21 Years Old — Went to Sleep One Night and Started Hearing Noises in My Ears

[pdot]

I went to sleep one night (no exposure to loud sound or noise), and suddenly heard noises in my left ear, all night. It stayed like this for two days, and I started putting olive oil drops in my ears because I thought it was ear wax. This worked and my left ear stopped ringing, and then my right ear got blocked of wax. And the ringing began.

I went to my local doctor and he was very unhelpful to the point of not even reassuring me, just said nothing you can do, it'll go away by itself. I was freaked out, anxiety through the roof. I have lost so much weight in the past few days, not eating, drinking and of course unable to sleep because I focus solely on the tiny noise.

Anyway, I went to an audiologist who micro-suctioned (cleaned) my right ear assuring me that it looked like build up of wax had caused tinnitus. So she cleans it, I go home, a few hours later I can still hear the noise.

Now panic attacks, anxiety and unable to sleep. It has probably only been about 5 or 6 days in total but I swear tinnitus is so life-consuming, I am aware of every second of my life that I am becoming suicidal. I am lucky that my family are with me, and try to help so much, by staying with me and distracting me but they can't stop the noise. No one can.

I read on Google that it can be a tumour or permanent ear canal damage and my anxiety gets worse. No cure, and no end. And I'm only 21. Scared for life.

It sounds like tiny intermittent ringing in right ear, with static feeling inside my right side of brain.

I went to three local doctors and they said it'll go away by itself. I went to an ENT specialist who was the most helpful. I am going for a hearing test and MRI scan next week.

I'm sorry for the long post but any advice or help will really be appreciated. I literally am on the brink of just dying. I'm so scared. And I can't sleep, I tried putting music on my phone but that didn't work, I'm going to sleep with the TV on or something today. But I wake up every 5 minutes with my heart beating fast, sweating, scared for my life, suicidal.

The tinnitus clinic said they can't help me unless I've had this condition for 3 months which I suppose is understandable.

Thanks.

P

 

[Michael Leigh]

HI @pdot.

Sorry to hear that you're going through such a difficult time at the moment. Many things can cause tinnitus. So it's good that you're going to be seen at ENT for tests. The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure you loud noise or using headphones, earbuds, headset. I know you've said that you haven't been exposed to loud noise but have you been a regular user of headphones, earbuds or headset even at low volume? If you have then this could be the cause of the tinnitus.

Try to avoid quiet rooms and surrounding particularly at night by using sound enrichment. More about this is explained in the posts below so please click on the links.

Tinnitus usually improves with time so try not to worry too much. Speak to your doctor if things become too stressful.
If you are ever going to have wax removed from your ears again, apply ear drops/olive oil to each ear 3x a day for 7 to 10 days, before having the wax removed.

Take care.
Michael

New to Tinnitus, What to Do? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Tinnitus, A Personal View | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

[sophielynch]

Hi. I'm 21 and the exact same thing has happened to me! I don't have hearing loss or fluid behind my ears either.

I'm so SO grateful somebody my age is going through this too.

Has yours improved at all? Mine is sometimes not as loud as it used to be, sometimes it's so bad.

At the moment I'm sleeping in my mum's bed with her because I'm such an anxious mess because of it.

 

[pdot]

Hi,

Wow I am literally the same right now, sleeping with my mum or just with someone, but then I cannot sleep due to the tinnitus and wake up with my heart racing and serious anxiety. I think I haven't got more sleep because of such bad anxiety. I spend all my time now with my mum because I'm so scared. Mine is not that loud, only at night or if it's quiet it gets really loud. I am so scared even when everyone tells me it will be okay.

 

[pdot]

HI @pdot.

Sorry to hear that you're going through such a difficult time at the moment. Many things can cause tinnitus. So it's good that you're going to be seen at ENT for tests. The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure you loud noise or using headphones, earbuds, headset. I know you've said that you haven't been exposed to loud noise but have you been a regular user of headphones, earbuds or headset even at low volume? If you have then this could be the cause of the tinnitus.

Try to avoid quiet rooms and surrounding particularly at night by using sound enrichment. More about this is explained in the posts below so please click on the links.

Tinnitus usually improves with time so try not to worry too much. Speak to your doctor if things become too stressful.
If you are ever going to have wax removed from your ears again, apply ear drops/olive oil to each ear 3x a day for 7 to 10 days, before having the wax removed.

Take care.
Michael

New to Tinnitus, What to Do? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Tinnitus, A Personal View | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

Hi Michael, I do use earphones to listen to music, just found it strange that it appeared when I wasn't using earphones in those past few days. Trying my best to stay hopeful that it will go but I get lot of anxiety and stress because I am not used to this condition. I dread sleeping the most because of tinnitus.

