Is Forgetting You Have Tinnitus for a Short While a Good Thing?

So I'm about 10 weeks into this new world called tinnitus.

I feel strong then I feel weak.

My reason is because when I am going about my business - cooking/cleaning/at work or where there are general noises and distractions I forget that I have this annoying thing. Then I hear it. My stomach drops and my mood falls. I feel sad.

I suppose because it is so early in my experience I am going to feel the ups and downs but I just think is it worth trying to mask it. The mood swings are so hurtful.

 

Coping/managing/habituation with tinnitus is all about FOCUSING/SHIFTING the attention away from the noise in your own head/ears to an external noise/environment. This is very hard to do at the beginning. I live with beyond intrusive tinnitus, it's impossible to forget that I have it, but I do not care for it or give it any attention it seeks...

Your tinnitus journey is very new. All of us had the bumps in the road while dealing with this venom. It takes time and lots of self love + support.

Hang in there and take it day by day.

 

Thank you and I suppose I should be glad that I do have times where I cannot hear it but it is really hard to accept this could be it forever. After suffering with anxiety for over 10 years and only being free of it for 2 years - it feels like I now have another hurdle. I am grateful for many things but it's so easy to get dragged down by this condition. Thank you so much for replying to my post though! I feel like I have a new friend. A much needed one.

 

@Chilliwoman ,
Going time not noticing your tinnitus is a good thing and proves it does help having a distraction and you can build on this to get through the day.
Nights can be more problematic if having trouble sleeping.
Lovely to hear your getting breaks from your sound so enjoy it.

love glynis

 

Life is going to throw lots of curve balls at us. The world that is around me is falling apart. depression, agony, pain. All of them lurk. I still get up and at bat to hit those curve balls. As long as we keep swinging for those curve balls, then we have a chance at hitting it. The day that we STOP swinging, that's the day that our hopes may fade.

 

Hi @fishbone ,
I love your way with words and could read your posts over and over again!
Now if it was fur balls my cat would not be seen for dust..

love glynis

 

Not sure how to reply as Im new but this may be it. Thanks Glynis. And to be honest I find it quite comforting at night. Strange I know.. it disturbs me more in the day if I hear it going about my normal duties. Oh and can I ask where I can buy the best ear plugs from to protect myself from certain noises?

 

Hi @Chilliwoman ,
A warm welcome to Tinnitus Talk.
You can get noise reduction plugs,foam plugs etc of the internet but maybe High street chemists sell them too or sport shops.
The BTA have a shop on their website.

love glynis

 

@Chilliwoman
YES!!!! That's a great sign!! I am glad you have those "pockets" where you forget tinnitus. Just take care of your ears, and use protection when needed.
Once.

 

Thanks! I have just purchased some ear plugs from the BTA as suggested by Glynis.

 

YES

 

This is always one of my first suggestions. Find something to do and get OCD about finishing it. Even cleaning out your closet and dresser drawers and neatly organizing stuff and getting rid of stuff you do not need. And think about painting the closet. Simple stuff for distraction even when the grip of tinnitus is so awful.

So glad you found this out early @Chilliwoman!

 

I always wonder how people want to wear earplugs with tinnitus.

If I put in earplugs my tinnitus loudness is about 5 times louder than without - pretty unbearable.

I don't get why other people don't seem to have this effect.

 

Everyone has this effect. But what other choice is there? Not wear earplugs and have your tinnitus get worse?