How Do You Maintain a Career with Moderate and Severe Tinnitus?

[Tara Lyons]

I have hyperacusis so bad (severely disabled, can't whisper, take off earmuffs, leave my house, tolerate any sound at all etc.) that in my mind, being unable to hear well, but having the ability to be around sound would be better. This is obviously an irrational fantasy, conjured up from the depths of hell. Hearing loss would suck majorly as well.

@Zugzug good God... I'm sorry.

 

[Zugzug]

@GBB, tinnitus ruined my whole year. How was I "normal" one year ago, or for my entire life actually, and I've been dealing with this? Any issue I had in my life is NOT an issue, now that this happened. I HATE having noise in my ears. Omg. Loathe it. I'll be forever grateful WHEN this goes

Completely agree. My disease involvement in my inner ear came on suddenly. It's like walking down the street and getting shot and killed. Totally unexpected; life ruined. It scares me a little bit how little I cry these days. I used to cry all the time, back in the day when I had more hope and felt it being taken away. Now the hope is just gone and I don't know what to expect. I'm sorry if this is gloomy. I have a really rare disease so this is unlikely to be the case for others. Most improve with time.

 

[Tara Lyons]

Completely agree. My disease involvement in my inner ear came on suddenly. It's like walking down the street and getting shot and killed. Totally unexpected; life ruined. It scares me a little bit how little I cry these days. I used to cry all the time, back in the day when I had more hope and felt it being taken away. Now the hope is just gone and I don't know what to expect. I'm sorry if this is gloomy. I have a really rare disease so this is unlikely to be the case for others. Most improve with time.

@Zugzug I hope things get better for you. I've been a miserable basket case for 8 months. October 1st will be 8 months. I can't believe this is my life!! I'm normally so social, outgoing, fun. Now I'm just a lunatic who cries every day over the ringing in her ears. I have not habituated AT ALL. I still hate it as much as I did since it started.

 

[GBB]

@GBB, tinnitus ruined my whole year. How was I "normal" one year ago, or for my entire life actually, and I've been dealing with this? Any issue I had in my life is NOT an issue, now that this happened. I HATE having noise in my ears. Omg. Loathe it. I'll be forever grateful WHEN this goes

I feel the same - hoping it just ruins my year and not my life. I feel like even if my condition improves I'll be looking over my shoulder forever, unless there is a clear remedy for acoustic trauma tinnitus, but I suppose that is another day's problem (I hope), for now I am just taking it one day at a time.

 

[Tara Lyons]

I feel the same - hoping it just ruins my year and not my life. I feel like even if my condition improves I'll be looking over my shoulder forever, unless there is a clear remedy for acoustic trauma tinnitus, but I suppose that is another day's problem (I hope), for now I am just taking it one day at a time.

@GBB yea I'll forever be traumatized. I'll never be the same after this. It will improve, don't worry.

 

[Lucifer]

I feel the same - hoping it just ruins my year and not my life. I feel like even if my condition improves I'll be looking over my shoulder forever, unless there is a clear remedy for acoustic trauma tinnitus, but I suppose that is another day's problem (I hope), for now I am just taking it one day at a time.

@GBB yea I'll forever be traumatized. I'll never be the same after this. It will improve, don't worry.

That's the same with me as well. Even if I do recover from this I would be scarred for life. I never knew noise damage could lead to a life of tinnitus and hyperacusis. We didn't realise being in those types of environments would cause us these issues.

If I get another chance, next time if I am in those environments again I'll definitely be wearing earplugs, no questions asked.

 

[n_li808]

Nothing sucks more than thinking you've turned a corner only to be deceived. Again, it will drive you insane.

Omg I'm at this point... I thought I was getting better I was getting good days and then... just last night, I got hit with what I experienced when I first got it... it's consuming me all over again and I hope it goes down

How much did it fluctuate with you? I swear I had almost a week of reduced tinnitus and then it hit me full blast again. Hoping it doesn't stay like this.

 

[Fleegle]

Second: Don't monitor it from day to day, hour to hour, or it WILL consume you. You will have spikes, good days and bad. But it will always suck because it's tinnitus. Don't try to establish any trends or causality, the ears are so god damn fickle and have a mind of their own. Nothing sucks more than thinking you've turned a corner only to be deceived. Again, it will drive you insane. Ears healing slowly is an understatement, I didn't *notice* any improvements until well past 6 months. I know exactly where you're at dude, by 2 months I had completely given up and welcomed a swift death. Give it more time. After 1-2 years you'll have a better idea of what you're gonna be left with. Just pass the time and let the ears do their thing. Cochlear damage isn't always permanent, inflammation can take ages to resolve. @FGG has a great theory on this.

This. All of this. This is what I do.

I have been tracking this thing for 3 years. Writing every day how I am doing for the day. Rating my tinnitus, my TMJ, my headaches, and facial pain. Looking for a cause. Getting a good day between eons of not so good. Thinking I have cured myself, only to be reminded again, and again.

Rinse. Repeat.

There is no support where I live. I wish there was.

 

[Tweedleman]

How much did it fluctuate with you? I swear I had almost a week of reduced tinnitus and then it hit me full blast again. Hoping it doesn't stay like this.

