A Life with Tinnitus — How to Live?

[Makrohn]

@MiaX

Yes it is weird and I have yet to find any good reason for it to be so fluctuating.
I have been at my ENT and my hearing is stable, and no other reasons can be found.
Yes, I changed my diet, I eat less and I eat healthier... and I only drink water.

I do believe that the anxiety plays a part in it. Because I have had so high levels of anxiety, my body has been under a huge amount of stress and I believe my blood would be full of kortisol (stress hormones) if I could check.
And as we know... stress and exhaustion plays a big part in how T is experienced.
I just wish it would be more stable and not change EVERY single day.

Today I am ok.. I am tired and slightly dizzy.
Looks like I have a long road ahead of me to get back energy.

 

[MiaX]

It really takes time, you know, but you are already doing the right things, so that is really good!!

Take a deep breath and try not to worry about your T. Take the rest your need.

 

[Makrohn]

It really does take time indeed... Just keep focus and I will eventually get there

@Equalizer Please share with ut what is funny about my post, I would really like to get myself a laugh

 

[threefirefour]

@MiaX

Yes it is weird and I have yet to find any good reason for it to be so fluctuating.
I have been at my ENT and my hearing is stable, and no other reasons can be found.
Yes, I changed my diet, I eat less and I eat healthier... and I only drink water.

I do believe that the anxiety plays a part in it. Because I have had so high levels of anxiety, my body has been under a huge amount of stress and I believe my blood would be full of kortisol (stress hormones) if I could check.
And as we know... stress and exhaustion plays a big part in how T is experienced.
I just wish it would be more stable and not change EVERY single day.

Today I am ok.. I am tired and slightly dizzy.
Looks like I have a long road ahead of me to get back energy.

Does reducing anxiety actually reduce tinnitus or is it more pseudo-cure garbage?

 

[Makrohn]

That depends on many factors I guess.
Cause of Tinnitus, how your general attitude is towards the condition etc.

If one experience a more intrusive T when having anxiety, it is most likely connected.
I have had one kind of Tinnitus for almost 20 years caused by explosion, and a totally new sound appeared this summer when I suffered from severe anxiety and stress. This new sound is way more fluctuating than my initial T, so my personal meaning is that it is indeed connected to my levels of anxiety/stress.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Does reducing anxiety actually reduce tinnitus or is it more pseudo-cure garbage?

Reducing stress and anxiety is paramount in helping to lower the perception of tinnitus since it is closely linked to the condition. Stress and anxiety make tinnitus worse and tinnitus makes stress and anxiety worse. It can become a vicious circle. Your statement could suggest that you're a non believer in these conditons making tinnitus worse or the perception of it. Therefore, if you were to seek counselling with a Hearing therapist for example for help with tinnitus it is unlikely to work....

 

[threefirefour]

That depends on many factors I guess.
Cause of Tinnitus, how your general attitude is towards the condition etc.

If one experience a more intrusive T when having anxiety, it is most likely connected.
I have had one kind of Tinnitus for almost 20 years caused by explosion, and a totally new sound appeared this summer when I suffered from severe anxiety and stress. This new sound is way more fluctuating than my initial T, so my personal meaning is that it is indeed connected to my levels of anxiety/stress.

Interesting. If you get rid of anxiety, does it get rid of the tone? Maybe there's a more somatic element as well.

Reducing stress and anxiety is paramount in helping to lower the perception of tinnitus since it is closely linked to the condition. Stress and anxiety make tinnitus worse and tinnitus makes stress and anxiety worse. It can become a vicious circle. Your statement could suggest that you're a non believer in these conditons making tinnitus worse or the perception of it. Therefore, if you were to seek counselling with a Hearing therapist for example for help with tinnitus it is unlikely to work....

Perhaps it's because I'm uncultured but what does "perception" mean? I ask because people seem to like to use it for both a quieter noise, and just not noticing it.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Interesting. If you get rid of anxiety, does it get rid of the tone? Maybe there's a more somatic element as well.



Perhaps it's because I'm uncultured but what does "perception" mean? I ask because people seem to like to use it for both a quieter noise, and just not noticing it.

Please read my articles on my started threads regarding TRT, counselling, positivity etc. Many are there. Once a person learns to have a positive mindset automatically stress and anxiety start to reduce. The more negative thinking a person is the more aware and intrusive the tinnitus becomes. They become more focused on the tinnitus that is basically what perception of tinnitus is. Even with a positive mindset this doesn't mean a person won't have downtimes. It's a case of keeping everything in balance...

 

[threefirefour]

Please read my articles on my started threads regarding TRT, counselling, positivity etc. Many are there. Once a person learns to have a positive mindset automatically stress and anxiety start to reduce. The more negative thinking a person is the more aware and intrusive the tinnitus becomes. They become more focused on the tinnitus that is basically what perception of tinnitus is. Even with a positive mindset this doesn't mean a person won't have downtimes. It's a case of keeping everything in balance...

So basically it does nothing to reduce the sound? Thanks.

 

[Michael Leigh]

So basically it does nothing to reduce the sound? Thanks.

