Tinnitus Is My New Normal — I'm Back to Living Life, and I'm Grateful for Each Day

Hi all, I'm new to posting online, so here goes...

I've always lived with tinnitus (I'm now 52) but it was mild, never bothered me until not long after I turned 50, when I started to notice it more and more. Within 6 months it became permanent and extremely loud.

I spiralled into depression, I thought my life was over. I just could not cope. I'm lucky to have an amazing support network, my family, my friends and even my employer.

The NHS were amazing. They stepped in and supported me through my darkest days.

After being 6 months away from work and with lots of support from tinnitus charities and therapy for anxiety, my life slowly returned to the new normal.

I blamed everything, from the times not protecting my hearing to riding motorbikes as a kid (and I still ride now with hearing protection) but, to be honest, from an early age I had hearing and sinus issues and had multiple surgeries for both so I think it was inevitable that my tinnitus would get worse and it wasn't my fault. Both my eardrums are still perforated. I have to accept what life throws at me. Coming to terms with that is hard.

I've tried hearing aids but I struggled. My hearing is OK, so I don't need them, but I hear they help a lot of people with tinnitus.

2.5 years on and my life is normal. Tinnitus is hard; I hear it 24/7 and to me it's so loud, but I live life and I'm grateful for each day. I have to accept my tinnitus.

I think what I'm trying to say is that life will return to normal, but it's tough and it will continue to be tough, but you will get there.

 

Are you still finding it tough with your tinnitus or have you "got there" and are feeling "normal."

 

@Scrivs007, I'm pleased to read this. My tinnitus is loud w/ severe unilateral hearing loss, it reacts to all external sound and has been a nightmare.

Is yours stable, not reactive to external sound?

Your attitude has served you well nonetheless + at age 52 there is a good chance you will live to see proper treatment!

 

Congrats @Scrivs007, this sounds great! I am happy for you!

 

@Scrivs007, it's great that you have got to the point where you are OK with your tinnitus. I think at this point it's all we can do till the sweet release of a cure or reduction will help us.

I've accepted my random beeps/distortions over certain sounds/frequencies as there is nothing I can do about it. It's annoying a hell when it flares up but it can't hurt me and that's what I tell myself.

 

After a very long and dark 4 months, my life is just about back to normal. I thought I would never see the day. It is hard, but I am finally adjusting now, while the last 4 months I was only merly surviving.

 

This is what I try to tell myself too, even though it can be pretty tough at times.

 

I'm very happy for you! Although some people's issue isn't just anxiety unfortunately.

 

Congrats @Scrivs007. The forum needs these stories. All the best!

 

Yep, it's still tough but I think I have more good days than bad. It's slow but I see progress as to where I was 2 years ago.

 

Thank you. Yes, mine is severe, I give it 10/10 in both ears/brain. Reading other people's stories gives hope that things will improve slowly. It's an invisible and isolating condition, it's good to reach out for support when you need it.

Mine is pretty much constant and doesn't react to external sounds. I'm careful to protect my hearing when I need to and take each day as it comes.

 

I don't give my tinnitus a numerical rating. When I thought it was at a ten, it was really something like a two, as it has increased exponentially. I just tell people it's bad and leave it at that.