How Do I Survive School with Tinnitus?

[neo-t]

Hi! I'm going into 8th grade and I'm having major anxiety about my tinnitus due to I'll probably either be in silence or noisy situations.

I've avoided noise all throughout my summer whenever my tinnitus happened, but with this, it's unavoidable. I'm too shy to ask people to quiet down and such haha.

Anyway, could anyone give advice for how they handled tinnitus in school? Any grade/year is good, as long as you've got advice!

 

[Candy]

Have your parents speak to the teacher to make sure things are in place... Things you feel will help.

They may ask the class to keep the noise down etc.

You may want to use your phone for masking for example. Don't be shy in asking, you have every right.

Good luck and enjoy 8th grade...

 

[JohnAdams]

Hi! I'm going into 8th grade and I'm having major anxiety about my tinnitus due to I'll probably either be in silence or noisy situations.

I've avoided noise all throughout my summer whenever my tinnitus happened, but with this, it's unavoidable. I'm too shy to ask people to quiet down and such haha.

Anyway, could anyone give advice for how they handled tinnitus in school? Any grade/year is good, as long as you've got advice!

You have a disability and if you're in America the school must accommodate you per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sorry you're so young and going through this. Hang in there.

 

[Autumnly]

You could also take earplugs with you just in case.

 

[MBH]

See if you can sit in the back of room, and use earplugs and tape the classes. Ask if you can use a sound machine or a fan.

 

[Karl28]

Just always keep a pair of earplugs with you at all times.

And don't feel shy about asking people to quiet down. Better to look silly maybe then suffer later.

 

[Flamingo1]

@neo-t I'm sorry you are going through this. Make sure you always have ear plugs with you and put them in when the environment gets too loud.

How did you get tinnitus at such a young age?

 

[John Mahan]

Best advice I can provide, is talk to your parents and be honest with your family doctor about what is going on.
Request seeing a psychiatrist and consider taking prescription meds to first address your anxiety which btw tends to run in families. If you are anxious, chances are other members of family are on your mom's or dad's side. Anxiety runs in my family on my Mom's side and many suffer from it. Anxiety can be a trigger for your tinnitus. So you need to address that with behavior modification techniques and possibly medication.

The slippery slope for medication is it can affect your tinnitus either for the better or worse. So you need to discuss this with a psychiatrist or your family doctor.

Another hint. Avoidance behavior as you describe is a vicious do-loop. A repetitious cycle you want to break. You want to move toward normalcy. You no doubt are a perfectly normal young person who happens to suffer with anxiety as do ten's of thousands of people throughout the world. You want to live to your fullest.

You will be guided by working with a mental health professional. If necessary, have your parents read this post.

What does your post as a young person probably 13 years old or so say about you? A lot. You are very smart to come here and ask for advice.

Now for some very good news. You are so young. I am old. In your life, technology will change to the point through artificial intelligence that will remap the human brain. Tinnitus and likely anxiety will be eliminated completely. A decade or two away. You are still young and will be no problem. I will be even older.

Hang tough, fight hard, live and love life. Figure out what you love to do and are good at and do it.

See a mental health professional to guide you to break the repetition of anxiety which is a known trigger to tinnitus.
I would say perhaps even the majority of tinnitus sufferers have an underlying mental health component.

Best of luck to you and great that you came to this forum for some insight. Your wisdom at such a young age to find this forum and come here for guidance speaks to how smart you are.

 

[neo-t]

@neo-t I'm sorry you are going through this. Make sure you always have ear plugs with you and put them in when the environment gets too loud.

How did you get tinnitus at such a young age?

Noise exposure, I assume.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Noise exposure, I assume.

Hi neo-t.

Make sure to talk to your teachers, and your friends about your condition.

Have foam plugs, or plugs of your choice at hand always.

You may even want to pack some earmuffs in your school bag in case there is a fire drill.
I am shy, but I think we can't be... our ear health is more important than our vanity or being shy. We are special and that's fine.

Take good care, and keep us posted to how you're doing.

Good on you for coming to the forum and researching your condition.
Educate your family if they are cool and open...
Take care.

