Hello New Friends... What Might Lie Ahead on This New Tinnitus Journey?

Well, here I am just like so many others concerned with what lies ahead on this new tinnitus journey.

Just want to introduce myself and ride along with you on this ever growing train ❤️

 

How did you get your tinnitus? When did it start? How are you coping with it now? Have you tried any treatments? Are your family and friends understanding?

 

I’ve had low level tinnitus for awhile. However, I have been dealing with general anxiety disorder and was suffering from panic attacks daily. My doctor prescribed Lexapro and on the second day (a month ago) I experienced loud ringing in my head. I immediately let my doctor know and she advised me to stop taking the medication. Instead she prescribed low dose Xanax. The ringing began to subside, but it came back in a big way.

As a musician I am used to being around loud music. I have custom earplugs that I use to filter out high decibels. I’m hoping that this will suffice for our two shows coming up.

 

HI @Lmack13

Welcome to the forum.

Tinnitus does not usually appear without a reason. The most common cause is exposure to loud sounds/noise. As you are a musician this is the likely cause of your tinnitus and you have probably had it for some time albeit at a level that you can comfortably live with without any problems. Resilient as the ear and auditory system are there is only so much they can tolerate. The sobering truth I am going to tell you and it's your choice whether you choose to listen or continue on your current path and risk the tinnitus becoming a lot worse. I do not believe in sugar coating anything and relaying to people what they want to hear like some members do in this forum as this is not helpful.


You can use the best earplugs in the world and they will not stop your tinnitus getting worse if external sound is too loud. The reason being, the sound can pass through your head and be transferred to your "inner ear" by bone conduction and this is a fact. Please consider what I saying as your tinnitus will likely worsen and increase to a higher more intense level and this could be permanent.

Secondly, if you use headphones of any type I advise you to stop using them even at low volume. Anyone that has noise induced tinnitus as you do, risks making the tinnitus worse using headphones. The evidence of this is overwhelming. There are many posts in this forum written by people that returned to using headphones at low volume, after they have habituated and regretted it.

Tinnnitus is not something to take likely and needs to be respected. Otherwise it can be ruthless and very unforgiving and become a person's living nightmare and I mean that in every sense of the word. Please do not listen to doctors that might tell you using headphones at low volume is safe, I assure you it isn't. Some people with noise induced tinnitus, use headphones at low volume without any problems. However, it is a risk, the tinnitus only needs to spike once and usually (but not always) it will increase to a new permanent level.

Please do not take advice in this forum or anywhere else from people that have tinnitus caused by an underlying medical problem, and may tell you, using headphones is safe. People that have tinnitus caused by a medical problem are not so easily affected by headphones. Their tinnitus is not noise induced so they know nothing about this particular type of tinnitus.

Please click on the links below and read my articles that I think will be of help.

Take care
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

 

Michael, thank you for your response. I thoroughly respect your advice.

I am in a difficult situation in respect to the performances coming up. A lot of money/production, and people, are relying on these shows. It’s a crappy position to be in. Yes, my health and hearing should come first. Likely, these will be my last shows, as the tinnitus will dictate that. I’m okay with that, as I have had a great run.

It’s a choice I have come to terms with in finishing out these last two shows.

I have joined this support group because I know the times ahead are going to be extremely challenging.

 

I understand your situation and commitments. I am just giving you advice based on many years experience with "noise induced" tinnitus. There are a lot of people in this forum that are knowledgeable about noise induced tinnitus and share my views. This is not a condition to mess about with or to be taken lightly.

I wish you well and all the best

Michael

 

The "journey" is about visiting a bunch of ENT's and coming back disappointed and misdiagnosed.

 

Yeah..I’ve been reading about that, too. I’ve been reading this forum for several days.

You guys will be my life line.

 

I would argue that forum posts on a single online community concerning a symptom affecting approximately >10% people in most developed countries does not constitute "overwhelming" evidence.

 

Fifth Business, so true. I gladly welcome all experienced opinions. But I have to take them as such until I can talk to my ENT. Unfortunately I can’t get in until Sept. Sitting on a cancellation list currently. Have to wait patiently and try to stay positive.

 

You are entitled to argue as you wish. The facts are: the most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise. Increasingly, it is a result of listening to music through headphones at too high a volume. Closely followed by attending concerts, clubbing and as a musician.

There is no point commenting further on this matter as the evidence is overwhelming if one chooses to look for it.

