Introducing Me and My Tinnitus!

[Amy Farr]

One day in the fall of 2013, I woke up with a high pitch ringing in ears and it has never gone away. I experience the ringing all day, every day. I haven't been one day without it since that notorious day in October of 2013. I was wearing ear plugs at night to help with sleep for a few months prior to the tinnitus. One ENT said there is not possible way it could be related and another said it could absolutely be related. I was 26 at the time and experienced a high level of anxiety and depression from my tinnitus. I got hearing aids to help with my hearing loss and to "mask" some of the tinnitus. I started therapy and currently take 100 mg of Zoloft every day for my anxiety. I also experience horrid migraines and headaches. About 1 or 2 headaches a week and 1 migraine every couple of months. I take 80 mg of Inderal every day to lesson the severity and amount of migraines.

I wore my hearing aids for about 8 months and I was doing fine. They seemed to help a little but I stopped wearing them because of the hassle and it's not like I can't get by without them. Maybe I'm stubborn in this department but it's just easier not to wear them. And being only 28 years old, I just don't want to wear them.

I'm moving soon so I am in between doctors. And honestly, I have not been to happy with any of my doctors because all I feel is "there's no cure, it can't be treated, all I can do is learn to live with it." There's got to be something else out there to help us with this daily struggle. Joining this forum is my most recent shot of gaining support and learning about this daily struggle of mine. I had no idea that groups like this existed! Or that there was research going on for tinnitus!

 

[Nick in az]

Welcome to the group! It really is nice to be able to talk with people that understand! Hopefully you can find a bit of solace here.

 

[billie48]

Welcome to TT. Here members understand your challenge living with loud & relentless T. Many came when distressed with T and left after some time, and a few would leave a success story of their T. Hope you will find some success stories which can give you some insights to help your case. In general, the more positive and calm, the less intrusive T is. Since there is not a proven cure yet for it, the best thing we can do is to manage our reaction to T. I have ultra high pitch T and also H initially. But H just faded over time. You may want to get masking to help you if you haven't done so.

Here is a TT thread with an audio player for many good masking sounds. It also comes with nice tips for new sufferers . There are also links to ATA & BTA with loads of more info. The more you understand tinnitus and how it works, the less fearful and stressful you are and which is good for T.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/panic/

If you need more masking sounds, here is free 'aire freshener':

http://www.peterhirschberg.com/mysoftware.html

Rain sounds are soothing indeed. How about making your own rain sounds with this rain generator:

http://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/rainNoiseGenerator.php

And if you need DIY notched Acoustic Coordinated Reset Neuromodulation (ACRN):

http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/acoustic-cr-neuromodulation

http://www.generalfuzz.net/acrn/

Members here often recommend some good supplements, such as NAC, Magnesium, Zinc, B12, D3, etc., and reduce intake of salt, sugar, MSG, caffeine, alcohol etc. You may also want to help yourself to get more sleep. Sleep deprivation is one sure way to fire up T. Get some bed time masking such as a sound machine or a sound pillow etc., so you can fall asleep better. Instead of sleep meds from the doctor, you can try natural alternatives such as Camomile tea, Hops, Valerian tablets, Melatonin etc. Check out this site on using natural herbs for sleep problem:

http://www.christopherhobbs.com/lib...ealth/herbs-and-natural-remedies-for-insomnia

 

[Natalie Roberts]

I'm super new here but I just wanted to say welcome! I'm 30 so I understand the anxiety/stress related to young onset of T. It's a very scary thing. I hope you post lots and get tons of support here as I have over the last month!!

 

[Lorac]

Hi Amy, and welcome. I am new to the forum also and I have had hearing loss and tinnitus for about as long as you have. This is the first time I have been able to hear from people who have been through the same trauma that I have been through. I wish there were not so many of you guys dealing with this, but I'm glad to relate to people who understand.