My name is John - I'm a musician, software developer. I have had mild tinnitus since about 2003 - a solid pitch that was pretty quiet. I wouldn't notice it unless I was in a completely silent room. When I first noticed it, I went and got fitted for musician's earplugs. I was pretty good about wearing them, or over the counter ear plugs ever since.
About 3 months ago, I was exercising at my gym and felt like my ears were plugged. This aggravated my tinnitus to a new level. Eventually the stuffiness subsided, but I am still left with this "new" tinnitus - which has been changing back and forth between a hiss / cricket-like frequency. It is also much louder and more noticeable.
I've been to an ENT - had my hearing checked. I have some loss in the 4k-8k range in both ears, but my tinnitus is only in my right ear - as far as I can tell. The last 3 months have been up and down - the first couple of weeks I was on medication to help me sleep, relieve anxiety. I was able to get off those after about a month and a half - I really didn't take them all the time to begin with as I feared getting hooked on prescription meds almost as much as my tinnitus.
After 3 months, I feel at times things are getting better - and objectively speaking they are - but I still have bad days. I've been browsing this forum for the last 3 months, and childishly have avoided joining because I felt like doing that would be admitting that this new spike is permanent and I was giving in to it. I decided it's best that I contribute and tell my story regardless of the outcome so that others might learn - as I have learned from a lot of the stories I have read on here.
I figure I have to give it at least 6 months before trying anything beyond white noise / supplements. I hope I can contribute to this community.
John
About 3 months ago, I was exercising at my gym and felt like my ears were plugged. This aggravated my tinnitus to a new level. Eventually the stuffiness subsided, but I am still left with this "new" tinnitus - which has been changing back and forth between a hiss / cricket-like frequency. It is also much louder and more noticeable.
I've been to an ENT - had my hearing checked. I have some loss in the 4k-8k range in both ears, but my tinnitus is only in my right ear - as far as I can tell. The last 3 months have been up and down - the first couple of weeks I was on medication to help me sleep, relieve anxiety. I was able to get off those after about a month and a half - I really didn't take them all the time to begin with as I feared getting hooked on prescription meds almost as much as my tinnitus.
After 3 months, I feel at times things are getting better - and objectively speaking they are - but I still have bad days. I've been browsing this forum for the last 3 months, and childishly have avoided joining because I felt like doing that would be admitting that this new spike is permanent and I was giving in to it. I decided it's best that I contribute and tell my story regardless of the outcome so that others might learn - as I have learned from a lot of the stories I have read on here.
I figure I have to give it at least 6 months before trying anything beyond white noise / supplements. I hope I can contribute to this community.
John
