My Tinnitus — Week 4

It's my 4th week with tinnitus after loud noise exposure. This week has been hard and stressful at work, but for the most of the week I was sleeping fine, and even went to sleep without masking. The T is still there, it still sounds like static, but my mind almost attributes it to something in the environment. The minor tonal T that I have in my right ear comes and goes at night, and I think it got quieter.

Now for the bad news. I've been getting these "pressure to the back of the head" feelings for a while now, and yesterday was really bad. Strong pressure to the back, headache in the back that radiates all over, almost to the point of nausea. Pressure is mostly on the right side. My right ear feels stuffed every morning up until mid-afternoon. Yesterday night I took a pill my wife was given after car accident - Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caff. It took away the headache but I woke up in the middle of night with new tonal T in my left ear that kept me up for few hours. It was gone in the morning.

These new, late symptoms are worrying me. Sometimes I feel like I am getting better and then I take 2 steps back with something new.

I have ENT for Aug 29 to check my ears and hearing again. No issues were found 2 weeks ago. I am beginning to think the middle ear is to blame for some of my symptoms, because when I yawn or burp (pressure change) I get quick tinnitus in my right ear.

What I do

• Take multi-vitamin, B12, Magnesium in the evenings
• Take 1-2 long walks per day to de-stress
• Drink chamomile tea at night to calm anxiety
• Occasional 10 minute meditation

 

HI @Dmitriy

Please read the post below and then click on the links and read the tinnitus articles.
All the best
Michael


New to tinnitus what to do?

The onset of loud intrusive tinnitus can be traumatic for most people. I use the words loud and intrusive, because tinnitus comes in many forms and intensities. When it is mild, moderate or occasionally heard in quiet surroundings it is usually not too bothersome and a person can go about their daily affairs quite happily and unperturbed by this anomaly. This type of tinnitus usually comes on gradually and in some cases it’s associated with hearing loss, as we get older and the usual treatment is the wearing of hearing aid/s.

Tinnitus can be caused by other things: an underlying medical problem, build up of ear wax (cerumen). Jaw problems. Some medications and even irregular blood flow through the body causing Pulsatile tinnitus. The most common cause is exposure to loud noise or music that has been played at high levels that can affect the cochlea in the ear.

This type of tinnitus can be loud, intrusive and very debilitating. Often leaving a person at a loss and not knowing which way to turn to escape the noise. I fully understand how difficult it can be for someone new to this condition to take this in and believe it to be factual.

If you are having difficulty sleeping you might have been advised to try a night time sedation or an ant-depressant to help cope with the stress and anxiety that often accompanies tinnitus. These medications can be helpful especially in the early stages and they don’t have to be taken long term, so it’s something to consider. They can act as a safety net so you don’t become too down.

A referral to ENT will usually be recommended. In the mean time try to keep occupied with something you like doing, as it helps to distract the brain from focusing on the tinnitus. Avoiding quiet rooms during the day by playing low level non intrusive music such as classical in the background can be helpful.

At night a sound machine placed by the bedside playing nature sounds or listening to favourite mp3 tracks or Cds are good. Keeping the volume just below the tinnitus is ideal and set to play throughout the night until morning. It takes time to get used to sound therapy so please stay with it. Whilst in a deep sleep it supplies the brain and auditory system with sound enrichment. Over time the tinnitus is pushed further into the background helping to make its perception less noticeable during waking hours.

In the early stages of tinnitus, if one chooses not to use sound enrichment sleeping can sometimes be difficult and there’s also the chance of the tinnitus becoming more intrusive as sleeping in a quiet room can allow the brain to increase it’s own background activity. In doing so it will also increase the tinnitus making it more intrusive during waking hours.

There is a tendency for newbies to try and cure their tinnitus which is quite understandable. There are many remedies, treatments and concoctions out there. Some affordable others quite expensive. I am not adverse to trying to help myself but want to say, there are charlatans and con artists eager to relieve someone in distress of their money so please be careful. Even tried and tested treatments I wouldn’t recommend a person try until they have been seen at ENT. Often a person after been seen at ENT is advised to wait a while.

The reason being. Many people habituate to tinnitus within six months sometimes a little longer and it has been known to go away. The ear is a very delicate organ and many Drs prefer to wait before investigating further and then suggesting a treatment. If other problems are experienced such as: pain in the ears, deafness, dizziness or balance problems this is of more concern and a person will usually been seen quicker.

It is best to have a word with your GP if you’re feeling stressed or depressed in any way, as previously mentioned there are treatments available. Leaving things alone until ENT advise you of the next step is the best thing to do in my opinion. Don’t try to fix anything or throw large sums of money at treatments that you have no way of knowing whether you’ll get any relief.

It is not advisable to listen to audio through headphones even at low volume and keep away from loud sounds. By all means go out but anywhere that plays loud music then wear noise reducing earplugs.
Take things slowly and one day at a time. Read some of the positivity threads and ask other members for advice. Many people eventually habituate to their tinnitus and go on to lead a happy and fulfilling life even though it may take a little time.

Please click on the links below and read the articles on tinnitus that you might find helpful. Try to read them in full and not skim through them.

Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

You are doing great, keep up the good work

Stress and anxiety can also create headaches and head pressures. A lot of things can create the headaches/head pressures as well. You seem to be on the right track. Take it day by day and keep moving forward...

 

Thanks, I am still optimistic. Stress is definitely a factor. I know when I left on vacation a week ago I felt much better.