 

[Zeneth]

I decided to do online schooling, I feel like I'm missing out on a lot and I miss my friends so I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

But it is a lot quieter...

 

[neo-t]

Hi neo-t.

Make sure to talk to your teachers, and your friends about your condition.

Have foam plugs, or plugs of your choice at hand always.

You may even want to pack some earmuffs in your school bag in case there is a fire drill.
I am shy, but I think we can't be... our ear health is more important than our vanity or being shy. We are special and that's fine.

Take good care, and keep us posted to how you're doing.

Good on you for coming to the forum and researching your condition.
Educate your family if they are cool and open...
Take care.

Ayo, fellow shy person! Haha.

I tried telling my mom about the noise in my ear, but since she thinks it's a wax problem and we home irrigated it, she doesn't know much, so I hope they I'll be able to educate them.
I haven't went to a dr yet but since my bday is soon, I'll just tell my doctor what I assume I have and then I'll just ask to check for wax and if there's no big chunks of wax in my ear I've got noise induced tinnitus.

I tbh sometimes regret coming here since it sometimes revs up my anxiety, but ty for saying my decision to come here was good haha

 

[neo-t]

I decided to do online schooling, I feel like I'm missing out on a lot and I miss my friends so I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

But it is a lot quieter...

I've considered online school even before I had tinnitus. I would like to try it just because of my anxiety on my tinnitus everytime I'm around noise, but my mom doesn't approve of it probably and say it'll harm my social skills.

 

[John Mahan]

I've considered online school even before I had tinnitus. I would like to try it just because of my anxiety on my tinnitus everytime I'm around noise, but my mom doesn't approve of it probably and say it'll harm my social skills.

And your Mom would be right. You are anxious and worried about your hearing. Understandable. But, you are young and need to be surrounded by your peers to be happy. This is my opinion. Its good to be around people and in fact, being more isolated can make you more depressed and anxious and self absorbed about your tinnitus.

I suggested you speak to a mental health professional. If necessary, also contact your local audiologist. Write down...put emotions into words....exactly how you feel and explain it. You need to address your anxiety. Avoidance behavior tends to make people worse. You need to confront your fears and realize there isn't a boogie man. But you need to do this incrementally to gain trust to lower your anxiety which will likely improve your tinnitus as well. A mental health professional can put you on this path. Have your parents read my posts.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Ayo, fellow shy person! Haha.

I tried telling my mom about the noise in my ear, but since she thinks it's a wax problem and we home irrigated it, she doesn't know much, so I hope they I'll be able to educate them.
I haven't went to a dr yet but since my bday is soon, I'll just tell my doctor what I assume I have and then I'll just ask to check for wax and if there's no big chunks of wax in my ear I've got noise induced tinnitus.

I tbh sometimes regret coming here since it sometimes revs up my anxiety, but ty for saying my decision to come here was good haha

Why don't you get an audiogram done to check your hearing, if you have high frequency losses it may not show up, but it's still a good thing to do. If you have ear wax, make sure it's removed manually as opposed to microsuction.

Explain to your family what your feeling. It's really important to have them educated and on your side... and keep mom away from your ears.

Make an ENT appointment, get an audiogram.

Happy birthday, hoping your noise goes away for you.

You sound strong... do some exercise and eat your fruits and veggies, it will help when your feeling anxious.

Your going to be OK neo-t, take good care.

 

[Daniel Lion]

And your Mom would be right. You are anxious and worried about your hearing. Understandable. But, you are young and need to be surrounded by your peers to be happy. This is my opinion. Its good to be around people and in fact, being more isolated can make you more depressed and anxious and self absorbed about your tinnitus.

I suggested you speak to a mental health professional. If necessary, also contact your local audiologist. Write down...put emotions into words....exactly how you feel and explain it. You need to address your anxiety. Avoidance behavior tends to make people worse. You need to confront your fears and realize there isn't a boogie man. But you need to do this incrementally to gain trust to lower your anxiety which will likely improve your tinnitus as well. A mental health professional can put you on this path. Have your parents read my posts.

