Is My Life Expectancy Now Shortened? Will I Become Stupid?

[InfiniteLoop]

ENT's know a lot about tinnitus. Its just they don't say what we wan't them to tell us which is there is effective treatments or a cure the medical community has accepted.

ENTs know very little. They are just clinicians following protocols. Tinnitus is only an ear problem in the acute stage and for a few cases with obviuos middle ear issues. Other than that, tinnitus is outside their expertise. ENTs have no idea about what is going on in the brain where T actually lives.

 

[Tinker Bell]

ENTs know very little. They are just clinicians following protocols. Tinnitus is only an ear problem in the acute stage and for a few cases with obviuos middle ear issues. Other than that, tinnitus is outside their expertise. ENTs have no idea about what is going on in the brain where T actually lives.

Agreed. It seems odd to be angry at ENTs for their lack of information on a condition that is not fully understood and in part falls beyond their scope of expertise.

It's like being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and being angry at your general doctor because they do not know how to cure it.

 

[kelpiemsp]

Tinnitus is absolutely comorbid with several conditions that can reduce life expectancy. Without a doubt the most dangerous ones are controllable to some extent, anxiety and depression. We are in the early stages of fully understanding the impact of stress (which is impacted by anxiety and depression), but we know that it has profound effects, even down to altering our genes. This is why there is so much research and effort put into TRT or CBT therapies.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Oh yeah? The next time you're at an ENT, ask them what is the prevailing theory on tinnitus formation. Ask them about the latest research on tinnitus. Ask them which therapies have been shown to be most effective. Ask them if the tinnitus ears are more susceptible to further trauma than healthy ears. Really probe them. Then post the responses here.

For what purpose? There is no clinically proven cure for tinnitus that has efficacy accepted by the medical community. After all the googling you've done, have you cured your own tinnitus? If you have, post on the success stories. What exactly have you achieved reading the "latest" research for your tinnitus?? I'm going to have a guess that you've actually made it worse by holding onto the negative feelings associated with Tinnitus and not habituated.

A good ENT will certainly recommend "treatments" and the only established ones are sound therapies to speed up habituation. If you've had a bad experience with your ENT, maybe you should visit another?

FYI: There is no evidence "tinnitus ears" are more suspectiable to further trauma than "healthy ears". Acoustic trama causes tinnitus in some, not in others. Some people have horrific hearing loss and no tinnitus. Tinnitus is more complicated than that. Will further damaging your ears make your tinnitus worse? Maybe, maybe not. Everybody should wear hearing protection in dangerous environments regardless of Tinnitus or hearing loss.

 

[TuneOut]

FYI: There is no evidence "tinnitus ears" are more suspectiable to further trauma than "healthy ears".

You haven't found that to be true? Can you exposure yourself to the same sounds that normal people can without issues?

 

[TuneOut]

For what purpose?

To demonstrate that they don't know anything about tinnitus.

 

[TuneOut]

I'm going to have a guess that you've actually made it worse by holding onto the negative feelings

Probably true.

 

[Zug]

You haven't found that to be true? Can you exposure yourself to the same sounds that normal people can without issues?

Probably yes. Thing is, most people shouldn't sit on a front row of a metallica concert without earplugs. You don't need to overprotect, just do what a reasonable person would.

Same as sex. You can stop having sex, or you can wear condoms. You can't make an argument based on "some people have sex without protection and are ok", but you can say "Everyone should protect themselves."

Best,
Zug

 

[TuneOut]

Thing is, most people shouldn't sit on a front row of a metallica concert without earplugs.

Can you sit in the front row of a movie theatre without earplugs?

 

[TuneOut]

just do what a reasonable person would

I can't say I've ever met a reasonable person.

 

[Zug]

Can you sit in the front row of a movie theatre without earplugs?

I don't like the front row.

I'll tell you what I do at the movies: I carry my molded earplugs with me. If it's an action movie, I wait for the first scenes, then take my plugs off and have some popcorn. Then I put them on because I know the end will be noisy.

If it's another kind of movie, like a drama, comedy and I'm comfortable with the volume, I'll leave my plugs on my pocket and enjoy the movie.

Best,
Zug

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

You haven't found that to be true? Can you exposure yourself to the same sounds that normal people can without issues?

It's possible it feels that way because many people who have tinnitus also have hypercusis so we can be much more sensitive to lower volumes vs a non hypercusis patient. But tinnitus and hearing loss are not always inextricably linked. Sure hearing loss is a very common causes of tinnitus, so the fear of worsening our condition if we were to cause further acoustic damage could potentially occur. But if a tinnitus patient and a non tinnitus patient stand next to a gun fire unprotected, the likely acoustic damage caused will go beyond the tinnitus factor. They would probably both cause themselves hearing loss.

