Is There Any Hope For Me?

I've only had t for about 9 days now but it just doesn't get any better, I'm new here and I've said a bit more in the introduce your self page. But I just can't cope at the moment . I've not been able to sleep for days and my anxiety is out the window , I've broken down in tears for most of the last three four days as part of me just can't cope with this.

I'm waiting for an appoi ment for ent .
I just struggle at staying calm
I'm taking some meds to help with labyrinthist .
But my mind keeps racing and keeps listening out for it ..only when I'm out and busy I seem to be able to just ignore it and I mean just.


I don't really know what's started it but I've had a head ache, and fullness in the years and sore throat a week or so ago. But I was exposed to a horrible high pitch noise for a few minuets whilst out at a resturant . I dunno what the noise was but it was awful made my ears feel deaf and it was like a hearing aid loop or something technical. I'm wondering if this has destroyed my ears and why they would settle down?
I keep thinking over and over and wish I never went there now as if this is all I'm going to hear I don't know what to do. I seem to have a constant head ache with it too . Maybe I'm just over tired and stressed out and run down but I just can't see a good end to this !
How do you all cope ?

 

Hi S.
I love to talk about my success because I wish other T sufferers could get back in the real world like me. I think maybe most people can if they try this, because I tried everything without much success.
I've had T since 1974. I had a BAD spike about 10 years ago and it took me over a year to get the T back down. The reason was loud music. And the reason I got T in the first place was loud music. I cope by not exposing myself to loud music. And a few months ago, I learned a technique from someone on this forum that turned my life around. I was having a hard time a while back and came here to see what I could learn. I was doing some masking and diet changes but after a few weeks I thought I should be experiencing some positive effects and I was not. Also some accupressure around the temple area and back of my head was giving me a few seconds of silence now and then but my luck ran out. I read here about a another technique that sounded sort of simplistic and honestly I didn't have much hope at first. But with everything I've tried in 40 years, I thought, "Why not?"
It works.
But first let me tell you how I used to deal with T a few months ago. I'd get up in the morning, and see if I could hear it. I always could and I'd get nervous. Then my heart would start beating fast. And I'd try to distract myself by thinking or doing something else. Then pretty soon I'd listen for the T, and yes, there it was. I'd worry all day about what I was eating and all the sounds that might be making my T worse. All day long I could hear my T changing pitches and going from ear to ear and in general, really bothering me and making me uptight. It seemed to be getting louder. At night I'd sit and watch TV and the T in my head was louder than the TV. I could not relax. I was screaming and going in circles inside. I was talking to everyone about it, seeing if other people had it .. as if that would help me. Basically I was very tuned into the T and I was a nervous, miserable wreck.
The new technique I learned here does not have a name as far as I know. I'm now 98% T free and I am listening to music in my car at moderate-loud levels, playing my instruments again and feeling great. I just stay away from super loud music and try to stay on guard in town for loud sounds. Anyway, the technique has erased my T. If I listen for it, it's there. I suppose this is habituation. I've trained myself to not hear it. Here's how it works:

When I hear my T, I tell myself how I feel about it.

I'm not running from T, I'm retraining my brain to not hear it.

That's it. That's all I have to do. If I catch myself listening for the T, I quickly shift my thoughts and say to myself, "I hear it and it doesn't scare me although I do feel a little anxious." Or, "I hear it and I've got better things to think about and it makes me mad to have to have T." Or, "I hear it now and feel good because I didn't hear it when I was in the store."

I used to say, "Oh god, what am I going to do?" or "I wish this would just go away for one day!!" Or, "Damn, it's just going to get worse," or "It's louder every day." Or, "I just want to enjoy myself here, why do I have to hear this?"

