I Hate White Noise. Coping Methods for Tinnitus Are Really Useless!

[foliefortuna]

I hate white noise
I hate brown noise
I hate pink noise
I hate all *insert color* noise.
I hate any sound that is supposed to mask tinnitus, it really just as annoying as the tinnitus itself. Hell most of the time, it even sounds similar to tinnitus!


Why do people have white noise machines and in ear white noise playing devices? To me, that sound would be and is just as annoying as my tinnitus. I really hate all the ways people say you can cope with tinnitus. The only way I cope is pills to sleep and constant distraction in my day. This is temporary, I could never go on like this forever. Gone are the days of listening to the rustling of the leaves and trees and the birds singing. I can still hear it but the beauty of those quiet sounds are polluted by my tinnitus. And if I had a white noise machine/in ear device, those beautiful sounds would be polluted by that god awful white noise. I can lay down in my bed and relax, nor can I read a book and relax. The only way I can cope is reassuring myself that if my problem is not cured, I can end it all whenever I want. That is the only thing that makes me feel better/helps me cope.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I hate any sound that is supposed to mask tinnitus, it really just as annoying as the tinnitus itself.

Aren't there any nature sounds that you might be ok with? People in tropical areas (e.g., Hawaii, Queensland in Australia) have to listen to the sounds of crickets day and night...

 

[PaulBe]

have to listen to the sounds of crickets day and night...

We get the full cicada chorus in Spring from 7pm to 7:20. Its not relaxing.

 

[foliefortuna]

Aren't there any nature sounds that you might be ok with? People in tropical areas (e.g., Hawaii, Queensland in Australia) have to listen to the sounds of crickets day and night...

Yes, many nature sounds are pleasant to me. The problem is, that they are often polluted by my tinnitus due to being too quiet. Also I feel very annoyed by never getting to relax on my bed or read a book and not hearing anything. I feel so overstimulated by always listening to sounds.

 

[Bill Bauer]

We get the full cicada chorus in Spring from 7pm to 7:20. Its not relaxing.

Is it not a good sound enrichment? If you are used to the cicada chorus, and if it distracts you from T, it sounds like it could help you to deal with T...

 

[Bill Bauer]

The problem is, that they are often polluted by my tinnitus due to being too quiet.

You could listen to recordings of nature sounds (e.g., crickets, running water, the surf, etc.)

Also I feel very annoyed by never getting to relax on my bed or read a book and not hearing anything. I feel so overstimulated by always listening to sounds.

I feel the exact same way. I would rather NOT have to listen to nature sounds. I would give a Lot to get to hear silence again.

In any case, until the time there is a cure (or the time when our T spontaneously resolves by itself), it might help to use sound enrichment (e.g., nature sounds) when you try to fall asleep. This way you have something else to listen to (that, in certain light, is a nice sound) besides your T.

Use http://mynoise.net/
or buy a device like the ones below
https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Oasis-S-5000-Deluxe-Therapy/dp/B018KUVEOM/
https://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Koala-Concentration-Relaxation-Sufferers/dp/B01FRW2WBA/

 

[PaulBe]

Is it not a good sound enrichment? If you are used to the cicada chorus, and if it distracts you from T, it sounds like it could help you to deal with T...

When I first heard it I thought "oh, how nice, the rural cicada sound....in the distance...." Then it traveled across the valley as one cicada spoke to the next, who then joined in until every possible cicada was giving it his one big shot. It had to be heard to be believed and it didn't just exceed my threshold, it tore it up, trampled it in the dirt, and dared me to do something about it. It was like that Simpsons episode where Lisa thinks she's greeting all the sweet creatures in the forest only to have them turn to angry monsters and chase her.

 

[Bill Bauer]

It had to be heard to be believed

During what month does it get that loud?

 

[dpdx]

You could listen to recordings of nature sounds (e.g., crickets, running water, the surf, etc.)


I feel the exact same way. I would rather NOT have to listen to nature sounds. I would give a Lot to get to hear silence again.

In any case, until the time there is a cure (or the time when our T spontaneously resolves by itself), it might help to use sound enrichment (e.g., nature sounds) when you try to fall asleep. This way you have something else to listen to (that, in certain light, is a nice sound) besides your T.

Use http://mynoise.net/
or buy a device like the ones below
https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Oasis-S-5000-Deluxe-Therapy/dp/B018KUVEOM/
https://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Koala-Concentration-Relaxation-Sufferers/dp/B01FRW2WBA/

I use the sound oasis S-5000. However, since my Tinnitus is so loud now it covers up those sounds.

