New Here, But Not New to Tinnitus. Fellow Sufferers, I Could Use a Few Words of Advice

[Rich VO]

Hello all

I've had T since last November, about a year (started right after I head two major "head cold" back to back), I've been two several ENT early this year ..with really no help or direction. I have mid to high frequency hearing loss in my left ear, but most of my ringing is in my right ear (is that possible due to having one auditory cortex?).

It seems like I made it through the summer with it in the back of my mind, but recently (likely cause I've been focusing on it, researching it, trying to treat it), it's been very present and making me incredibly depressed.

I'm seeing an Ear Specialist Monday, so that is a step in the right direction, but I've been trying to treat my T with several methods that likely sound crazy, but they seem to have risen to the top via my researching. I'd like all of your opinions

Diet - I've stop all caffeine, lowered my salt as much as I can and have reduce my alcohol. Thoughts? What else could I do?

Supplements - I've started taking 5,000 mcg on B-12, 100mg of zinc a day as I read several NIH studies that spoke to the benefits toward Tinnitus. Thoughts?

Sound - I've just started (a week ago) listening to this forums acoustic neuromodulation tracks (3 hours a day). Have any of you gotten lucky with this?

Ultimately, my anxiety if really high and my depression is rising (this morning I cried in the shower, feeling hopeless). I am beating myself up over this, feeling like I cause it from either headphones or not getting treatment for ear/sinus infections...and knowing I will have to live with this forever. Do any of you have advise on getting past this feeling of self-blame?

Lastly, I've been told the best method is habituation. Do any of you have advise I how to learn more about this and steps to make this happen and be successful.

Many, many thanks.. I could really use you help

Rich VanOverberg

 

[JohnK]

Hi Rich,

Like you, I am too new at this to know what to do and not to do. But I can tell you that you're not alone in this... And you're not the first man to cry over feeling helpless about it. We're in this together!

I'm starting TRT next week. I'm not sure if it counts as habitation or not but a lot of people have good success with it

 

[billie48]

Welcome Rich & John,
When T is new or when it hits a new level, the ringing is causing much anxiety and panic, it is advisable to get masking ASAP so you won't be so anxious and fearful. Stress and anxiety are toxic to T. So try masking if you haven't done so. Here is a TT thread with an audio player for many good masking sounds. It also comes with nice tips for new sufferers . If you have sleep problem, then check out the link there for a sleep thread too. There are also links to ATA & BTA with loads of more info. The more you understand tinnitus and how it works, the less fearful and stressful you are.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/panic/

Also some people report benefits from taking supplements or making life style or diet change. Members here often recommend some good supplements, such as NAC, Magnesium, Zinc, B12, D3, etc., and reduce intake of salt, sugar, MSG, caffeine, alcohol etc. You may also want to help yourself to get more sleep. Sleep deprivation is one sure way to fire up T. Get some bed time masking such as a sound machine or a sound pillow etc., so you can fall asleep better.

For calming the nerves and for sleeping better (which definitely helps), instead of sleep meds from the doctor, you can try natural alternatives such as Camomile tea, Hops, Valerian tablets, Melatonin etc. Check out this site on using natural herbs for sleep problem:

http://www.christopherhobbs.com/lib...alth/herbs-and-natural-remedies-for-insomnia/

If your T is caused by acoustic trauma, you may want to get your doctor/ENT to prescribe a course of prednisone or other corticosteroids. Members here highly recommend new T patient to get this treatment as soon as possible. Here is a discussion thread on this treatment:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...dexamethasone-others-oral-and-injections.348/

Success stories can help you keep hopeful and therefore more calm, and this is good for T. So try to read as many as possible. For a start, here is the link for my success story. I went through hell with T 6 years ago with ultra high pitch T and severe hyperacusis. The initial struggle was tough and I was in a mess physically and emotionally. But now I live a normal and absolutely enjoyable life. I even wrote my success stories like many other members. How I turned around my struggle from darkness to light? Well it is a long story and I list many points plus some mental imagery exercises. So for brevity I provide this link to it and hopefully it will help you in some way. Take good care of yourself and God bless.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...w-i-recovered-from-tinnitus-hyperacusis.3148/

The most read success story 'Back to Silence' with a simple effective strategy by I Who Love Music (this is a must read):

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/back-to-silence.7172/

 

[Rich VO]

thanks you so much, both of you for the advice. I have been masking to "crickets" on an app - it's the perfect pitch, but I fear it will prevent habituation. I'm looking forward to seeing my ear specialist this coming Monday