Do You Think Tinnitus Can Turn Us Into Negative People?

[derpytia]

I find that since I've gotten T people say that sometimes I get a little... negative to be around? I find myself being kinda pessimistic and down and it upsets some people on here and out in the real world. I never used to be this way pre-T. It feels like I'm always caught between that pesky feeling of almost hope and being grouchy in a way that would scream "everyone needs to just stop hoping there's nothing to be done for us" or "why are people so happy all the time" or just negative thoughts in general. some people would say that T has just turned them into a 'realist' but as for me i'm not so sure.

 

[Sound Wave]

Yes, most certainly it can. This is, however, something we must battle against.

 

[Telis]

Yeah for sure. I think if you are being punished 24 7 and your quality of life has been taken away, staying positive about anything In life is a challenge. But yeah, you try.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Derpyia,

Life is problematic and there is no doubt that tinnitus can make one have a negative outlook on life when it's loud and intrusive. Although you have had tinnitus just over 1.5 years, in real terms this is not long although I'm sure it feels quite the opposite for you. The majority of people do learn to habituate to tinnitus and go on to lead a fulfilling life. Believe me it will happen but it takes time.

It also depends what caused your tinnitus? If it was exposure to loud noise, then I suggest you refrain from being around loud sounds and it would be prudent not to listen to audio through headphones even at low volume.

If you are not under the care of an ENT clinic/Hearing Therapist, then I suggest you have a word with your GP and asked to be referred. Please read my post Positivity and Tinnitus. An Introduction to Tinnitus, further down in the forum as you may find them helpful.

Michael

 

[Atlantis]

it would be prudent not to listen to audio through headphones even at low volume.

Source for this please. Headphones at low/moderate volume doesn't cause damage as far as I know.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Everyone is different. And if a person's tinnitus was caused by exposure to loud noise then the hairs around the cochlear are already damaged. It is up to the individual if they want to take the risk. If one feels lucky then go ahead, just remember, it is that individual that will have to live with the tinnitus should it become more intrusive. Despite what an ENT Dr might say that headphone use doesn't cause further damage to one's hearing. Remember, they are Doctors that know about the anatomy of the ear but the majority of them have never experienced tinnitus. It is true, normal headphone use in most cases wont cause tinnitus, however, if listening to audio through headphones was the innitual cause of the tinnitus or exposure to loud noise, then it would be prudent not to listen to audio through headphones even at low volumes in my opinion.

 

[Telis]

Everyone is different. And if a person's tinnitus was caused by exposure to loud noise then the hairs around the cochlear are already damaged. It is up to the individual if they want to take the risk. If one feels lucky then go ahead, just remember, it is that individual that will have to live with the tinnitus should it become more intrusive. Despite what an ENT Dr might say that headphone use doesn't cause further damage to one's hearing. Remember, they are Doctors that know about the anatomy of the ear but the majority of them have never experienced tinnitus. It is true, normal headphone use in most cases wont cause tinnitus, however, if listening to audio through headphones was the innitual cause of the tinnitus or exposure to loud noise, then it would be prudent not to listen to audio through headphones even at low volumes in my opinion.

What is your opinion on in ear noise generators? Bad idea?

 

[Michael Leigh]

I wear in-ear white noise generators for many years. I have written an article on Headphone use and white noise generators, which if you haven't read I will post it. In ear white noise generators are completely different from music through headphones I will post it shortly and you can read it and make up your own mind. Just remember, Drs know about the anatomy of the ear but the majority of them have never experienced tinnitus. It is true everyone is different, but ask yourself, do you really want to take the risk of making your tinnitus worse? I certainly won't.

 

[Telis]

I wear in-ear white noise generators for many years. I have written an article on Headphone use and white noise generators, which if you haven't read I will post it. In ear white noise generators are completely different from music through headphones I will post it shortly and you can read it and make up your own mind. Just remember, Drs know about the anatomy of the ear but the majority of them have never experienced tinnitus. It is true everyone is different, but ask yourself, do you really want to take the risk of making your tinnitus worse? I certainly won't.

Cool, yes I would like to read. What about noise gens that produce other sounds? Not just white noise

 

[Michael Leigh]

In my opinion, the only safe sound that I would put into my ear is a prescribed white noise generator WNG given to me by my ENT clinic. I have been wearing them for years without any adverse effects. I suppose, pink, noise, brown noise etc would be ok but not the kind of sounds that you can download from the internet and listen to through headphones. You should be under the care a Hearing Therapist if you want white noise generators, then you can be examined for suitability.

