How Long It Took You Until You Slept Better with Tinnitus?

The last days it has been hard to sleep. So I want to know how long did you take to sleep like before your tinnitus? Did you mask during the night? I know that everyone is different with this, but I want to have a little insight

 

I don't know what I would have done without masking. I mean it would be absurd to be able to sleep while a neighbor is drilling on the other side of the wall, and same goes with T. The noise is so unpleasant and high pitched that it would not allow me to sleep. Finding the right masking sound can be difficult though - especially with multiple tones! I have used apps in which one can create a mix of different sounds, so that I can mask the loudest tones accordingly. Currently I am using free app named Sound Pillow and a mix of wind chimes / chirping in forest. It does a good job in getting my mind off from T, but the ear facing pillow can still be a bit of a problem. Thinking to perhaps try some kind of device which can be played under pillow - but don't want to put too much stress on ears either.

This alone isn't enough, though. I have had big problems with sleeping since... well, almost forever I guess, so T was not very welcome in this perspective as well. I could only sleep when not stressed, in completely dark room and... yes, in complete silence. So it's been hard to try relax and not find silence anymore. Therefore I need to use low dose of Mirtazapine and melatonin as well. So these are the tools I use and usually it works well. Stress and anxiety are the most important things to manage, since naturally the body doesn't want to shut down if it is in a state of constant alertness and panic.

Did you manage to start sleeping better and if so, what changed for the last few nights, @Aschenherz? Do you use masking or anything else to help you relax?

 

I usw masking sounda to sleep 4 Hours at night, but am still exhausted through the Day. But i'm still early in, so it would get better, i guess.

I'm was the same kind oft human, before the t. Could only sleep in total silence.

 

I guess I am lucky(?). Doesn't seem like a good word to use here tbh. But I could sleep anywhere at any time due to the fact that I grew up in a large household with people constantly up at random times of the night. Still doesn't help as much as you'd think it would with T. So don't feel like you're missing out.

 

maybe a year? unsure, but I sleep fine now, often with earplugs in...

 

about 5 months til i could sleep with sound machines on. about 7-8 til i could just conk out regardless of how bad my head was ringing.

now if my T is bad sleep is the solution, not the problem.

 

I've been using a sound machine and a pillow speaker for the past 5 years. My bad ear hits the pillow and it's lights out!

 

Hi Aschenherz,

I recently had a spike in March which has made my T a lot louder. I am still struggling myself, but the last few days I have had slightly better sleep. I still don't sleep as much as I used to or as well, but I notice that it seems to be improving slowly. Hang in there, I myself am generally averaging 4-5 hours of sleep, but I'm noticing a slight improvement with regards to sleeping. Anxiety and stress also contributes, I know it is not easy, I myself find it hard sometimes to relax and stay calm but it is important to try to minimize the stress.

What helps me is to cool my room down, I sleep with an open window and I also use rain noises to mask my tinnitus. It helps me to go to sleep when I am really tired, I suggested a walk or some exercise a few hours before going to sleep.

Wish you lots of luck! A lot of people say it gets better with time, I'm finding it hard to cope right now but already I notice some small improvements. Give it time and don't give up!

 

Almost a year and a half and still trying to sleep

 

sorry to hear that. Why is it so hard for u?

 

Screaming loud noise in my ear is why

 

At first with my Tinnitus i tried to fight it. Sleep with no masking at all. But my brain started to play prank on my brain and instead increase the sound because i only had that input of sound around me beside me breathing. I wanted everything total quiet, or i was a grumpy one.

Now i use the enviroment for me instead. If i hear a sound i focus on that even if i know my T are there. It's hard i struggle every day but one moment at a time. I have this tought every night. If i can't sleep, i will lay hear and listen to for example that damn fan all night and just "try" to relax.

Usually in a hour i'm asleep but not always and the following day will bring a disorganized Fred than he usually is. But T will play pranks on your mind and it a infinite battle.

Best advice if you haven't already found your way to relax at night. Use your enviroment for yourself. A fan, tv, radio etc. Even if it's hard allow the sound to be there but be buddies with the sound you will focus on.

 

It all comes down to relaxing and being relaxed. If your mind is not at ease, then you won't sleep. How do you get that mind to be at ease? Exercise, reduce your stress. Maybe a slow jog, walk. The more you are distracted from your tinnitus, the better it is. You have to find a way to relax, and not think about the tinnitus. It's not super easy, but it can be done