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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To say that tinnitus

25 replies

milafawny · 10/04/2023 09:15

Is ruining my life?

I can deal with it at night, to a point, i have pink noise playing all night while i sleep, but it does sometimes take me a long time to be able to ignore it and fall asleep. Some nights ill get as little as 3-4 hours sleep before work.

But im also a student, i have big assignments coming up, worth a high percentage of my final grade, i cannot concentrate on what im reading or writing, at all. My time around work and the kids is limited already, so i need to focus when i can.

My ears arent blocked, ive had them checked, its only on one side. Its not ringing, its like a wooshing/seashell noise, in waves, but constant.

Any tips to get rid of it, as i cant cope with it much longer!

OP posts:

Prouddoggieparent · 10/04/2023 10:44

Just hang on in there. I have learned to live with it and do not let it get me down.

as you know, the more you think about it the more you notice it. Good luck 🙏

Friarclose · 10/04/2023 22:49

How long have you had it? I've had mine nearly 9 years and for the first 2 or 3 years it destroyed me, I even contemplated suicide at one point. Now, I barely spend 2 mins a day thinking of it even though its just the same as it ever was. You honestly do adjust, it does get easier

Friarclose · 10/04/2023 22:51

Also, I find a noise machine playing rain sounds more helpful than pink noise at night.

KnottyKnitting · 10/04/2023 22:51

Have you seen the GP- one sided tinnitus is usually investigated. It's very rarely anything to worry about but you should get it checked.

Gymmum82 · 10/04/2023 22:52

Another one along to say you adjust. I’ve had mine about 8 years or so now and barely notice it. It used to be all consuming I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t focus on anything. Now I don’t even hear it even though it’s there. I looked for ‘cures’ everywhere but there isn’t any that worked for me. Just time

NotCopingWell1 · 10/04/2023 22:54

I have no tips because I have a rare form of tinnitus which presents differently, but wanted to echo what a PP has said which is that for all I know who have the whooshing kind which is reasonably constant, time does help you to filter it out. Tinnitus is a horrible problem, I'm sorry it's so bad at the moment

SNWannabe · 10/04/2023 22:57

Definitely get checked as you shouldn’t have single-sided tinnitus and it could be something else that needs monitored or checked out at least. So I have said YABU…

Flump9 · 10/04/2023 22:57

Have you had your bp checked as high BP can cause whooshing sound in ears?

FrostyFifi · 10/04/2023 22:58

I've had mine for just shy of six years. It doesn't really bother me any more, I'm only conscious of it when I stop and think about it.

Hesma · 10/04/2023 22:59

White noise… find it on Spotify.
I work in a school and one of my students is allowed it in exams… listens to gentle rain and tells me it really does make a difference!

I don’t suffer so can only go by what I’ve been told but it’s worth a try. Good luck 🤞🏻

Willyoujustbequiet · 10/04/2023 23:46

Wooshing sounds can be an overactive thyroid so get a blood test.

I had one sided tinnitus. Its quite common. Mine was linked to a vitamin deficiency.

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 10/04/2023 23:53

I’ve had it in both ears for years, high pitched ringing. I have learned to live with it but do find it really affects me when I’m stressed.
sorry to say that I’ve never found a solution, I’ve just got used to it.

MedievalMadness · 10/04/2023 23:57

I agree that it needs checking. Most people I know have it in both ears. I do. Mine is made much worse by certain painkillers. I had a hearing test a few years back and was given hearing aids for mild hearing loss. The thing that surprised me a lot is that with them in, I have no tinnitus. I mentioned this when I went back for a first check up and the audiologist said they can be very helpful for tinnitus. As I type I have a high pitched whistle in my ears but somehow I’ve adapted to it and only notice it if I’m thinking about it.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 11/04/2023 00:32

My tinnitus is more prominent when I’m tired or stressed or have been in a noisy environment. I sleep with headphones on and usually choose Bach to listen to as it forces my brain to tune into it and acts as a distraction from my tinnitus. If I’m going somewhere noisy I wear flare earplugs as they just take the edge of sounds enough so that I can hear, but my tinnitus isn’t increased. If I can, I will use shokz headphones and some easy classical music to help filter out the tinnitus during the day, especially if I need to concentrate.
It takes a lot of time and trial and error to find what works best for you as we are all unique.

amaretti1999 · 11/04/2023 00:51

I screenshot this from Twitter ages ago to send to someone.
No idea if it works and sorry for the swears:

StepAwayFromTheBiscuitJar · 11/04/2023 00:55

Flump9 · 10/04/2023 22:57

Have you had your bp checked as high BP can cause whooshing sound in ears?

I was going to say this. Pulsatile tinnitus.

JustJoinedRightNow · 11/04/2023 00:58

Hi Op, I’ve got pulsatile tinnitus too. It’s very distracting and disconcerting at times. I’m going to pm you as I got a totally benign diagnosis that explains it all, and has made things so much easier to live with now I know it’s nothing sinister.

Nutsabouttopic · 11/04/2023 01:02

What age are you op. Could you be menopausal or perimenopausal. Tinnitus can be a symptom. My sister suffered from it for a few years, discovered that it can be a menopausal symptom, started hrt and a few weeks later it was gone.

saraclara · 11/04/2023 01:02

I saw my GP about mine. I got a surprisinglyy quick appointment with the hospital hearing clinic, and they referred me for six sessions of tinnitus counseling. I was taught relaxation and distraction techniques, and given a free noise machine. So definitely see your GP. It's well worth it.

Original poster

milafawny · 11/04/2023 01:18

Thank you for all the replies.

Im 39 so hopefully not perimenopausal just yet.

My BP is fine, i had it checked around 4 months ago for a pill review so I suppose it could have changed but as far as i know its ok.

I had bloodwork done last summer. I had low vit D, folate, and ferritin and was given supplements but never had the follow up bloods.

The tinnitus started around Oct last year but it seems to be getting progressively worse. Its only ever in my right ear, I initially thought it was blocked so booked in for microsuctioning but it was clear. I do feel like i have hearing loss though, especially at work i have to tell people "im sorry i cant hear from this far away" and move closer which is something that ive become aware of saying pretty much daily since maybe christmas time, but i put it down to the tinnitus rather than actual loss if that makes sense?

Ill def try and get a GP apt though, and maybe book for a hearing test too. Thank you all again.

OP posts:

blor · 11/04/2023 01:31

I would check it against your pulse, could it be the sound of your artery next to your ear? Or could be "venous hum"

Original poster

milafawny · 11/04/2023 01:51

blor · 11/04/2023 01:31

I would check it against your pulse, could it be the sound of your artery next to your ear? Or could be "venous hum"

No its not intime with my pulse, the waves are more drawn out, they last 2-3 seconds then change for a split second then its 2-3 seconds again. its really hard to explain, kind of like the tone change from breathing in and out

OP posts:

WishingMyLifeAway · 11/04/2023 02:19

One sided tinnitus MUST be checked out. It a medical "red flag". Especially important if it's getting worse. In some cases it can be caused by a tumour. It can have lots of other causes many much less concerning but it shouldn't be left so get back to the GP ASAP.

StepAwayFromTheBiscuitJar · 11/04/2023 02:22

milafawny · 11/04/2023 01:51

Show quote history

I don't think it's just tied to one's heartbeat though (I could be wrong). Sometimes it's blood flowing in the arteries/veins close to the ear.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 11/04/2023 02:31

Are you grinding or clenching your teeth at night? I’m sure that’s how mine started.

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