New to Tinnitus

Hey, I'm new to all this and my tinnitus started 3 weeks ago, I am booked in for an appointment at the ENT clinic and I'm scared that it will not go away.

 

@leah farr

New to tinnitus what to do?

The onset of loud intrusive tinnitus can be very 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 underlining medical problem, build up of ear wax (cerumen). Jaw problems. Some medications and even irregular blood flow through the body causing Pulsatile tinnitus. There are a plethora of other conditions that can be responsible. However, the most common cause is exposure to loud noise or music that has been played at high levels causing some damage to the cochlear in the inner 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 nightmare that has suddenly come upon them. Your Dr has probably told you, it’s tinnitus and nothing can be done, you’ll just have to learn to live with it. I remember those words as if it were yesterday resonating through my mind and thinking, live with this for the rest of my life, impossible. So 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.

Michael

 

Thank you for the reply michael, i have two sons and if it wasnt for them i would have ended it by now, im ok in the day and dont really notice it, i have pain in my ears, and they have been blocked for about 6 months, my doctor gave me a spray to use, and when they started to un block the tinnitus started, i have had my hearing tested and that is fine, its just at night, i dread going to bed, i have a radio on which helps slightly, going to bed should be a nice relaxing time, i just find it hell.

 

Hi @leah farr It will get better believe me. You are in the very early stages of tinnitus and many people new to the condition feel the way that you do. Please buy a "sound machine" and use that instead of a radio at night. Oasis sound machines are the best. Just Google it to find their website. Model S-650 is popular and I recommend that.
I have recently written a post on tinnitus that some people have found helpful and you might too. Please click on the link below. If you have any more questions please ask.
All the best
Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

I've had tinnitus for a year now. The first couple of months were the worst. The tinnitus is still annoying, but I have learned how to deal with it better. Some suggestions most people try are sound machines to mask the tinnitus. I use a fan noise generator called lectrofan at night, there are many others. Also, it's important that you protect your ears from loud noises, and don't listen to music with headphones. Buy a pair of earplugs and carry them with you in case you need them. I've gone in some restaurants on a busy night and was glad I had the earplugs.

 

Hi all back again, well what can i say, the T is still with me, saw an ENT consultant total waste of time, its turned from a tone in my ear to a noise in my head, i have these episodes of a huge tone coming from no were lasting 30 seconds to a minute, then i get this painfull ear pain after a episode, they are coming more frequent and it happens in both ears, i am at my whitts end and do not see a life or future with this horrible condition, i break down crying alot of the time and have sad feelings all the time xx thanks for listening xx

 

Hi Leah,

Welcome to the site.

First, you should note that countless millions of people have tinnitus worldwide!

The "trick" to living with tinnitus is not to pay attention to it. Basically, you are trying to battle a phantom noise that no one else can hear but you. The best thing you can do is to stop fighting it and eventually, your brain will get sick and tired of the noise, thereby diminishing your stress and anxiety levels towards it. Otherwise, the harder you fight against it, the more intrusive it will become. Just let it win and ultimately, you will re-take control! Best of luck.

 

MikeL's answer is extremely accurate, you should really read it over and over again, he says most of it.

T is a ghost sound. It has chemical explanations, but your brain is waaaaay stronger than T.
Your brain can be your best friend now, or your worst ennemy.

Here, let me ask you a question : are you wearing socks now ? Do you feel them ?
Although you may have socks on, you don't feel them, because your brain believes it is IRRELEVANT information.
Same goes for your shirts, trousers, etc.

Your brain can do the same to Ts.

A piece of advice here : do express your feelings to yourself. Tell your Ts "I am annoyed by you, you're getting on my nerves, I hate you".

Anytime you feel it brings you real down, express your emotions, but never EVER mention the sound.

Good thing to say : "I feel down, it is really annoying"
Or: "I feel okay today, it gets on my nerves, but I'm alive".

BAD thing to do : plug your ears, listen to them, then unplug and say : "It sounds high-pitched, louder than yesterday, it's in my left ear, etc."

Do this exercise anytime you want to, and don't loose faith.
Plenty of us have had Ts in a long time here, it will only get better with time.

Be strong