To demonstrate that they don't know anything about tinnitus.

What purpose would that solve? The goal is to overcome our tinnitus, not make ourselves more anxious arguing with a doctor.

 

[Bill Bauer]

It's possible it feels that way because many people who have tinnitus also have hypercusis so we can be much more sensitive to lower volumes vs a non hypercusis patient.

What is your take on

I can't take it anymore. I don't want to die but at this stage the urge to stop suffering is stronger. Ps. To all members in this forum advising against so called "overprotection". I never exposed myself to sounds even remotely considered as being potentially harmful to healthy people but because of your advice I was exposed to sounds uncomfortable for me which eventually proved to be damaging.

At initial stages i was very weary about sound levels around me and used protection everytime I felt uncomfortable.

Only by reading TRT literature or some posts here I started to expose my self to sounds loud but never louder than 75-80 dB.

Whenever I was feeling like something is not right I was stupid enough to believe you these changes were part of "the natural process of healing".

Is this your healing? Every time you feel like giving this sort of advice have my case in mind.

and many others like him or her?

There is no evidence "tinnitus ears" are more suspectiable to further trauma than "healthy ears".

What do you call the quote above?

 

[dpdx]

How would they know, if there have been no studies carried out on important topics like what causes T and H spikes for people with different types of T?

They dont know anything

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

What do you call the quote above?

Well I'm not going to get into another one of your frivolous debates as I suspect you want that. But 3 points:

1. Quotes from scared people on tinnitus forums is not science;
2. We know nothing more about the true state of that persons conditon, health and other situations. Could they have been on ototxic medicstions or example?
3. If they did cause further hearing loss, I suspect it was not 75db. The user has not posted prior and post audiograms as proof regardless. I suspect they are confusing a "spike" with acoustic damage and hearing loss. Both very different; heck I had coffee this morning and gave myself a spike!

 

[krispin]

As helpful as this community can be, I think spending a ton of time on it can be more detrimental than helpful.

Let me explain. My tinnitus was gradual onset. Truthfully, I cannot remember a time without it. Because of this, I think I have adapted well and I doesn't occupy a ton of brain space for me. Sure it is bothersome but I don't obsess over it.

Recently, I have been having noticeable issues at work due to a trifecta of hearing issues, which brought me to this site, as tinnitus is one of those issues. As wonderful as this community is, I find I am paying far more attention to my Tinnitus than I ever have. Perhaps my tinnitus is getting worse and this is why I am paying more attention, but I do think there is a danger in focusing too much on the tinnitus in your head as well as within this community.

Use this community to help you to move your forward, but please be careful not to use it to reinforce your negative thoughts or tinnitus will get the best of you.

 

[Bill Bauer]

another one of your frivolous debates

Not an argument.

Quotes from scared people on tinnitus forums is not science

It is evidence that the risk is there.

If they did cause further hearing loss, I suspect it was not 75db.

No, he or she never mentions hearing loss. In the same post, he or she wrote

Tonight It's worse than yesterday, yesterday it was worse than week ago, week ago it was worse than month ago and so on... New sounds, new volume, increased reaction, decreased sound tolerance.

THAT is what one could end up with when being exposed to sounds under 75dB (while not suffering from any hearing loss).

 

[Bill Bauer]

Some more "not science, but evidence" for your consideration:

the noise has actually got worse - a lot worse just lately as I've been exposed to a noisy office environment. Normal for everyone else but too noisy for my ears. I now have a noise like a jet engine, a rushing wind with a high-pitched whine in it.

Yeah. I am going through the same thing. Got my T to improve and go back to mild and went to a restaurant I have eaten safely at twice post T and have had the loudest spike that has, after a week, not improved at all. And my H got worse too.

It started 2015 with a slight ring that I hardly noticed, but I continued to to go to loud events, use headphones/earphones, loud music, basically everything that you shouldn't do. Then last year it became a massive problem, probably a month before I joined the site. Ever since then it's become a bigger part of my life than it should be.

 

[MBH]

@momo My experience from the beginning T knocked me down and caught me off guard. I went to 1/2 dozen doctor who really told me to leave and deal with it. I went on this forum to find out anything and that's what I got. I learned you can move on, you keep your brains, You can't image people living with T but people do. Most important there are people you have T and It is real.

 

[Andrei90]

This. The bottom comment is exactly what I experienced among others here. The damn literature needs to change surrounding the subject. I didn't take it seriously because I didn't know what it was. Tinnitus was always described as a pure tone sound like EEEE and not a slight hiss that builds up over time. Problem is you get used to that sound while it's extremely soft and get used to it being there. It's a part of you until it becomes dangerous.

 

[Bill Bauer]

1. Quotes from scared people on tinnitus forums is not science;
2. We know nothing more about the true state of that persons conditon, health and other situations. Could they have been on ototxic medicstions or example?

