In Need of Reassurance.

Hello. My name is Josh and I am seventeen years old.

I have had Tinnitus since October of 2014. It was not a problem, in fact, I was oblivious to it up until May 2015. Until that date, life has become much different.

I have visited several doctors, that being three, and all of them have assured me that my Tinnitus will go away within time and proper treatment.

The first doctor told me I had fluid in my middle ear, which there was nothing there.

The second doctor told me there was inflammation in my ear and I was prescribed Prednisone to reduce inflammation. I did notice a slight decrease in the pitch of the ringing, but it did not solve the problem.

After I finished taking the medication, my ears were tested. I scored excellently and the doctor was dumbfounded as to why I could have Tinnitus other than TMJ / TMD problems. So, there is no room for acoustic trauma causing this uninvited condition.

Then, a few days ago, I visited the third doctor, whom was testing me for TMJ / TMD. I tested positive for said condition and I am scheduled to return by next week to receive further treatment.

During the tests to affirm that I have TMJ, the doctor put slight force on some of my muscles and bones. The bone / muscle within the mouth that can be affected by TMJ / TMD and correlated to Tinnitus was the most painful. I noticed that the ringing intensified and my ears felt even more cloudy, pressured, and annoyed after the doctor did that one action!

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I have Tinnitus worse in my right ear than in the left ear. That is a positive correlation with my TMJ / TMD. The right side of my jaw is worse than the left.

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In my personal life, I am an avid headphone user (I use the Astro A50s for both gaming and music). I have noticed that the volume of my music can be a bit too high at times, but it is never too high to create a sensation of discomfort. I have been listening to music frequently for about one and a half to two years now. At least six days a week for eight hours at a time.

I was never warned about the terrible nature of having Tinnitus, neither was I aware that Tinnitus is a condition.

My step-dad has extremely bad Tinnitus, from decades of band practice (without ear-protection) and avid concert attendance. He has informed me that it took him at least six years of ear-torturing to attain Tinnitus. I know everyone is different physically, but I feel I have not been exposed to Tinnitus-inducing conditions for an extended period of time, and the yield of Tinnitus due to ear damage is highly unlikely.

I do have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and it does not help in swaying my mind from the ringing, neither does it help soothe my mind that my Tinnitus will go away, as doctors have constantly reassured me with.

There is one more problem, I...am...am... a frequent *ahem* masturbater (2 - 3 times a day for the last three years). I have noticed that my ears ring at times when I finish my "exercising". I am worried that there maybe some connection between obsessive masturbation and the development of Tinnitus. I would talk to my parents about this problem, but I cannot deal with the awkward nature of the conversation, let alone having to explain that I do not watch porn, which they would assume.

Can you please help assure me that I will be cured of this hellish condition. I have a life ahead of me and ambition greater than the forces of nature. I want to be so much more, but Tinnitus is crushing my reality and making me want to bang my head against a wall.

Thank you.

 

For headphones i use them only at home in quiet places so there is only the sound of earphones into your ear. Avoid it in bus or vehicles, too noisy i think.

About concert or praticing loud music : as you said, your step dad did not use ear protections. Use good ones qt concerts and it will be totally OK.

About masturbation i think it’s about blood circulation. Sexual excitation/erection is about modification of the circulatory system. And your ears are réactive to that. But nothing to worry about.

About the future : if you take care of your ears just a little bit, absolutely nothing to worry about. Stress have a big impact on T and T perception. So keep cool, just ignore it, live quietly with it without worriying too much. It works great for me.

 

Wow, your response is fantastic!

I monitor how much of the headphones are in use. I will only listen to a song or two on 40% volume every once in a while. Besides, working with other programmers is hard when music is distracting me. When I do not need the headphones on, I try my best to keep them off, as they are currently.

I do not attend concerts, as I am a programming, nerdy, shut-in. (lol). So, those are not a worry.

The sexual excitement explanation makes perfect sense and calms me.

Danke!

 

In quiet environment no need to worry, if the level of decibel is safe it will not harm you. I use headphones for online gaming, i put the volume on what seem safe for me and i know this is not a dangerous level. but being careful is always good thought.

You're welcome, always happy to help people.

 

Man, 2-3 times a day is not obsessive at your age. it's perfectly fine.
i found out a colleague of mine had T for several years in his youth because of (possible) sinus problems, he has a great career now and is totally fine.
Don't project your fears on your future (although that's easier said than done) and be sensible with those headphones though. Hang in there!

 

Hey Josh. First of all, 2-3 TIMES A DAY!? JESUS CHRIST. No, I'm totally joking. I don't believe there's any correlation with obsessive masturbating and T. But what was said above about blood circulation makes sense so I'll roll with that lol
I totally feel you about OCD. I've had horrid OCD since I was a kid and with T my OCD makes it to where at times if I'm distracted from it I'll realize I'm distracted then start listening for the T and it'll come right back and get even louder as I think about it. I'm not gunna lie I've been pretty obsessed with T since I developed it last week. But distraction really is the key. For me it helps to play games or go out with a friend or even just being outside. I kinda gave up on watching tv because I do so at night mostly and night is when my T is at its worst but I do keep the tv on for background noise. Also have you tried listening to white or pink noise as a masker? That's helped me.
About headphones, I have been listening through earbuds since I was 10 years old (I'm 18 now) I'd say at considerably loud levels. Oops. (Unfortunately, my T was caused by acoustic trauma after an incident with earbuds and my volume being all the way up on an extremely loud video ) So from then on I've set a volume control on my phone to prevent this (not sure if you can do this with whatever devices you use) but I also make sure that even at it's maximum volume I cannot hear it if I take the earbuds out and hold them next to me. That's kinda how I gauge whether or not it's too loud.

Fortunately I feel a lot less tense about T than I did when it first started and I'm trying to be positive about it which has helped. I'm still holding out that soon it'll be gone, as it's too soon to say I'll have it forever.

Sorry this was so long but take care Josh and I really hope you pull through! I'm sure you will!