So you can see the difference. I used to measure my T. Now I measure my feelings about it. I never measure my T anymore. And I'm more surprised than anyone that this works! After only a few weeks, I noticed I was measuring my feeling less and less as time went by. Then I noticed I was starting to feel happy and rested, and not so nervous. When I'd think these things, part of me wanted to listen for the T to measure it, so I'd of course hear it. Very quickly I learned that if I just kept telling myself how I felt, then the T was just not 'there.'

I don't feel like I'm running from the T, or constantly trying to distract myself. I feel good, and I don't hear the T much anymore. This is different than saying to myself, "Just think about something else." I tried that for decades and it only puts attention back on the T. As the weeks have gone by, I only occaisionally tell my self how I feel about my T because I only hear it a couple times a day. It does not rule my life anymore. This technique has put my T in its place. I wish I could thank the person who first posted this. Give it a try. I think yes, there is hope for you.

 

I definitively have to try out your technique as I say things you used to say.

 

Ya, give it a try. And from now on, don't listen for your T to see if it's getting better, count how many times you measure your reaction to it. If you're determined I think you'll have good luck. Keep in touch.

 

You will get better. Day 9 - March 25, 2013, I got T on March 16, 2013 - was another day in hell for me. You will get better. You will adjust.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/one-year-tinnitus-anniversary-life-is-normal.3975/#post-37735

 

I've had my T for about three weeks. It came on pretty fast - hard to pinpoint the causes as there were several variables at play including medications, headphones used at work, general anxiety before getting it, and TMJ issues.

What I have not been doing that seems to be helping me...is NOT fearing it. It's just a noise. It's nothing to be scared of. I can tune it out usually while doing certain activities as well. I still have some depressed moments let me tell you, but accepting the noise I think is important. You don't have to like it (and who can!) - but don't fear it.

There are therapies out there that can very effective to further minimize the issue too. I have faith it will get better.

 

Hah 9 days is very very very young for Tinnitus.
Look honestly I don't know the exact statistics but Tinnitus usually resolves on its own, especially within a year so you got plenty of time for it to get better.
I can give you a few pointers to make you not lose your sh*t like I did which I still believe was the reason I got my sound sensitivity.
-Whatever you feel don't say I shouldn't be feeling this or that or think how you're supposed to act, when you're sad be sad until you find something that eases it, when you're angry get on the forum and vent or just talk about it with someone, keeping my emotions bottled and thinking how I'm not supposed to act only made it worse.

-Yes stay away from loud stuff 90dB and higher but don't overprotect yourself, let your ears soak up sound it nourishes the auditory system.

-Try magnesium+zinc+b6+b12 and some other stuff, the ones I mentioned help with the hearing cells so taking them can only do good, plus it'll generally make you feel better and in turn from what I've gathered at-least when you feel good physically and such your Tinnitus is far less there.

That's pretty much it, also while this forum is positive try not to do what I did and hang around here all the time because honestly any Tinnitus forum on the web will give you a bad image that this is a rarely resolvable,hopeless,end life condition and that this is it.
Yes some people are having a really hard time but however insensitive this might sound those people present 5% of the Tinnitus community maybe more but there are a lot of people with Tinnitus who are habituated.

Habituated means you hear it but it's like you don't.
You're not bothered by it, you don't care about it, you don't check it or listen for it, I'm only 3-4 months in and I can read in silence without being bothered by my Tinnitus, the sound sensitivity sucks though but it almost always leaves eventually, just the ears being sore I guess.

All in all just try your best to relax, this is a experience, not a good one but an experience and just like with any other it'll be over eventually by resolving or by habituation.

Don't worry about it

 

I am sure there is hope for all of us in the next 5 to 10 years. It just has to happen.

 

Hi I love music .
Thank you for that. It does help to know how people deal with t and myself is a music lover too and I do blame some of that on why I've got t now.
But yes it makes sense everything you say and I will try my best to ease myself from thinking about t and not measure it.

 

Hi Ilija
Thank you
I've felt like I was going crazy but I would just let it all out , the tears and fears till there was nothing left because I've worn myself out.
But being stressed has made it worst and not sleeping, but I've managed for the first time in days to have slept not too badly.

