Intro

[Highlands]

Hello everyone. Thank you for letting me become a member and here is my introduction to the group.

I've noticed a mild tinnitus in 2015 and it got louder March 2017 with spikes starting in September 2017.

I have hearing loss. Moderate to severe high frequencies and I've been wearing hearing aids since April 2018. My audiologist said it will take about 6 months to get accustom to the aids.

I'm using my hearing aid 'tinnitus program' every day since July 4th even on good quiet days. With hopes to re-train my brain or at least lower the volume. I also have the Oasis Tinnitus Sound Machine which I use at night.

I find myself sometimes overwhelmed when reading so many articles that I just have to stop for awhile.

Since September 2017 my Tinnitus has been running a pattern. I have two nice sorta quiet days and then one loud (spike) day which I try my best to cope with - but its difficult.

Even with the hearing aids, tinnitus masking program, sound machine at night. I'm still in this pattern. Nothing in my diet or stress causes these spikes since keeping a diary.

Am I on the right path? What else can I do? Can listening to the tinnitus masker program on my hearing aids everyday (good or bad days) make my tinnitus worse or will it help in time?

I know I need patience and time to habituate and for the the hearing aids to help me - if at all.

Please any feedback and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Highlands]

Awww, no replies to my post? Am I looking in the wrong place for them? Thank you.

 

[robHing]

Hi ... Welcome ...
I believe there will be answers to your questions.

 

[robHing]

@Michael Leigh Can you help answer her questions ? thanks!

 

[Mystery Reader]

Hi, Highlands!
Sometimes it's a while before someone who has experience with whatever question is being asked notices a thread and then responds to it.

You've landed in a great place for support, though!


Mystery Reader

 

[Bill Bauer]

Perhaps some of the information on
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...u-give-to-someone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850 will be useful to you

 

[Highlands]

Thank you everyone. I'm looking forward to getting some helpful feedback. Sorry, didn't mean to sound impatient. I'm having a loud day and I'm trying my best to cope and be positive. I'm going to try some of the tips in the video when having a spike.

 

[robHing]

A few people who can help answer your questions are in UK.
It is a little late now. May be tomorrow ... will have more answers.

 

[Highlands]

Thank you robHing.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thank you for the PM @robHing

HI @Highlands

Welcome to the forum.

You are doing the right things by wearing the hearing aids and using a sound machine. Over time it is likely the tinnitus will eventually go away or reduce to a very low and comfortable level where you are able to ignore it, Habituate. This takes time. Please do not use headphones even at low volume or subject yourself to high levels of sound/music . Please click on the links below and read my posts which you might find helpful.

All the best
Michael


https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

 

[glynis]

@Highlands,
I have duel purpose hearing aids also and use my masking setting when there is no sound around to amplify.
I love my Alexa my hubby got me for Christmas and can tell it play music or what I like or radio etc by voice command and up or lower the volume and it's in my livingroom but can even plug it in by my back door if would like it on having time out side...
love glynis

 

[Highlands]

I have a tinnitus program in my hearing aids. Should I use this program when my tinnitus is very low? Or all the time? I've been using it on both good and bad days for 10 hours. Is 10 hours too long? Or should I use it longer during my waking hours? I use the Oasis Sound machine at night time. Just reading some of the threads about T getting lower and in the background in time makes me feel so much more positive. Thanks everyone for your helpful replies.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have a tinnitus program in my hearing aids. Should I use this program when my tinnitus is very low? Or all the time? I've been using it on both good and bad days for 10 hours. Is 10 hours too long? Or should I use it longer during my waking hours? I use the Oasis Sound machine at night time. Just reading some of the threads about T getting lower and in the background in time makes me feel so much more positive. Thanks everyone for your helpful replies.

Unless you were advised to use the tinnitus program by your Audiologist/Hearing Therapist through your hearing aids, then I advise you not to use it. My opinion on this is to use your hearing aids without a tinnitus programme or any other and just set them at an appropriate level to deliver normal everyday sounds to your ears and auditory system.

As I've already mentioned, the habituation process takes time and cannot be rushed. Using sound therapy not specifically designed for you then you could increase your tinnitus unknowingly so please be careful

Michael

 

[Highlands]

Thank you Michael Leigh. My audiologist is not an expert with tinnitus which is too bad for me. He programed my hearing aids for my loss of hearing, moderate to severe high frequencies. He also programed the tinnitus program to my hearing loss. I had read in an article pertaining to TRT where it was good to listen to white noise at least 10 hours daily. But not sure if I should on low volume days. I have the white noise on my hearing aids which is specifically designed for my hearing loss. I wear the hearing aids every day.

I have been listening to the tinnitus program since July 4 and there is no difference with my tinnitus low or high spikes. It's still following the same pattern.

So, would you suggest I continue using the tinnitus program specifically designed for me like I have been - daily?

Yes, I know it takes time to habituate (darn) and I'm constantly reminding myself of this when I have a spike day.

Thanks again for your replies.,

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have been listening to the tinnitus program since July 4 and there is no difference with my tinnitus low or high spikes. It's still following the same pattern.

So, would you suggest I continue using the tinnitus program specifically designed for me like I have been - daily?

