2 Weeks in 20-30 dB Environment with Moderate Tinnitus Caused by a Spike

[Michellejean]

I've had tinnitus now for 6 months. It took me 4 months to be able to be in a silent environment. In silence my tinnitus sounded like a 2/10 with a lot of head noise and pure tones. 30 dB, speech, tv on low, refrigerator turning on could mask it easily, however when it was masked I'd have a terrible reaction with my tinnitus and it would feel like a 10/10 electric shortage occurring in my brain.

5 weeks ago I got a surgery to put tubes in my ears. My ENT said my left ear was just loaded with rubbery gunk I side of it and it would have never gone away on its own. My right ear has a teensy bit of fluid. Well fluid gone and my tinnitus spike to a 10/10. I could hear it on the highway with the window down.

The past two weeks my family and I have vacationed in France and Romania. My boyfriend and his family are Romanian. It's over all been a lovely trip except my tinnitus has not settled much. And the craziest part is I've been in absolute silence these two weeks. We stayed at a farm in Allevard and my phone registered 20 dB of ambient sound inside and 28-35 dB outside. In Romania it is even quieter.

I've had to up my disease of Ativan from nothing to 2.5 mgs a day just to keep from going crazy. I've had fantasies of stabbing knives into my ears. It's weird.

My whole head sounds like the drain of a toilet if that even makes sense. I am still praying and telling myself that it will take another 5 months to get back to where I was.

But I've been having fun! Despite thinking about my tinnitus a majority of the time it's cool to be in all this silence and have minutes in time where I am so focused on something I don't notice my tinnitus. This gives me hope. I fear I made a bad choice with the surgery but what can I do!? Nothing!! Lol

Thinking of you guys. This is my last day in paradise. Heading to Bucharest now!
And I've got a dope tan!!

Don't get me wrong I had 4 mental breakdowns but at least I'm trying. I hope this is a positive post for some of you guys. My tinnitus is only masked at like 50 dbs now and when it's masked I hear electricity in my head it actually hurts like a dog whistle. Time will heal all. I hope. Love you guys!

 

[Michael B]

In my opinion you're doing the right thing for you, your child and your boyfriend. You're enjoying yourself despite your tinnitus. There are certain things I cut back on as a result of my tinnitus, but vacationing is not one of them. I enjoy them and they help me take my mind off of the ringing. Continue to enjoy yourself despite the sound.
PS Love the photos.
Mike

 

[robHing]

It is good to have a nice vacation trip in Europe.
We are all happy for you.
Please be patient with your T.
You provided very nice photos which enrich our reclusive T lives.
Thank you and God bless !

 

[Michellejean]

@Michael B i feel this vacation was incredibly important for me in the middle of a terrible spike I needed to get out of my house. This is such a crazy mental game. How are you these days?

 

[Michellejean]

@robHing I am glad you enjoyed the photos ! I have better ones of the landscape I should have posted. How are you doing??

 

[Michellejean]

Grignan France

 

[Michellejean]

Allevard France

 

[robHing]

I am glad you enjoyed the photos ! I have better ones of the landscape I should have posted. How are you doing??

I am really glad that you have a good time.
My ears have both T & H. They are very sensitive and easily spiked.
I can not travel in airplane due to engine noise.
I stay home most of the time.

Enjoy your trip and God bless !

PS: You have a beautiful daughter.

 

[robHing]

Wow... Europe is very beautiful ! It has its history and scenery.

 

[Bill Bauer]

It is possible that in a year, you will feel a lot better. Ears take forever to heal, and in your case they require time to recover after the surgery.

Did it feel safe in Romania?

 

[Michael B]

@Michael B i feel this vacation was incredibly important for me in the middle of a terrible spike I needed to get out of my house. This is such a crazy mental game. How are you these days?

After 7 years with this, I have to honestly say it's been a game changer. I've never dealt with anything quite like it. That's a blessing & a curse. I could be dealing with other things as well as tinnitus and fortunately I'm not. I feel blessed in that sense.
Love the new photos.

 

[Michellejean]

@robHing how long have you had tinnitus for? I am so sorry you aren't able to be around noisy environments due to hyperacusis. I truly hope in time this disappears for you.

Thank you, my daughter is my world. I wouldn't be half as capable of getting through this were it not for her.

Europe is beautiful! Just amazing. I'm finally on the bus home back in Boston and exhausted Beyond words.

 

[Michellejean]

@Michael B thank you for your comment on the photos. Any advice you can offer me? How is your tinnitus as far as perception or noticing it Day to day at 7 years in?

 

[Michellejean]

@Bill Bauer that is what I keep telling myself. In one year things will be better. I get sad or emotional and tell myself I won't have these same thoughts and feelings abyear from now. It will be different.

This was my third time visiting Romania. I love it and yes I feel very safe however I am traveling with my extended family who are native to Romania.

I feel like 60% of Romanians do not like me because I am American. Also these same 60% have a nasty attitude. On the other hand there are many friendly and lovely Romanian people also.

How is your tinnitus Bill? I see all your posts around and can't peg you. Is it mild? It's been a year and a half now ? What's your story?

 

[Michael B]

@Michellejean I only wish others would post photos. It would be nice to connect people's lives with their words.
What helped me initially was accepting the fact that I have this and not hesitating to say when it's affecting me.
I'm also blessed with a wife who is very understanding. I don't hesitate to tell her when I'm having a bad day. She wants to know.
I appreciate the good days. I really do. And thank goodness I have them.
The bad days are a struggle but I tend to keep myself busy and distracted. Distraction is key.
When all else fails, what gets me through the bad days is the hope for a better day tomorrow.
Mike

 

[Michellejean]

@Michael B it's like your speaking to my soul. I feel the same way as you. And have a great partner who genuinely cares and tries to be there for me even though he knows there is little he can do but hold me.

I hope the anxiety of my spike settles soon. I hope I find baselin again one day. I regret ever having my grommet surgery. I was just trying to help myself but it made everything so much worse.

I am so glad you have a supportive wife. I think a lot of tinnitus sufferers who don't have a support system have such a harder time and I feel so sad for anyone alone with this condition.