My Philosophy on Tinnitus

[Mario]

This might be quite lengthy or not but this is my views on Tinnitus. I believe that Tinnitus is irreversible, and you can only worsen it, unfortunately, yes you can get treatment, example, (HBO), therapy and so on, but that only improves your confidence and self esteem on your condition and day to day life. To be honest, before I had these symptoms, I had no idea on God's earth what Tinnitus was, I also agree with the fact that there is no recognition of Tinnitus, even though Chris Martin has recently admitted to his nightmare 10 years, but this will only appeal to people who actually suffer from it and that no one recognizes about this complex condition which is quite sad. Everyone's Tinnitus is different and will have different effects, as simply, we are all different in every single way, we all have different physiques and different mindsets, for this reason it is simply too complex for doctors, which most probably will be left with the answer to "live with it" which in some way I find quite frightening. I am a youth, 17 years old, so I might seem stupid but this is what I believe. Yes I do believe they will be a cure, how long? God knows... But anyone can overcome any condition, no matter how unlikely it is to die or whatever the condition they have. I have had it for exactly 20 days now, I'm getting along, not needed any treatment, and slowly habituating I suppose, but I guess I'm blessed as I am young and sporty so I'm crammed with activities. My best bet on overcoming it is to, find out the underlying cause, be patient, and speak to people on forums and seek specialist medical advice (ENT). So my final say on Tinnitus, not enough recognition, too complex for doctors, and we can all help each other. Please post your views below, no offence intended, I am simply posting out my views. Cheers.

 

[Molan]

this is my views on Tinnitus. I believe that Tinnitus is irreversible, and you can only worsen it,

I understand exactly how you feel Mario, this is why I made a thread all about scientific studies in which people had been cured of their tinnitus. Please click below,

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/some-reasons-to-be-optimistic.866/


Although it was not a majority, the fact that some people reported that their tinnitus had disappeared and they were enjoying silence again gave me cause to feel hopefull about the future.

 

[Emma]

To be honest, before I had these symptoms, I had no idea on God's earth what Tinnitus was,

Same here! I had no idea such a condition existed. I knew loud noise could make someone go deaf, but I had no idea a thing like tinnitus even existed! The only time I heard about people hearing sounds that werent there were in pyschology classes in college when the topic was halluciantions and hearing voices. I cant even imagine hearing voices that arent there. We have to hear a sound that "isn't there" and that sucks. I wish I knew tinnitus existed, I would have done everything in my power to prevent it.

You are so young, I am sure you will habituate well to it. My parents never taught me about hearing protection, tinnitus was never on my radar. Why dont family members, teachers, doctors warn about hearing loss and tinnitus. Most parents worry that tv will mes up their kids' eyes- but what about their ears. I dont think anyone has gone blind by watching tv.

 

[Mario]

I guess so, we must not be regretful though, never resent, I still live and love life before my tinnitus and after it, is there anything I can really do, no. Within my reach I do have help, but it doesn't die it down. I personally just think it's inner strength more than anything.

 

[Markku]

Inner strength, accepting as a companion rather than fighting will go a long way. It doesn't happen overnight for many though.

Unfortunately there are several types of tinnitus, some measured (dB SL) way louder than others, changing noises, maybe other ear problems (aches, hyperacusis, etc etc), and not to even mention the psychological differences between people. Some people seem to be able to adjust easier than others.

It's simply such a complex and also a subjective symptom that generalizations should be avoided.

It's wonderful Mario that you are coping this well. I'm happy for you!

 

[Mario]

I totally understand what you said about Hyperacusis and Chronic ear pain, but it is only us who can say what we are living with. Being non expressive about anything is quite daunting, example, you've been getting bullied, and you don't express it, don't tell no one, it kills you. Quite literally inside, about the measurements of Tinnitus, I think a ENT could inquire about that on a scale, basing it on, how it's affected you etc etc.

 

[Markku]

Yes there is a visual-analogue scale (VAS) used when inquiring about its negative effects on your life.

That's used at least often in studies, but basically any doctor one goes to see about tinnitus could just ask "if you think life before tinnitus and compare it to the situation now, how much do you think your life is impaired at the moment on a scale of 1 to 10?"

Too few GPs ask even a basic question like that. If one says 10, then it's clear they are in a lot of distress and serious consideration about next steps is required. I'm not saying tinnitus who one categorizes affecting their life as 3, for example, should be kicked out of the office with "learn to live with it", no, not at all, options (HBO, steroids, benzos, TRT, etc) should be made clear to everyone, but those who answers e.g. 8-10 should be given careful consideration and immediate help, to avoid any impulsive consequences (like suicide in the absolute worst case scenario).

 

[Mario]

Yeah unless it's life threatening and your going insane, doctors just don't care, that's what I find irritating, I mean, this condition can kill people (through depression - suicide) so on, yet doctors have the decency to say "live with it" that's the worst thing you could say to a sufferer. No sufferer is going to be glad, so regardless if it's 1 or 10, Tinnitus should always hold importance. But I guess it doesn't.

 

[stantheman]

Yeah, my cardiologist said I was "overreacting". He said he gets the T from time to time because of stress and that two ladies who work in his office have T. I wonder how bad they have it?

 

[Mario]

I guess only they can tell you, but it obviously mustn't be lifebreaking, eh, cardiologist, a big pay wage, tinnitus i think is what you make out of it

 

[Karl]

Yeah, my cardiologist said I was "overreacting". He said he gets the T from time to time because of stress and that two ladies who work in his office have T. I wonder how bad they have it?

How much tinnitus affects a person is also a matter of how we monitor the sounds around us. We each differ in the way we consciously process sounds in our lives.

Musicians can be particularly affected by tinnitus, because they are so aware of sound. They're thinking about pitch, harmony, loudness and rythymn all the time on a subconscious level. Jastreboff and Hazell write, "As artists in general, including musicians, can have a tendency to higher emotional reactions relating to their work, they may display a more significant reaction to tinnitus or hyperacusis and, therefore, have a tendency to be more distressed by it."

I consider myself somewhat of a "listener" (almost like having dog ears). I think "listener" types are particularly annoyed by tinnitus, because it interferes with...listening. I think this is why my distress button went off when I got it.

But for a lot of people, perhaps they're not evaluating and processing sounds the same way. For most people tinnitus is no big deal.

It's a matter of perception and reaction.

Once we start making it a big deal, we start digging ourselves into a hole. It requires an ability to suppress self-defeating thoughts to break the cycle. And that requires a change in the way we think and coming to terms with tinnitus. This can be particularly difficult for some people.

Mine isn't all the loud. That makes it easier, for sure.