Those people do NOT say "I suspect my problems were caused by ototoxic medication". They say that they suspect that their problems were caused by not being careful around noise. They are the ones who can make the most accurate guess about what caused their problems, as they have the most information.

You seem to be advocating a "stop believing your lying eyes" approach.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Your antidotical evidence is not how science is conducted, but let's agree to disagree @Bill Bauer as this is way off the OPs topic now.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Your antidotical evidence is not how science is conducted

I agree. However, in the Absence of scientists investigating the topics that are of interest to us, all we can do is form opinions based on the best information available to us.

let's agree to disagree @Bill Bauer as this is way off the OPs topic now.

Makes sense.

 

[Shera]

My mother has very intrusive tinnitus and has had it most her life, she is now 65. She's a Forensic Account and does many other things that just blow me away.

My grandfather has had it pretty much is whole life as well he's 89 and one of the smartest people I know. He does intricate carpentry. Coming up with the designs and building beautiful works, among other things.

Since my T became intrusive I noticed how quickly my concentration just slipped away. I"m slowly getting it back, but it's still tough. I think it might be part of habituating.

 

[TuneOut]

Your antidotical evidence is not how science is conducted, but let's agree to disagree @Bill Bauer as this is way off the OPs topic now.

If you pass enough people who tell you there is a chasm ahead and to watch out, you might want to take heed.

 

[momo]

Hi everyone, thanks for replying. I've read all of the posts (even the uh...odd ones) and I feel a little better knowing that I won't suffer some severe mental decline (unless the noise becomes even more intrusive?) but life is so hard at the moment that I'm finding it difficult to stay optimistic about anything. And I know that stress can be a huge factor but I honestly don't know how to not be stressed when I have this noise in my ear/ head all day every day. I'm so scared of the future and I can't even be happy in the present. I hope to god there's a cure sometime soon and that the noise disappears for all of us, especially those users here who've been suffering for years. It's been just over three months for me and I'm barely the same person I was before Christmas.

 

[dpdx]

Honestly I'm asking these questions because I'm just absolutely terrified.

I keep reading posts and seeing things online about how tinnitus affects the brain and destroys the brain and exhausts the brain and the body and things like that.

So obviously this isn't good for health, right? Honestly will tinnitus make me idk, stupider in the long run? Will it affec

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t my memory, my mind? I'm so scared lol. And in turn will that affect my life expectancy? I'm only 25. But I don't wanna live knowing that I'll never be as good as I was just one year ago. I don't want to be a broken person. I'm so upset lol.

It wont destroy the brain. I did notice that I cant concentrate anymore and that is attributed to the intrusiveness of tinnitus. My life is vastly different than it was a year ago, it is a pretty shitty life now but what can I do. I am hoping for the best.

Hi everyone, thanks for replying. I've read all of the posts (even the uh...odd ones) and I feel a little better knowing that I won't suffer some severe mental decline (unless the noise becomes even more intrusive?) but life is so hard at the moment that I'm finding it difficult to stay optimistic about anything. And I know that stress can be a huge factor but I honestly don't know how to not be stressed when I have this noise in my ear/ head all day every day. I'm so scared of the future and I can't even be happy in the present. I hope to god there's a cure sometime soon and that the noise disappears for all of us, especially those users here who've been suffering for years. It's been just over three months for me and I'm barely the same person I was before Christmas.

I am also scared of the future. I dont what will happen. Will T get better? Will it get worse? Will Hyperacusis go away? How can i find work? concentrate? have a family?

Tinnitus/Hyperacusis ruined my life completely. I feel like everything I did was for nothing.
However some hope lingers that it till get better.

 

[hans799]

momo, I have a hearing system that is really screwed up. I have misophonia (specific sounds trigger me into an irrational rage), can't sleep if there's the slightest noise around, plus tinnitus that consists of 5-6 different buzzes, whistles, Morse codes, clicks and whatnot, and is clearly audible when driving/being in the office etc. I have had these blessings since birth.

Despite this, I'm in a leadership role at a prestigious multinational and have been qualified to be a member of the Mensa society. Tinnitus didn't decrease my mental abilities at all.

When it spikes, I can get thrown into the pit of despair we all know very well. A year ago it was so bad that I was seriously contemplating suicide. But I climbed out. T serves as a very potent motivator to eat healthily, work out, have a regular sleep schedule, avoid drugs etc - take care of my body in general. Or else it spikes.

Overall, I think this bitch of a condition helped me more than it harmed.

 

[Bill Bauer]

ENT's know a lot about tinnitus.

Let's find out just how much they know.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...orum-more-useful-than-your-ents-advice.28006/

 

[threefirefour]

Let's find out just how much they know.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...orum-more-useful-than-your-ents-advice.28006/

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