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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tinnitus

34 replies

Earbygum · 27/04/2020 20:40

I've had low level tinnitus for over 20 years and my doctor at the time said there was nothing I could do to fix it. I don't normally mind it but it would be nice to enjoy silence rather than avoid it!

Has anyone successfully or unsuccessfully managed to reduce their tinnitus, and how did you do it?

OP posts:
psychedelephant · 27/04/2020 20:42

B12 injections helped mine, but it took a very long time.

makingmammaries · 27/04/2020 20:45

Getting wax removed by an ENT specialist sorted mine.

Original poster
Earbygum · 27/04/2020 20:46

Thank you! Did you have to go to the doctor's to get it sorted out? And did you have any other symptoms or was it just for your tinnitus?

OP posts:
Original poster
Earbygum · 27/04/2020 20:47

makingmammaries was yours long term or quite a new thing? I've tried removing wax with a candle but it made no difference

OP posts:
quarantinevibes · 27/04/2020 21:16

Following as I’ve had this for years. Was referred to the hospital, they did a hearing test, told me that was fine so I’d have to live with it and sent me on my way with no further tests.

Alicesweewonders · 27/04/2020 21:26

I developed tinnitus 10 years ago after a dental appointment. It was a high pitched whistling noise that drove me crazy & f**ked with my mental health. I developed TMJ ( damage to the jaw joint) as a result of the dental appointment, which I believe in turn lead to the tinnitus.

I received treatment for the tmj - an expensive dentist and it got rid of the tinnitus completely - it was heaven to hear silence again.

I hope you find relief.

Hingeandbracket · 27/04/2020 21:30

I've tried removing wax with a candle but it made no difference
The candle for removing ear wax doesn't work, it's an urban myth.

I have had a low frequency tinnitus for ages - it comes and goes. I also experience pulsate tinnitus for which I had a scan and they diagnosed a benign tumour. Had a further scan and they said there is no tumour. Both of mine come and go but I am afraid that after 30 years, I have had to learn to live with them. In my case the knowledge that they do go away for a while helps.

Myownwendyhouse · 27/04/2020 21:31

Hmmmm. I have had b12 injections for years but has not helped mine. Mine is okay mostly during the day as outside noise keeps it not being so noticeable. But night times I struggle. I put on an audio book to fall asleep to at night that helps. My doctor just said I had to live with it.

Hingeandbracket · 27/04/2020 21:33

www.tinnitus.org.uk/tinnitus-and-ear-candles

DaisylovesDonald · 27/04/2020 21:33

I have Continuous tinnitus in one ear and sporadically in the other. I also have mild hearing loss which I’ve had for most of my life. The continuous tinnitus started at the beginning of last year. I went to the drs about it and after various tests and appointments I’m now the proud owner of tinnitus hearing aids. Alongside improving my hearing they play a low level noise (you can choose, I have ocean sounds) that means I don’t hear the tinnitus at all. They’re amazing.

Thesuzle · 27/04/2020 21:34

Firstly, is the tinnitus in both ears ? If not then have an MRI mine found an Acoustic neuroma, some can or cant be operated on. Depends exactly where on the nerve it is.

Original poster
Earbygum · 27/04/2020 21:36

Thanks hingeandbrackets, that's interesting. Might be worth trying to get them properly cleaned then

OP posts:
CaptainBlunderpants · 27/04/2020 21:37

Ear candling doing anything is a myth, there is zero scientific evidence to support it.

I would ask your GP, especially if you haven’t asked about it for 20 years. Apparently hearing aids can help but so can getting rid of ear wax, which GPs don’t really do anymore.

Butterflyonmyshoulder · 27/04/2020 21:37

I think I've developed pulsate tinnitus. Is it worth calling the GP for an appointment, or is it a case of just living with it?

Original poster
Earbygum · 27/04/2020 21:38

Alicesweewonders that's the dream really. The idea of hearing the absolute silence almost makes me cry as I don't think it'll ever happen again! I'm glad they fixed it for you Smile

OP posts:
Khione · 27/04/2020 21:40

Getting iron levels sorted - and b12. Took a while but it worked

Original poster
Earbygum · 27/04/2020 21:41

Thesuzle I think it's in both equally. In any case, I know exactly what caused it. A night clubbing aged 18, the club was packed so I spent the entire night stood next to the speakers... Went to sleep with ringing ears and it just never went away.

I hope you got yours sorted out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Earbygum · 27/04/2020 21:42

Daisylovesdonald so can you hear silence then? Or is it just one noise replacing the other?

OP posts:
Hingeandbracket · 27/04/2020 21:44

I think I've developed pulsate tinnitus. Is it worth calling the GP for an appointment, or is it a case of just living with it?
IMHO it is worth getting investigated - mine is one side only hence the (two) MRI scans. Not every case ends up as "live with it" and it may be a sign of something else.

Butterflyonmyshoulder · 27/04/2020 21:47

@Hingeandbracket thank you for replying. Mine is only my left ear, I will call the GP.

DanielleHirondelle · 27/04/2020 21:49

I would ask for a referral to ENT. I also suggest looking at the British Tinnitus Association website. I try to avoid quiet and always have music or sound or the radio on, and I've found over time(5 years) it's still there but less intrusive, though gets much worse with stress/tiredness. I find if I think about it, it is worse, like now writing this post it's become louder! So sorry you've had it for so long and I hope you find something that helps you, it's a horrible thing to have.

ChesterDraw · 27/04/2020 21:58

I developed it after having my first baby. I had an MRI, nothing was found to cause it, but in one ear my hearing had dropped by about half and in the other it was slightly lower. Unfortunately I was just told to live with it and discharged. I think after 20 years it's worth asking again. I can't imagine what actual silence sounds like!

MereDintofPandiculation · 27/04/2020 21:59

I've made an effort to ignore mine - every time I heard it, I dragged my thoughts around to something else - and now I notice it only if I'm thinking about it. Hearing is a team effort between ear and brain - the ear picks up all noises, the brain filters and makes you conscious of only those noises that might be significant. So if you keep telling it that tinnitus is totally uninteresting and unimportant, hopefully it will stop drawing your attention to it.

DanielleHirondelle · 27/04/2020 22:01

@Alicesweewonders that's so interesting about the TMJ. My tinnitus coincided with onset of TMJ, I was convinced this was the cause but no-one medical seemed to think so, mine was put to mild hearing loss. My TMJ is now better, but the tinnitus is still the same. I'm glad your own TMJ treatment worked for you!

Justrunitunderthetap · 27/04/2020 22:45

3 years ago, I suffered a major blow to the head and developed tinnitus the next day. Since then, I have had a sort of perpetual metallic white noise in both ears and sometimes it is painful, but tolerable. I waited almost 2 years for an ENT appointment, which ENT cancelled several times. When the day finally came, I waited almost 2 hours to see the consultant who said because my hearing hadn't been impacted, I should just live with it. During my 10-minute appointment, he said I should consider 'a lifestyle change' . I am 51, I don't go to heavy metal gigs, drink in moderation, exercise daily and eat healthily. Triggers? Stress and noise. Helpful hints? Not thinking about it and avoiding noisy places. Fellow sufferers, you all have my sympathy.