ENT Said If Tinnitus Doesn't Get Better in 3 Months, the Brain Memorizes It, and Never Gets Better

[Agrajag364]

Ok then. Sorry. I am in severe pain and with the tinnitus as it is, part of me is not really objecting to anything as I don't expect to be here much longer.

Please don't say that. Pain on top of tinnitus can be incredibly difficult. Things might yet improve.

 

[Agrajag364]

I am sorry to say, but I can actually relate to that, I literally could not read over a single sentence without losing focus (let alone post anywhere on the internet) for the first 20+ days after my tinnitus onset, it was that debilitating, try doing anything when you go from knowing silence to a raging 60 dB masking level high pitched sound in your ear and let's see how you fare. Not everyone experience the same tinnitus or the same level of distress associated with it.

I still went to work because I was not afforded a single sick day (thanks to the uselessness of the French ENTs (I have seen several), but needless to say I wasn't very productive, I only started to become a functioning individual once I forced myself to adopt an optimistic mindset (around day 20th) and my tinnitus loudness started decreasing (on the 23rd day), I became aware of tinnitus talk on day 2 after my tinnitus onset, and the reasons I didn't post wasn't because I didn't want to, I literally couldn't, all I could focus for more than a minute was my tinnitus and making it stop by any means necessary, including killing myself (which, thankfully, I did not do, I daresay that I wasn't quite myself back then, depression and distress makes you envision things you wouldn't normally do).

Sorry to hear that account of extreme distress. I wasn't far off the same at the beginning of my tinnitus, certainly suicidal as it was so extremely loud and difficult to bear on top of my other conditions. No I wasn't disagreeing that some people might not feel like posting due to suicidal distress, I was just disagreeing that this was a hard and fast rule and anyone posting here couldn't possibly be suicidal. That is a frankly dangerous thing for Michael Leigh to say to vulnerable people.

 

[Markku]

You may not like to hear it but it is the truth: If a person has severe debilitating tinnitus, they will not be able to function properly and this will prevent them from doing all the things that I have mentioned in my previous post, and that includes posting regularly on any Internet forum.

You seriously have to (and this is not a request) stop claiming it as a universal truth that people in immediate genuine suicide risk cannot use the internet, or post on online forums, if they have severe, debilitating tinnitus. You are making it sound like you know this for a fact, which is a bunch of baloney written in a very arrogant tone.

We - and other online tinnitus support resources such as some of the Facebook groups - have tragically had members post, and take their own lives. I know some of these people personally (been in contact with their spouses etc.), and I can attest to this fact. As can many of our other members who've known people posting online and taking their lives.

I absolutely will never be able to understand how you can state such a thing as fact, when many people have witnessed it not be the case. You're truly unable to change your thinking, or accept that you might be wrong, and learn from your errors. Some humility would go a long way.

Now I know your response already; my parents must have been awful if I'm able to disagree with you in this way, and you will not entertain a response to me because I'm such a vile human being for not seeing eye to eye with you. You're about to say goodbye to me and wish me good luck, while not accepting any responsibility for possibly having been wrong all along. You probably will also say that all of this is based on you having tinnitus for 23 years, which makes you more of an expert than anybody else, pretty much. I'm just an inexperienced loser, having had tinnitus for only 9 years and been here many hours every single day for the past 8 years...

 

[Michael Leigh]

that people in immediate genuine suicid

I have never once said people at immediate risk of committing suicide shouldn't be able to use the Internet. Please do not take what I say and mean out of context.

Thank you.
Michael

 

[Michael Leigh]

Now I know your response already; my parents must have been awful if I'm able to disagree with you in this way, and you will not entertain a response to me because I'm such a vile human being for not seeing eye to eye with you. You're about to say goodbye to me and wish me good luck, while not accepting any responsibility for possibly having been wrong all along. You probably will also say that all of this is based on you having tinnitus for 23 years, which makes you more of an expert than anybody else, pretty much. I'm just an inexperienced loser, having had tinnitus for only 9 years and been here many hours every single day for the past 8 years...

However you wish to pre-empt my thoughts that is entirely your affair but please refrain from telling me what I think and will do.

Good day.

 

[Star64]

Hi, may I ask, what types of hormonal changes did you get that caused your T to come back? My tinnitus started after a rapid hormonal change, the worst I had ever been through in my life. I initially thought it was caused by paracetamol with codeine (that I was using for the pain from caused by hormones) but the ringing started straight after this severe hormonal event so I think it might have been causes by this.

