Noise-Induced Tinnitus — Positive Success Stories

Got back from my walk today. I was in the forest for about 2-2.5 hours. The only place I'm finding peace the last couple weeks is in the forest.

I left the house quickly this morning when the neighbor started mowing my lawn. I didn't want to be around during the noise.

When I'm in the forest I hear no noise except for nature and airplanes. We have a small airport one town over and I had no idea how often planes take off. I had no idea how loud our society is until I got t and I admit I was one of the offenders with my landscaping equipment.

When I'm walking in the forest I don't hear my t. The birds and my footsteps mask it. If I stop and listen for it it's there but if I'm moving it's a non factor. Perhaps that's why I enjoy the forest so much. It's something I enjoy and I don't hear my t when I'm there.

I've been exploring different paths and having a ball doing it. Nature amazes me. Every turn of the path can bring a clearing, a stream, a fallen tree, a bunch of seedings, a ray of sun, a shady patch, the variety is endless.

Today I walked down a path that was created by off road bikers. It was a winding path and the people who created it had to cut through a lot of fallen trees from the storm a few weeks ago. It was magnificent.

I get sad when I start to head back to my car because the walk is almost over and I'll be back facing reality. Reality isn't that bad but walking through a forest is better. I don't have to listen to the drone of traffic outside my house and ask my family to speak quieter. If something noisy is coming in the forest, whether other walkers or an airplane, I can hear it way before I need to cover my ears.

Today when I got to the end of the trail I could go left to go to my car or right to go farther. I chose to go right and added another half hour to the walk. It was well worth the effort.

After the walk I stopped at the grocery store for a few things and limped the first fifty feet or so. I need to start stretching after my walks.

 

@New Guy

I agree, nature is our salvation. It is God's gift. Too bad humanity is so good at destroying it. I am fortunate to live in an area with plenty of green. Not a sunny day goes by, that I am not outside. Even when it's raining I often sit on the porch.

And I also agree with this world being so incredibly noisy. Even in an area with bountiful nature, airplanes, bikers, even some cars make me question how I never realized before. It is an amazing luxury, I have found out now, to be able to go about your day without having to care about noise exposure and the effect it may or may not have on one's health.

I had my first exam today (taking a break now) and I couldn't for the life of me wait in the lobby with my fellow students, because of all the talking and the echoes in the hallways. They don't really make my ears hurt, but I just don't dare being so carefree with them anymore. It's pretty bad that I have to think about standing around in a group of people in a large hall as being carefree now. So, I just sat in the toilet until it was time for everyone to enter the exam room. Pretty pathetic huh? At least I think it went well, so that makes a good start to this exam period. I'm really gonna have to bite the bullet for the next ones though...

Oh and I had Burger King as a treat to myself afterwards. That was worth the detour.

 

I agree! Like you I took noise for granted before t and thought nothing of it.

That had to suck. I understand why you did it and I'll remember that trick next time I have to go to a public event. The constant vigilance about noise wears us down over time and perhaps that's part of the wall I've been hitting. I admire your strength continuing with your education while dealing with t. Acknowledge your strength and determination for doing that and know that it's going to take you far in life.

Nice reward! When I was in school I would get myself to study by promising myself a trip to Mc D's after.

 

Hi New Guy,
I’m new to tis forum but I think it’s such a great idea for people to gather and share their stories!

I want to share some positivity with you though, I first experienced tinnitus 2 years ago, I was 23 and it put me in to a very dark place. I read all and every blog post I could find, desperate for a cure. All I wanted to know myself was whether there would be any relief

I can honestly say tinnitus has not defeated me. Most days I go without hearing the ringing but there are some mornings I wake up and it’s the first thing I hear, and I’m okay with that.

I spoke with an eye & ear specialist and he gave me the best advise of all the medical professionals I met with. “You have to be strong, and shift your thought process”. If I looked for the sound, I would hear the sound.

In time you do get used to the sound, or at least not afraid if it. It just becomes part of life.

To be honest, there are good and bad periods, like I said earlier, there are days where I’m too busy enjoying life to hear the sound (that may sound strange, but it’s my experience) and then there are mornings like this where I get out of bed early to give my ears some relief
Do not let this thing ruin your quality of life!

*not advised by a medical professional*
I found this helped for me;
I listened to “Brown noise” on a low volume and tried to think of something like a nice holiday whilst I went to sleep.
I drank lots of caffeine-free tea to
Relax
I avoided caffeine, purely so I could sleep at night
I walked a lot, exercised a lot in general to get some fresh air, and tire myself out
And spent time with my loved ones cause they made me happy

Sending lots of positivity!!
April

 

@April lucy

Thank you for the positivity! I'm in the walking a lot phase right now. I've walked 1-3 hours a day the last week and hope to continue. It tires me out too and breaks the cycle of worry.

Thanks again for giving me something to read when I'm having a bad day.

New Guy

 

I had a dream last night where someone asked me what my plan was. They didn't say it but they meant to deal with the t situation. I'm sure it was my subconscious. I hesitated and replied I don't have a plan. Whatever plan I thought I had is not going according to plan.

