Giving Up University Because of Tinnitus

I gave it my best shot. I used hearing protection. I didn't go to any loud places. I tried to stay calm. I am now at a point where I can hardly concentrate or sleep because of my worsened tinnitus.

I will have to call it quits after 2 months, because going on any further will only worsen my situation which is already pretty bad.

What does the future hold for me? I have no idea, but it would be masochistic to keep going down a road I know for a fact will hurt me.

Just felt the need to let some understanding people know.

 

@Gabriel5050

I know what you are going through Gabriel, as most people will that have experienced tinnitus when it becomes loud and intrusive and the intensity is sustained. It can wear down a person's mental and emotional wellbeing to very low levels no matter how hard they try. You have done your best and that's all you can do. Please do not give up as your life isn't over and it's possible for your situation to improve with time and patience. If you are able to see a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus treatment and management then I suggest to pursue this route. Please click on the links below and take your time to read my posts.

I advise you not to listen to music through headphones even at low volume as you risk making the tinnitus worse.

All the best
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/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

 

Hi Gabriel,

I am in a very similar situation to you, but I am working. I am only working 2 days a week now, instead of working 5 or 6 days. I cannot see myself working or doing anything outside home, as 90% of any activities, spike my Tinnitus. Maybe you could take a gap year from university, or even 2 years. Some people do uni courses, when they are like 50 years old, so you still have lots of time. The cure for Tinnitus is on its way, and it should be within the reach of our hands, in a few years' time or even less.

If you think that quitting university is the only way, then so be it. You'll have a great career in the future, given the fact that you are smart and was doing a degree at university.. You have already accomplished a lot.

I really do not want to sound big-headed, but I know your situation. I am afraid that you may not get understanding or support from friends/family, because they will think that Tinnitus is not a big enough reason, to quit or halt a degree course.

 

I think this is what matters the most. I had to quit university after two years as well due to extreme hyperacusis. I had almost made it to the end of the second year, but had to skip my last exam because I couldn't leave my home anymore. It's terrible, but definitely not the end of the world. Lets give it time, OK? I'm going to be brutally honest with you, my odds of returning to university are pretty low. I'm not even sure whether I'll be able to go to the supermarket in the next few years, or ever for that matter.

As for you, I suggest that you take a gap year (or two), and try to give the tinnitus a place in your life. In the meanwhile try to keep yourself occupied with the things you like (any hobbies?) and preferably meditate and exercise regularly. It goes without saying that a healthy diet will benefit you as well. Treatments are, fortunately, on the horizon. I do think, however, that as time passes, you'll be able to return to your courses and finish your degree.

Given the circumstances, I had also researched the possibility of doing university courses from home, and there are several universities that offer bachelor and master courses on the web. Just so you know!

All the best.

 

I gave up University when I first got ill with another condition 18 years ago. My course was very intensive and I just could not cope. However, I went back after a year and completed my degree. It was tough, and dealing with the stress of the course and my condition worsening was not easy. But I was much more used to the condition than I had been in that first year so I coped. Maybe talk to your University about the possibility of coming back after a year or two.

 

Great advice here from Labyrinthine, I ditto everything.

Sorry Gabriel, sorry you got struck down and altered by this illness.
I believe you can get your life back, adapt and flourish. I really do.
Take your time and get your strength together, eat super healthy and stay fit.
My prayers are with you and I am wishing you the best everyday.

Daniel

 

Don't give up.

I got this just as I was finishing my associate's degree.

Two years later I am looking at getting my masters.

Sometimes it is hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I know it is. But there is one.

 

How do you study if the tinnitus is really loud?

I am watching tv and the tinnitus is louder than the tv - tv is at '8' though. I need the tv volume at 18 to 22 to 'compete with" the tinnitus tones. I don't know if that's too loud but I don't like it at that volume level anyway but any lower, my tinnitus is so noticeably loud.

 

Why do you think continuing university is worsening tinnitus, given that you are avoiding loud places? Is stress the cause? Is it possible to go to school part-time for the time being? That may be the best option. I faced the same decision about perhaps taking off a year from work. However, all the doctors I spoke with told me to push through, that being at home won't improve my tinnitus. I wasn't very productive at all at work for many months (read my earlier posts) and had to catch up on work basically all day Saturday and Sunday. Looking back I'm glad I did not take an extended time period off.

 

Never ever try to drown out your tinnitus with "regular" sound. There's a good chance your hyperacusis will spike it temporarily or you'll just walk into harmful noise levels territory trying to cover it.

I prefer fountains, ACRN protocol.

Then again I avoid the quietest parts of the library like the fucking plague.

 

Use a dB meter app to measure the tv loudness. Then report back to us.

 

I do... but I don't want to upset you any more than you are now...