I’m Really Scared That I’ve Developed Tinnitus — Or Is It Just Anxiety About Possibly Having It?

[Morgan Kaplan]

When I run on the treadmill, I have a habit of playing my music a bit loud to drown out the noise of my running.

Recently, when I go to sleep, I've noticed that my ears sound like a very reduced or diluted version of when I come home from a concert.

I already have anxiety, and I previously knew about tinnitus, and now I feel as if I notice the sound everywhere. It's hard to describe, but the way I visualize it is as a line of very faint sound that I really only notice if I think about or pay attention to. I'm terrified of having tinnitus, as I already have a lot on my plate.

I'm convinced that it may just be self-induced, as I don't usually hear it when I'm not actively thinking about it. It's definitely not as loud as it would be if I came home from a concert, and I often times find myself doing something and hearing no ringing. I test myself and hear no ringing until I think about it.

What do you think? Is it tinnitus or am I just imagining sounds because of anxiety and fear?

I am only fourteen and am very scared.

 

[Jack Straw]

You would be surprised how crazy our brains are. Anxiety can bring a wide range of symptoms that otherwise wouldn't be there without anxiety. I think your issue is just a little anxiety about getting tinnitus so you may be searching for it so hard your hear external sounds and thinking it's tinnitus.

Regardless, stop blasting music with your earphones because if you continue to do that, you will get tinnitus or NIHL.

 

[Striveon]

I personally think it is anxiety. I don't think you have tinnitus personally. Try to do meditation and things to distract your mind and try not reading about tinnitus to scare yourself, instead use it for ways to prevent getting tinnitus and try not to listen to loud music.

 

[billie48]

You may consider stopping on attending concerts too or at least wear some protection too. If you are so scared of tinnitus, why play with fire?