Yes, I know it takes time to habituate (darn) and I'm constantly reminding myself of this when I have a spike day.

Thanks again for your replies.,

Thank you for the additional information @Highlands as it helps a lot. In my opinion, it is not a good idea for you to be using white noise or a tinnitus programme with your hearing aids to begin with. Hearing aids take time to get used to. Supplying your ears with white noise puts more strain on you and your auditory system. If it's possible, I would turn off the white noise or the tinnitus programme and just use the hearing aid to deliver normal everyday sounds. Once you are completely used to them, then you could try adding the white noise and see how you get on. When you do this, do it slowly. By this I mean: turn on the white noise for 1 or 2 hrs then turn if off for the same amount of time. Build up the white noise wearing time slowly over a few weeks until you become used to it. Remember, the white noise should be kept slightly below your tinnitus and must not under any circumstances mask or cover up your tinnitus so it can't be heard.

Michael

 

[Highlands]

I seem to be used to the white noise being on for 10 hours a day and I hardly hear it now after using it for about 3 weeks. It's definitely programed to be below my tinnitus. It used to be so annoying but no longer. I will stop using it now after reading your reply.

I've had the hearing aids since mid April and I'm still amazed hearing sounds that I didn't know I was missing.

My audiologist said it may take 6 months to get used to the hearing aids. Another person was told by his audiologist it may take a year. I guess it depends on each individual.

Thank you again Michael. I'll be reading the links you posted to my thread.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I seem to be used to the white noise being on for 10 hours a day and I hardly hear it now after using it for about 3 weeks. It's definitely programed to be below my tinnitus. It used to be so annoying but no longer. I will stop using it now after reading your reply.

If the white noise is no longer bothering you then please continue to use it. What happens is this: The brain habituates to the white noise and slowly pushes the tinnitus in to the background so it becomes less noticeable. So if you are comfortable using the white noise carry on using it.

Michael

 

[threefirefour]

That is on every very fluffy dog.

 

[New Guy]

@Highlands

I have a hearing loss as well, around 4k on the graph.

Can I ask if your t came on suddenly after a loud noise event or gradually built up as your hearing faded?

If you prefer not to think about it I certainly understand.

 

[Highlands]

"The brain habituates to the white noise and slowly pushes the tinnitus in to the background so it becomes less noticeable." YAY!!

This was what I had read in several articles when applied to TRT treatment(s). Thank you Michael for your time and quick replies. I will continue using the white noise with hopes that soon I will habituate to the tinnitus. Yes, of course I will continue to remind myself it will take time.

This message is for New Guy. Sorry, I'm not familiar enough with this forum as to how to address you in a reply. I have no exact idea how I ended up with hearing loss. Other than my audiologist told me it happens over years due to age, or loud noise(s). I had no idea until the tinnitus started to be really loud then I went for a hearing test which proved hearing loss to high frequencies.

 

[glynis]

@Highlands ,
Lovely to hear your masking setting on your hearing aids are helping.
I first had White noise generators and were really helpful from ENT.
I now have duel purpose hearing aids.
Finding out what settings work for you the best will come over time.
My masker setting was set with amplification with it but I asked my audiologist to take the amplification off the white noise setting and amplification on it's own setting so that works best for me.
love glynis

ps,love your beautiful dog.

 

[jimH]

This message is for New Guy. Sorry, I'm not familiar enough with this forum as to how to address you in a reply...

If you want someone to get an "Alert" you simply type an "@" in front of their user name such as @Highlands. Another way is to use the "Quote" feature in the lower right side of a post. You can quote an entire post or a portion of it as I just did with yours. Then you can reply to it or comment on it. They will get an alert this way, also.

They will receive an alert almost immediately if they are still logged on or will find it waiting for them the next time they log back on.

 

[Highlands]

If you want someone to get an "Alert" you simply type an "@" in front of their user name such as @Highlands. Another way is to use the "Quote" feature in the lower right side of a post. You can quote an entire post or a portion of it as I just did with yours. Then you can reply to it or comment on it. They will get an alert this way, also.

They will receive an alert almost immediately if they are still logged on or will find it waiting for them the next time they log back on.

Thank you. I had no idea how to do this. Now I do.

 

[Highlands]

@Highlands ,
Lovely to hear your masking setting on your hearing aids are helping.
I first had White noise generators and were really helpful from ENT.
I now have duel purpose hearing aids.
Finding out what settings work for you the best will come over time.
My masker setting was set with amplification with it but I asked my audiologist to take the amplification off the white noise setting and amplification on it's own setting so that works best for me.
love glynis

ps,love your beautiful dog.

Awww, thanks for the compliment on my dog.

I have a tinnitus program for my hearing aids that have been programed specifically for my hearing loss. If I want to use it while having my hearing aids on I can just turn it on. Its been set lower than my tinnitus. Is this what you mean by 'duel purpose hearing aids?' If so, then that is what I have. Do you have the tinnitus program on all the time? Or when do you use it?

 

[glynis]

@Highlands,
I only have my tinnitus masking on when in a quiet place with no sound to amplify eg, I don't have the tv on much in the day so my home is quiet so I put it on white noise setting .
When I am around sound I just keep amplification on .
love glynis