Tinnitus tips | Mumsnet

Winnipeggy · 2023-10-28T20:38:59+00:00

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop it/block it out? It's so bad at the moment and driving me crazy

Cormoran · 28/10/2023 21:40

Do you know if there is a cause?

Original poster

Winnipeggy · 28/10/2023 21:42

Cormoran · 28/10/2023 21:40

Do you know if there is a cause?

No I don't really know, it's been on and off for a few years but just flared up badly in the last couple of weeks

OP posts:

Coruisk · 28/10/2023 21:44

Have a hearing test - it's so linked to hearing loss

Cormoran · 28/10/2023 21:44

It needs investigating so go to GP and ask for ENT referral.

Aquamarine1029 · 28/10/2023 21:45

Tinnitus is very common during peri-menopause and it can also happen for no real reason whatsoever. I have it and it's horribly annoying. I sleep with my Alexa playing thunderstorm sounds and it works amazingly well. During the day, you just have to find ways to drown it out and distract yourself. I play music, all the time.

Original poster

Winnipeggy · 28/10/2023 21:45

Ok thank you, I don't think I have hearing loss but will talk to GP

OP posts:

Fawbs89 · 28/10/2023 21:47

I've had tinnitus for years!

I mostly only hear it at night.

It used to drive me mad but I've just accepted ot as my normal now.

I know not much help though!

I get the ringing and also the Swoosh sounds in my ears!

Anneta · 28/10/2023 21:50

Yes, see your GP and get referred for hearing aids. My tinnitus stops when I wear them. I have the highest pitch of sound missing in my hearing and it was explained to me that my brain is replacing this. So I constantly hear a very high pitch whining sound, almost like an electrical item. When I wear the hearing aids it stops and can stop for a while after I remove them. If you are lucky they will work for you too. The hearing aids I have are very tiny and sit right inside the ears. I didn’t realise that this part of my hearing was missing. I was referred for the hearing tests because of the tinnitus.

Monstermunchx1000 · 28/10/2023 21:54

Reading with interest. I started with it after getting very ill earlier this year. I had sepsis and the tinnitus never went away. Hearing test at specsavers showed no hearing problems but I do have an ENT referral which I keep having to move back because of work. I go to sleep with it, wake up with it and it does drive me crazy as well. Music as others have said helps so much. I also found a lump in my neck under my ear (opposite side to tinnitus ear) which I'm going to the doctors about next week (had to wait for my week off work). It's all very strange. I can sometimes hear my pulse and it's just the one ear. I get bad headaches sometimes.

I don't know what to suggest other than go to the doctors. I wish I didn't have this. I wish we all didn't have to experience stuff like this!

Mumteedum · 28/10/2023 21:54

I have it both I think with peri and with chronic illness. I got tested and have no hearing loss. It's definitely worse when other symptoms are flaring. I'd watch what you eat, cut down on alcohol and caffeine.

I use earplugs a lot to block out external noise that can trigger it.

Original poster

Winnipeggy · 28/10/2023 22:01

Mumteedum · 28/10/2023 21:54

I have it both I think with peri and with chronic illness. I got tested and have no hearing loss. It's definitely worse when other symptoms are flaring. I'd watch what you eat, cut down on alcohol and caffeine.

I use earplugs a lot to block out external noise that can trigger it.

Ok thank you. Anything you eat that causes a flare up do you think?

OP posts:

hellohellothere · 28/10/2023 22:03

I've had tinnitus since I was a child. I've learned to ignore it and not be bothered by it, it's the only way to manage. It will always be there. I had an ear infection a couple of weeks ago and it was really bad but that's gone down now. It gets louder if I'm stressed or in a noisy environment.

TherealmrsT · 28/10/2023 22:11

I have it as part of suspected Meniers, as well as reducing coffee and alcohol I have been advised to reduce sodium.
I generally find it's worse if I am tired so it helps to look after myself a bit better too (bed a bit earlier, up exercise, try not to stress)

Borborygmus · 28/10/2023 22:15

Some hearing aids can be configured to play a 'masking' sound. Mine plays a synthetic wave like sound, which is moderately effective.

Cropcycle · 28/10/2023 22:15

My experience is very similar to Annette. I’ve had tinnitus for at least 15 years (I’m 63). A high pitched whine. Amazingly it doesn’t drive me mad but when I was found to have a hearing loss 4 years ago, the minute I turned the aids on, no tinnitus at all. The audiologist didn’t mention it can really help with tinnitus so it was an added extra. I wonder if you your hearing was found to be fine, whether they could set some aids in a certain way, so you could just have them for tinnitus reduction? I dont know if this is a thing.

Mumteedum · 28/10/2023 23:17

I don't think anything I eat triggers it exactly but I know if I eat well then my symptoms in general are better and tinnitus is one. I think caffeine and alcohol are bad and too much sugar. I do better with my illness with anti inflammatory diet but I'm not great at taking care of myself often.

Hormone fluctuations definitely make it worse.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 28/10/2023 23:23

Mine is improving as I’m going to see a sports therapist who is concentrating on the muscles in and around my neck, shoulders and jawline. I have high cortisol levels too. However the treatment isn’t cheap.

Interesting comment about hearing aids…

Coyoacan · 28/10/2023 23:23

White noise helps when it is stressful

Ibizafun · 28/10/2023 23:26

It's usually accompanied by hearing loss. I have suffered with it for 30 years. Hearing aids (and in my case cochlear implants) make a huge difference. Although here's no cure, over time you learn to live with it and notice it much less.

LemondropSnowdrop · 28/10/2023 23:27

I have tinititus- its li ked with (diagnosed) idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Get your eyesight checked with an enhanced OCT scan at Specsavers or other optician. Minimal cost.

MyBlueDiary · 28/10/2023 23:31

The resound app is helpful. The key is not to sit there listening to your tinnitus (effectively training your brain to hear it) but distract so you become habituated.

as others have said, you should also get checked out so you’re sure there’s nothing else going on.

Dbank · 28/10/2023 23:48

Sorry to hear you're suffering.
Firstly if you haven't already done it get a check-up with the GP, usually there isn't a "sinister cause" but you should rule it out.

I was told, "we don't know what causes it, we don't know how to fix it, but it won't kill you and most people are able to ignore eventually."

They were right, but I did have quite a rough time initially, especially sleeping.

My advice to you, (apart from a check up) is you'll be amazed how your brain will work out that it needs to ignore it and you'll be able to enjoy life.

You may need some short term help with sleep, which I would speak to your GP if this is an issue for you.

Good luck and keep us posted!

P.S. The only time I hear my "T" is when I think about it, like now...but it will be gone in 5 minutes.

AdaColeman · 28/10/2023 23:55

I've suffered with it for many years, from childhood really, and it has got worse as I've aged, it can be quite distressing. It's much worse when I'm ill or stressed.
I wear hearing aids, but they haven't reduced the tinnitus.

I often feel as though I'm in a pit of loud clanking noise, but it lessens when I'm concentrating and absorbed by something, like a good book or a difficult topic I'm studying.