Anyone had temporary tinnitus?

[candle18]

My 23 yr old ds is prone to anxiety and around a week ago said he was hearing ringing in his right ear. He’s been to the GP and was told his ear looks healthy. He’s now extremely anxious and down, talking about worse case sensations, not able to focus on anything else etc. He’s also decided he’ll have this forever and won’t be able to cope. He did go to a nightclub a few days before it started but also had a bad cold the week before. Has anyone had tinnitus that only lasted a few weeks/months?

Yes. I had it in 2002, gone by 2003. Came back In 2011, gone by 2014. I now have Long Covid and have it again but it comes and goes and can disappear for weeks!

If your son Has had a recent cold, that could be the cause and it will likely go eventually. Tinnitus is often a reaction to an immune response or inflammation in the ear nose and throat area. My first indication that I'm about to be ill is a return of tinnitus!

In the meantime, the best way for him to cope with it, is to distract himself and try and cover the sounds with white noise etc. It's awful so I sympathise. I hope he feels better soon.

Yes. Following a sharp braking to avoid an animal. I've got hyper mobility and think my neck/ear joints moved. It lasted a few months and then resolved.

The PP is right. Distraction and white noise are key. It is really horrible so he needs sympathy and support. It really drives you crazy because you can't escape it.

Yeah I had it for 6 months once. Also was afraid I'd have it forever!

Yes I’ve had it a few times and it’s resolved itself.

Has he been checked for B12 deficiency? It can cause tinnitus.

Yes. It was caused by anxiety. Comes back when I'm really stressed.

I have it permanently and have learned to ignore it.

Hopefully he'll just have it temporarily, but if it goes on for a while and he needs help, Google Joey Remenyi from Seeking Balance International, she has some amazing resources for people suffering from tinnitus and also dizziness.

Thanks for all your advice. I do think it’s probably caused by stress/anxiety. Sherrystrull, do you remember how long it took yours to go?

Mine comes in fits and starts. I have it badly for a few days then it eases. To be honest, when I started taking anxiety medication that was when it made the biggest difference.

I had it a while back in one ear. Using olive oil at night has helped it ease.

I've had it since I was a child but it can get more intense if I'm stressed. I can zone it out as I've had it so long, and I think it's quite low level. Distraction as much as possible can help. Easier said than done, but try not to think about it. Loud noises like nightclubs or shouting do make it worse for me.

@sherrystrull hi! Im currently stressed! All tense in the neck area! Dr told me to try citalopram!
What medication helped ur ringing ? X

I got this from being exposed to extremely loud music when I had a headcold. It lasted for a few months and then disappeared.

Hey @Starrr123. Sorry to hear you're struggling. I'm on sertraline and it's made a massive difference.

@KittytheHare thankyou!
Its driving me nuts :( i hope it doesnt lost too long! Nearly 2 weeks so far! Xx

@Sherrystrull thankyou for your reply! Im glad its helped! Im abit scared to take my cotalopram as it can cause jaw clenching :( had it stopped the ringing ? Xx

It has. And I feel a million times better in myself. Might be worth a go. Good luck!

@Sherrystrull thankyou! Ill definitely give it ago! X

Yes I have had it, usually in periods of stress, it doesn't last forever.

Is he having any counselling/ therapy for his anxiety? I suspect, as you say, it is linked to that. It sounds like he is also stuck in negative thougth patterns (e.g. the whole "this will last for ever and he won't be able to cope") - that's not true or rational.

He needs support to change his thought patterns and to learn to cope with his anxiety. I would talk to the GP about Anxiety or contact an organisation like Mind. Or even better if you can afford it, hire a counsellor/ therapist privately.

Mine comes and goes; most of the time I can zone it out, but if I think about it, there it is.
I find keeping well hydrated helps. I have the radio on all the time and that helps. For me, the worst thing I can do is think about it. I do hope Your DS’s symptoms improve sufficiently for him to cope.

Thanks @Pottedpalm, I think he’s coping with it a bit better now. @violetanemone, he was referred to psychology for anxiety before the tinnitus started and his first appt is tomorrow. Hopefully he will be able to learn better thought patterns rather than catastrophise.