Michael

 

By all means listen and take advice from someone that knows nothing about "noise induced" tinnitus. If you want to convince yourself that exposure to loud noise/sound playing in your band and headphones use hasn't caused your tinnitus, then I wish you well and good luck with that. If you continue on this path, you will be the one crawling the walls at night and in suffering. @Fifth Business and other's that don't have "noise induced tinnitus" and know nothing about it, wont be able to help you.

All the best

Michael

 

I am diligently wearing ear plugs throughout the day to protect my ears until I can get in to my ENT. It’s the best I can do at this moment. I am certainly not exposed to loud music on a regular basis, however I understand that ANY volume or even vibration can make it worse.

The damage has been done. I can’t go back in time to change it. So now I am trying to cope and protect what’s left of my hearing.

 

But you routinely make categorical statements about headphone use at any volume.

 

I got tinnitus from playing in bands.

 

I am not trying to negate anything anyone is saying. I’m trying to take this all in. No doubt loud music has effected me. Why it started so loudly on a random day is what threw me off.

Whatever the cause, it is here. I only came here for support. The advice and experiences are all welcome. So please don’t feel defensive or that I’m not valuing your opinion.

I am new here, reaching out to a community for support. I understand the advice and have stated my case. The consequences scare the crap out of me. But this is my situation.

I appreciate all advice on coping with this affliction.

 

Listen. I said I will not be commenting on this matter further. However, I will comment one last time. I have had tinnitus for 23 years. I have counselled and corresponded with many people that have "noise induced" tinnitus. I know what I am talking about. You do not have "noise induced" tinnitus as mentioned on you Avatar. Therefore, you know nothing about it. Before you comment about doctors knowing about tinnitus. I will remind you, the majority of them know nothing about tinnitus. By this, I mean the way it affects a person's mental and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, most of them have never experienced it.

ENT doctors are physicians not tinnitus specialists. They treat the ear and auditory system and any underlying medical problem causing the tinnitus. As your in case ETD. They do this well. However, noise induced tinnitus is an entirely different kettle of fish and needs the help of a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that is trained in the treatment and management of tinnitus and hyperacusis. Many of these health professionals know more about tinnitus than any ENT doctor, as they were either born with tinnitus or acquired it at some time in their life. They can work with a tinnitus patient by the way of counselling, which can go a long way in helping a person to cope and live with this condition.

Michael

 

"okay this is epic"

 

I checked on local tinnitus support groups, locally. There was one person in my area, so I sent him an email. Just hoping he will respond.

So, in the mean time, so that I don’t think that Life is hopeless, can I at least get an idea of how you cope with tinnitus.

 

The only thing you need to take in and act upon is reduce your exposure to loud sound/noise and not to use headphones even at low volume. Do this and your tinnitus will likely improve, if you don't then you risk making the condition a lot worse.

Michael

 

Yes, I understand that. That is what I am doing. And I get that I am putting myself in a dire situation when I finish these last two shows.

What I am asking for is how you cope emotionally. What steps do you take every day to accept what is going on in your brain? Do you meditate? Do you keep yourself super busy so that you don’t focus on it? Do you rock back and forth in a dark corner and cry? Climbing walls seems to be something I can look forward to.

Coping techniques. That’s what I am looking for.

Your advice is heeded and respected. Now can you give me advice on how to emotionally adjust?

I think I just answered that question. I can read the forum!!!

 

Please read my post in the link that I gave you. Additional information on how to cope with tinnitus can be found by going to my "started threads" There are many articles that I have written on how to cope with tinnitus. From early onset and beyond. As I have previously said, tinnitus needs to be respected especially "noise induced". So not subjecting yourself to overly loud sound and not using headphones, most people with NIT can live quite a normal and happy life doing everything that they want to. However, failure to heed these warnings especially when a person notices their tinnitus spiking due to loud sound or headphone use, they risk the tinnitus becoming a lot worse.

Michael

 

Thank you.

 

@Lmack13

Please click on the links below which will take you to articles that I have written on my "started threads" Take your time and read them. It is enough to get you started. There are more posts on my started threads should you want to read more.

Michael


https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-answers.22554/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/can-tinnitus-counselling-help.22366/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/a-change-of-lifestyle.20643/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/from-darkness-into-light.22234/

 

I REALLY appreciate this, Michael!

Thank you!

 

Asking in good faith: can you cite a single a single audiologist with a background in hearing loss/tinnitus management that makes a forceful argument against using headphones at 'low' volumes? (ie volumes well below levels that have been shown to cause hearing loss?). Many say this is a fine treatment for temporary relief.

