Hi — New Here.

[tws]

Hi - It's my first time here.

It's a first for me on any such forum in fact. That's how bad this is for me and I don't know what to do next. So I guess I'm hoping for some direction - or at least some hope.

My name is Tom and this ringing in my ears began about two months ago. It came on suddenly, without any injury, or any other kind of real trigger that I can identify. One minute I was fine - then I wasn't. Is this common?

Although at that time - to be clear - I did have allergy congestion, and the beginnings of an ear infection in my left ear. My GP and an ENT specialist felt certain the ringing would subside once the other symptoms were treated and reduced. But it did not. At first it was mild and confined to the left ear. Now it's in both - though far worse in the left - and more constant and louder overall.

But my concern now is that it may be as much self-induced as anything else. I'm wondering if that once I became aware of the sound, maybe my brain began to fixate on it. Does anyone have input or thoughts on this? But meanwhile. sleeping, working, interactions with my family and friends, any sort of normal life, are all pretty seriously compromised.

In the past two weeks, I've had my hearing checked (all OK), and next week will have other tests to see if there are any structural issues in my sinuses, ears, etc. but no one expects much to be found.

I still have hope that it may fade (or maybe just go away) . But now , I also think I will need to begin to find ways of adapting to it.

Thanks so much to everyone for your attention and advice. And I hope that you all are finding ways of improving - or at least coping with - your situation.

Tom

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Tom,

Welcome to the site!

Did the ENT write out any scripts for meds for you? Some people ask for a steroid (Prednisone) as it may help. However, taking steroids has side effects. A question for the doctor for sure.

Aside from the above, in some cases it is difficult to pinpoint the specific cause of tinnitus when you do not take loud noise exposure or illness into account. However, unfortunately now you have it. My best advice to you is to try not to focus on it. Yes, the sound can be maddening because your brain perceives it as an intrusion and a threat. That is why your stress and anxiety levels are going up. Yet, you should also know that anxiety and stress feed tinnitus and make it worse. Over time and gradually, your brain will get tired of the sound and determine it is not a threat, and this in turn will not cause the ringing to impact your nervous system. As I type this to you, I hear cricket chirping sounds, but my brain says "so what" and just files the noise into the 'not important' file of my mind. In closing, enjoy life and do not let tinnitus manage you; manage tinnitus instead!

 

[tws]

Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for writing - very good of you.
Yes - my ENT gave me antibiotics for the ear infection and also a short cycle -a few days- of Prednisone.
At first, the ringing was annoying, but pretty mild. But now it can be almost deafening. At times it seems so loud that I would be surprised if my neighbors can't hear it!
So I'm seeing him again next week and he may give me something else.
I know my concern must be read by my body as stress and alarm - and it is pretty new - so I haven't quite been at the point of feeling like I have to accept this as the "new normal" . But in fact, that may be the case - and I understand that.
But stories like yours help a LOT! I'm sorry you've had to go through it. But I'm glad to hear that in time, you can adapt and there is life after this . So thank you for that. Right now, I feel pretty lost and a bit desperate.
Anything new in our lives takes time I suppose. And an unwelcome guest like this may take a little longer....but if I have to learn to adapt, then I will. What other choice is there?
A little while ago, I got some music, sound, and white noise brain "retraining" CDs . I know it's no cure, but they seem a bit helpful so far in masking - or channeling - the racket in my head. And they do help with the anxiety a little. So it's something.
Thanks again Mike
Tom

 

[glynis]

Hi Tom.
You could ask your doctor put you on a low antidepresant to help sleep like Nortryptaline or Amitryptaline and can help tinnitus for some people.
Try keep sound on around you in the day and natural sounds set below your tinnitus at night as helps your brain build up it's natural filter and not see tinnitus as a threat and over time you won't be botherd by your sound and your emotional response will settle down also...
Lots of love glynis

 

[tws]

Hello Glynis,

Thanks so much for taking the time to write - and for the information! That's so good of you.
I've jotted down the names of the medications you referenced and will mention them to my doctor this week.

He did say - and it seems logical - that a negative emotional response to this can only serve to make it worse. So he intends to look at all angles - from possible causes to treatment .

I am quite distraught by this all. But also, I guess that slowly, I'm beginning to accept that it may be here for the long term. Of course I hope that's not the case, but if so - then I have to trust that I will adapt and learn to cope.

Thanks again for the note. Hoping you are well.
Tom