My hormonal unbalance was due to being peri menopausal, so my estrogen was dropping significantly, strangely enough when I was placed on an estrogen patch my tinnitus would go way lower but unfortunately I could not keep using this patch for other reasons otherwise I would have stayed on it...

I told an ENT this a few months ago and he he found that interesting because studies have been conducted previously showing that hormonal therapy had lowered females tinnitus.. I looked these studies up and yes there were positive results from the use of hormone therapy for tinnitus. He went on to explain about tinnitus and our GABA system as hormones also go through this pathway. Which is why he thinks they may have been found useful.

He said most drugs that are successful in treating tinnitus that go through this pathway also can down regulate our GABA receptors and actually cause tinnitus. Which is why benzodiazepines he said are not a long term treatment option for tinnitus. He also said high dose tegretol was effective in treating tinnitus and that ENTs have known this for ages but also because of its high side effect profile it is no longer an option for treating tinnitus.

I am unsure if all this information is correct, but hormone therapy especially estrogen did help my tinnitus....

 

[Hazel]

I have never once said people at immediate risk of committing suicide shouldn't be able to use the Internet. Please do not take what I say and mean out of context.

But that IS exactly what you said. You said that people who are debilitated by their tinnitus are unable to post regularly on an internet forum.

 

[Michael Leigh]

But that IS exactly what you said. You said that people who are debilitated by their tinnitus are unable to post regularly on an internet forum.

Indeed. That is correct unable to post "regularly" I did not say a person that is suicidal will be unable to post. I know as others do in this forum how severe and debilitating tinnitus can be and how it affects a person's mental and emotional well-being under such circumstances, and I stand by everything that I have said because I know what I am talking about. I do not know everything about tinnitus and never said I have. There are some very knowledgeable people in this forum that know how tinnitus can affect a person and I have a lot of respect for them.

I do not like being misquoted or what I say being taken out of context or anyone trying to tell me what I "think" or what I am "about to do". One is entitled to their thoughts and if they wish to pre-empt what I think or wish to do then keep it to themselves.

Now, please do me the courtesy of allowing me to continue to attend to people that ask for my help.
Thank you

Michael

 

[GregCA]

I am sorry to say, but I can actually relate to that, I literally could not read over a single sentence without losing focus (let alone post anywhere on the internet) for the first 20+ days after my tinnitus onset, it was that debilitating, try doing anything when you go from knowing silence to a raging 60 dB masking level high pitched sound in your ear and let's see how you fare.

That pretty much describes my tinnitus.
24x7, no breaks, no "good days". Completely consistent second after second.

 

[Mathieulh]

That pretty much describes my tinnitus.
24x7, no breaks, no "good days". Completely consistent second after second.

My baseline (when there's no spike) is around 25 dB currently, which makes it a mild (albeit borderline moderate), form of tinnitus for the most part, when severe spikes occur, I still go into the 45 dB of masking level noise though (sometimes higher), those don't occur 24/7 though, so I can only hope the occurrences decrease. I did get one afternoon of silence (or at least low enough that I wouldn't hear it in a silent room) once a couple of months ago, then tinnitus got back as soon as I woke up, it never left since (though always fluctuates).

I hope yours gets better, sadly ears take time to heal (when they do). We can only hope for better treatment to come along in time.

 

[Agrajag364]

The fact that you are posting in this forum is proof that at the time your tinnitus was not severely debilitating. If it was you wouldn't even feel like turning on your computer and logging into TT. If you work and can do all the necessary tasks that most people do in order to live, then your tinnitus is not debilitating. Granted, it may be intrusive at times you are still able to go about doing your daily affairs. If you are not taking any form of medication: sleeping draft, clonazepam or using devices such as white noise generators, or under the care of an Hearing Therapist or Audiologist, this is another indication your tinnitus isn't severe and therefore, be thankful and try to be a little more positive instead of allowing yourself to be so negative.

I have said my piece and good day to you

Michael

I don't mean to gang up on you Michael despite my flippancy early in the thread. My admiration of some of the advice you give others is genuine. Some of it's decent, and you're giving off your time to help others. Kindness is a great virtue.

But you have said previously on another thread that logging into Tinnitus Talk and posting is proof that a person's tinnitus is not debilitating, quoted above, no caveat of "regularly". This just cannot be true if members have taken their lives due to the burden of their tinnitus not long after posting - by definition, they are finding their tinnitus severe and debilitating, obviously they are. It would be good if you just took that one out of your repertoire of advice to the newly diagnosed and vulnerable in case it does harm.