 

[PaulBe]

Seems to really get going in October. Not there now.

 

[raybaudi]

I have lived for 30 years in a Tropical country.
For 30 years, I have listened to the sounds of the crickets at night.
Actually, it was soothing until I was assaulted by T. Then, at some nights, I find their sounds unsettling.

 

[Tempest]

The only way I cope is pills to sleep and constant distraction in my day. This is temporary, I could never go on like this forever.

The only way I can cope is reassuring myself that if my problem is not cured, I can end it all whenever I want. That is the only thing that makes me feel better/helps me cope.

Pretty much. By now I've basically come to terms with the idea that my life might end a quite bit earlier that I planned and it doesn't bother me that much anymore. At a certain point you've cried enough, all your good memories are now just...well memories and you realize that this is indeed your current situation and it doesn't meet your standards of a good life anymore; If you really can't truly relax after a hard day of work and all your good moments come with an asterisk, what's the point?

 

[glynis]

Every point!
Fight blinking hard to fill your life with love and family and friends.
Tinnitus can be mental torture but we have control over what makes us happy
"With or without tinnitus and other health issues"
Love glynis x

 

[Tempest]

Fight blinking hard to fill your life with love and family and friends.

A good life should never ever be a fight though...or one where it's an achievement that you managed to forget your condition for a length of a movie.

 

[Contrast]

I use nature sounds, I agree any color noise is just terrible.

 

[glynis]

@Tempest,
I know only to well what I have to cope with and can be life threatening so I know how some people have no choice.... never give in ...
Love glynis x

 

[Jcb]

I don't like white, pink, and all the other colour of the rainbow noises I find them unbearable.
For myself, I found a mixture of waves, Tibetan bowl and heartbeat to help me some. I might add thunder and remove waves some nights as well. Still wake up a lot in the night but it does help.

 

[glynis]

@Jcb,
Great you found what helps you and that what it's all about.
I like relaxing soft music and soppy Barry Manilow songs...
Love glynis

 

[Sven]

The best sound I have is an MP3 called "Coastal rainforest thundershowers" from an album called "Jim's Album" that I think I downloaded from a link here on TinnitusTalk.

In general, the sound of rain or that of an aquarium are the best for me.

 

[Jcb]

@Jcb,
Great you found what helps you and that what it's all about.
I like relaxing soft music and soppy Barry Manilow songs...
Love glynis

Me too it's so oddly relaxing in its own way.
Nooo not Barry Manilow haha your such a genuinely sweet and helpful person Glynis so I won't hold this crime against you

 

[Jazzer]

I hate white noise
I hate brown noise
I hate pink noise
I hate all *insert color* noise.
I hate any sound that is supposed to mask tinnitus, it really just as annoying as the tinnitus itself. Hell most of the time, it even sounds similar to tinnitus!


Why do people have white noise machines and in ear white noise playing devices? To me, that sound would be and is just as annoying as my tinnitus. I really hate all the ways people say you can cope with tinnitus. The only way I cope is pills to sleep and constant distraction in my day. This is temporary, I could never go on like this forever. Gone are the days of listening to the rustling of the leaves and trees and the birds singing. I can still hear it but the beauty of those quiet sounds are polluted by my tinnitus. And if I had a white noise machine/in ear device, those beautiful sounds would be polluted by that god awful white noise. I can lay down in my bed and relax, nor can I read a book and relax. The only way I can cope is reassuring myself that if my problem is not cured, I can end it all whenever I want. That is the only thing that makes me feel better/helps me cope.

@foliefortuna - I absolutely hear your pain, and I so feel for you. x
I have a similar experience, though four years into this thing, and I am ages, ages, older than you.
Let's face it, noise in the head is unacceptable, totally.
It is criminal.
Yet unfortunately it is obviously a fact of life.
With no cure yet, and no treatment yet, we need to find a way through.
Even though it seems unacceptable, we do have to try to accept its presence.
If we despise it - it seems to get worse.
If we can try to develop a calm acceptance, over time, it becomes more tolerable.
Perhaps try to let it just be there, in the background.
THERE IS A LIFE TO LIVE.
I feel sure you can do it !!

Please try to find positive posts on here, from the best positive people.
You could try some meditation/ deep relaxation.
It is still possible with 'T' going on.
Maybe try Melatonin 2mg for longer deeper sleep, if necessary.
Occasionally mention your problem to a really good friend, who can give you some support, and a much needed cuddle.
I will keep thinking about you now, and truly hope you can find some peace.
Much love,
Jazzer xx