I will try to play music to stop it.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi Michael, I do use earphones to listen to music, just found it strange that it appeared when I wasn't using earphones in those past few days. Trying my best to stay hopeful that it will go but I get lot of anxiety and stress because I am not used to this condition. I dread sleeping the most because of tinnitus.

I will try to play music to stop it.

I strongly advise you not to use headphones, earbuds, noise cancelling headphones, SleepPhones, earphones or headset, bone conduction headphones, even at low volumes. If you do this now there's a good chance the tinnitus will reduce in time and could go away. When the tinnitus reduces as I believe it will, try not to be tempted into using headphones even at low volume. I know this may not be easy to do, but if you don't want the tinnitus to get worse or return after it has calmed down keep away from headphones and loud sounds.

Take your time and read the posts in the links I've sent you. There are other posts on my started threads that you may find helpful: The Habituation Process, Hyperacusis, As I See It. Will My Tinnitus Get Worse? Tinnitus and the Negative Mindset, Acquiring a Positive Mindset.

All the best
Michael

 

[sophielynch]

Hi,

Wow I am literally the same right now, sleeping with my mum or just with someone, but then I cannot sleep due to the tinnitus and wake up with my heart racing and serious anxiety. I think I haven't got more sleep because of such bad anxiety. I spend all my time now with my mum because I'm so scared. Mine is not that loud, only at night or if it's quiet it gets really loud. I am so scared even when everyone tells me it will be okay.

Can you hear your tinnitus if you think about it? I can hear it over the tv etc but when I'm in the car with the radio on or outside I can't really hear it. But I can definitely hear it when I'm indoors.

 

[pdot]

I strongly advise you not to use headphones, earbuds, noise cancelling headphones, SleepPhones, earphones or headset, bone conduction headphones, even at low volumes. If you do this now there's a good chance the tinnitus will reduce in time and could go away. When the tinnitus reduces as I believe it will, try not to be tempted into using headphones even at low volume. I know this may not be easy to do, but if you don't want the tinnitus to get worse or return after it has calmed down keep away from headphones and loud sounds.

Take your time and read the posts in the links I've sent you. There are other posts on my started threads that you may find helpful: The Habituation Process, Hyperacusis, As I See It. Will My Tinnitus Get Worse? Tinnitus and the Negative Mindset, Acquiring a Positive Mindset.

All the best
Michael

Oh really? I didn't realise even at low volumes it might not be the best. Ok, I will make sure not to use earphones or headphones for now, I haven't used them since I got the ringing except for phone calls but I still avoid the ringing ear. And thanks for the links, I will read them when I get the chance. I'm still struggling with anxiety, I have tried to distract myself but the only thing I can do to avoid my tinnitus is to make sure some form of sound is always on like the TV.

 

[just1morething]

Oh really? I didn't realise even at low volumes it might not be the best. Ok, I will make sure not to use earphones or headphones for now, I haven't used them since I got the ringing except for phone calls but I still avoid the ringing ear. And thanks for the links, I will read them when I get the chance. I'm still struggling with anxiety, I have tried to distract myself but the only thing I can do to avoid my tinnitus is to make sure some form of sound is always on like the TV.

Do you have any TMJ issues? Sometimes that can cause tinnitus. Does your jaw click sometimes?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Oh really? I didn't realise even at low volumes it might not be the best. Ok, I will make sure not to use earphones or headphones for now,

The advice that I am giving you is based on many years experience with noise induced tinnitus. Corresponding and counselling people with it. Headphones are dangerous for people that have noise induced tinnitus in my opinion. The choice is yours if you decide to use them in the future, but my advice is not to even at low volume.

Take care.
Michael

 

[pdot]

Do you have any TMJ issues? Sometimes that can cause tinnitus. Does your jaw click sometimes?

Hi,

No, I never had this kind of issue. It was so sudden and unexpected. Still trying to trace the cause.

 

[just1morething]

Hi,

No, I never had this kind of issue. It was so sudden and unexpected. Still trying to trace the cause.

Sorry you got this bad condition. Is your noise in one or both ears?

 

[pdot]

Sorry you got this bad condition. Is your noise in one or both ears?

My tinnitus was in my left ear, it stopped and now moved over to the right ear. It won't stop. It has been a few days. Going to get an MRI scan and hearing test to try to find the underlying cause. Although I'm struggling with anxiety a lot right now.

 

[pdot]

Hi. I'm 21 and the exact same thing has happened to me! I don't have hearing loss or fluid behind my ears either.