 

[Lulu187]

My hormonal unbalance was due to being peri menopausal, so my estrogen was dropping significantly, strangely enough when I was placed on an estrogen patch my tinnitus would go way lower but unfortunately I could not keep using this patch for other reasons otherwise I would have stayed on it...

I told an ENT this a few months ago and he he found that interesting because studies have been conducted previously showing that hormonal therapy had lowered females tinnitus.. I looked these studies up and yes there were positive results from the use of hormone therapy for tinnitus. He went on to explain about tinnitus and our GABA system as hormones also go through this pathway. Which is why he thinks they may have been found useful.

He said most drugs that are successful in treating tinnitus that go through this pathway also can down regulate our GABA receptors and actually cause tinnitus. Which is why benzodiazepines he said are not a long term treatment option for tinnitus. He also said high dose tegretol was effective in treating tinnitus and that ENTs have known this for ages but also because of its high side effect profile it is no longer an option for treating tinnitus.

I am unsure if all this information is correct, but hormone therapy especially estrogen did help my tinnitus....

My problem was symptoms of having too much estrogen, like extremely sore breasts to the point where I couldn't move my arms or body, then when the pain went away, the tinnitus started.

I would have thought that high estrogen levels where to blame, but your experience was that estrogen actually helped lower the tinnitus. Very interesting, I'll do some more research on this

 

[Kai Love]

But that IS exactly what you said. You said that people who are debilitated by their tinnitus are unable to post regularly on an internet forum.

Yeah, I have to back Michael here. His words are definitely being taken out of context. I don't want to anger people here. I think most US/UK/AUS/NZ "English" predominant countries would understand the gist of what he meant. I realize this is overly generalized and somewhat stereotypical--and I apologize for that. I almost didn't want to write a response due to that. However, Michael's posts (and many other people on this forum) have helped me greatly.

The 2 days that I had suicidal thoughts, there was no way I could have posted on this site. However, everyone is different. I did read a lot about other peoples experiences during those days, which helped, A LOT.

Happy Friday, everyone. Let's go All Blacks rugby! Beat England tomorrow! Had to finish this post on a different note. Take care, all.

-Kai

 

[Michael Leigh]

But you have said previously that logging into Tinnitus Talk and posting is proof that a person's tinnitus is not

Despite me saying you were placed on ignore I haven't done so as yet. Although we have crossed swords occasionally I do like some of the things you have to say. Again, my words are taken out of context and for the last time I will explain what I mean and hope it is not misconstrued.

I have never said if a person logs onto this forum or any other that it is proof their tinnitus is not debilitating. I am saying a person with debilitating tinnitus which is sustained 24/7, their mental and emotional wellbeing will be adversely affected and thus, they will find it increasingly difficult to post regularly on an internet forum. In addition to this they will find it difficult to work, attend college or University etc for the reasons I've explained.

A person can have debilitating tinnitus but not necessarily all of the time and therefore, they are able to log onto internet forum and post. When the tinnitus is at a heightened state of intrusiveness and those have endured this will know what I mean, the last place they want to be is in front of a computer.

If a person is able to work, attend school, college etc regularly, I do not consider them to have severe debilitating tinnitus 24/7. I am not saying they will not experience periods where the tinnitus is problematic. Most people with severe debilitating tinnitus 24/7 will usually be under the care of a Hearing Therapist, Audiologist, ENT doctor or GP. They will be having some form of treatment either: Counselling, sound therapy, medication or a combination of all three because of the way the tinnitus will affect their mental and emotional wellbeing. Under such dire circumstances a person will consider suicide and need help. Some may even need to be hospitalised.

I have never once said a person that is suicidal will not be able to post on an Internet forum. A person in such a dilemma is desperate and will do anything including going online searching for help to convey their thoughts. It is something I do not wish to discus, for I have helped counsel two people that were contemplating suicide. One person explained to me at length, on the telephone, how he was going to end his life using a ligature. I found the experience most distressing.

In the five years I have been at this forum it is often mentioned that tinnitus is not regarded as a disability in the UK or any other country. This is not correct, I cannot speak for what goes on in other countries regarding tinnitus and disability. I live in the UK and know for a fact that tinnitus is regarded as a disability. However, certain criteria has to be met in order for a person to receive Sickness Benefit for tinnitus. I will not divulge in an open forum what the necessary criteria is. However, I will say please read between the lines in what I have written above to know what the benefit agency regard as severe debilitating tinnitus.

