Hi. Just Started Experiencing This.

[Dave555]

Hello, I started experiencing a gentle ringing in my ears last Monday morning, and based on what I've been reading I'm afraid it might be permanent.

I'm not sure whether it was power tools, or if I have some sort of infection. I'm going to make an ENT appointment tomorrow. I went to the doctor on Friday, and he thought I might have an ear infection so he gave me antibiotics. I also had impacted ear wax in one ear, but after it was removed there was no difference in the ringing.

The ENT he referred me to would not make an appointment until September! So, I'm going to have to find one on my own.

I've got to say, tinnitus is new to me. I had no idea it was so common. I also didn't know that hearing loss was accompanied by a constant ringing. Just losing the ability to hear certain frequencies was no big deal I thought. If I'd known that a constant ringing would have occurred I would have been much more careful all this time with power tools around the house. There has always been education about loud music, ear phones, and concerts, but since I've never been into those things, so I never thought about it enough.

I've also felt sort of an infection on the left side of my jaw, so I'm seeing the dentist on Friday too.

Whatever the cause, I might be a permanent member of your group and I'm glad you're here to listen.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I started experiencing a gentle ringing in my ears last Monday morning

You've had it for only about a week, and it is so quiet. There is a high chance that it will fade and go away.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

 

[Dave555]

I appreciate the encouragement, and didn't want to appear like chicken little. I just wanted to touch base and keep the forum posted on what happens. Since so many people have this, I thought it was likely, and I'm trying to find out if anyone else in my family has it.

I'm feeling pressure in my ear now, despite no pain. General facial irritation has been going on for a month, moving from one place to another. So I'm wondering if the ear itself will be permanently damaged by whatever it is.

Beyond that, I want to let the Forum know what happens, and I'll keep you posted. Before now, I never knew how prevalent this issue was, and regardless, it will be a learning experience.

 

[Dave555]

Wow. This is interesting. I got a message from my mom who said...

"Sorry but I have had it for years. Dad thinks he has it a little. From what I have heard and read, there is nothing we can do about it. I have become used to it and forget I have it until like now when I am reminded."

So apparently it might be genetic. It would have been nice to have been warned about this sooner. If I had known I wonder if this could have been avoided.

 

[billie48]

Wow. This is interesting. I got a message from my mom who said...

"Sorry but I have had it for years. Dad thinks he has it a little. From what I have heard and read, there is nothing we can do about it. I have become used to it and forget I have it until like now when I am reminded."

So apparently it might be genetic. It would have been nice to have been warned about this sooner. If I had known I wonder if this could have been avoided.

Welcome to the forum. I have also found out that many friends in my social circle have tinnitus too. Two lady friends have it so loud that one said she has had to focus very hard to make sure she can hear what people were saying to her, and the other even joked that once she couldn't even hear the siren of the fire truck coming to her apartment block due to a false alarm. Lol. Yet both ladies said they accept their condition and move on, and they do live a normal life. In fact, they never talked about their T until I mentioned it to them. Go figure! How about household names of celebrities you never think they have bad tinnitus too? Here are two of them talking about their tinnitus in a show in 1996, David Letterman the famous comedian and William Shatner (Star Trek Captain Kirk). It surely helped me back then when my T was new to know that others can cope with their bad T and live a normal life, and I just have to learn how.

 

[Dave555]

My thoughts, after only 7 days, is that silence is overrated. I came back from the ENT and I do not have any hearing loss. He told me to take 20mg Prednisone for 5 days and Flavinoid vitamins. He said it will probably go away (or might, not sure) but I'm honestly not holding my breath.

It's encouraging to know it can get so strong and that people can live with it. I used to love the silence. I moved to a small town and that was one of my favorite things about it. Now I guess I'm going to need to make peace with sound. If my mom can handle it without freaking out I'm sure I can adjust.

 

[Dave555]

Quick update. Tinnitus seems to be fading but I'm not out of the woods yet. I've been trying to do a lot of things differently.

- Eating a lot of apples since fruit was direly missing from my diet.
- trusting in habituation, and eliminating stressful thoughts related to a recent career change.
- watched a video about the correct way to use nasal spray with tinnitus
- slept in a different position which significantly reduced my snoring

I also think I might have a dental infection or some sort of jaw issue, so I used Listerine and I'm looking forward to my dentist appointment tomorrow. I'm still not sure if this is the end or the beginning. Either way, this forum has given me a great appreciation for those here with unbelievable discipline and clarity of mind.

 

[Val J]

Dear Dave, Glad you have the dental appointment. And I hope that resolves the tinnitus. I appreciate the person sharing the William Shatner video. He has accomplished so much in his life and lives with this disorder. I love him and his traveling buddies in "Better Late Than Never." I wonder if he has some relief while traveling it other countries/locations. I know I do but now I am at home in Florida and the ringing in my ears is overwhelming as I write this response. I will enjoy my day and be thankful for the good health and love I have from friends and family.

 

[Val J]

BTW: My ENT said to take Vitamin B12. It hasn't helped.

 

[Dave555]

Hi Val, my ENT insisted I take Lipoflavenoids but I would have preferred to try NAC supplements, which he knew nothing about, but they seem to get good reviews here.

I also liked a recent show on Netflix with Steve Martin (who has T) and Martin Short. People with T seem more alert, so I guess that's a positive. I'm sitting at my desk at work and it basically sounds like the flourescent lights when it's really in my brain/head.

 

[Lane]

I also think I might have a dental infection or some sort of jaw issue, so I used Listerine and I'm looking forward to my dentist appointment tomorrow.

Hi @Dave555,

You might find this fairly lengthy thread interesting. It's about a man who traced his severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome down to some infections/cavitations in his gums and jaw. It may be difficult to discern whether this issue is causing your tinnitus, but reading that thread will give you some indications of just how important it is to address any kind oral infection. -- I hope your dental appointment went well! -- All the Best...​

 

[Dave555]

@Lane I just got back from the dentist. They are going to fit me for a night guard to prevent teeth grinding which probably causes me TMJ. I have no cavities or infection, though, according the the xray.

This was my last of 5 days using prednisone, so I'm afraid it might get worse tomorrow. I have not noticed much or any improvement since 12 days ago. It seems worst after sleeping, so I'll get a teeth grinding mouth guard from the drugstore and see if that helps.