Habituation or Disappearing?

[Chris M]

Thanks true @Tom Cnyc
I just didn't know if yours intensifies when in silence or not

 

[Tom Cnyc]

@newbieT

Interesting. What's unfortunate is that mine comes with clogged ear sensations! I wonder is its the cause. Mine started back in April when I got sick and my ears clogged up one night. Then all of this mess started and never stopped despite days where my ears don't feel clogged at all!

The clogged ear sensations may be muscular. I had that for a very long time. massage your jaw. vary up your computer monitors at work. stretch the neck. buck up on a good SCM massage from a good massage therapist (the kind of massage that hurts, not the cucumber water and lavendar kind for rich old ladies).

 

[Tom Cnyc]

I doubt your tinnitus intensifies in silence. you just hear it more and pay attention to it more. It does intensify when you panic about it though.

You've had T less than 6 months I assume. It's fuckin hell at first man. For the vast majority of us, it get's better both phsyically and psychologically.

Hang in there. Pick up a hobby that's not too loud for a bit.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thanks true @Tom Cnyc
I just didn't know if yours intensifies when in silence or not

@Chris M

Your tinnitus was noise induced and I am going to give you some important advice based on my many years experience with this type of tinnitus. One of the worst things that you can do is not to use "sound enrichment". Sound enrichment is not masking tinnitus. Masking tinnitus or covering it up so that it can't be heard achieves nothing and could make tinnitus more intrusive. When sound enrichment is used correctly, it will help the brain to push the tinnitus further into the background so it becomes less noticeable and will assist in the habituation process.

I strongly advise you to use a sound machine by your bedside at night and set the level slightly below the tinnitus. You can if you wish experiment with a sound source of your choice. However, music is best avoided for sound enrichment at night, as it evokes emotion and draws attention to itself and this isn't what the brain needs. Music can be used during the day, played at low level for background ambiance. Something soothing is ideal and classical music is my choice.

Michael

 

[dpdx]

As long as it is not relentlessly at the same level...

mine is

 

[Highlands]

Habituation is possible for mild tinnitus, however if you have severe then it wont work.

I know what you mean. When my tinnitus spikes and is so darn loud it's difficult to think of something else and try to meditate/habituation. It's always there no matter what I am doing. Too hard to put it out of my mind. I need to find a way.

 

[newbieT]

@newbieT

Interesting. What's unfortunate is that mine comes with clogged ear sensations! I wonder is its the cause. Mine started back in April when I got sick and my ears clogged up one night. Then all of this mess started and never stopped despite days where my ears don't feel clogged at all!

If your ears feels constant clogged, like muffled or one ear sounds more clear than the other. There is usually a physical cause for this, i.e eustachian tube clogged or ear wax, TMJ could also cause hearing issues.

NOW WHICH ONE?

- If you plug your nose and blow and only one eustachian tube opens, and the one that does not open is the muffled ear, you may want to try a steroid nasal spray

- Any GP can check for earwax issues

- for TMJ, press two fingers on your jaw right in front of your ears and open your jaw. As your jaw opens wide, the Tempororal bone should push outwards into your fingers. Now you should feel that push on your finger from both side of the jaw at the SAME time. Also test 2, hold a pencil in the middle in front of your mouth and open slowly. Does your jaw track sideways? Also does your jaw click when opening/closing? If YES to all of these, you probably have TMJ due to jaw misalignment