I will not be commenting further on this issue and politely ask people not to ask me any more questions on it.

Michael

 

[Hazel]

Yeah, I have to back Michael here. His words are definitely being taken out of context. I don't want to anger people here. I think most US/UK/AUS/NZ "English" predominant countries would understand the gist of what he meant. I realize this is overly generalized and somewhat stereotypical--and I apologize for that. I almost didn't want to write a response due to that. However, Michael's posts (and many other people on this forum) have helped me greatly.

Thanks, Kai, for being balanced about it. I don't think it has anything to do with being from an English speaking country or not; I was raised bilingually, so I speak English as well as any native speaker. And @Agrajag364, who posted here above, is a native speaker too.

It is of course entirely possible that I misinterpreted something. Yes, Micheal's posts are helpful to some, but he has repeated this particular statement in various threads, and many people (English speakers or not) have taken offense at it, since it seemed to imply that if they were posting they could not be debilated. As moderators of this forum, we felt this needed clearing up, since many felt slighted and belittled by this remark, whether that was the intention or not.

 

[pinklights98]

@PeteJ I believe it was loud and very bothersome (he had symptoms of fullness, music sounded extremely distorted, off-balance, hyperacusis). I think he began to experience improvements after a year, and by nearly two years he said everything was back to normal and no more tinnitus. He has a success story posted, you should check it out!

 

[Jcb]

I don't mean to gang up on you Michael despite my flippancy early in the thread. My admiration of some of the advice you give others is genuine. Some of it's decent, and you're giving off your time to help others. Kindness is a great virtue.

But you have said previously on another thread that logging into Tinnitus Talk and posting is proof that a person's tinnitus is not debilitating, quoted above, no caveat of "regularly". This just cannot be true if members have taken their lives due to the burden of their tinnitus not long after posting - by definition, they are finding their tinnitus severe and debilitating, obviously they are. It would be good if you just took that one out of your repertoire of advice to the newly diagnosed and vulnerable in case it does harm.

Michael has a very narrow minded view on Tinnitus and other subjects, it's his way or no way. He's unwilling to see others opinions and even when he is in the wrong he won't admit it, just hits that ignore button as ignorance is bliss. While I agree that he can be helpful, knowledgeable with certain things which I've said before, it's his lord of the "manner" and "gentleman" act (which is what it is, all an ACT) that's funny.

He constantly contradicts himself and now reading his last post to you he's back tracking as per usual nothing was taken out of context and I do think he writes some nasty things, especially calling people "undesirables" "being dragged up" for simply asking him a question or disagreeing with him.

For somebody who constantly goes on about class and manners, he's one the rudest members on here, who I find has little emotional intelligence. I find him a parody now and he makes me laugh if I'm honest. I don't think he's getting ganged up on at all, If he was less rude and more receptive to other's opinions and thoughts he may not irk as many people as he does.

 

[Agrajag364]

Michael has a very narrow minded view on Tinnitus and other subjects, it's his way or no way. He's unwilling to see others opinions and even when he is in the wrong he won't admit it, just hits that ignore button as ignorance is bliss. While I agree that he can be helpful, knowledgeable with certain things which I've said that before, it's his lord of the "manner" and "gentleman" act (which is what it is, all an ACT) he constantly contradicts himself and now reading his last post to you he's back tracking as per usual nothing was taken out of context and do I think he writes some nasty things, especially calling people "undesirables" "being dragged up" for simply asking him a question or disagreeing with him.

For somebody who constantly goes on about class and manners, he's one the rudest members on here, who I find has little emotional intelligence. I find him a parody now and he makes me laugh if I'm honest. I don't think he's getting ganged up on at all, If he was less rude and more receptive to other's opinions and thoughts he may not irk as many people as he does.

Yes there was no misinterpretation. The words from this post and previous ones are clear. Again, obviously, by definition, a person suicidal due to tinnitus is debilitated by it even if suicide is not mentioned. It's best to take the obfuscation as an acknowledgement of Markku's imperative. Whilst you could be right, I would like to hope that in future Michael will focus on the good he can do others and I hope that he helps more people than he drives away on this forum

 

[Mathieulh]

Despite me saying you were placed on ignore I haven't done so as yet. Although we have crossed swords occasionally I do like some of the things you have to say. Again, my words are taken out of context and for the last time I will explain what I mean and hope it is not misconstrued.