With respect. Your attitude needs to change if you want your tinnitus to improve contiune like this and you'll get more of the same. Please read my post about Marcus. A member of this forum. His tinnitus was loud and intrustive and also had hyperacusis. He was as negative thinking as one can get and thought nothing would help. His tinnitus has improved considerably because he started to think more positively and opened his mind and not think so negative. Thinking more positively does reduce the tinnitus which is the same as perception.

I wish you well
Michael

 

[Makrohn]

Interesting. If you get rid of anxiety, does it get rid of the tone? Maybe there's a more somatic element as well.

Well, there could of course be some somatic elements as well, yes.
What I do know, is that anxiety and depression causes some chemical unbalance in our body, especially when we are exposed to them for a long time. Since there are some evidence of connection between serotonin and Tinnitus, I would think it does have a connection.

On the other hand, when it comes to somatic elements.. there are a number of things that may cause T, like i.e thyroid issues and so on. The metabolism is affected when having long periods of anxiety, so there is another link.

But, at least there is SOMETHING that causes it to fluctuate, but what exactly remains a mystery.

 

[threefirefour]

With respect. Your attitude needs to change if you want your tinnitus to improve contiune like this and you'll get more of the same. Please read my post about Marcus. A member of this forum. His tinnitus was loud and intrustive and also had hyperacusis. He was as negative thinking as one can get and thought nothing would help. His tinnitus has improved considerably because he started to think more positively and opened his mind and not think so negative. Thinking more positively does reduce the tinnitus which is the same as perception.

I wish you well
Michael

Don't see what's wrong with my thinking. People who make these claims always seem to dodge the golden question. "Does reducing anxiety actually reduce the sound (in decibels) of tinnitus"? That means if I were to pay attention to it, would it be quieter. As you put it in your last sentence, it seems so. I just don't want people to dodge the question. I always prefer a laconic candid answer.

Well, there could of course be some somatic elements as well, yes.
What I do know, is that anxiety and depression causes some chemical unbalance in our body, especially when we are exposed to them for a long time. Since there are some evidence of connection between serotonin and Tinnitus, I would think it does have a connection.

On the other hand, when it comes to somatic elements.. there are a number of things that may cause T, like i.e thyroid issues and so on. The metabolism is affected when having long periods of anxiety, so there is another link.

But, at least there is SOMETHING that causes it to fluctuate, but what exactly remains a mystery.

Personally I have extremely somatic tinnitus that fluctuates with all movement, especially with my Jaw, neck, or upper back. I've noticed that my TMJ joint s sticking way out when I open my mouth, and my mouth opens sideways, so I will invest in getting that looked at. It gets loudest when I bite down.

 

[Makrohn]

Personally I have extremely somatic tinnitus that fluctuates with all movement, especially with my Jaw, neck, or upper back. I've noticed that my TMJ joint s sticking way out when I open my mouth, and my mouth opens sideways, so I will invest in getting that looked at. It gets loudest when I bite down.

I almost wish I could "tweak" my T levels by movement. I would think that when having such somatic T it would open up some possibilities for treatment? Since my problem origins in the inner ear, I will have to wait for that famous cure to come a long somewhere down the road.

But my curiosity about why and what causes the Tinnitus to fluctuate is enormous.

 

[threefirefour]

I almost wish I could "tweak" my T levels by movement. I would think that when having such somatic T it would open up some possibilities for treatment? Since my problem origins in the inner ear, I will have to wait for that famous cure to come a long somewhere down the road.

But my curiosity about why and what causes the Tinnitus to fluctuate is enormous.

Good question. My tinnitus seems to get a lot better whenever I lay down.

 

[Makrohn]

Good question. My tinnitus seems to get a lot better whenever I lay down.

Nothing I do changes my T... I could be sitting in a chair when it all of a sudden changes pitch or intensity. And it goes on for hours before it changes again. I just cant think of anything other than some sort of chemical or nerve activity in the body to be the cause of it... Unless food has something to do with it. But I doubt that.

 

[threefirefour]

Nothing I do changes my T... I could be sitting in a chair when it all of a sudden changes pitch or intensity. And it goes on for hours before it changes again. I just cant think of anything other than some sort of chemical or nerve activity in the body to be the cause of it... Unless food has something to do with it. But I doubt that.

I don't think that's somatic but that is interesting. Somatic is more treatable and I wonder if my tinnitus could be reduced. I feel as if my tinnitus is WAY too bad for how good my hearing is. I can hear up to 19khz and no significant dips (professionally tested)

 

[Makrohn]

I don't think that's somatic but that is interesting. Somatic is more treatable and I wonder if my tinnitus could be reduced. I feel as if my tinnitus is WAY too bad for how good my hearing is. I can hear up to 19khz and no significant dips (professionally tested)

My new T could of course be related to my hearing loss, but I have not had any big change in my loss the last 2-3 years. And I do regularly check up´s with my ENT and audiologist.
At the same time, my father and 4 uncles have the same hearing loss as I do, not ONE of them has Tinnitus.
Lucky me!

But either way, fluctuating Tinnitus is interesting regardless the cause of T. It should be considered important information for researchers and others doing studies on Tinnitus.