It stayed rigidly the same at about a 5/10 for months. The summer brought crickets and open windows which made ignoring the tinnitus much easier so I did my best to not pay attention to it. Then at about the 9 month mark it seemed to have legitimately lowered to about a 2.5-3. Hard to say for sure because I've conditioned myself to not track it. Fuck, probably just jinxed myself, lol.

 

[n_li808]

@Tweedleman how long did you have it for?? It's so hard for me to ignore... I'm constantly checking it.

 

[Ken219]

@GBB yea I'll forever be traumatized. I'll never be the same after this. It will improve, don't worry.

Tara, as will you IMPROVE! My life has been up and down. Every time my tinnitus spikes it is hell for 12-18 months. I have always habituated. I'm currently in a spike. I pray for a better treatment or cure. G-d bless, hang in there.

 

[Johan001]

Hi all,

Reviving this thread. I started a new job two weeks ago (same job as I was doing before tinnitus - I work in the IT). So far it's been good, I seem to be able to do what's required from me, although yesterday I suffered with a number of panic attacks and crying outbursts during the day and today is very difficult too. I seem to be doing ok when I do autonomous tasks, but Zoom meetings (I use speakers) are a struggle for concentration. I'm not getting stress from my employer, although I'm terrified at the though of going to the office in my current condition.

@Ken219 is very motivating, I'm trying to convince myself that I'll be alright despite my severe multitonal tinnitus.

I believe I really need some encouragement from people with severe tinnitus who are still keeping their jobs.

@GBB I saw you turned down your job offer, but you still seem to be in your previous position if I'm correct?

 

[kingsfan]

Zoom meetings (I use speakers) are a struggle for concentration. I'm not getting stress from my employer, although I'm terrified at the though of going to the office in my current condition.

Zoom calls are also tough for me. I'm going to try higher quality computer speakers, but I think it's the compressed audio that just hurts to listen to. I try to be in as few meetings as possible. I always thought meetings were usually a waste of time before all of this anyway.

 

[Chadilac]

I have severe tinnitus that I can hear over almost everything. I hear it while outside and while driving down the highway.

Work is hard to concentrate at nowadays and I can't wait for the work day to be over but I haven't habituated yet after having suffered another acoustic trauma. Now I wear my earmuffs around my neck whenever I'm at work.

I have habituated before and I know that I'll habituate again in time. Knowing that I am in the hellish phase of tinnitus right now and that things will get better is what keeps me going.

 

[Simon85]

@Johan001 I work reasonably long hours in the financial markets. Honestly I think I cope best when at work. The distraction and concentration it requires is valuable. When I was visiting my ENT he chatted about a CEO he was working with that had tinnitus... it's worthwhile finding things that help you to relax.

It's not easy, but you can hold a decent job with tinnitus. You've got this.

 

[Matchbox]

Zoom calls are also tough for me. I'm going to try higher quality computer speakers, but I think it's the compressed audio that just hurts to listen to. I try to be in as few meetings as possible. I always thought meetings were usually a waste of time before all of this anyway.

Same with me, nothing is worse than hearing low thumping over people's voices on zoom... then trying to have cohesive thoughts, or doing problem solving tasks. This hasn't just stolen silence, it's stolen peace (can't mask it), hope (keeps getting worse seemingly with new low tones), and my mind.

 

[kingsfan]

Same with me, nothing is worse than hearing low thumping over people's voices on zoom... then trying to have cohesive thoughts, or doing problem solving tasks. This hasn't just stolen silence, it's stolen peace (can't mask it), hope (keeps getting worse seemingly with new low tones), and my mind.

Yep, mine gets me off track very often while working... and I already had attention/concentration problems before this. I'm still absolutely capable of working, I'm just slower than I was before tinnitus.

 

[Keith Handy]

Zoom calls are also tough for me. I'm going to try higher quality computer speakers, but I think it's the compressed audio that just hurts to listen to. I try to be in as few meetings as possible. I always thought meetings were usually a waste of time before all of this anyway.

I'm constantly reassuring myself that the audio is that bad (it is, as I recall from pre-dysacusis), and that it's not just my ears. But it's more bothersome now anyway.

 

[kingsfan]

I'm constantly reassuring myself that the audio is that bad (it is, as I recall from pre-dysacusis), and that it's not just my ears. But it's more bothersome now anyway.

Yea I'm positive it's the audio quality. I can watch tv just fine on my home theater speakers (both bookshelf and floor standing - not home-theater-in-a-box satellite speakers), but I can't use the built-in tv speakers, or talk on the speaker phone without it spiking up.

Right now the solution I'm going to try is some studio monitor speakers for my computer and maybe an Apple HomePod for phone calls.

 

[Johan001]

@Johan001 I work reasonably long hours in the financial markets. Honestly I think I cope best when at work. The distraction and concentration it requires is valuable. When I was visiting my ENT he chatted about a CEO he was working with that had tinnitus... it's worthwhile finding things that help you to relax.

It's not easy, but you can hold a decent job with tinnitus. You've got this.

