Anxiety, Severe Hearing Loss + Severe Tinnitus

[Makrohn]

Hi,

So I've had panic attacks for about 17 years, and tinnitus for 20 years. I also have moderate/severe hearing loss of about 60 dB in both ears. In the last 3 months my anxiety level has exploded as well as tinnitus in one of my ears. I am having a real hard time coping with this new type of anxiety, the hearing loss and the spiking tinnitus on top of it all. The combination is like my worst nightmare.

How do you get through the days with family, friends and social activities? The anxiety is eating me up from the inside.

For the record, I have not taken any benzos or similar due to my fear of tinnitus getting worse.

If you have experience with an antidepressant that does not affect tinnitus, I would like to hear about it.

Take care!

 

[IntotheBlue03]

Hey @Makrohn, five years later, how are you doing today with your anxiety and tinnitus?

I am 2 months in and was nearly hospitalized the other week.

Thanks if you ever see this.

 

[Makrohn]

Hey @Makrohn, five years later, how are you doing today with your anxiety and tinnitus?

I am 2 months in and was nearly hospitalized the other week.

Thanks if you ever see this.

Hi there!

I am doing quite OK with my anxiety, but my tinnitus is still bothering me pretty much every single day.

Some days are better than others and I do what I can to distract my mind from it by exercising, taking walks, meditating and so on. Find comfort in the fact that it does get better, especially since you are so new to this. You just have to stay strong, because the first 6-12 months are the worst.

Wishing you all the best!

 

[IntotheBlue03]

Hi there!

I am doing quite OK with my anxiety, but my tinnitus is still bothering me pretty much every single day.

Some days are better than others and I do what I can to distract my mind from it by exercising, taking walks, meditating and so on. Find comfort in the fact that it does get better, especially since you are so new to this. You just have to stay strong, because the first 6-12 months are the worst.

Wishing you all the best!

@Makrohn, thank you kindly for the feedback. So you are still not habituated at this point but it no longer causes you anxiety? That's good to know. The fight or flight response I'm stuck in is definitely the worst.

 

[Makrohn]

@Makrohn, thank you kindly for the feedback. So you are still not habituated at this point but it no longer causes you anxiety? That's good to know. The fight or flight response I'm stuck in is definitely the worst.

I think I am as habituated as I can get with my kind of tinnitus. I have several different tones and sounds going on, and they all tend to shift in pitch and volume through the day. There are days it drives me mad, but I have to say, there are more of the days I don't care at all about it. I have accepted that the only thing I can do at this is point, is to treat my body and mental health the best I can. Trying my best to be in places I enjoy and find happiness in. It took some time getting there, but it is very much possible.

Hang in there, it will get better eventually if you manage to shift your focus gradually over to the things that still matters the most in your life. Tinnitus will probably always be there, but don't let it win and take over your life and opportunities.

 

[UKBloke]

I have to say, there are more of the days I don't care at all about it. I have accepted that the only thing I can do at this is point, is to treat my body and mental health the best I can. Trying my best to be in places I enjoy and find happiness in. It took some time getting there, but it is very much possible.

This comment has made my day. I am SO pleased to read it and SO pleased for you. All the best, man.

 

[Makrohn]

This comment has made my day. I am SO pleased to read it and SO pleased for you. All the best, man.

Cheers mate

 

[gameover]

How are you doing @Makrohn? Still around? You wrote your case was severe, yet you got used to it. So is mine, but pretty much right on the onset, and I just can't see how can I hope. I'd like to hang in, but seems impossible.