My ears have been very reactive the last few weeks and the h is more noticeable too. I've gone backwards regarding fullness. My ears have been feeling full more the last couple weeks and I've had the crinkly feeling on both sides at different times. I thought I was through most of the fullness stage.

I poked my outer ear canal with my finger a couple weeks ago and it still bothers me. It feels sore in the canal and sometimes above or below my ear. I saw an ENT last week and he assured me it's nothing. I hope it's just a bruise or something simple like that but the ENT said he saw nothing there. The side I poked concerns me the most right now. Hopefully time will make it better.

I've started using plugs instead of ear muffs in case muffs pressing against my head have been irritating me. I think they have been. I've had the ear muffs on 2-3 hours a day when driving. My head feels uncomfortable on both sides almost immediately when I put the ear muffs on. I've switched the type of ear muffs I use too.

It's Harley season on the road I live on. There has got to be a motorcycle every 10-15 minutes though they usually travel in groups. I plug my ears inside the house when they go by. My wife woke up this morning and started to unload the dishwasher and all I could think was there goes my quiet t. When my wife raised her voice joking with me and I covered my ears for protection I thought about how much this sucks. How did I get here?

My only peace the last week or two is walking in the forest and thank goodness I have that. I have to go easy though because I'm going to overdo it and injure myself then I won't be able to go for a walk. That would not be a good.

The good news is right now my t is a hiss with some crickets. It's moving in the right direction. I don't know how long this will last. We've got a dog trainer coming to work with our dog later and he's going to go nuts when they arrive. My son has a school project where I need to help him build an earthquake table. More noise, working in garage with less insulation from noise.

I want to find a quiet place and curl into a ball in the fetal position. I feel very helpless and useless and I don't see the road to recovery besides time and lots of it. I don't think you can throw a pair of ear muffs on or ear plugs on and get back to life, it doesn't seem to work that way. I thought I could come up with a plan by doing my research and reading my book and move forward, and I was, but things don't always go according to plan.

 

@New Guy

Keep writing your thoughts down here, it is a great way to release some of the anxiety. It was mentioned how well you put your words together John, and I agree, you have a wonderful way of expressing yourself.

It seems like this has been going on forever, but the truth is it is still very new in the tinnitus journey. Like you said, time and lots of it. Stay positive.

 

@emmalee

Thanks for commenting. It's good to talk to people about what's going on, even virtually. I don't feel so alone.

 

@New Guy
I agree with Emmalee, you express yourself so well.
This is so hard. We are here so you don’t feel so alone. You are not alone

 

Just got back from my morning walk. Went to a different park but still glorious scenery.

 

Went for a long walk this morning. It was a good one.

I bought a bacon, egg and cheese and brought it into the forest to eat. There was a swarm of mosquitoes at the first spot I stopped so I spent about 5 minutes gagging on a mosquito while looking for a better spot. The best laid plans of mice and men!

Better luck at the second spot. I found a boulder at just the right height and 3 deer crossed the path about 75 yards away. All I heard was birds and the breeze while eating. My t was there but it's easy to ignore in the forest.

I had a revelation 2 1/2 miles in. My anxiety has been over the top for the last couple of weeks. It felt like someone took a pin and popped me at that moment. I could feel my body sink and the pent up energy flow out. I've been walking the last couple weeks and taking it 'easy'. Imagine how much worse my anxiety would have been if I tried to tough it out and get on with life. They say we should listen to our body and I agree.

I made the return trip at half speed because I felt so drained.

I have a few pictures from today's walk.

An old bridge in the distance. I had my revelation within 100 yards of this spot. I've lived in town for over 15 years and this spot is 10 minutes from my house, plus the 2 1/2 mile walk. I've never seen it until today. I'm sure very few have. Thank you tinnitus for giving me the time to appreciate this view.



On the way back I walked along an old stone wall along the river. Here in New England farmers cut down most of the forests for firewood and built stone walls along the edge of their properties in the 1800's. After the industrial revolution the fields turned back into forests. It's very common to walk through an established forest and find a stone wall like below.

At the bottom of the oak tree in the foreground you can see my backpack with Peltor X5A's on top in case of a motorboat, airplane or who knows what.



The final shot is a hemlock grove along the edge of the lake. There isn't enough light so the hemlocks have no needles until 30-40' above the forest floor. You're standing in deep shade but have a feeling of openness. I walked through this grove the first time last week and was in awe of the beaty.



I can't say going for a walk will change your life but if you're having a rough day give it a try. If you're not having a rough day give it a try too. I like to walk in quiet places, away from traffic, so I can focus on my thoughts and not whether I have to cover my ears with each passing vehicle. I also like to walk in nature because she never ceases to amaze me.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged and listened to me on TT. Someday when I look back at this year and wonder how I made it and you'll come to mind. Yes, I visited ENT's and talked to friends and family about this thing called t but you're the only ones who understood what I was saying and never stopped listening. Thank you.

 

@New Guy awesome nature around you. It's great you've found these wonderful areas to appreciate and nurture you on your journey.