 

[Telis]

In my opinion, the only safe sound that I would put into my ear is a prescribed white noise generator WNG given to me by my ENT clinic. I have been wearing them for years without any adverse effects. I suppose, pink, noise, brown noise etc would be ok but not the kind of sounds that you can download from the internet and listen to through headphones. You should be under the care a Hearing Therapist if you want white noise generators, then you can be examined for suitability.

Well some of the generators use chimes etc, that's kind of what I was refurring to. I'm still curious as to why you think music directly in the ear ( vs white noise) is potentially more dangerous.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I didn't say it was dangerous to listen to audio through headphones. I said it's risky. I have posted my article in the forum so you can read it and make up your own mind. With 20 years experience having tinnitus I wouldn't go near a pair of headphones for all the tea in china...
Michael

 

[Dana]

I didn't say it was dangerous to listen to audio through headphones. I said it's risky. I have posted my article in the forum so you can read it and make up your own mind. With 20 years experience having tinnitus I wouldn't go near a pair of headphones for all the tea in china...
Michael

You you kindly give us the link to that article, cause it's kinda difficult to open all your posts and look for it.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have just posted it on the forum titled Headphone, white noise generator and tinnitus

 

[Michael Leigh]

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/headphones-white-noise-generators-and-tinnitus.12112/

Here is the link above....

 

[Dana]

Ok, thanks.

 

[Michael Leigh]

you might find my Introduction on tinnitus, which is a book that I'm writing helpful.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/an-introduction-to-tinnitus.12100/

 

[uae96]

you might find my Introduction on tinnitus, which is a book that I'm writing helpful.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/an-introduction-to-tinnitus.12100/

What about car speakers ?
I suspect it to be my cause of tinntis as I realized it the same night I had it on very loud

 

[Michael Leigh]

You have answered your own question. When your tinnitus was caused by exposure to loud noise then you have to be more careful especially low frequency bass sounds. Keep the volume low. I find an article that I've writeen on tinnitus helpful. It is a project still in progress. The link is below.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/an-introduction-to-tinnitus.12100/

 

[Dana]

What about car speakers ?
I suspect it to be my cause of tinntis as I realized it the same night I had it on very loud

Car speakers put on high volume are one of the worst cases of loud noise exposures, as the sound waves in that little enclosed space have nowhere to escape and are bounced back by the interior of the car.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Well said Dana. Many people that are listening to their music at high volume in their cars and through personal headphones do not realise what is going to happen if they continue.

 

[uae96]

Car speakers put on high volume are one of the worst cases of loud noise exposures, as the sound waves in that little enclosed space have nowhere to escape and are bounced back by the interior of the car.

Wish I knew that before

 

[linearb]

Chronic illnesses across the board force us to reevaluate our lives and come to terms with the nature of suffering.

For me, this process has definitely changed me, but on the whole I'd say I have a much more positive view of the world than I did when I was 15 or 20. I'm sure it can go the other way, and perhaps it does so a large amount of the time.

 

[Natalie Roberts]

I've only been dealing with this for about4 weeks am pregnant and am overly emotional and grouchy. I start off the day with lots of anxiety about how my T will be today.. Then I kind of taper off and try to focus on being positive and I'm okay for a few hours then by the evening I'm exhausted emotionally/mentally and the noise is driving me crazy so I have a short fuse and am frustrated and irritable. I have 2 kids and by 7pm or so I'm finding myself just being a jerk in general about my life and this stupid noise. Also, I get random bouts of panic which cause me to be more negative. Its a struggle to get through each day and try to be positive but I do make an effort with positive reaffirmations / meditation throughout the day. I can tell you this.. If my T goes away, I will never take "being healthy" for granted again.

 

[derpytia]

Bringing this back on topic. I also find myself constantly warning my fellow musicians and peers at school to protect protect protect and sometimes they agree but then don't protect anyway and some of them are polite but you can tell they get annoyed. And more than a few people have commented that I'm being overly fearful of life and negative. I just want to protect my friends and not have them go through what I am.

 

[Blackbird26]

Bringing this back on topic. I also find myself constantly warning my fellow musicians and peers at school to protect protect protect and sometimes they agree but then don't protect anyway and some of them are polite but you can tell they get annoyed. And more than a few people have commented that I'm being overly fearful of life and negative. I just want to protect my friends and not have them go through what I am.

Although kind, stop wasting your energy.