Thanks @Simon85, that's reassuring. I think I'm much more haunted by the events that led to my tinnitus, it'd probably be easier to accept if it was a result of ear infection for example...

 

[Juan]

@Johan001 I work reasonably long hours in the financial markets. Honestly I think I cope best when at work. The distraction and concentration it requires is valuable. When I was visiting my ENT he chatted about a CEO he was working with that had tinnitus... it's worthwhile finding things that help you to relax.

It's not easy, but you can hold a decent job with tinnitus. You've got this.

So is it an office job?

I don't know much about the financial markets but the guys on the trading floors seem to be surrounded by noise, it must be quite loud there...

 

[Simon85]

guys on the trading floors seem to be surrounded by noise, it must be quite loud there...

I have an office job as a trader. Movies and TV like to show people shouting at each other across the floor. Most of the trading these days is electronic. Several trading desks have even shifted to working from home during COVID-19 and the transition has been quite smooth.

 

[twa]

Yea I'm positive it's the audio quality. I can watch tv just fine on my home theater speakers (both bookshelf and floor standing - not home-theater-in-a-box satellite speakers), but I can't use the built-in tv speakers, or talk on the speaker phone without it spiking up.

Right now the solution I'm going to try is some studio monitor speakers for my computer and maybe an Apple HomePod for phone calls.

I use a laptop, would either of those help the sound quality with my laptop?

 

[kingsfan]

I use a laptop, would either of those help the sound quality with my laptop?

Good external speakers will help up to a point. For high-quality audio they will make a tremendous difference imo, but if you are running low quality audio through them it may only help marginally if at all.

The HomePod is just Apple's Echo/Google home equivalent. I don't know if you can run it as a Bluetooth speaker for your computer. You can make phone/Facetime calls through it though if you have an iPhone.

 

[serendipity1996]

I have just started getting back into my job hunt after being in a slump. I feel like I'm doing better now with my hyperacusis but I'm still battling anxiety when it comes to job applications. A lot of jobs I've applied for are temporarily remote but I won't lie I am worried about how I will fire even in a typical office environment. The thought of any sudden, loud noise giving me a fresh setback doesn't do wonders for my confidence - particularly when it comes to things like fire alarms. I take it that fire drills aren't a massively common occurrence in most office jobs but I'm currently hung up on them lol. I could easily see myself sustaining a permanent setback from something like that.

 

[ajc]

A lot of jobs I've applied for are temporarily remote but I won't lie I am worried about how I will fire even in a typical office environment.

If you do your job well, they could let you continue work remotely post-pandemic.

 

[Simon85]

I take it that fire drills aren't a massively common occurrence in most office jobs but I'm currently hung up on them lol. I could easily see myself sustaining a permanent setback from something like that.

I'd explain the situation that loud noises cause physical pain. Most places will be happy to give you advanced notice for fire drills so that you can exit the building early. Job hunts are tough and I wouldn't take it personally - many people send out hundreds of applications only to get a few rejections back (and mostly non-responses). Think of it like fishing where you have to be patient. If you apply for something each day then you'll eventually get a bite.

 

[twa]

I have just started getting back into my job hunt after being in a slump. I feel like I'm doing better now with my hyperacusis but I'm still battling anxiety when it comes to job applications. A lot of jobs I've applied for are temporarily remote but I won't lie I am worried about how I will fire even in a typical office environment. The thought of any sudden, loud noise giving me a fresh setback doesn't do wonders for my confidence - particularly when it comes to things like fire alarms. I take it that fire drills aren't a massively common occurrence in most office jobs but I'm currently hung up on them lol. I could easily see myself sustaining a permanent setback from something like that.

I feel your pain. I was a teacher and administrator. We were required to have fire drills at least once a semester and then we would have the random fire alarm from the cafeteria or something electrical. Even with good hearing the alarms and 500+ students were deafening. There is no reason to have them that loud. There are also students with sensory and behavioral issues, not to mention just your normal kid with sensitive hearing.

I do hope more commercial settings and schools move to a voice type alarm with lights instead of sound. I am going to replace our alarms with the Nest alarms in the future. Hope you find a good fit for you~

twa

 

[serendipity1996]

I'd explain the situation that loud noises cause physical pain. Most places will be happy to give you advanced notice for fire drills so that you can exit the building early. Job hunts are tough and I wouldn't take it personally - many people send out hundreds of applications only to get a few rejections back (and mostly non-responses). Think of it like fishing where you have to be patient. If you apply for something each day then you'll eventually get a bite.

That's a good point - I'm aware that there are certain situations e.g. students with autism who are able to get advance notice for things like fire drills. I ended up seeing a consultant ENT last year so I'm pretty sure I have something official like 'acoustic shock disorder' on my medical records now lol. So I'd probably even have medical evidence if I had to provide it although hopefully many employers would be understanding if you just plainly requested it in advance.

Yeah, the job hunt is tough but everyone is in the same boat so will see what I can get! Thank you for the well wishes though.

 

[serendipity1996]

If you do your job well, they could let you continue work remotely post-pandemic.

I'm hopeful that working from home will be more normalised post-pandemic!