I'm so SO grateful somebody my age is going through this too.

Has yours improved at all? Mine is sometimes not as loud as it used to be, sometimes it's so bad.

At the moment I'm sleeping in my mum's bed with her because I'm such an anxious mess because of it.

Also I just wanted to say, I did a free hearing test and check up so if you have local Amplifon clinic, it is worth checking your ears if you haven't already done it

 

[sophielynch]

I did a free hearing test and check up so if you have local Amplifon clinic, it is worth checking your ears if you haven't already done it

Yeah I did! Mine was all fine. What about you?

 

[sophielynch]

Hi, how is it today?

 

[Charburchar]

Be sure to wear ear plugs (and ear protectors if poss!) when you go for your MRI.

 

[Lane]

Going to get an MRI scan and hearing test to try to find the underlying cause

@pdot -- MRIs can be very loud, and can exacerbate tinnitus. I believe there's only one brand of MRI machines that isn't nearly as loud (don't recall what it is). Whatever you decide, be sure to use LOTS of hearing protection while getting it. -- Also, some who've had hearing tests had their tinnitus spike afterwards. A lot of the people that do these procedures and tests do not understand how vulnerable people's ears can be, or how easily they can make tinnitus matters worse.

 

[pdot]

Yeah I did! Mine was all fine. What about you?

I am going to get one done through the hospital on Wednesday. And one on Friday with Amplifon.

 

[pdot]

@pdot -- MRIs can be very loud, and can exacerbate tinnitus. I believe there's only one brand of MRI machines that isn't nearly as loud (don't recall what it is). Whatever you decide, be sure to use LOTS of hearing protection while getting it. -- Also, some who've had hearing tests had their tinnitus spike afterwards. A lot of the people that do these procedures and tests do not understand how vulnerable people's ears can be, or how easily they can make tinnitus matters worse.

Wow really? So when I go for the MRI I will make sure to wear earplugs. I was told that there will be ear protection and music generally when you go for an MRI. I'm worried now that it will make it worse but I really need to check if there's something happening in my brain.

I am freaking out now because I don't want it to get worse. Would you suggest that I get some of my own noise cancelling plugs or headphones for the MRI? And any precautions for the hearing test?

 

[just1morething]

@pdot

You could try a cervical pillow like this. Sometimes the neck and facial muscles affect the ears. With iPads and iPhones nowadays people tend to get bad posture.

 

[pdot]

Do you have any TMJ issues? Sometimes that can cause tinnitus. Does your jaw click sometimes?

I just noticed my jaw is clicking when I eat. I didn't notice it before but everytime I open it I can hear it click. Is this connected?

 

[just1morething]

I just noticed my jaw is clicking when I eat. I didn't notice it before but everytime I open it I can hear it click. Is this connected?

Yeah it very well could be. My left jaw has TMD and that side is screaming right now. I had a steroid injection into my left TMJ joint a couple times and that helped the noise. They say steroid injections can be hard on the condyle though. I'm waiting to see a TMJ surgeon to see what they say. An MRI would be so loud that I'm not sure it's a good idea. They are mainly looking for an acoustic neuroma which is not likely.

You could look over some of these links:

https://www.piperclinic.com/

https://www.caringmedical.com/prolotherapy-news/tmj-tinnitus/

 

[Lane]

Would you suggest that I get some of my own noise cancelling plugs or headphones for the MRI? And any precautions for the hearing test?

@pdot -- I don't want to come across as an expert on these kinds of things. I'm mostly relaying what I've seen on Tinnitus Talk for the past couple of years. Regarding the hearing test, I think a good rule of thumb would be to stop immediately if you experience any kind of pain or discomfort during the test. You may even want to mention to the person administering the test beforehand that you may have to stop if it becomes uncomfortable. Sometimes it's fairly young and inexperienced young people administering these tests who don't know how to look out for problematic situations that may arise.

I myself didn't do well with noise-cancelling headphones, and even noticed some minor spikes afterwards. I then went on to discover I wasn't the only one; that's it's not uncommon for it to happen. -- Headphones of any kind, even if they're used at low volume, can present problems for some people with tinnitus. There are just so many variable when it comes to different people having tinnitus, it's difficult to make straight out assertive suggestions. At this time, I would encourage a degree of patience. I know you're concerned (legitimately) about whether you might have a tumor, but when you think about it, it's probably very unlikely that would be the case.

