New to Tinnitus — What Should I NOT Do, That Could Potentially Make It Worse

[Nhammond]

I have the high-pitched ringing squeal with associated high-pitched hearing loss. Are there certain things you should avoid doing, thinking it's helping, but could make it worse/permanent?

For example, will listening to masking noise, while alleviating short term annoyance, could it make it worse in the long run?

Anything else newcomers should know?

 

[Michael B]

It's not unusual for those with tinnitus to have a MRI to rule out an acoustic neuroma, a noncancerous growth that develops on the eighth cranial nerve. Your ENT should advice you on that.

There's debate as to whether the use of headphones/earphones should be continued as it might exacerbate the condition. Personally, I've given them up.

There's also debate as to whether certain foods should be cut back on such as caffeine & higher amounts of sodium. Pizza makes my tinnitus spike.

There's agreement that if you do use a masking device, keep the volume below that of your tinnitus. This allows you some relief but also allows you to acclimate to your tinnitus.

Finally keep in mind that for most people, it gets better in time.

 

[Vicki14]

Don't get Microsuction, made mine so much worse and generally protect your ears and respect them

 

[JohnAdams]

It's not unusual for those with tinnitus to have a MRI to rule out an acoustic neuroma, a noncancerous growth that develops on the eighth cranial nerve. Your ENT should advice you on that.

There's debate as to whether the use of headphones/earphones should be continued as it might exacerbate the condition. Personally, I've given them up.

There's also debate as to whether certain foods should be cut back on such as caffeine & higher amounts of sodium. Pizza makes my tinnitus spike.

There's agreement that if you do use a masking device, keep the volume below that of your tinnitus. This allows you some relief but also allows you to acclimate to your tinnitus.

Finally keep in mind that for most people, it gets better in time.

Forgot to mention that MRIs are LOUD

 

[Bill Bauer]

Anything else newcomers should know?

Check out the thread below where I summarize everything (27 tips) I learned about managing tinnitus after reading the posts on this forum for the past year.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

 

[Nhammond]

" have a MRI"...
I read in other forums that some people who got an MRI it made their tinnitus WORSE. I think it was the sound.

 

[Nhammond]

"Check out the thread below where I summarize everything "
This is awesome.