Anyone had tinnitus that's fine away?

[FeatherySquawkington]

For some random reason I woke up middle of last week with tinnitus. Can't think of anything that might have caused it other than I have been getting dizzy spells on and off since the start of the year so presume it's ear related. I was managing to ignore it until last night when I suddenly panicked that this is it.....

Anyone else suddenly start with tinnitus that's worn off over time?

[FeatherySquawkington]

I'll go back to the GP. I'm starting to panic about it again. I'm not coping very well. I can't sleep with noise normally so the thought of having this forever or having to try and sleep with background noise is really stressing me out. I'm not coping very well....

[TOFO1965]

@FeatherySquawkington

My head feels a bit achy too today but possibly because I'm really focusing on the noise. Can it be a hormonal thing?

I know easy to say, but try not to focus on the noise. You will accommodate to it (if it doesn’t pass) it’s not as ghastly as it may first seem. And yes, mine worsened due to peri-menopause.

[homemadecommunistrussia]

I have had it following an ear infection, it got better after a week or so.
Hopefully yours will too.

[Dawnlassie]

Yes I had it for several months a couple of years ago. Was beginning to accept it was here to stay and one say it stopped. Unaware of why it started or stopped.

[Elieza]

@TOFO1965
Try cutting out the dairy first, it could well be the cause!? Cheaper than acupuncture!
I didn’t know I had a problem as I’d eaten it all my life and then one day wham! It’s so worth trying.

[orangenasturtium]

Don't panic. Once you know the cause, there are treatments that can help with symptoms. You might find this a useful resource:
www.tinnitus.org.uk/pages/category/treatments

Until you see your GP, why don't you try a white noise app on your phone (or Alexa/Google Home, if you have one) to try and help you sleep tonight? It doesn't have to be "static" type white noise, it could be rain, waves, birdsong, whatever works for you. If you don't like white noise, this is a good CD of classical music that helps as it mimics your brainwave rate as you fall asleep, the music should distract you from the tinnitus.

www.amazon.co.uk/Sound-Asleep-Babies-Sleep-Music/dp/1847110894?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[TOFO1965]

@Elieza I deffo will do that. I almost live on yoghurt, I love diary. It’ll be tricky but I’m going to start tomorrow. Thanks :)

[FeatherySquawkington]

Thanks. I'm emotional from not sleeping well last night and anxious about it being the same tonight. It's quite windy out tonight so I'll leave the window open for a bit of background noise (I do normally but has been quiet out the last few nights).

[BarbaraStripeshand]

I feel left out!
I've had tinnitus for over 10 years and never had an MRI scan. All I had was a referral to ENT where he syringed my ears out to the point everything seemed ridiculously loud for a few days but didn't solve the tinnitus. A lot of the time, I don't notice it anymore as it's just always there.
White noise definitely helps though.
Hope it passes soon OP, and you're not one of the unlucky ones who has to live with it.

[FeatherySquawkington]

I hope it passes too. I could just about cope with it if I knew it would end/when it would end. A bit like the pandemic really!

[FeatherySquawkington]

Saw GP today, can't find anything obvious so referring me to the ENT clinic at the hospital. Barely got a wink of sleep last night because of it and because of worrying about it. I can't stand it. Tried rain noise but it just annoyed me after a while and made me wish for quiet so much

[Ilovemyhairbeingstroked]

Yes labyrinthitis can definitely cause tinnitus. This was the cause of mine four years ago , and I’ve had it ever since - hope it’s not the same for you . I was referred to ENT and had an MRI done as they like to double check it’s not a tumour . On the plus side it doesn’t bother me too much , I just can’t ever have it quiet . Always need a background noise to tune it out . It gets worse if I’m unwell , anxious or if I’m around loud people .

[FeatherySquawkington]

My throat has been feeling a bit sore this afternoon, and my left ear a bit tender. Maybe it's a viral thing although I've had it for a week already. I guess no one has an answer really. Just hope it goes as quickly as it arrived!

[Nottobe]

I have had it too for 25 years. It got me down at first but I hardly notice it now even though it is constant.

[CormoranStrike]

Had it when I had Bells Palsy - it faded away as I recovered, thank goodness.

[Lookingbackatme]

Have a look at the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease and see if that looks familiar.

I’ve had tinnitus for 25 years and it started off fairly awful but after a while it quickly settled to be being fairly quiet. It’s predominantly one-sided and started after a bad cold and ear infection. I also get glue ear intermittently, and at one point needed grommets one my late 20’s which also helped with my tinnitus- any congestion can make it flare up.

I am very precious about protecting my ears so I never attend music concerts, avoid anything else loud like music in pubs etc, don’t use earphones for music etc. Some say caffeine should be avoided but I don’t have a problem consuming it.

You can learn to ‘tune out’ of hearing the tinnitus to the point you forget about it, but just reading your post has now made me aware of it. Of course not everyone is fortunate enough to do this so you need a thorough investigation of what could be causing it and seek treatment or methods to help ease it.

[Poopoodidoo]

I've had tinnitus for years OP. I'm able to live with it thankfully. In my case I think it's a side effect of anti-depressants. Have you started any new medications?

[TheVanguardSix]

If it's a 'forever' thing, you really do get used to it... or maybe it does get better? I don't really know. All I know is that it's not even a factor in my daily life now whereas initially, it was just awful. I was really down about it. I forget I have it most of the time. Other times, it really lets me know it's still here. But it doesn't get me down at all now the way it used to. I remember being quite depressed about it.
ENT should run an MRI on you which will be reassuring. And hopefully, you'll get more insight after your appointment. Good luck, OP.

[MummaGiles]

I get the whooshing. I can stop it by essentially blocking the tube to my ear by leaning the side of my neck on my hand. I did have investigations for it though - MRI scan - to make sure there was nothing sinister causing it. Probably because I was quite young when it came on, in my early 20s.

[redeyetonowheregood]

Mine started out as sporadic but is now permanent. I literally can't survive without my sound oasis machine. It goes everywhere with me with my under pillow speakers, I can't sleep without them and am utterly dependent on them. I have had tinnitus for about 15 years now and it is just part of life, the have adapted and got used to it. I have misophonia too which I hate.

[MoiraRoseisupSchittCreek]

Have a look at the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease and see if that looks familiar

No don't. MD is a rare disease whereas tinnitus with or without dizziness is very common so OP doesn't need to go alarming herself.

[FeatherySquawkington]

Still there, still struggling 😭