How to Cope with Prolonged Periods of Time at Home Due to Tinnitus Spike?

[starrynights]

I experienced my second major spike almost a month ago and since then I have rarely left my home to let my ears recover. Whenever I would leave my home I noticed my tinnitus would spike a bit even with ear protection on possibly due to anxiety, sensitive ear canals, etc. but I have pretty much stopped living my life for a month due to the fear of going out and experiencing another tinnitus increase whether temporary or permanent. The reason I am so anxious to begin with is because I live in a very noisy neighborhood in a noisy city and loud noises are frequent as well as unpredictable (ambulance sirens, loud car honks, etc.)

I'm not sure if I am going about this the right way and I know its easy to just tell others that you can't let tinnitus control your life but given my circumstances and anxiety its hard not to. The new sound from my spike hasn't completely subsided either so I don't want to risk exposing myself to loud noise and reinjuring myself.

How can I cope with being at home for such long periods of time while recovering my ears? Everyday is so mundane and just passing me by, it is even more depressing because I'm young and I look at how people I know who are my age are out living and enjoying their lives, while I have to live in this bubble of constant paranoia. I know this will not last forever but I feel so miserable and alone right now.

 

[frischky]

Undergoing the same thing right now.... just try and find yourself a space where you can do something you enjoy and is "safe" in terms of any kind of startling noises or other things that might cause anxiety. Have some scented oils or something that will stimulate the senses to break up the mundane.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I'm not sure if I am going about this the right way

I think you are!

its easy to just tell others that you can't let tinnitus control your life

I can't take it anymore. I don't want to die but at this stage the urge to stop suffering is stronger. Ps. To all members in this forum advising against so called "overprotection". I never exposed myself to sounds even remotely considered as being potentially harmful to healthy people but because of your advice I was exposed to sounds uncomfortable for me which eventually proved to be damaging.

At initial stages i was very weary about sound levels around me and used protection everytime I felt uncomfortable.

Only by reading TRT literature or some posts here I started to expose my self to sounds loud but never louder than 75-80 dB.

Whenever I was feeling like something is not right I was stupid enough to believe you these changes were part of "the natural process of healing".

Is this your healing? Every time you feel like giving this sort of advice have my case in mind.

How can I cope with being at home for such long periods of time while recovering my ears?

Why not do something for your future - take online courses, or learn something that's useful to you by reading books, etc.?

 

[GBB]

I experienced my second major spike almost a month ago and since then I have rarely left my home to let my ears recover. Whenever I would leave my home I noticed my tinnitus would spike a bit even with ear protection on possibly due to anxiety, sensitive ear canals, etc. but I have pretty much stopped living my life for a month due to the fear of going out and experiencing another tinnitus increase whether temporary or permanent. The reason I am so anxious to begin with is because I live in a very noisy neighborhood in a noisy city and loud noises are frequent as well as unpredictable (ambulance sirens, loud car honks, etc.)

I'm not sure if I am going about this the right way and I know its easy to just tell others that you can't let tinnitus control your life but given my circumstances and anxiety its hard not to. The new sound from my spike hasn't completely subsided either so I don't want to risk exposing myself to loud noise and reinjuring myself.

How can I cope with being at home for such long periods of time while recovering my ears? Everyday is so mundane and just passing me by, it is even more depressing because I'm young and I look at how people I know who are my age are out living and enjoying their lives, while I have to live in this bubble of constant paranoia. I know this will not last forever but I feel so miserable and alone right now.

I am in a hotel for the same reason - home is too loud. I keep the TV on every hour I'm awake. Helps distract me and feel tuned into the world - mostly watching CNN.

 

[starrynights]

I am in a hotel for the same reason - home is too loud. I keep the TV on every hour I'm awake. Helps distract me and feel tuned into the world - mostly watching CNN.

Must be nice, hope it is helping. I essentially live in the loudest neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, take a guess?

 

[starrynights]

I think you are!

Yeah but the catch is that I live in a very noisy neighborhood, so I feel like I'm not being given the opportunity to properly heal. I'm trying the best that I can with the situation I'm in.

Why not do something for your future - take online courses, or learn something that's useful to you by reading books, etc.?

My anxiety has caused me to only occupy enough space in my brain for tinnitus. It's been exhausting, I'm going to have to most likely let go of a job I was really looking forward to having because of this. I really want to do those things but it's so incredibly hard right now.

 

[starrynights]

Undergoing the same thing right now.... just try and find yourself a space where you can do something you enjoy and is "safe" in terms of any kind of startling noises or other things that might cause anxiety. Have some scented oils or something that will stimulate the senses to break up the mundane.

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I hope we can get through this!

 

[Bill Bauer]

My anxiety has caused me to only occupy enough space in my brain for tinnitus. It's been exhausting, I'm going to have to most likely let go of a job I was really looking forward to having because of this. I really want to do those things but it's so incredibly hard right now.

Makes sense.

Did you get a spike recently, or has your tinnitus actually lasted 5 years? If it is the former, have you experienced any improvement since the spike began?

I can relate to feeling bad about lost time. I would say that tinnitus has obliterated two years of my life. Life is short, so it's depressing that that has happened. But if it's Just a year or two for you, and eventually you get to have your life back, then it could have been worse and there will be reason for you to be thankful.

 

[Jodi]

How can I cope with being at home for such long periods of time

Do go outside, but with earplugs. Those made of foam will lower a 110 dB sound to around 80 dB. You're safe at 80 dB, especially since a siren or horn will only last for a few seconds.