I disagree with much of your advice and hope new-t does not let her parents read what you have written. She may have noise induced problems or different otological problems that are making her stressed. Getting some counseling and support is great, but the shrinks are not the answer to what may be a problem that's origins are not psychological or emotional.

Neo-t needs to go to an ENT and audiologist first. If she suffers from reactive tinnitus or hyperacusis, a noisy school would be a big challenge.

We don't want her folks thinking.

 

[neo-t]

I suggested you speak to a mental health professional. If necessary, also contact your local audiologist. Write down...put emotions into words....exactly how you feel and explain it. You need to address your anxiety. Avoidance behavior tends to make people worse. You need to confront your fears and realize there isn't a boogie man. But you need to do this incrementally to gain trust to lower your anxiety which will likely improve your tinnitus as well. A mental health professional can put you on this path.

First, it was a pain to quote that, my god lol

Second, I don't really feel the need to go to a mental health professional for my anxiety since it's just the child side of me having fear it'll get worse, which I'm working on eliminating through not really thinking about my tinnitus and mostly living life as normal.
I can't really speak to an audiologist, but I will have a checkup soon with a family doctor (I still go to a pediatrician) so I'll mention it to her since I'll feel comfortable, but everytime I talk about my t I always cry because of me associating it with bad things, so I'll try my best to not really do that haha. Thank you for the advice though. Ur reply was really nice

Edit: if there's any typos, sorry!! I haven't slept yet because it's summer lol

 

[John Mahan]

First, it was a pain to quote that, my god lol

Second, I don't really feel the need to go to a mental health professional for my anxiety since it's just the child side of me having fear it'll get worse, which I'm working on eliminating through not really thinking about my tinnitus and mostly living life as normal.
I can't really speak to an audiologist, but I will have a checkup soon with a family doctor (I still go to a pediatrician) so I'll mention it to her since I'll feel comfortable, but everytime I talk about my t I always cry because of me associating it with bad things, so I'll try my best to not really do that haha. Thank you for the advice though. Ur reply was really nice

Edit: if there's any typos, sorry!! I haven't slept yet because it's summer lol

Pretty clear you are dismissing my advice. It is you here with your cry for help.
You likely will not slay your demons on your own. You don't have enough understanding of psychology at your young age even though you may be a bit above average in IQ...or not.

What you don't understand is, people independent of age do not have much free will. Our choices are biased by our brain chemistry. You were likely born with 'anxious' brain chemistry. In fact, even with behavior modification therapies...directives from a professional to guide you, you may still need medication to lead a normal life. I know countless people with advanced degrees on medication. They can't will themselves to good mental health. Nobody can. Your tinnitus is somewhat symptomatic of your anxiety.

Good luck to you. All I can do is suggest a good path for you but ultimately you will decide of course. There is irony in the fact that many take the wrong path because their brain chemistry preordains it. No free will.

Not sure what your gender is not that it matters. Below is famous girl in golf circles. She plays better golf than anybody you have likely met. She is a talented golfer. She is also beautiful and a very sweet lady. Everybody thinks of all the people on the planet, this person should be able to solve her life long struggle with anxiety. No. Not so easy. This young lady who seems to have everything...brains, talent, beauty, temperament...why does she struggle so? She was born with brain chemistry that makes her prone toward anxiety. In fact her anxiety on some level has driven her by perfectionism to achieve all the success she has. Anxiety can be a daunting challenge for the smartest and most successful among us.

Her story:

 

[Flamingo1]

@neo-t You have tinnitus. It is important that you get your hearing tested and see an ENT as soon as possible. This is not something to be taken lightly.

 

[neo-t]

@neo-t You have tinnitus. It is important that you get your hearing tested and see an ENT as soon as possible. This is not something to be taken lightly.

I haven't been able to because of my mom. She kept thinking it's a wax thing. I can't do anything about it.

I'm planning on mentioning it at my next checkup, but I don't think, for rn, I'll ever see an ent or a doctor because of my mom doesn't understand.

 

[neo-t]

She may have noise induced problems or different otological problems that are making her stressed.