Today I can hear it all the same but I do feel calmer with it and I will look I to getting some of those vitermins as anything natural I will try to help with this. Even though I know it won't cure it but it will help it.

I've just been run down and stressed and Ill and it's all come together with t and I have just lost it with it, but I'm so happy to read everyone's good words because it does help knowing people who suffer and how they got it , what they did and how they feel and now how they manage.

It's a very lonely thing at first and it's very scary.

But I'm glad I can see hope now

 

If you have a cold then that's a perfectly good reason why your Tinnitus hasn't gotten better.
Colds always make Tinnitus worse, they clog the ear and the tubes so when the cold goes away you should notice a marked improvement within the following week-s.
Also don't worry about it not getting better it takes time.
For instance mine got better within the first month then for 2 months nothing and then during novemeber I've almost completely lost the ringing tone now I'm just left with some minor hissing.
A lot of people get Tinnitus from stress/colds and for almost all of them eventually it goes.
Good work on the regaining hope.
You'll get better everyone does eventually.
If it means anything I went from suicidal-perfectly happy going out and stuff.

 

Check out the cure I have found on this forum @S.withnell https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acoustic-cr®-neuromodulation-do-it-yourself-guide.1469/page-15 It is the very last post. It might help you. it is also a very good mask anyway. Use it for about 2 hours 3 times a day your T should come down very quickly with luck. Oh it is FREE.

 

You said, "Today I can hear it all the same but I do feel calmer with it."
Perfect.
Keep describing your feelings like that and not the T level. I'm sure you'll feel better in the near future.

 

Well today I've started to try new things to keep me busy like teaching myself to crochet and things to just help.
But I hope it's due to a cold but we not sure if I have a cold , but I have been nasaly and I've had a runny nose and stuffed ears , but the ears where clear when doctors checked, but it could be a cold as it feels like a head cold.
But not flu no aches and pains in the body just my head.
Also I have been under a good amount of stress without really realising it , but I've run myself down.

So I am looking at this more logically but I also accept that if this is how it is I can still do everything I could before . Just got to learn to adapt to it . Sleeping is still hard as its when everything is quiet and not much at the moment works to mask it. And in the morning I wake up it's so loud for a good few hours till i guess my brain wakes up fully to ignore it.

But I'll be glad when I can see the ENT speacilst to find out what's happening exactly.
But today I've been ok. I've not broke down in tears so that's a good sign I think

 

I Who Love Music, always good to hear from you

@S.withnell
So sorry for your struggles; that's how mine started out too (it is a living hell). Take heart, when your brain calms down and gets out of fight/flight mode things get a lot better. Listen to what I Who Love Music is saying; I know it may seem overwhelming right now and words of advice can ring so hollow; but it is good advice nonetheless.

Have you seen a doc or ENT yet? Sometimes they can find the issue and solve. If not, I would go see a good audiologist (one that specializes in T).

Mark

 

My T is still new compared to most here @S.withnell and I vividly remember my first 10 days. I know it's tough, but just do the best you can and GET OUT OF THE HOUSE and get busy... The busier you can keep yourself, the better. And I know it's tough to believe right now, but it does get better (to cope with).

I had several breakdowns the first week, that's natural. And, your T is very new, so it could resolve. If it doesn't, this is a great site to find loads of info (eg you could consider getting on the AM-101 trial) and a good place to vent.

I don't want to be negative, but I wouldn't expect a lot from the ENT. Make sure you go in fully informed about T and challenge them if they just say "go home and live with it"... This site can get you prepared.

 

Hi mark thank you and yes it's very overwhelming but I am starting to cope with it better today than ever before.
I've been able to sit in a quiet room with no sound and listen to the t but not let it take over and I felt like I did have a bit of grip on it.
I'm hoping to see ENT Monday and I've had advice from a helpline for tinnitus in the uk that if I don't find them helpful the helpline can help me to find the right people to refer me too and that made me feel better to know I've got a few roads I can try.

