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Original poster

Tinnitus pity party

63 replies

Whatdoyawannado · 12/09/2021 17:54

Had this infuriating condition for nearly a year. Coping better generally but sometimes I get days when all I want to do is scream. I know there are worse things and it's not life threatening but it's just too much sometimes. Anyone else have this? Any words of wisdom or positivity?!

OP posts:
cricketball · 12/09/2021 20:28

I've had it for years. A whistle and a hiss going up and down in one ear and the other is a more continuous sound. I listen to podcasts when going to bed and am generally good at ignoring it (until now when writing about it when it is deafening). I would love to be able to hear and enjoy silence now and again. No chance with this racket.

FusciasBright21 · 12/09/2021 20:32

Have had it all my life too. Like pp I like some background noise most of the time. I listen to podcasts to fall asleep to. Things like alcohol and loud music (gigs, clubs etc) make it worse.
I also have the fleeting tinnitus thing, sounds like someone holding a tuning fork to my ear for a while, then it dies down. It also sounds worse when I think about it too.

I generally don't notice much but it is always there!

Original poster
Whatdoyawannado · 12/09/2021 21:44

Must be tough to have had it for your whole life. I try to look on the bright side - that I've had 35 years without it but then I do feel despondent when I think of this being with me for life now. I also worry constantly about whether my DC will end up developing it. Whenever one of them mentions their ears my heart drops momentarily thinking they are going to tell me they can hear an annoying sound...... I would hate it of they had to deal with this.

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General health
HSHorror · 12/09/2021 21:53

It can be b12/ anaemia i think.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 12/09/2021 21:58

@Whatdoyawannado

Does anyone else have it where it goes super loud in one ear for a while then dies down again? I've read up and it seems to be called fleeting tinnitus but I had an episode on Friday that lasted hours rather than seconds. Scared the hell out of me as I thought that was my new volume 😓
Mine is only in one ear. Started in my 20's now in my 50's It can get very loud and high pitched, then it seems to settle down to a normal level for me. Anyone else have hearing loss now? I didn't realize I couldn't hear fom that ear until I was lying on my good ear in bed and Dh was talking to me. All I could hear was muffled mumbling. Is there actually any treatment for it? Anyone have got rid of it successfully?
Original poster
Whatdoyawannado · 13/09/2021 10:43

@FedUpAtHomeTroels I don't think tinnitus can cause hearing loss but can be a symptom of it. I would go and get your hearing checked - I've read about people with tinnitus and hearing loss and when using a hearing aid the tinnitus diminishes/ disappears. Worth checking out?

OP posts:
SmellsLikeMiddleAgeSpirit · 13/09/2021 11:31

I've not had it as bad as many on here, but my god it's annoying!
I had a triple whammy of ear infections/sensitivity (I don't have ear wax), very stressful family situations and perimenopause which were all potentially contributing.

It's settled down somewhat now as I'm less stressed, and I'm getting more used to the remaining sounds. I used to cry about it though!

Original poster
Whatdoyawannado · 13/09/2021 15:21

I'm crying less about it as time goes on - progress!

OP posts:
FedUpAtHomeTroels · 13/09/2021 22:22

[quote Whatdoyawannado]@FedUpAtHomeTroels I don't think tinnitus can cause hearing loss but can be a symptom of it. I would go and get your hearing checked - I've read about people with tinnitus and hearing loss and when using a hearing aid the tinnitus diminishes/ disappears. Worth checking out?[/quote]
It would be nice if the tinnitus disapeared or even diminished. I'll ask when I get my eyes checke next in specsavers.

EverNapping · 13/09/2021 22:36

Must not read about tinnitus at bedtime.
Must not read about tinnitus at bedtime.
Must not read about tinnitus at bedtime.
...

It's like that game that was the craze years back - once you think about it it's so hard to forget about.

ozymandiusking · 13/09/2021 22:44

You have my sympathy. I have suffered for years. Some times it sounds like rain, then I get a sudden high pitched noise which dies down.
I once woke about 6.00a/m and the noise in my whole head and ears was diabolical.I thought if this was going to be permanent I wouldn't want to live. I read some time ago of a young man who commited suicide beacause of Tinnitus, and they referred to it as "catastrophic tinnitus"

DroopyClematis · 13/09/2021 22:54

I've had it all of my life ( I'm 57.)
To be honest , I've just had to get on with it.
I hate silence and so I always have the tv/radio on even though I might not watch it/listen to it.
I need noise to block the high pitched squeal out.
I've never known silence.
Sometimes the squeal / ringing becomes a screaming ear worm. I just turn the volume up. I thank my lucky stars that I live in a detached house. My neighbours would hate me.

