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Original poster

How common is Tinnitus?

190 replies

Mcoco · 15/06/2025 22:48

I developed tinnitus in December in one ear after an ear infection. I am habituating now, slowly but I am getting there. My question is how common is tinnitus? Does anyone else have it too? Do you find you can just block it out?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mcoco · 31/08/2025 18:07

EatMoreChocolate44 · 31/08/2025 15:41

Bose Quiet Comfort - they are expensive but they are amazing at blocking out sound yet I can still hear the person speaking beside me (& that's with one working ear 😂). There is a sale on at the moment. There are different functions on it (but I'm useless with technology 😂🙈. My husband sorts it out for me). I've worn them in the classroom too during play when the noise is over whelming but it's actually amazing what you can adapt too. I'm ok with most noises now. I have to avoid live music though. I was at a birthday bowling party a few wks ago too. I should have brought the Bose then. It was the sharp noises that was a bit jarring. 🙈😂 And don't get me started on class parties at soft play or the flipping swimming pool but again with kids I've had to get on with it and I've coped ok. I do have some moments of panic when it's a super noisy environment and it's a relief to get home. Hope you find them helpful.

www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/QCSC-HEADPHONEARN.html?mc=05_PS_NC_PL_00_GO&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20517332778&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5c_FBhDJARIsAIcmHK8gMjvR7xRVIOKk1OVK7WOFD8yaTdsuL7jyS2viUF1P0ZIUPUtiUSIaAlX5EALw_wcB#v=QCSC-HEADPHONEARN-BLK-WW

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Thank you so much. I will take a look at them especially as they are in the sale too. I might now be able to return to the cinema!

OP posts:
EatMoreChocolate44 · 31/08/2025 21:41

Mcoco · 31/08/2025 18:07

Thank you so much. I will take a look at them especially as they are in the sale too. I might now be able to return to the cinema!

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😂 Good luck. Yeah, it's not my favourite place especially kids movies. I managed to dodge Sonic a couple of years ago. 😂🙈

Owly11 · 31/08/2025 22:05

I developed it in menopause but I just ignore it. I wouldn’t know it’s there until I think about it or read a thread about it!!! In the day time there’s so much going on I just can’t hear it and at night I switch off my attention to it if I do hear it (it’s louder at night because it’s so quiet). The only time it bothers me is when I am trying to listen out for a noise in the night and I can’t hear very well because of it.

Original poster
Mcoco · 31/08/2025 22:45

I am lucky I am now upgraded to 15 plus films 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Mcoco · 31/08/2025 22:49

Owly11 · 31/08/2025 22:05

I developed it in menopause but I just ignore it. I wouldn’t know it’s there until I think about it or read a thread about it!!! In the day time there’s so much going on I just can’t hear it and at night I switch off my attention to it if I do hear it (it’s louder at night because it’s so quiet). The only time it bothers me is when I am trying to listen out for a noise in the night and I can’t hear very well because of it.

Sounds like the most sensible thing to do is to ignore it. I am getting better at doing that but at times I think oh I haven't noticed tinnitus for a while and of course I suddenly hear it!

OP posts:
mjf981 · 02/09/2025 06:50

FishFlaked · 31/08/2025 09:05

I have the permanent very high pitched electrical whine. Which I assume is peri though not responsive to HRT and also hearing damage from working in loud music.
it’s definitely heard in my head not either ear.

I have long covid CFS and some autoimmune issues and have a new noise more recently on top. It’s not constant but when I am feeling particularly run down. Like a whoomph whomph deeper tone almost underwater like something is moving about in my brain. It’s creepy. Then it can resolve sometimes into matching my heartbeat so that’s I guess that this is pulsatile tinnitus? Can you have that without the regular heartbeat?

Is it very low frequency tinnitus? I have this. It like a rumbling hum. I can almost feel it moving my left ear.