 

[threefirefour]

My new T could of course be related to my hearing loss, but I have not had any big change in my loss the last 2-3 years. And I do regularly check up´s with my ENT and audiologist.
At the same time, my father and 4 uncles have the same hearing loss as I do, not ONE of them has Tinnitus.
Lucky me!

But either way, fluctuating Tinnitus is interesting regardless the cause of T. It should be considered important information for researchers and others doing studies on Tinnitus.

I agree. If there's a brain imbalance that can be causing it to become louder, then we should be able to reverse it to make it quieter.

 

[Makrohn]

I agree. If there's a brain imbalance that can be causing it to become louder, then we should be able to reverse it to make it quieter.

Fingers crossed someone cracks the code to reverse it.
I would be more than happy with just some relief from time to time.

 

[Makrohn]

A little update here;

The last week my anxiety levels have been decreasing and I have been able to enjoy things more than before.
My new T however is flaring up like never before.. I am really struggling to find the cause of this, as it seems that it is about to stabilize on the higher end of the scale. I was hoping that this new T was due to my extreme levels of anxiety and stress, but now I am not so sure any more, and that scares me.

My new T is only in my right ear, and it fluctuates throughout the day and is a pure tone. I have now 3 sounds in my right ear in different pitches and frequencies. It also seems like it is reactive in some way, something I have never experienced before...

I will have to mention that because of my anxiety going down, I have been living more unhealthy the last week, so MAYBY the food has something to do with it. I have not been analyzing my diet but I know there has been more sugar, wheat and salt than before.

 

[TinniTom]

I was hoping that this new T was due to my extreme levels of anxiety and stress, but now I am not so sure any more, and that scares me.

From my experience it takes some time after bringing anxiety and stress under control. I hope you doing better in the meantime.

 

[Makrohn]

You are probably right about that. I have been doing somewhat better since the last post, but my T is still very fluctuating and it is hard to ignore it. I am going to measure my cortisol levels soon, and I am curios if my levels of this stress hormon are high and if it can be related to my T.

I continue to do the things I have done that works for me, and time is always a helpful friend.

 

[TinniTom]

According to my T experience I should know "how to live with tinnitus" but today it's really, really hard. The very loud and high tone in my right ear is "sharper" somehow and even though it's probably the same volume or maybe just a bit louder it brings me to the limit today. Of course I already had bad days and survived it somehow but today it's hard to believe.

I hope it will be better tomorrow...

 

[Makrohn]

I know all about how you feel @TinniTom
Having T for 21 years and coping ok until this year is really hard... But as you say, we have survived bad days before, and we will survive them again.

Stay strong my friend, I will be having you in my thoughts!

 

[TinniTom]

Thank you very much @Makrohn !! It really helps to know I'm not alone.

 

[Makrohn]

Together we are strong, and we shall survive this until there is a relief or cure available.
Feel free to contact my anytime if you are in need of support @TinniTom

 

[TinniTom]

Many thanks again @Makrohn really good to know.

May I ask you to describe your T in volume and how it sounds? I have read a few of your posts and it seems your T i quite loud too?

Maybe you would join my little survey too?
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/little-tinnitus-survey.21317/#post-246003

 

[Makrohn]

My Tinnitus is in both ears, I have 3 sounds in my right ear and 1 in my left ear. I have a hiss with a very high pitch in both ears and in my right I have 2 pure different tones in addition. The volume is hard to rate, and I have not measured it, but I would say I am constantly living on an 8/10 but it touches 10 several times a week. Sometimes I am down in, lets say a 6 or if I´m lucky a 5. It is hard to find noise that masks it and at the same time feel pleasant.

I would say that before this summer, I have been living ok with it these years, but this summer I suffered from a really heavy periode of anxiety, and since then it has been really invasive and making it difficult to cope. As I am writing this it is screaming in my ears. It is not easy getting through the days, but I live in the hope that we will se some sort of relief within not distant future.

I will join your survey

 

[Makrohn]

Update:

So, all of a sudden my T has changed... it is now more in my left ear and I have a sense of hyperacusis also. I find this weird as I have not been exposed to any loud noise or illness. My anxiety is also much better, so it makes no sense. I really hope this is just a temporary situation, cause my left ear, is my good ear. I cant believe that anxiety did this to me, and when I am finally getting better from anxiety, T is making things much worse.

Never in my 20 years of T have I experienced that my T has changed like this from one ear to the other. Suddenly it got twice as hard to cope.

Anyone known to this phenomenon? I really dont know how to cope with this right now.

 

[Makrohn]

Update:

After coming down with cold and a stomach flu during christmas, my T just got worse and worse. I almost lost it in the worst periods but made it through. After that, my level did get somewhat better for å short while. But it did not last.. I really think I have one of the worst cases of T with multiple tones fluctuating during the day, random loud beeps coming out of the the blue and muffled hearing in addition to my hearing loss. It has now been 4 months since my T changed and it is still there... I have tried to find things to get some relief, but no luck so far. Audio just makes things worse so there is basically no help available. My final hope is that the change in my T is because of fatigue after a long periode of stress and anxiety. If someone else with multiple sounds are reading this, please let me know what coping strategies you have and what tools you use.