SingingSands · 13/09/2021 23:23

I have it too - the electrical sound that I can't quite describe, with an overlaid hiss, and if I'm very stressed theres a low rumble attached, like listening to a car parked outside with its engine running. I get the loud and sharp "fleeting tinnitus" as well which I hate. I've had it since childhood, but it has become much worse with menopause. I cried last week because I just wanted to sit in silence.

KilledByWitches · 13/09/2021 23:45

I have it in my left ear. I also have hearing loss over certain frequencies in that ear which the consultant said meant I couldn't have a hearing aid or it would just amplify my tinnitus whistle. Mine came from several years in front of amps at heavy metal gigs.

Tbh the hearing loss bothers me more than the tinitus . I struggle to separate sounds so if I'm in a room with background noise I can't hear someone talking to me. The tinnitus itself I try and embrace. I don't usually notice it in the day, at night I tune into it purposefully and use it as a kind of white noise. It actually helps me to sleep because I'm listening to that and not the other things running round my head.

PickAChew · 13/09/2021 23:48

I need background noise. Unless I have a migraine brewing so the background noise hurts.

PickAChew · 13/09/2021 23:51

I had a hearing screening a few years ago and couldn't hear the tone at the frequencies my tinnitus is loudest, so yes, tinnitus can be associated with hearing loss - it tends to be associated with nerve damage.

strelitzialady · 14/09/2021 00:05

I've had it for a couple of years and have noticed that stress and diet (sugar!) are the biggest triggers for it

HighInTheHills · 14/09/2021 00:26

A cranial osteopath sorted mine out, took 3 sessions from memory. The relief at getting rid of it was immense. She also sorted me out when I had vertigo a couple of years later. Highly recommended.

Original poster
Whatdoyawannado · 14/09/2021 17:52

Bit sad to hear of all the people who have had it most of their life and still struggle. I was hoping over time I would get used to it and it would bother me less and less. If it's all you have ever been used to and you've had it 30yrs+ and it still makes you cry I have no hope!

OP posts:
SmellsLikeMiddleAgeSpirit · 14/09/2021 18:26

Hey, I know this is a pity party @Whatdoyawannado, but don't despair! There is hope. As far as all my investigations into tinnitus have led me to believe, as well as my own experience, being relaxed and positive about it is the best way forward; it can calm the condition down and helps you deal with it better.

It is pretty shit, though Sad

Anyoneseenmyglasses · 14/09/2021 18:31

I have had it 30+ years and I do notice it sometimes but it doesn’t bother me. I loathe noisy backgrounds so this impacts on my fave restaurants but other than that it causes no problems. I play audio books or music or radio every second of waking day. I am worse after booze and don’t know what caused mine but it runs in the family as does hearing loss. I chose to ignore it and can often tune it out.

Original poster
Whatdoyawannado · 15/09/2021 16:09

Thanks @SmellsLikeMiddleAgeSpirit, it's hard to feel positive when it's annoying the hell out of you! I have felt better about it before, just struggling through a bad patch just now and despairing about having to manage it for the rest of my life.

OP posts:
awaynboilyurheid · 15/09/2021 20:43

@EverNapping

Must not read about tinnitus at bedtime. Must not read about tinnitus at bedtime. Must not read about tinnitus at bedtime. ...

It's like that game that was the craze years back - once you think about it it's so hard to forget about.

Oh dear god This is so true ! after reading this had a terrible night when it was so unbelievably loud! It was a struggle. Just know you are not alone op, it helps me to know that others do understand, and I hope that one day there will be a cure, until then we can muddle along and the T will not take away our joy! It’s tough but we are tougher!
awaynboilyurheid · 15/09/2021 20:46

@HighInTheHills

A cranial osteopath sorted mine out, took 3 sessions from memory. The relief at getting rid of it was immense. She also sorted me out when I had vertigo a couple of years later. Highly recommended.
Really? Wherever he/she is please tell us
Hairbrush123 · 15/09/2021 22:54

I have had tinnitus since 2019. I had it after a viral infection (labyrinthitis) and it’s been with me ever since. I was in a dark period for about 3 months and tried everything to get rid of it and now it doesn’t bother me. Keep strong Flowers