FishFlaked · 02/09/2025 21:15

Thanks for mentioning this, I have looked it up. it must be really hard to live with, I’m sorry to hear that. Is it a constant noise? The low noise that I have comes and goes, I think it might be something else. There’s also a wierd maybe 30 seconds of a feeling of a sudden increase in pressure in the ear occasionally which then goes away.

dointhebestwecan · 03/09/2025 08:10

I have had tinnitus for three years n have been losing my hearing for a long time. It is an invisible disability and difficult to cope with. I am overjoyed to see this thread as I often look on mumsnet to see if anything comes up on it as it’s such an isolating condition. I work remotely n I can’t tell you the challenges and stress it has given me trying to keep going with my job which I must do. My tinnitus wud be worse after an online meeting n I need my computer volume on full anyway not to mention remote people in the same room talking to each other and at the same time! Colleagues with strong accents I have no hope with. The teams captions are quite rubbish n people often use slack huddles which don’t use them. I’ve also just had to move house n the strength this all requires of which no one is aware is quite something!

dointhebestwecan · 03/09/2025 08:18

I recognise someone on here who has been struggling massively over the years. I’m sending hugs to you.

dointhebestwecan · 03/09/2025 08:20

A funny one for everyone. A friends husband has it. She was talking dirty to him during intimacy. He said there’s no point in doing that at the moment as I can’t hear you through my tinnitus!

EatMoreChocolate44 · 03/09/2025 17:04

mjf981 · 02/09/2025 06:50

Is it very low frequency tinnitus? I have this. It like a rumbling hum. I can almost feel it moving my left ear.

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I have the rumbling. Not sure if you read my previous posts on this thread. I've higher pitched, static buzzing in my right ear which is my deaf ear but a few months ago I developed a low rumble, bass tones, rhythmic tinnitus in my hearing ear. It took me weeks to figure out it was tinnitus because it sounds like outdoor traffic, bass coming through a car stereo, sometimes it's like a motor or engine. I too feel like I can almost feel it. It's so strange as it's so different from my other tinnitus or the more common tinnitus sounds on YouTube but my ENT said any noise of any pitch or frequency that isn't external noise is tinnitus and often the damage is microscopic and can't be seen. What's also strange is when I put my finger in my good ear I can't hear it but noise cancelling headphones, ear plugs, hearing ear on the pillow at night I can hear it clearly, louder as my hearing ear isn't getting any external noise. It also comes and goes which I am thankful for. I've found it harder to deal with than my other tinnitus. There are some threads on it on Reddit. I was so anxious at the start that I started going down a bass low tinnitus rabbit hole. 😂 I found a good white noise that somewhat masks it. I can share the link if you think it might be helpful to you.

Sleepy21 · 27/09/2025 17:56

Just been reading this thread (I have sudden onset of tinnitus and struggling!) and wondered how you are now getting on with it? Need a little solidarity and positivity!

Original poster
Mcoco · 27/09/2025 23:08

I am sorry for you. How did yours start? Have you seen an ENT specialist for obvious causes? I do think as time passes it is easier to cope with. I don't feel as distressed by it. But each day is different. Some days I can ignore it quite well but other days I can hear it a lot and find it annoying. But as time passes it really is not as bad as it was initially. I no longer need to sleep with a sleep sound machine and drift off quite easily. You will adapt and I hope yours just disappears.

OP posts:
Alaosh · 27/09/2025 23:20

Alaosh · 19/06/2025 18:33

I’ve had pulsating tinitus for a while now, drives me up the wall, but recently spoke to a specialist who’s going to look into why and hopefully solve it fingers crossed!
I hate silence these days, which I used to love just silence and thinking but constantly hearing it means I’m now always playing white noise or music.

Just updating as I now have an operation booked and looking to be free of this by the end of the year! Looking forward to silence.

Original poster
Mcoco · 28/09/2025 09:58

Alaosh · 27/09/2025 23:20

Just updating as I now have an operation booked and looking to be free of this by the end of the year! Looking forward to silence.

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That is amazing. I didn't know an operation could solve tinnitus. Keep us posted on how it goes. You will hear silence again pure bliss!

OP posts:
Alaosh · 28/09/2025 10:02

It’s pusatile tinitus so a different kind to regular tinitus in terms of causes, but just as awful in terms of sound! as it’s often to do with blood vessels around the ears, so I’m going to be getting stented to solve it.

Original poster
Mcoco · 28/09/2025 16:03

Alaosh · 28/09/2025 10:02

It’s pusatile tinitus so a different kind to regular tinitus in terms of causes, but just as awful in terms of sound! as it’s often to do with blood vessels around the ears, so I’m going to be getting stented to solve it.