Wearing ear muffs 2-3 hours a day must be incredibly challenging, and with having tv lower and children having to adopt lower volume....is that due to H....or being protective?

With the various challenges, you are persevering and eventually you WILL see some value from all this, whether appreciation of nature and the order around you; or something yet to come.

You have people standing with you my friend.

 

@PortalNaut

Yes, wearing the ear muffs 2-3 hours a day has been challenging. I'm trying to cut back my use by driving my truck less. I've been taking long drives to distract myself but I think it's more than my head and ears appreciate.

I keep the tv lower and ask the kids to talk lower due to h. My hearing is so sensitive right now I notice nuances others may not. When my son gets excited his voice gets louder. Certain TV stations, such as the Disney Network, set the volume higher than others.

Part of it is that I have been protecting more since the sirens a few weeks ago. Being near them was a mistake on my part.

I hope I do see the value of this some day. Right now my hikes are a form of distraction. I'm literally walking so I don't sit at home and stare at the clock and let my mind wander. Don't get me wrong, I would go for hikes before t but I seem to enjoy them more now than before.

Thanks for your support.

John

 

I just put electrical tape over the ringer on my phone. That thing was loud before t.

 

looks great where you live John.

 

Just a reminder about TV, the commercials are usually much louder than the shows. Have to be particularly beware if the preceding scene of a show was quiet... because here comes max volume.

 

Tell me about it. I had severe T since Jan 19 and I just want it to reduce. I cant sleep, focus, concentrate, read, write, etc. Then on top of that I have Severe H so I cant handle soft noises like papers turning, my own voice, peoples voices, objects clanking.

 

You're not alone in the way you feel, I feel the exact same way. Every morning I wake up hoping that the last few months have all been a bad dream. I agree that life right now is simply a matter of passing time. I'd give up my entire net worth in a heartbeat if it meant I could hear perfect silence again.

 

@john paul

It's a beautiful town but the parks are my favorite part!

 

@PortalNaut

I hear ya! I bump the commercials down or pause while they're playing. I have to be careful when watching shows with gunshots. Volume goes way down for those. I've been watching some episodes of The A-Team and Magnum PI from the 80's.

 

@dpdx

I hope you have a turn for the better soon. They say time is the best healer, especially with t. I'm still a very impatient person but trying to teach myself to go for more walks and relax. Often easier said than done for me. I hope you get a sign of improvement soon.

 

@Chad Lawton

I'm hoping time will move me in the right direction and I hope it does you too. I was noticing improvement until sirens a few weeks ago. That put a hold on things. I'm trying to stay calm and enjoy my 'Quiet' walks while giving my ears the thing they need most. Time.

I wish I could say I was giving things time better but I do have rough days. Those are days we just have to throw away and start fresh in the morning. I'm stuck in this limbo state right now of not moving forward because I'm waiting for improvement.

I hope you notice some changes for the better soon Chad.

John

 

@New Guy

Thanks, yea, each day is a chance to start from scratch. I don't know about you or others but mornings are the absolute worst. As the day goes on, I slowly get some sense of normalcy but its crawling out of bed which is the hardest thing to do. I'm trying the Back to Silence technique I read about in another thread but its tough trying to be so positive and mindful all the time.

I hope yourself and others as well all get to experience changes for the better and hopefully we all get to hear true silence again someday. I tip my hat to those that have put up with this for years.

 

@Chad Lawton

I'm not sure if you mean mornings are the worst for volume or mood. My volume is usually best when I wake up but getting out of bed is a bear. There's underlying depression no matter how many pretty pictures I put up. Everything I've read on the forum says to give it time but it's so hard to do.

 

50 Strategies to Beat Anxiety

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201503/50-strategies-beat-anxiety

 

Went to a different park today to walk. I was there for an hour and a half. It was refreshing yet stressful at the same time. When I go for walks in the forest my mind does a lot of wandering and thinking. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.

I've got a few pictures from today's walk.

This first picture is the path I was on which cuts through a grove of Mountain Laurel in full bloom. It's a beautiful spot.



While walking I found this stone. Hope is what I've been looking for and I found it. I took a picture and left the rock.



Farther down the trail I saw this grouping. I found it very inspirational. I took a picture and left the items for someone else. They did their job for me.

 

@New Guy

Beautiful surroundings, indeed!

I wonder who left the stone and the grouping? What an amazing find, John. It must have lifted your spirits to stumble across such treasures.

Thanks for the link to the 50 Strategies to Beat Anxiety.

 

@emmalee

The last couple years a new trend has started in my part, and possibly other parts, of the country. People randomly leave motivational art in parks and encourage others to take it home. This was the second time I found art in a park. I took it home last time but left it for others this time. I wish I could draw better. I'd like to do something like that.

 

It really is a unique trend, I especially like the painted rock. This would be easy to do, it's such a good idea. You could have your children each paint a rock for the trail perhaps.

How is your back, John?

 

I thought it might a global phenomenon. My daughter loves art but I don't know if she'd want to leave it in a park. :-(

My back feels ok until I start bending over to pick stuff up. That's the tricky part.