't find many answers...Unless you really want me to go into detail about tinnitus and what drugs can help it?

 

I increase my volume, if I press my head, if I turn my head too much for the sides, if I press my temper, and a lot of other things. Each one has its own symptoms. If you have a mild T you are a lucky fellow, in the T world off course. I live with T for 20 years. My wife never knew until an accident increased my volume to a 8/10 in the bad days. Before that I had a 3 in good days and a 5 in bad days . if your T stays(I hope not) you will discover and notice other things that change the volume.
So nothing new under the sun with you.

 

I can't imagine trying to live with a level 8 or higher T. I have a whole new appreciation for silence. It never crossed my mind that you could be forced to live in a world without silence. Are there any drugs that can mask T? Without major side affects. Thank you for taking time to respond. Even if my T does clear up I have had an epiphany this past 4 days that is nothing short of live changing. I consider myself to be fairly in touch with many subjects. It is apparent to me now that my knowledge in the area of hearing, deafness and tinnitus is woefully lacking. That I plan to change.

 

I've had tinnitus which was 10/10, with reactive tinnitus and hyperacusis. I managed to get mine down to a 1-2 and cure my reactive/hyperacusis. And you're quite right, having tinnitus that high with all that, was basically killing me. I did try to kill myself, but I fought on and on and luckily through getting the right drugs I managed to pull through. So just believe me, your tinnitus isn't so bad, if it isn't that high or you want to kill yourself. My advice is, accept it and move on, as hard as that sounds, no pun intended, there's just no point dwelling on something which isn't bothersome in your life. The more you come on here, the less your going to move on, I say. Anyway, I'm always here to help. To mask it, just use something gentle in the background such as fans, crickets and try to focus your attention elsewhere. It'll be easier for you as yours is quite low. Also, can you hear it outside? I used to hear mind over everything and I mean everything. It wasn't maskable. So just wondering how it affects your life buddy. Anyway, good luck.

 

I sincerely feel your pain and I am happy to hear that the quality of your life has improved. I really don't have enough experience yet to quantify the level of the T i am experiencing. I indicated earlier that it was maybe a 2 or a 3 as I found a chart online and that seems where I fell. Being a Canadian I am watching a hockey game on TV(lol) and my heat pump fan is running. I can barely detect the ringing. If I go outside on my quiet street I have to concentrate to hear the T. Luck is a funny concept. I guess I am lucky to have fairly mild ringing at this point. I am unlucky to have gotten this T. I am hoping I am in the small group that has temporary T and will recover. Only 4 days in and i am under no illusions. I hope my friend lady luck smiles on me again.

One question. Are you suggesting that I stay away from these forums at this point and try to move on with accepting T. I find that I am drawn to "good news " post. Human nature I guess. In any event I appreciate your time and thoughtful comments. BTW I just read an article in the Daily Mail Online entitled " A sound of hope for Tinnitus victims." by Rober Dobson. It's in Sunday May 24/15 edition. It involves sound vibrations that pass the the bone behind the ear. Positive preliminary results.

 

Trust me, don't dwell on it. You have mild tinnitus move on, move on. There's just no point, if you can barely notice it and have to try to hear out for it.

 

Thanks. Great advice.

 

No problem. If you has really bad tinnitus, I would recommend some things but the side-effects would be dire.

 

@Sulligar I have mild t also with time you won't even think about it daily, however you should still protect your ears!!!

 

Thanks Chelsea. How long did it take for you to not really notice it. I find the worst time is trying to sleep. Also, you say protect your ears. What plugs do you use?

 

@Sulligar it took me 3 months for my anxiety not to react badly to the sound. I use different kinds of plugs either foam or silicone.

 

Chelles sorry I misspelled your name, spellcheck. I can relate to the anxiety. I understand that habituation is only a matter of time. I am so new to this condition that i still have hope that it may disappear. Apparently several of the BP drugs I am on (Metoprolol) have a know side affect of T. Any idea what may have caused your T ?

 

Tinnitus can be a life-changing event for some (especially if tinnitus is severe). The (relatively) good news is that there are pharmaceuticals working on "real" treatments that aim to reduce and/or eliminate tinnitus (as opposed to habituation based approaches).

You can find an overview of such pharmas here:

www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/overview-promising-treatments-for-tinnitus-and-hearing-loss.3982/page-3#post-52953

Some of the developments are currently in clinical trial; others will be in clinical trial in the not-too-distant future. It is worthwhile to consider eligibility for some of those trials.

Regarding your appointment, I would suggest taking along diagnostic literature such as the following which has been developed by the Tinnitus Research Initiative (TRI):



Oftentimes doctors are not specialists on tinnitus, and so, the above chart may be of some help with certain consultations (see attachment for the full printout). Don't expect a miracle, however.

 

Wow. Thanks.

 

3 months Chelles is right you should start to get a handle on anxiety at this stage . Most people habituate to it within 6 to 18 months . It can affect your emotions with has something to do in connection with the limbic part of the brain. It is a crazy little ride but things will get better. You are at a very helpful and supporting site, but with time you will be alright. Uncle Vikin

 

I should add I am 51 I have the same scrunching in my neck and jaw issues I can't seem to figure it out after 8 months .I do believe it is nerve damage I can manipulate my T somewhat with jaw movement and tensing my neck but mine also seems to be sinus related also I take an allergy pill every day and also take decongestant some days.

 

Hey no worries about the name change I know how annoying auto correct can be. I really don't know what caused my t it might be a combination of listening to loud music w earphones and my thyroid condition. I hope yours will get better soon I know how hard those first weeks are hang in there better days will come!.