- May 28, 2016
- 16
- Tinnitus Since
- 05/2016
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Music, manufacturing and genetics I guess.
Yep, in May 2016 I spontaneously came down with tinnitus (I blame years of using Dre Beats headphones too loud, playing my guitars and also working in manufacturing).
I know there are some success stories of tinnitus going away for some, but for me it hasn't. I know I have it for life, am I bothered by this? Of course, I wish I didn't have it, but generally speaking I don't think too much of it anymore (today is the first time I have been on this site in 2017!), nonetheless I sure respect my T and accept that it's something I have to manage.
Habituation does happen, over a suitable period of time the abnormal just becomes the normal. Tinnitus is so normal to me now, obviously I hear it all the time, but only actively acknowledge it when I'm trying to sleep, even then it causes me no distress anymore, it's basically like hearing myself breathe now. Believe me, I was depressed when it first came on but it's gets better. First I had disbelief, then anger, then guilt, then depression and then just acceptance. (5 stages of grief). I think the key to habituation is just acceptance and getting past the self guilt and anger that can eat you alive.
It hasn't effected my life too much, I just limit my headphones use/volume now and wear ear plugs at work in noisy environments. I'm still also quite young so if I go to a loud venue I just take a load of zinc and anti oxidants 1 hr before I go, I also take regular breaks for 15 minutes or so away from the noise.
As for spikes, yes my tinnitus does spike but it does seem to return to a lower level after a few days, but I'm pretty sure my tinnitus is louder now than it was 1 yr ago? My GP stopped referring me to ENT as I am no longer complaining about it.
For anyone reading this and struggling, keep going, speak to those close to you about your t, share your struggles but carry on with life as normal. Still go to work, still go to restaurants, bars, bowling alleys etc etc. The abnormal will just become the normal over a period of time.
I know there are some success stories of tinnitus going away for some, but for me it hasn't. I know I have it for life, am I bothered by this? Of course, I wish I didn't have it, but generally speaking I don't think too much of it anymore (today is the first time I have been on this site in 2017!), nonetheless I sure respect my T and accept that it's something I have to manage.
Habituation does happen, over a suitable period of time the abnormal just becomes the normal. Tinnitus is so normal to me now, obviously I hear it all the time, but only actively acknowledge it when I'm trying to sleep, even then it causes me no distress anymore, it's basically like hearing myself breathe now. Believe me, I was depressed when it first came on but it's gets better. First I had disbelief, then anger, then guilt, then depression and then just acceptance. (5 stages of grief). I think the key to habituation is just acceptance and getting past the self guilt and anger that can eat you alive.
It hasn't effected my life too much, I just limit my headphones use/volume now and wear ear plugs at work in noisy environments. I'm still also quite young so if I go to a loud venue I just take a load of zinc and anti oxidants 1 hr before I go, I also take regular breaks for 15 minutes or so away from the noise.
As for spikes, yes my tinnitus does spike but it does seem to return to a lower level after a few days, but I'm pretty sure my tinnitus is louder now than it was 1 yr ago? My GP stopped referring me to ENT as I am no longer complaining about it.
For anyone reading this and struggling, keep going, speak to those close to you about your t, share your struggles but carry on with life as normal. Still go to work, still go to restaurants, bars, bowling alleys etc etc. The abnormal will just become the normal over a period of time.
