I May Be Counting My Chickens — Hopeful Progress in My Tinnitus Journey

[FellowSufferer]

Hi everyone,

This is not a success story, at least not yet, but I am posting because I have had a noticeable reduction in my tinnitus over the past month. This gives me a great deal of hope. I developed tinnitus in February 2022 from listening to loud music on headphones. After some initial worsening, it stabilized at roughly 6 out of 10 in volume and has remained that way ever since. It caused me quite a bit of distress. I was not really habituating, but I did learn to distract myself.

Last year was a bit of a nightmare for me in other aspects of life, and, long story short, I moved back in with my parents after living on my own for a year and a half. I also promised myself that in 2025, I would do everything in my power to eliminate, yes eliminate, my tinnitus.

The two main things I have tried are Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and supplements. I have been self administering TRT for a month using an MP3 player and Koss earbuds while reading books on tinnitus. I am also waiting for a doctor's appointment in February. So far, it feels like it is really helping. In addition, I have been taking Ginkgo, Turmeric, Hawthorn, Vinpocetine, Magnesium Powder, Garlic, and Pomegranate, which I think might be helping to calm my brain and those overactive bursting neurons that researchers believe create the tinnitus signal. Just generally destressing and doing less has also made a difference.

Anyway, I hope to give another update at some point with more improvement!

 

[FellowSufferer]

February Quick Update

My tinnitus progress seems to have plateaued a bit. I've continued using the MP3 player with earphones, but I admit I haven't been as consistent as I'd like. I also haven't been using my mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding at night or taking my supplements every day. I'll try to be more consistent with these in March.

The good news is that I've started seeing a private TRT practitioner in London. I get along well with the audiologist who will be administering TRT, and he has given me a Phonak sound generator to play soothing sounds. I'm feeling quite hopeful about this, especially once I figure out how to replace the default, annoying white noise with something better. Regardless, I'm optimistic about making better progress in March!

 

[FellowSufferer]

March Update:

I have been more consistent with the sound therapy this month, and there is definitely objective progress, which is encouraging. At the start of the year, I measured my minimum masking level in the late 20s to early 30s on my MP3 player, but now I am reliably getting readings in the early 20s, and I even hit 20 a few days ago. This improvement in the volume of my tinnitus has made me less anxious about it. So I think it is working, and if I continue to stay consistent with the pink noise sound therapy, I should see further gains. I will post again at the end of April.

Regarding supplements, I have added Zinc Picolinate to what I am taking, but I have not noticed any significant change from it. I definitely think the Magnesium is helping to generally calm my brain, which is naturally overactive.

 

[momus]

When I first developed tinnitus, I went to their headquarters in Portland and picked up some brochures. Their approach to TRT and your homemade version are not the same. Theirs is a structured and intensive program that lasts one to two years, during which you are required to wear the sound buds continuously. The program also includes extensive counseling.

In my experience, healing starts when we begin to habituate to the sound. Even just speaking with a supportive therapist might help, allowing you to release some of the fear and agitation.

I have had some success using bedside noise generators and a box fan to help me sleep.