I have never said if a person logs onto this forum or any other that it is proof their tinnitus is not debilitating. I am saying a person with debilitating tinnitus which is sustained 24/7, their mental and emotional wellbeing will be adversely affected and thus, they will find it increasingly difficult to post regularly on an internet forum. In addition to this they will find it difficult to work, attend college or University etc for the reasons I've explained.

A person can have debilitating tinnitus but not necessarily all of the time and therefore, they are able to log onto internet forum and post. When the tinnitus is at a heightened state of intrusiveness and those have endured this will know what I mean, the last place they want to be is in front of a computer.

If a person is able to work, attend school, college etc regularly, I do not consider them to have severe debilitating tinnitus 24/7. I am not saying they will not experience periods where the tinnitus is problematic. Most people with severe debilitating tinnitus 24/7 will usually be under the care of a Hearing Therapist, Audiologist, ENT doctor or GP. They will be having some form of treatment either: Counselling, sound therapy, medication or a combination of all three because of the way the tinnitus will affect their mental and emotional wellbeing. Under such dire circumstances a person will consider suicide and need help. Some may even need to be hospitalised.

I have never once said a person that is suicidal will not be able to post on an Internet forum. A person in such a dilemma is desperate and will do anything including going online searching for help to convey their thoughts. It is something I do not wish to discus, for I have helped counsel two people that were contemplating suicide. One person explained to me at length, on the telephone, how he was going to end his life using a ligature. I found the experience most distressing.

In the five years I have been at this forum it is often mentioned that tinnitus is not regarded as a disability in the UK or any other country. This is not correct, I cannot speak for what goes on in other countries regarding tinnitus and disability. I live in the UK and know for a fact that tinnitus is regarded as a disability. However, certain criteria has to be met in order for a person to receive Sickness Benefit for tinnitus. I will not divulge in an open forum what the necessary criteria is. However, I will say please read between the lines in what I have written above to know what the benefit agency regard as severe debilitating tinnitus.

I will not be commenting further on this issue and politely ask people not to ask me any more questions on it.

Michael

About disability, I do not know about the UK, but it is borderline impossible to get disability recognized for tinnitus in France unless you either have some very significant hearing loss (that would definitely show up in an audiogram, something in the realm of -40 dB or higher across most sub 8 kHz frequencies), and/or if you can get a psychiatrist to ascertain how you show significant emotional distress (that is quite subjective and even then getting disability for this is a rare occurrence)

This is mostly because tinnitus itself, as a symptom, is not recognised as disability in France whatsoever in any way, shape or form, so you would have to show comorbidity in other factors in order to receive any form of compensation.

 

[PeteJ]

Michael has a very narrow minded view on Tinnitus and other subjects, it's his way or no way. He's unwilling to see others opinions and even when he is in the wrong he won't admit it, just hits that ignore button as ignorance is bliss. While I agree that he can be helpful, knowledgeable with certain things which I've said before, it's his lord of the "manner" and "gentleman" act (which is what it is, all an ACT) that's funny.

He constantly contradicts himself and now reading his last post to you he's back tracking as per usual nothing was taken out of context and I do think he writes some nasty things, especially calling people "undesirables" "being dragged up" for simply asking him a question or disagreeing with him.

For somebody who constantly goes on about class and manners, he's one the rudest members on here, who I find has little emotional intelligence. I find him a parody now and he makes me laugh if I'm honest. I don't think he's getting ganged up on at all, If he was less rude and more receptive to other's opinions and thoughts he may not irk as many people as he does.

I think I know what he means with respect to having debilitating severe tinnitus and "not being to use the internet" but I don't find it entirely accurate. If it's that intrusive, what do you do? Some people here have money, savings and family. But, what if you don't? I find my tinnitus as torment, torture and suffering but I still use internet. Anything I do is unpleasant because the tinnitus is so loud and intrusive. Trying to sleep is a challenge. I don't know why my tinnitus stopped fluctuating. At least, when it did, I had brief relief periods.

Simple tasks for most people such as using the internet, going for a walk, even driving, is difficult for me. I have to struggle and strain to focus and concentrate. But, I thought we are supposed to be preoccupied and distracted as much as possible? :-(

 

[Star64]

My problem was symptoms of having too much estrogen, like extremely sore breasts to the point where I couldn't move my arms or body, then when the pain went away, the tinnitus started.

