I Might Have Tinnitus, Scared

[lars]

Hi All,

I've had ringing in my ears for a week now. I've never been exposed to loud noises, I'm just learning about tinnitus. Is it possible this will go away? My doctor tried antibiotics in case it was an ear infection, but it didn't help. I have an appointment with an audiologist next.

Thanks,

Lars

 

[Bill Bauer]

Is it possible this will go away?

Yes! Assuming you don't hurt your ears as you heal, there is a good chance that it will fade (and even go away). It can take anywhere between 3 and 24 months for this to happen.

Check out the studies linked to at the link in the first tip on
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

You might want to take a look at all of the tips there. Some of them might help you to avoid making your T worse.

There are also some potential treatments for T being developed:

Hearing Regeneration Trials

Spoiler

Frequency Therapeutics - FX-322
in Phase 1.5 (Results: December 2018)
Phase 2 (begin 2019)
Audion / Regain Trial
Phase 1/2 ongoing in the UK
Genvec / Novartis - CGF166
Phase 1/2 ongoing

Trials to begin in 2019 / Things to look out for in 2019

Spoiler

Neuromod (MuteButton)
launching their new device in January 2019 starting in Ireland, then Europe, then the US
results of their latest trial: 1H2019
Xenon Pharma - XEN-1101
Phase 2, expected to wrap up in 2nd quarter 2020
Frequency Therapeutics
Phase 2
Otonomy
1H19: OTO-313 (reduce tinnitus) Phase 1/2
1H19: OTO-413 (repairing synaptic damage) Phase 1/2
OTO-6XX (hair cell regeneration)
2H18: candidate selection
2019: Phase 1/2
University of Minnesota (device for tinnitus)
Phase 3 ?
University of Michigan (device for tinnitus)
perhaps updates on their currently ongoing trial
Estimated Primary Completion Date: September 2022
Estimated Study Completion Date: January 2023

 

[Virginia1027]

Lars,

Yes, there is a good chance things will go back to normal but in the event they do not it's OK! Having tinnitus not the end of your life. I've had it for over 5 years so I know just how you feel! Treat this as a nervous system malfunction (which I believe it is). Do things to be kind to your body. Meditate, go to bed early, use maskers when you need a break (I use an app called Relax Melodies). Watch a guy named Julian Cowan-Hill on YouTube. His ideas changed seriously changed my tinnitus experience! Most important of all, hang on to the fact that this WILL GET BETTER. Your brain will get used to this. Panic will subside and you will move on. Your "normal" will just change that's all. No more different than if you had any other medical condition like allergies, diabetes, etc. Sure you might not go to anymore rock concerts but movies are fine (use cotton - my favorite earplug - for super loud ones like Avengers) but otherwise carry on! Go to restaurants, see friends, anything you want! If the T spikes (at first it probably will) don't panic. IT ALWAYS GOES BACK DOWN. Since getting tinnitus I have adopted a fourth child, learned to rappel, kayak, deep cave exploring, bike race and finished a Tough Mudder race with my daughter's 19-year-old boyfriend! So don't fret. It gets better and you will move forward. Right now it's like (think back to before GPS if you're old enough) being lost. You feel you will be lost forever. Once you find your way you say to yourself, "Oh! I was almost there the whole time!" Don't fret if this takes a long time. You're traumatized right now. Healing won't happen fast (or fast enough!) but it WILL happen. It takes lots (so, so much) practice but I promise this gets way better!

 

[Julien87]

Yes it may very well go away.

 

[lars]

Thanks all, I've heard caffeine is bad, should I try giving it up for a while? Also, should I not use my headphones with music at the gym? Your comments have really uplifted me, regardless of the outcome.

 

[billie48]

Thanks all, I've heard caffeine is bad, should I try giving it up for a while? Also, should I not use my headphones with music at the gym? Your comments have really uplifted me, regardless of the outcome.

Welcome to the forum. Some people report that when they change their diet, their type of T has gotten better while others make no difference. It never hurts to try the diet route. Excess salt, caffeine, sugar, MSG, alcohol, gluten etc. have been quoted as something that can make T worse. If your ears are quite unstable, you may want to keep headphones off for a while or at least don't use it long and at a low volume. Another approach to keep T under check is to keep positive and calm as much as you can. Anxiety and stress are bad for T so being positive and calm can lower anxiety and stress. Try to find hobbies or goals to pursue so your mind can focus on something else than T. Try live a normal life as much as you can. Usually over time, T may fade or become less intensive. People can also improve on their ability to handle the ringing, and their perception of T may also improve. Give it some time. God bless.

 

[Contrast]

My doctor tried antibiotics in case it was an ear infection

antibiotics can be ototoxic making hearing/tinnitus worse.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ototoxicity#Antibiotics