It's the night time I struggle with the most but I'm sure in time I'll get in a routine and find some thing to help me sleep.

 

Hi oddv
Yes that's me all over with the breakdowns though today is the first in the now ten days of t that I've not let myself get down about it.
I almost do but then I go and try do something else .

And I undertsand what you mean with ENT , tbh I haven't got much faith in them yet but I have told myself this might not go away , and it's my way to prep ear myself for the worst as if this is it then this is it. But I've told myself that I can still do everything else I could before t so what's chnaged beside a stupid noise in my head ?

So in time I can see things get better but I also can get worked up easy with it . But it's time thing I guess.

 

That's awesome! Sounds like you are already getting a foot-hold on the situation (so glad for you). I know what you mean about sleep; that is the first order of business. I used white noise generators, they helped a lot.

 

Hi mark well I'm not sure yet what to do about sleeping , so far I've not had to take tablets yet I don't really want to but will see how long I cope without them, but hopefully don't need to. And I want to use sound but not sure yet as I don't know much about my t till I see ENT . But I sleep with a watch user the pillow or the tv on low but I'm put till I litrally crash from it . There's not much else at the moment I can do. But I'm starting to deal with it better .

 

S.withnell
I may have not done the right thing at the beginning (I was all on my own the first year) but I just masked the heck out of it. At first, I used an mp3 player with nature sounds (thunderstorms, ocean waves, babbling brook, etc.) and I was able to mask it quite well and relax. About one month into my ordeal I was fitted with hearing aids that have programmable white noise -- they work great and I was really able to sleep -- I still use them now. I did, however, depend on over the counter sleep aids for the better part of a year. I don't need those anymore, but I do take a melatonin now and then (very natural, good sleep).
It's very impressive and encouraging you are able to sit in a silent room and not let it 'have it's way with you'; I am very glad to hear that.

Mark

 

@I who love music

How would you apply that technique to t that changes, few new noises in my case?
It's hard not to freak out

 

After first day of trying talking to my. I felf better. I started to noticed my t kind of like adjusting to my feelings and chAnging volume and pitch. Who knows maybe t is human and u just have to talk to it?

 

The same way. But please, don't describe your changing T anymore. Don't give it anymore attention. Put your attention on your feelings toward it. Yes, you're going to hear the T, but don't give it attention. Measure your reaction to it. It's gets easier with time, and you'll feel great.

 

I used an app called "White Noise Lite" when I first got T and mixed thunder, wind, stream and crickets... It helped me get to sleep... There was also some times that I listened to Enya... That was pretty much constant the first 3 weeks... After that, I made myself stop listening to it and only use it in emergencies now (can't sleep).

 

My app is a great masker as well, have you asked for it yet @S.withnell it might even help cure you

 

@NeverLoseHope ooh, I'll take one... Is it on the Android and Apple Store?

 

At the moment it is only a 2 day trial on license (you can still use it after) to check for bugs. I have sent it by email to about 150 in two days. I am working on an Apple and Android app next week.

 

Hey @I who love music
Great advise and I am so glad for you that you found relief after such a long time.
What puzzles me is that after for example waking up, you have to listen if it is there.
I don't think your T is mild, otherwise you won't be here or suffered that long.
But I don't know if this approach could work for me.
My T is directly there after waking up. Full power, loud and high-pitched (15-16 kHz).
For me, looking for it is not necessary. I hear it sometimes even in the shower.
So it is just not possible for me not listening to it.
I will give it a try, but it seems much more possible on the seldom quieter days.

 

Cool. Would be good getting it.
But as I said in the @generalfuzz thread, my T is probably too high.
I cannot find the exact frequency, but it is somewhere 15-17 kHz. Ultra high unfortunately. :-(