I would have thought that high estrogen levels where to blame, but your experience was that estrogen actually helped lower the tinnitus. Very interesting, I'll do some more research on this

I have also heard others benefiting from Progesterone, so maybe it has more to do with the balance of the two hormones, who knows with bloody tinnitus.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5929427/
https://www.intechopen.com/books/se...esses-and-diseases/sex-hormones-and-inner-ear

 

[jjflyman]

@Jason C Had his tinnitus disappear after two years! And he was exposed to a 125 db alarm for 10 minutes! Tinnitus can fade or even disappear long after three months.

Yes, tinnitus can (and usually does) fade, most tinnitus caused by acoustic trauma fades to a very mild level in 6-24 months, sometimes even fading to zero.

 

[Don Tinny]

Yes, tinnitus can (and usually does) fade, most tinnitus caused by acoustic trauma fades to a very mild level in 6-24 months, sometimes even fading to zero.

Just a contribution of negativity based on my personal experience. It´s important to note that there is a limited number of second chances (or maybe none). No one should think that it has been cured even if the tinnitus has improved a lot. They must be cautious for life. Maybe the second or third time it does not fade anymore.

 

[Agrajag364]

I think I know what he means with respect to having debilitating severe tinnitus and "not being to use the internet" but I don't find it entirely accurate. If it's that intrusive, what do you do? Some people here have money, savings and family. But, what if you don't? I find my tinnitus as torment, torture and suffering but I still use internet. Anything I do is unpleasant because the tinnitus is so loud and intrusive. Trying to sleep is a challenge. I don't know why my tinnitus stopped fluctuating. At least, when it did, I had brief relief periods.

Simple tasks for most people such as using the internet, going for a walk, even driving, is difficult for me. I have to struggle and strain to focus and concentrate. But, I thought we are supposed to be preoccupied and distracted as much as possible? :-(

People tweet from their deathbeds these days. Possibly someone hasn't factored in smartphones.

 

[JohnAdams]

Yes, tinnitus can (and usually does) fade, most tinnitus caused by acoustic trauma fades to a very mild level in 6-24 months, sometimes even fading to zero.

Just like phantom limb syndrome

 

[bruh moment]

Complete bullshit. Your ENT is a quack.

So true.

 

[PeteJ]

Just like phantom limb syndrome

What nature of tinnitus? All? Mostly mild? Or?

 

[Jcb]

I think I know what he means with respect to having debilitating severe tinnitus and "not being to use the internet" but I don't find it entirely accurate. If it's that intrusive, what do you do? Some people here have money, savings and family. But, what if you don't? I find my tinnitus as torment, torture and suffering but I still use internet. Anything I do is unpleasant because the tinnitus is so loud and intrusive. Trying to sleep is a challenge. I don't know why my tinnitus stopped fluctuating. At least, when it did, I had brief relief periods.

Simple tasks for most people such as using the internet, going for a walk, even driving, is difficult for me. I have to struggle and strain to focus and concentrate. But, I thought we are supposed to be preoccupied and distracted as much as possible? :-(

I've said all I'm going to say on his lordship for now.

This sh@# can destroy your life, can change you as a person, make you lose everything you have worked for your whole life, trust me I know this. I find it so hard these days to put my thoughts into words, so much of what I write is made up of spelling mistakes and just bad grammar and probably comes across as gibberish haha. If it's any consolation, my lack of concentration is not as bad as when I first got T so that's a plus (still feel a lot slower though in everything I do, it's a battle that's for sure) but I'm a optimistic person so the stubbornness is strong in this one.

Listen man, I know you are struggling so much and in pain I'm so sorry, I know somebody mentioned about possibly meeting up with you, maybe take that person up on the offer. I know you have other issues going on, maybe meet up at your place, seeing somebody face to face for some support and who knows what you are going through, may help even if it's a little bit. Just a thought Pete.

 

[gerhei]

Your ENT is a quack (unfortunately, most of them are). The brain does not "memorize" anything, that's not even how habituation works.

It is true however that the auditory cortex can become deregulated after years of chronic, repetitive sound exposure, while likely, whether or not the auditory cortex gets back to proper function after the source of said deregulation (the lesion in your cochlear or your auditory nerve for example) is fixed remains to be seen, as that has yet to be clinically demonstrated in humans, once regenerative drugs such as FX-322 hit the shelves, we will know soon enough.

The structure of the auditory cortex can be altered without any medication, as the MRT-evalutation of the Heidelberg Music Therapy showed: Cortical reorganization in recent-onset tinnitus patients by the Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy
The results hold also for chronic tinnitus patients, as the center states that carries the therapy out.

 

[JohnAdams]

What nature of tinnitus? All? Mostly mild? Or?

A mixed bag