I would think a more likely case would be some type of somatic tinnitus, or perhaps a vulnerability to EMFs, things like WiFi, routers, spending a lot of time with devices that put out lots of emfs. One guy on this forum started a thread on how he got tinnitus after buying a brand new truck with all the latest WiFi technologies. Another guy pinpointed his tinnitus to a new smart meter being put on his house. Yet another discovered he was working right next to a closed off room at work that was putting out high emfs.

I also suspect your diet may not be as good as it could be, as it's my impression (whether rightly or wrongly) that most young people don't give their diet much thought. You may want to check out this story about a man who got over his tinnitus (after 14 years) after seeing a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, who worked on some of his mostly non-symptomatic gut issues.

If you're feeling desperate or very anxious, and if you might have any interest in spiritual or energetic techniques, I described what has worked for me in a couple of different posts. Post 1 Post 2 -- I hope you can find something soon to help you get beyond your current crisis. I'm confident you will!

 

[pdot]

@pdot -- I don't want to come across as an expert on these kinds of things. I'm mostly relaying what I've seen on Tinnitus Talk for the past couple of years. Regarding the hearing test, I think a good rule of thumb would be to stop immediately if you experience any kind of pain or discomfort during the test. You may even want to mention to the person administering the test beforehand that you may have to stop if it becomes uncomfortable. Sometimes it's fairly young and inexperienced young people administering these tests who don't know how to look out for problematic situations that may arise.

I myself didn't do well with noise-cancelling headphones, and even noticed some minor spikes afterwards. I then went on to discover I wasn't the only one; that's it's not uncommon for it to happen. -- Headphones of any kind, even if they're used at low volume, can present problems for some people with tinnitus. There are just so many variable when it comes to different people having tinnitus, it's difficult to make straight out assertive suggestions. At this time, I would encourage a degree of patience. I know you're concerned (legitimately) about whether you might have a tumor, but when you think about it, it's probably very unlikely that would be the case.

I would think a more likely case would be some type of somatic tinnitus, or perhaps a vulnerability to EMFs, things like WiFi, routers, spending a lot of time with devices that put out lots of emfs. One guy on this forum started a thread on how he got tinnitus after buying a brand new truck with all the latest WiFi technologies. Another guy pinpointed his tinnitus to a new smart meter being put on his house. Yet another discovered he was working right next to a closed off room at work that was putting out high emfs.

I also suspect your diet may not be as good as it could be, as it's my impression (whether rightly or wrongly) that most young people don't give their diet much thought. You may want to check out this story about a man who got over his tinnitus (after 14 years) after seeing a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, who worked on some of his mostly non-symptomatic gut issues.

If you're feeling desperate or very anxious, and if you might have any interest in spiritual or energetic techniques, I described what has worked for me in a couple of different posts. Post 1 Post 2 -- I hope you can find something soon to help you get beyond your current crisis. I'm confident you will!

Thanks for your advice. However now I'm genuinely finding a way to end my life. I've thought it over past few days and I know my condition won't improve based on how it is atm. So I've contacted a euthanasia clinic but if that doesn't work then I'm thinking to overdose somehow. I'm desperate to end this. I'll even go mute in one ear to stop the ringing. But I can't do that. So suicide is the best option.

 

[Lane]

Hey @pdot -- Sorry to hear you're thinking in those terms. But I can't say it surprises me. Your words and sentiments are actually quite close to the the kind of thinking I've done on my own off and on for many years. I wrote fairly extensively on some of my own thoughts on suicide in a post here on this forum. Being a "veteran" of this kind of thinking about suicide, maybe there's something in there of value for you. -- Take care!

 

[pdot]

Hey @pdot -- Sorry to hear you're thinking in those terms. But I can't say it surprises me. Your words and sentiments are actually quite close to the the kind of thinking I've done on my own off and on for many years. I wrote fairly extensively on some of my own thoughts on suicide in a post here on this forum. Being a "veteran" of this kind of thinking about suicide, maybe there's something in there of value for you. -- Take care!

I just read that post. Your journey is so amazing and you are so strong for getting through it. Thank you for replying and for your support. I am really trying to get through it, but I get such bad anxiety that I think I will never get over it. I want to live and do so much with my life too, but my mind is a weapon of its own destruction.

I have a question... Would you advise me to wear earplugs all the time now? And what kind?

 

[Lane]

I get such bad anxiety that I think I will never get over it

Hey @pdot -- You may want to check out the following thread to see if there may be some worthwhile tips in it for you: -- Three Supplements to Treat Severe Anxiety Symptoms

I want to live and do so much with my life too, but my mind is a weapon of its own destruction.

