Hello, Need Some Support

[Jim F]

Hi, I'm new here, and I could use some support from folks that understand tinnitus. My family is supportive, but they don't really understand.

I have low volume morse code-type tinnitus (likely related to TTTS) in my right ear. It's noticeable at night going to bed and when I wake up. This is there all the time every night. Onset for this was March 18 or so.

I also have high pitched (~15khz) reactive hyperacusis or tinnitus. This comes on in the morning, and stays until I'm in bed and relaxed. At night it's basically gone and doesn't wind up until I'm headed to work in the morning. I believe this is stress related as I don't notice it on weekends. I can tune it out if I'm busy with something. It gets way louder when higher pitchers sounds are around. Bathroom fans, or driving in the car on the highway are murder. It sounds like my head will explode.


Onset was 2 months ago. I have historically bad problems with ear wax impactions, and tried to clean it out myself, as I'm afraid of doctors (especially ENTs). For the first few weeks after stringing I noticed the Morse code sound on 2 nights but quickly forgot about it. I figured there was still wax on my eardrum and it would resolve after a trip to get them cleaned. I went to the ENT and he said no wax! That's when I freaked out and started having panic attacks about giving myself tinnitus. I strained to hear the Morse code so I could measure it and my brain really focused on it. This went on for about three days of severe anxiety and I noticed the high pitched squeal.

Good news: the high pitches sqieal goes away at night. I had a full 7 days of mostly silence 3 weeks ago, about a month in. The Morse code was still there at night but the squeal was mostly gone. It returned and really put me back into anxiety mode.

Hearing tests are mostly normal. 20db readings on right ear in upper frequencies but everything else is normal. I have an old test result that shows identical results from 2011.

I'm trying: magnesium, B vitamins, turmeric, upper cervical Chiro, massage, anxiety counseling.
My ears pop all the time (and have for a long g time) when swallowing. My right jaw is always tense and my right eustacjan tube is always closed. Doing a valsalva it barely opens.

I'm so scared this will be here forever. Please help. Anything would be great.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I'm so scared this will be here forever. Please help. Anything would be great.

@Jim F

Many things can cause tinnitus although one of the most common causes is exposure to loud sounds. Prior to the onset of the tinnitus, did you listen to music regularly through headphones and possibly at high volume levels? Or going to places where loud music is played? If the answer is yes to either of these questions then exposure to loud sounds is the likely cause of the tinnitus. Please click on the links below and read my posts which you might find helpful.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

[Jim F]

Thanks Michael, no I have been very careful with my ears for the last few years. I'm 32. As a kid I listened to loud music and went to concerts, but my hearing has been good. Overall my hearing hasn't changed for a decade or more I would say. I don't use earbuds and prior to onset of tinnitus did use over ear headphones at the lowest level.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I don't use earbuds and prior to onset of tinnitus did use over ear headphones at the lowest level.

If you can stop using headphones even at low volume I feel this would be good for you @Jim F however, the choice is yours.
All the best
Michael

 

[Jim F]

Thanks I have stopped headphone use immediately upon onset of the tinnitus. What really drives me up the wall is that I didn't have this until I went looking for it. I had the very slight Morse code tinnitus that I noticed twice in three weeks. Then when I realized the light Morse code wasn't from ear wax, I had a week of major panic attacks and kept looking for signs of something worse. Well that's when I noticed the high reactive squeal. I have cut out anything remotely loud but i have high anxiety even going for walks around my neighborhood due to dogs barking, trucks starting, neighborsrunning power tools, etc.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Then when I realized the light Morse code wasn't from ear wax, I had a week of major panic attacks and kept looking for signs of something worse. Well that's when I noticed the high reactive squeal. I have cut out anything remotely loud but i have high anxiety even going for walks around my neighborhood due to dogs barking, trucks starting, neighborsrunning power tools, etc.

You need to give it time. Habituation takes time and isn't a quick process. Click on the links below and read my posts which you might find helpful.

Michael

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-habituation-process.20767/

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

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-negative-counselling.26669/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-complexities-of-tinnitus-and-hyperacusis.25733/