Thank you for explaining it all. I wish you the best of luck i bet you can't wait to be tinnitus free. Let us know how you get on.

OP posts:
Sleepy21 · 28/09/2025 16:38

Thanks for replying - yes, I hope it disappears too but not feeling positive at the moment but I’m glad to hear yours got better with time and you’ve somewhat adjusted - makes me feel more hopeful! it definitely gets worse when I’m tired and I’m trying very hard not to focus on it - seems like it started due to having back to back viruses - I did see a private ENT, and he said it was inflammation in my left inner ear and has put me on steroids - prior to that I’d had some light headedness and slight off balance but that has now gone, and had done before I went to see him. For much of this morning it was gone and then quietly came back in the afternoon

Drachuughtty · 28/09/2025 16:39

I heard in a radio programme that it's about 1 in 8. Sometimes I find it really upsets me and other times I cope ok.

Sleepy21 · 28/09/2025 17:38

That is quite a lot! How long have you had it if you don’t mind me asking?

Original poster
Mcoco · 28/09/2025 18:20

Drachuughtty · 28/09/2025 16:39

I heard in a radio programme that it's about 1 in 8. Sometimes I find it really upsets me and other times I cope ok.

This is exactly how I feel too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mcoco · 28/09/2025 18:22

Sleepy21 · 28/09/2025 16:38

Thanks for replying - yes, I hope it disappears too but not feeling positive at the moment but I’m glad to hear yours got better with time and you’ve somewhat adjusted - makes me feel more hopeful! it definitely gets worse when I’m tired and I’m trying very hard not to focus on it - seems like it started due to having back to back viruses - I did see a private ENT, and he said it was inflammation in my left inner ear and has put me on steroids - prior to that I’d had some light headedness and slight off balance but that has now gone, and had done before I went to see him. For much of this morning it was gone and then quietly came back in the afternoon

Yes please feel hopeful as it does get easier. I am focusing on it writing this and can hear it but I was fine beforehand. Its good yours went in the morning I have had mine constantly for about 9 months now. But it does get less bothersome in time.

OP posts:
mjf981 · 29/09/2025 10:13

I thought I was doing ok with mine, but the past week it seems to be getting really reactive for some reason. I'm under a flight path, and every time a plane flies over it shoots up to overpower it. Its getting really draining tbh :(

Lifestooshort71 · 29/09/2025 12:10

A bit late to the thread! I've had tinnitus for about 12 years and struggled for the first 12-months. I joined a fb group which initially helped but there were many whose lives appeared ruined by it which didn't do me any good! So, I've learnt to habituate and not stress over it and can honestly say that it doesn't bother me at all now - it's always there but I've accepted it as part of who I am and no longer yearn for total silence (that was the hardest bit). I had a mastectomy 3 years ago and when I came round from the GA there was a full-blown tympani section going on in there so that set me back - I was soon back to 'normal' though. I wish you all the best of luck with your struggles and hope you find a good place to park your unwelcome lodgers! x

mjf981 · 18/10/2025 09:32

EatMoreChocolate44 · 03/09/2025 17:04

I have the rumbling. Not sure if you read my previous posts on this thread. I've higher pitched, static buzzing in my right ear which is my deaf ear but a few months ago I developed a low rumble, bass tones, rhythmic tinnitus in my hearing ear. It took me weeks to figure out it was tinnitus because it sounds like outdoor traffic, bass coming through a car stereo, sometimes it's like a motor or engine. I too feel like I can almost feel it. It's so strange as it's so different from my other tinnitus or the more common tinnitus sounds on YouTube but my ENT said any noise of any pitch or frequency that isn't external noise is tinnitus and often the damage is microscopic and can't be seen. What's also strange is when I put my finger in my good ear I can't hear it but noise cancelling headphones, ear plugs, hearing ear on the pillow at night I can hear it clearly, louder as my hearing ear isn't getting any external noise. It also comes and goes which I am thankful for. I've found it harder to deal with than my other tinnitus. There are some threads on it on Reddit. I was so anxious at the start that I started going down a bass low tinnitus rabbit hole. 😂 I found a good white noise that somewhat masks it. I can share the link if you think it might be helpful to you.

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Sorry forgot to respond! I've found some very effective masking noises on YouTube thankfully.

My rumble is is still really annoying, but varies a bit. How are you managing now with yours?