I'm very pleased to see you have such a strong desire to live, and to do much with your life. -- At the risk of being redundant, I'll paste the two links I mentioned in an earlier post on what works for me to combat my own unruly mind and improve my ability to deal with tinnitus: -- Post 1, Post 2

I might just leave you with one more link, which is a (fairly lengthy) post I made about my own sudden onset of tinnitus. It was an experience that literally shattered me, and I honestly didn't know if I could recover from it. Though I haven't fully recovered from it 100%, I'd say I've had major improvements since then, with most of them coming after the first two years. (My 3rd year anniversary is Feb. 4).

As you will see (if you read it), I mostly looked at my "conundrum" from a spiritual angle, and was finally able to recover some resilience I felt I had built up in the years prior to my getting tinnitus. At the time I wrote it, I was still feeling quite overwhelmed, but I've improved much since then. If you have any questions about my own journey, I'd be happy to answer them. Just want to make sure you realize what my general approach is--which is not for everybody.

Take care young man!

 

[pdot]

Hey @pdot -- You may want to check out the following thread to see if there may be some worthwhile tips in it for you: -- Three Supplements to Treat Severe Anxiety Symptoms

I'm very pleased to see you have such a strong desire to live, and to do much with your life. -- At the risk of being redundant, I'll paste the two links I mentioned in an earlier post on what works for me to combat my own unruly mind and improve my ability to deal with tinnitus: -- Post 1, Post 2

I might just leave you with one more link, which is a (fairly lengthy) post I made about my own sudden onset of tinnitus. It was an experience that literally shattered me, and I honestly didn't know if I could recover from it. Though I haven't fully recovered from it 100%, I'd say I've had major improvements since then, with most of them coming after the first two years. (My 3rd year anniversary is Feb. 4).

As you will see (if you read it), I mostly looked at my "conundrum" from a spiritual angle, and was finally able to recover some resilience I felt I had built up in the years prior to my getting tinnitus. At the time I wrote it, I was still feeling quite overwhelmed, but I've improved much since then. If you have any questions about my own journey, I'd be happy to answer them. Just want to make sure you realize what my general approach is--which is not for everybody.

Take care young man!

Your words have truly helped. As many others on here have also given me some support too. Yesterday I stopped denying that I have it, let go, and decided to put music on (from this app called ReSound) and past two days I have slept so much more. Yesterday it felt quieter, and today I woke up thinking at one point it was gone. It's so quiet I can only hear it if I focus very hardly on it. I think my stress and anxiety made it worse. I'm getting the hearing test today so I hope it is all okay.

Thanks again.

P.S. I'm a girl haha

 

[Steph1710]

Thanks for your advice. However now I'm genuinely finding a way to end my life. I've thought it over past few days and I know my condition won't improve based on how it is atm.

Trust me - we all feel this way in the beginning.

I just woke up to tinnitus one day. It was so loud, I couldn't even mask it next to the waves crashing on stones. It was horrific.

However, it does get easier. Takes a lot of strength and planning, but eventually the emotional attachment to it gets better.
And trust me, I know this seems like a stupid, impossible thing to imagine when you're completely gripped in fear by this new constant sound which you can't escape from - BUT give it a good few months, and these suicidal feelings will become less strong.

To give you maybe a glimmer of hope - to begin with, I was SO anxious that I had to sleep with a light on and the door open to make it feel as though I wasn't alone in the house. For weeks I thought life was over. I couldn't see how I'd ever enjoy things properly again. My tinnitus was SO LOUD!

Anyway, fast-forward 9 months, and I'm sitting here, having completed my degree, been travelling, and now having an awesome job! All of these things I achieved after developing tinnitus.

And you wanna know the best part... I'm sitting in a very quiet room, and I can barely hear it. And 85% of the time now, I either can't hear it, or don't notice it.

Could you imagine if I had actually taken my life, when 9 months down the line, I am absolutely fine, and still enjoying/living life.

What I am trying to say, is don't give up hope. Most people with tinnitus get to the 'only hear it in a quiet room' stage after a year or so.

Of course be hopeless now. Be suicidal. Tell everyone your world has come crashing down and you don't see a way out - you are absolutely allowed to feel that way. Never hold your emotions back. I'm a big believer in expressing one's self.

But my lovely, remember how you feel now, is not how you'll feel in 9 months time. <3 So instead of pulling the plug too soon - come rant and rave on here instead. Use us as a healing platform. We are all hear to listen. Because remember, we understand what you're going through, like no one else will. We live/have lived your nightmare.

So welcome to our family here at Tinnitus Talk. Read the threads and listen to the long time members such as @Michael Leigh and @Bill Bauer - these guys have been fantastic in my tinnitus journey.

All my love
Steph x x <3 x x