So, Is This What It Is Like at the Start?

[John CC]

Hi TWorlders I have had it for 3 or 4 weeks (so I am just at the beginning), it started in my left ear and it was intermittent and increased and decreased in volume (sometimes I couldn't hear it, to I could hear it over the sound of a car or truck). A couple of days later it started up in my right ear. Both ears ring at different dial tones. A week ago it became constant for 2 days and then it went back to intermittent, but the volume still fluctuates. I find lying down makes it loud and in the morning it is very angry with me, and very loud. I find driving with the windows up sets it off. It can be quiet, and then ping, it just starts up (is this normal?).

Is it good that it has gone back to intermittent, does that mean anything or is it too early to tell? Is this normal (if there is a normal)? Does it fade with time, or is it too early to tell? I must admit, while I meditate, do my best to stay positive, this is to say the least not a lot of fun, especially since before this my life was coming together great. I head back to school in a month (I am a teacher), and this is looming very large on my horizon. I have ordered ear plugs that will block 25 db in prep. My doctor prescribed me some Nortriptyline at night. I am in the pipeline to see and ENT (though it may still be a while).

I live alone, but I do have support from family and friends, and this forum. Is there anything people can suggest? Apologies for all the questions, but this forum and those in it seem to have the answers.

Thanks in advance. John CC

 

[coffee_girl]

Yes this is how it started with me. One ear, then other ear...then back to first ear...then both ears and permanent =]

The truth is it's been 2 years now and it has gotten a lot quieter (I only hear it in a noiseless room, and when I am in bed at night with no masking noise). Whereas 2 years ago I could hear it in the car while driving.

We are all here to help, I find that watching and rewatching Star Trek really helps when I was dealing with T the first few months...it gave me sooo much hope (for some reason). I also bought 35 db ear plugs from amazon that helped immensely. I Never go anywhere without it.

 

[John CC]

Hi Coffee Girl Thanks for the insights. I just read about the Back to Silence method, thought it would be good to try. I find these things, (comments/insight from other people, suggested methods) give us something called hope. Thanks for helping with my hope project.
John CC

 

[Bill Bauer]

Is it good that it has gone back to intermittent, does that mean anything or is it too early to tell?

If you actually experience periods of silence, it is a very positive sign. If you avoid any new traumas to your ear, you will most likely eventually get healed.

Does it fade with time, or is it too early to tell?

For some people it is relentlessly at the same level for months. For many of those people it doesn't fade with time. Many of the people for whom it is not relentlessly at the same level, report it fading over time (until they can hear it only in quiet rooms).

Is there anything people can suggest?

You might find some of the information on
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822
to be useful to you.

 

[fishbone]

Hi TWorlders I have had it for 3 or 4 weeks (so I am just at the beginning), it started in my left ear and it was intermittent and increased and decreased in volume (sometimes I couldn't hear it, to I could hear it over the sound of a car or truck). A couple of days later it started up in my right ear. Both ears ring at different dial tones. A week ago it became constant for 2 days and then it went back to intermittent, but the volume still fluctuates. I find lying down makes it loud and in the morning it is very angry with me, and very loud. I find driving with the windows up sets it off. It can be quiet, and then ping, it just starts up (is this normal?).

Is it good that it has gone back to intermittent, does that mean anything or is it too early to tell? Is this normal (if there is a normal)? Does it fade with time, or is it too early to tell? I must admit, while I meditate, do my best to stay positive, this is to say the least not a lot of fun, especially since before this my life was coming together great. I head back to school in a month (I am a teacher), and this is looming very large on my horizon. I have ordered ear plugs that will block 25 db in prep. My doctor prescribed me some Nortriptyline at night. I am in the pipeline to see and ENT (though it may still be a while).

I live alone, but I do have support from family and friends, and this forum. Is there anything people can suggest? Apologies for all the questions, but this forum and those in it seem to have the answers.

Thanks in advance. John CC

As someone that has lived with tinnitus for 30 years, I can chime in. When tinnitus starts (usually) its a low tone/hiss type of noise. The tinnitus can fluctuate quite a bit, it can jump from one ear to another ear. It can get louder, quiet. Louder, quiet. NO ONE can predict how tinnitus will turn out. I been at this for 30 years and it is IMPOSSIBLE to predict how tinnitus will act.

So so so many factors contribute to the build up of the tinnitus and it remaining and it getting worst.

Here are the common reasons why we possibly get tinnitus:

STRESS
MEDS
ILLNESS
LOUD NOISES (most popular)
PHYSICAL ISSUES (neck/jaw/spine)

I highly suggest that you keep your stress levels low
I highly suggest that you DO NOT compare your tinnitus to others
I highly suggest that you DO NOT SCAN/LISTEN for the sound

I hope your situation improves, no one really knows with tinnitus. We simply live our lives day to day and try to be productive