I mean I am pretty stressed due to starting at a new school. I transferred so I'm all alone this year haha.

I agree with what you say, Daniel. I'm pretty sure you know what I'm trying to say.

Also , thank you for the birthday wish.

 

[Flamingo1]

I haven't been able to because of my mom. She kept thinking it's a wax thing. I can't do anything about it.

If it's a wax problem, it would seem to me that that falls under an ENT. Hopefully your doctor will guide you to the right resource. Another idea is to pick out a good thread on this site that you think would help your mom to understand.

 

[Zeneth]

I've considered online school even before I had tinnitus. I would like to try it just because of my anxiety on my tinnitus everytime I'm around noise, but my mom doesn't approve of it probably and say it'll harm my social skills.

I gave it a try and decided to stay online schooled, I'm probably missing out on a lot, but it's not worth my tinnitus getting worse that's for sure, I don't care what anyone else thinks. I'm very introverted too tho, so I'm just embracing my introverted nature haha.

 

[GoatSheep]

Hi! I'm going into 8th grade and I'm having major anxiety about my tinnitus due to I'll probably either be in silence or noisy situations.

I've avoided noise all throughout my summer whenever my tinnitus happened, but with this, it's unavoidable. I'm too shy to ask people to quiet down and such haha.

Anyway, could anyone give advice for how they handled tinnitus in school? Any grade/year is good, as long as you've got advice!

How is school going for you? How is your tinnitus in general and how are you handling it? Is your mother any more understanding of your situation?

 

[Daniel Lion]

I mean I am pretty stressed due to starting at a new school. I transferred so I'm all alone this year haha.

I agree with what you say, Daniel. I'm pretty sure you know what I'm trying to say.

Also , thank you for the birthday wish.

Yo neo-t.
Just giving you a shout out like Selah did.
Hope you are keeping well and adjusting to school.
Say hi, when you have free time...
Daniel

 

[neo-t]

How is school going for you? How is your tinnitus in general and how are you handling it? Is your mother any more understanding of your situation?

Yo neo-t.
Just giving you a shout out like Selah did.
Hope you are keeping well and adjusting to school.
Say hi, when you have free time...
Daniel

Quoting them both so it's easier to respond to both of you! It's actually going good! I'm adjusting well and my tinnitus is unnoticeable, even when it's quiet (because of ac noises or whatever) class is pretty loud but it hasn't affected my tinnitus any. I'm adjusting to using earbuds, so that anxiety is out of the way. My mom is a bit understanding, and I'm going to a doctor on Columbus Day (Oct 14) so I'm gonna ask about my tinnitus, but it isn't my main family doctor but it's something. I also have a dentist appt on the 4th, which is nerve racking, But I'm handling well.
I'm barely active here due to reading on here sometimes making me emotional haha

 

[Daniel Lion]

Quoting them both so it's easier to respond to both of you! It's actually going good! I'm adjusting well and my tinnitus is unnoticeable, even when it's quiet (because of ac noises or whatever) class is pretty loud but it hasn't affected my tinnitus any. I'm adjusting to using earbuds, so that anxiety is out of the way. My mom is a bit understanding, and I'm going to a doctor on Columbus Day (Oct 14) so I'm gonna ask about my tinnitus, but it isn't my main family doctor but it's something. I also have a dentist appt on the 4th, which is nerve racking, But I'm handling well.
I'm barely active here due to reading on here sometimes making me emotional haha

Great news neo-t,
You are a champ.... enjoy and take care... I am sure GoatSheep agrees.
You are devoted fans.

 

[neo-t]

Great news neo-t,
You are a champ.... enjoy and take care... I am sure GoatSheep agrees.
You are devoted fans.

Tysm! Something I've noticed is despite being in loud noise that's unavoidable, my tinnitus hasn't been affected any, so I'm getting hopeful that it's just wax!!

 

[Daniel Lion]

Tysm! Something I've noticed is despite being in loud noise that's unavoidable, my tinnitus hasn't been affected any, so I'm getting hopeful that it's just wax!!

I hope so too.
Take good care and happy things are better.
Sincerely, Daniel