Am I Stupid for Not Trying Anything to 'Cure' My Tinnitus?

[devonlee]

Generally speaking, my tinnitus really doesn't bother me much. I wish it wasn't there but it never keeps me awake and it doesn't cause me any emotional stress.

I've never really tried anything beyond a 1 week trial of hearing aids to cure my tinnitus and I don't really know why.

Maybe I'm now wondering what some simple things are that often work for less severe tinnitus. It's probably worth at least trying something.

 

[glynis]

In most cases mild tinnitus even if permanent will fade into the background as your brain builds up its on filter.
You might hear it if listen out for it but you won't be bothered by it.
You might get spikes but should settle down again like after a cold virus.

Love glynis

 

[Michael Leigh]

Maybe I'm now wondering what some simple things are that often work for less severe tinnitus. It's probably worth at least trying something.

Try to accept your tinnitus and in time you will learn to lignore it. Habituate. Many people such as myself, have it much more severe and have to take medication to help cope with it.
Michael

 

[devonlee]

@Michael Leigh I have basically already done that. I'm very grateful that my tinnitus is so mild that it doesn't affect my day to day life. I was just wondering if there was something I should be trying, with no expectations but just to say that I've tried it.

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh I have basically already done that. I'm very grateful that my tinnitus is so mild that it doesn't affect my day to day life. I was just wondering if there was something I should be trying, with no expectations but just to say that I've tried it.

It all depends what has caused your tinnitus? I see on your Avatar that you have hearing loss. If this is the case hearing loss can cause tinnitus and therefore, it's a good idea to get tested for a hearin aid/s. If the cause is exposure to loud noise I don't see what else you can do other, using sound enrichment when in quiet surroundings and leave the rest to time. You haven't had tinnitus long, so I believe in time you'll forget about it like so many people do that have it mild.

Michael

 

[PaulBe]

Apart from what Michael has said above, you've already done what you need to do. There's nothing useful left for you to try. Move on.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Apart from what Michael has said above, you've already done what you need to do. There's nothing useful left for you to try. Move on.

Well said @PaulBe. Please don't take this the wrong way @devonlee, but the best thing that you can do in my opinion is to forget all about tinnitus and as Paul rightly says move on......

 

[Rubenslash]

No there is nothing worth trying at this moment

 

[Jomo]

try this.... http://generalfuzz.net/acrn/

its not masking and it actually reduces my tinnitus while listening to it. I know that there is alot of controversy about ACRN but I find that this is the best thing in reducing my T. After every pause throughout listening to it I pretty much hear silence or the faint sound of my T. Please give it a try. It may not cure it but it may provide you with some better relief.

 

[devonlee]

Well I'm glad that the majority agree with me not doing anything for my tinnitus. I did trial hearing aids, hated them as they made the tinnitus worse and I've gone back to just living my life. @Rubenslash @Michael Leigh @PaulBe

 

[Joanne Philps]

@Michael Leigh @PaulBe , I'd just like to know how you habituated , I've had tinnitus and balance problems for 7 months now and not a second of the day goes by without it, it is so loud in both ears, screeching 24/7 and then in my right ear I get a generator in the evenings, I am not stressed , do not have anxiety and the most stressful thing I have to do each day is decide what to wear!
I thought mine was caused by a flight but a balance test two weeks ago indicated it's my balance nerve in my left ear according to the audiologist most probably viral, so how do I move on, when the noise is so loud, went to bed tonight at midnight so tired, tried to sleep, not working, put on my 'sound machine' just purchased after reading reviews and here I am 1.15 a.m , yet another night no sleep and keep reading about habituation etc etc and want to scream as loud as these noises in both my ears, f.y.i I have no hearing loss either, just the loudest noise 24/7 and no relief!

 

[Paul10]

If it doesn't bother you, then my best advise would be to protect your ears, avoid loud concerts, keep your stress levels down, exercise regularly, eat well and try to forget about it. Good luck and God bless!

 

[Michael Leigh]

I'd just like to know how you habituated ,

Hi @Joanne Philps

The habituation process and length of time it will take will be different for everyone but in most cases achievable. You have a medical condition that's affecting your inner ear and giving you problems with your balance. This is probably causing the tinnitus too. I advise speaking to your ENT doctor and see whether your balance can be corrected with treatment? If it can then hopefully your tinnitus will improve.

When someone such as yourself has an underlying medical condition in the inner ear that's also causing tinnitus, it is not the same as straightforward tinnitus which was caused by exposure to loud noise. This is the most common cause of the condition and I believe easier to treat using sound therapy and perhaps counselling in more severe cases.

I am confident that the problem with your balance should be able to be treated with medication. White noise generators can also be helpful, so do have a word with your ENT doctor. I think you should be referred to a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in the management of tinnitus. I have written some articles on tinnitus that explains treatment and coping methods including the habituation process that you might find helpful. Please click on the links below.

Hope you start to feel better soon.
All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-habituation-possible.12758/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-does-habituation-to-tinnitus-mean.12409/

 

[PaulBe]

He's right Joanne. Your situation is more complex. If you just dealt with tinnitus and hyperacusis that would be enough, but balance issues into the mix as well? That is an added layer most of us don't have to contend with.

 

[Joanne Philps]

@Michael Leigh @PaulBe
Thank you for your replies and thank you Michael for the links you provided, I have read those also.
It is encouraging that you think maybe just maybe mine will get better if and when the balance issues are sorted, but having been told to go away and get on with firstly labyrinthitis , then Menieres, then Vestibular migraine, my hopes are not great and whilst I more than appreciate our NHS is overwhelmed and the ENT doctors are the same, I do wonder now that if someone had actually listened to me when this began, instead of ticking a list that my balance issues might not be as bad, and the tinnitus not as awful, as they say the damage was caused by a virus, I'm not saying I'm more important than anyone else but as someone who was fortunate enough to have very good health until this, when I was telling them my symptoms , they didn't 'fit' with with the above and 6 months on betahistine, cerc and beta blockers was a waste of my money and everyone's time, so mobility issues and screeching 24/7 , I just wish someone had taken the time!

 

[Michael Leigh]

I was telling them my symptoms , they didn't 'fit' with with the above and 6 months on betahistine, cerc and beta blockers was a waste of my money and everyone's time, so mobility issues and screeching 24/7 , I just wish someone had taken the time!

Hi Joanne,
Keep going back to ENT and I feel confident you'll be able to get the help that you need.
Michael

 

[PaulBe]

I'm not saying I'm more important than anyone else

But you are just as important as anyone else.

 

[devonlee]

@Joanne Philps I'm glad others were able to offer you some advice. I don't come on here very often as I find even talking about tinnitus causes me to focus on it.
I have done the most basic things possible to "habituate". I really just never let it bother me much. I don't think mine is as loud or as severe as many people, including you, describe. I describe mine as "the sound you hear when you've left the TV on with no sound" - kind of that high pitched buzzing. Most days I don't notice it and if I do I don't stress about it. There isn't much that I can do about it and therefore I don't worry about it but that's my personality as well. I've always been a person who could stay calm in traffic because if you're driving a major highway at 5pm, you have to expect that there will be traffic and not get mad about it.
I did trial hearing aids for a week because my hearing test showed minor hearing loss but I found that the hearing aids made me focus on the tinnitus as well as making it much louder so I decided I was better off without them. They did not have maskers because I've never been a fan of background noise.

I agree with everyone here that your issues are complex and are likely all linked so fixing one may fix them all.