Btw: Sorry! I thought my 'Cause of Tinnitus' reason was very transparently a bald-faced joke. Guess not!

 

@Fifth Business

I do not know of any Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that says using headphones at a low level will make tinnitus worse or will cause hearing loss. In the 5 years that I have been a member of Tinnitus Talk I have never written that using headphones will cause or increase hearing loss. I have written over 600o posts in this forum. What I have said is the following:

Based on many years corresponding with people with "noise induced" tinnitus that have continued or resumed using headphones after habituation, noticed their tinnitus has increased. There are many posts written in this forum by members, who have NIT and regretted returning to using headphones. It is true not everyone with NIT will be affected by headphone use, but the risk is there and it is real.

As I have said I have corresponded with many people with NIT and counselled people too. I used to counsel someone that was told by her Audiologist, to listen to music through headphones at a low volume. The Audiologist told her it would help her tinnitus and hyperacusis. The woman in question telephoned me one evening crying because her tinnitus had increased due to using headphones. Many people have contacted me by: email, at forums and on the telephone, explaining that their tinnitus has become worse using headphones. I stress, the people mostly affected are those with "noise induced tinnitus". People whose tinntius was caused by an underlying medical problem are not so easily affected by headphones. I have written about this many times in this forum giving the reasons. Please go to my "started treads" and read my posts on Headphones and tinnitus, for more information.

The majority of Hearing Therapists and Audiologists know more about tinnitus than any doctor. The reason being a lot of them have tinnitus. However, a lot of these health professionals will not have tinnitus to the same severity as many people in this forum. Whilst they will have some understanding of tinnitus, which is good, the vast majority do not believe headphone use can make tinnitus worse for people that have "Noise induced" tinnitus. Hence, this was the reason the Audiologist I referred to, told her patient the wrong advice when telling her to listen to music through headphones.

The truth of the matter and the way I see it is this: Understanding tinnitus cannot be learnt at a university or from any book. No amount of medical qualifications or Phds can make you a tinnitus expert. The only way a person can become a "true" specialist in "noise induced" tinnitus, they must have the condition. It is not good enough to simply have noise induced tinnitus. The person must have experienced different severities. From: mild, moderate, severe and very severe. They must also have corresponded with people which will give them greater understanding of the condition. This way they will understand how tinnitus affects a person's mental and emotional well being.

With all due respect to people that work in the medical field that help people with tinnitus I believe it to be a good thing. However, tinnitus comes in many different forms of severity as I've described. When it's severe and debilitating and this is sustained, it can affect a person's life considerably. Many health professionals do not fully understand this. The only people that do, are the people you will find at Tinnitus forums such as this one and can offer help and advice.

Michael

 

What do you expect from a ENT, other then hearing aids if you need them?

Do you realize how many people make useless ENT appointments just to get told the same thing?

 

Thanks for the response Michael. I still believe my point re "1/6th entire population vs tinnitus community forums" is a valid one.

Sorry to the op for derailing the thread. I'm a chronic lurker (to my immense discredit lololol) on tinnitus forums but was driven to comment because I was literally in your shoes this last spring. Developing tinnitus with the prospect of future musical commitments (I literally had two shows booked too...) was stressful and just awful.

Basically, advice from my audiologist ("just wear these sikk custom ear plugs) and forum posts chronically percolated around my head.

I will say I ultimately played them and was fine. There is nothing to indicate that this isn't the probable outcome for many (the majority (?)) of musicians with these symptoms. It is... painfully common. Then again, we're all here because these symptoms are wildly distressing to us. The prospect of making them worse is terrifying. People here certainly have experienced awful outcomes attending concerts ect after developing these symptoms and I don't dismiss their experience at all.

Personally? I went on an indefinite hiatus from my bands last and am unsure of what to do going forward! If you play the shows I wish you the best. If you choose not to play it's also entirely valid.

 

Contrast, the ENT can set me up with the molds I need for my in-ears. Also, because I believe he can give me some good advice or at least give me some direction. If he can’t/doesn’t, then I move on from there.

Fifth Business, it is a tricky situation, but you get that. I let my band know that I will be wearing not only my silicone plugs, but outer head phones as well, to fully cover the entire ear during practices. The shows are a month away, so I will be working out the puzzle of the performance and protection. And, I also told them that these could very well be my last shows. So, we are all on the same page. Some of the guys have severe tinnitus and it is their prerogative on how they deal with it. And they aren’t exactly young either. But they are indifferent emotionally. Some of us are, some of us aren’t.

That’s my position today. And each day is another step that could lead into a different direction.