How to Get the "Full College Experience" When You Are Suffering from Tinnitus?

[aoife]

Hi,

Sorry if this is in the wrong section but I just need some advice on starting college with tinnitus.
Last year, I put up my first post in the "Introduce Yourself" section describing my worries about clubbing and events that could affect my tinnitus while I was in my final year of school. Obviously, the coronavirus stopped all that from happening and personally, it is one of the only positives I can find from this whole situation!! It relieved a lot of my stress and worries and I finished my final year happily. Now, I have a new worry, college! Although I know college life is going to be extremely different for at least the first half of the year with both online and on-campus learning along with social distancing, I'm still worried and don't really know what to expect.

Obviously I'm not that big into clubbing and going to places with loud music, but I'm worried that it is going to affect my chances of making friends, as I'm also staying at home. I'm not really sure if there's going to be a fresher's week, which obviously makes it harder to meet new people, and if we are only doing online learning until we can go back to college fully that also prevents my chances. I'm not going to put my tinnitus at risk once clubbing does become a thing again, as I have in the past and I regret it extremely. I am open to clubs and societies if I get the opportunity to join them!! So basically, I'm stuck and worried that I'm going to be alone at college I'm actually quite a sociable person so my tinnitus has really affected me in that way.

Any advice? I would love to hear from other people who have had the same worries as me and how they overcame them, or any advice on how to make friends and avoid certain social events but still feel like they're getting the "full college experience". Maybe it is nothing to be worried about, but I really don't want my college experience to be affected in a huge way because of my tinnitus, along with staying at home.

Thanks for reading!

 

[AfroSnowman]

If you are really concerned about it impacting your ability to live the life you want to lead, why not get some good earplugs, maybe get them molded for you? Not as good as not having to worry about it at all but way better than not living your life.

 

[Steph1710]

Hi @aoife

When I first developed T, I felt exactly the same way. I've just finished my degree and I can tell you socialising to begin with was a little difficult. I felt kinda cut off from other people and felt I couldn't enjoy myself fully - but then I just seemed to over come it.

In fact you'll find the more you're in company and making friends, the less you'll think about your T.

Just protect your ears when you're out and about and you should be fine.

I never leave the house without my good earplugs. I suggest buying some and then you can go out and enjoy yourself with your new friends/old friends again.

It will be difficult at first, but you'll get used to it. Also just explain you have ear problems and so you've gotta protect yourself from certain noise. People will understand - and if they don't, then they're not worth hanging out with.

My only word of caution - try and avoid clubs or any environment with extremely loud sounds. Clubbing is boring anyway. I never liked it, so if you don't either, then we're not missing out - are we. having T makes for a good excuse to not go.

Hope this helps a bit. Feel free to message and ask more if needs be.

Steph <3