Is the "Noise" of Tinnitus Really the Problem?

PConD

Member
Author
Benefactor
Mar 2, 2016
22
Tinnitus Since
02/2016
Cause of Tinnitus
Unknown
I was thinking about my tinnitus this morning (wow, really, there's a surprise :) and the effect it's having on me, and I realized is that the actual 'noise' itself if not *that* annoying or loud.

What's really messing me up right now are the other effects that stress is causing (nausea / sweating / stomach problems / disrupted sleep) due to my *reactions* to it.

Anyone else think like that? Or is this just further evidence of my encroaching insanity?

Peter
 
Hi Nucleo,

Don't mean for a second to say that the noise is not real or not there. It absolutely, definitely, positively, bloody well is, unfortunately. Otherwise I wouldn't here. :-(

I was just pondering how much of my particular overall response to it driven by my, admittedly subjective, sensation of the noise in dB, versus my emotional response to the sudden explicable onset/ inability to control it / etc etc.

Peter
 
@PConD I think the noise is one problem, and the reaction is a related but separate problem.

The other symptoms your describing basically sound like HP axis problems; your body is stuck in fight or flight.

I've been there; it doesn't really happen to me any more (well, not from tinnitus, anyway). So I'd say that for me, the noise is still a problem, but it is much better and happier to only have one problem instead of two.
 
I was thinking about my tinnitus this morning (wow, really, there's a surprise :) and the effect it's having on me, and I realized is that the actual 'noise' itself if not *that* annoying or loud.

What's really messing me up right now are the other effects that stress is causing (nausea / sweating / stomach problems / disrupted sleep) due to my *reactions* to it.

Anyone else think like that? Or is this just further evidence of my encroaching insanity?

Peter
Linearb is right. The symptoms you have are the same as if you were standing on the train tracks with a train coming. Watch my video on the last page of the "Back To Silence" thread under Success Stories. There is a way around these feelings and hopefully a decrease in your T sounds too.
 
@PConD I think the noise is one problem, and the reaction is a related but separate problem.

Thanks linearb - now I have two problems :-p

But, yeah I think that what you say makes sense. If the noise would go away I suppose that would solve both problems, but if that is not possible, then addressing the response element may alleviate most of the issues with the noise in the first place.

I don;t know if that makes any sense - think I just need some sleep.

Peter
 
If the noise would go away I suppose that would solve both problems, but if that is not possible, then addressing the response element may alleviate most of the issues with the noise in the first place.
This is the basic theory behind habituation-based therapies for tinnitus. I think the degree to which they are successful depends on personal psychology, and the severity of the tinnitus.

Despite not being thrilled about my tinnitus, overall I'd say that a lot of the time I'm a pretty happy guy (oddly, overall probably more stable and less angst-ridden than when I was younger and had less severe tinnitus). However, I'm not going to kid you and say that if my tinnitus suddenly tripled it wouldn't be a big deal. So, I take the best precautions I can to keep that from happening, within reasonable limits, and then just try to live my life. Maybe there will be a cure or better treatment some day, maybe not, but I can't put my life on hold in the meantime.
 
Watch my video on the last page of the "Back To Silence" thread under Success Stories.

Great video IWLM. I'm gonna try this out starting today - let you know how it goes.

And on that note, going to sign off from the endless online searching and googling for a couple of weeks too.

Cheers.

Peter
 
Yes I agree,Peter, 100% . I have increasing tinnitus and it is getting severe...I must use my mind to accept and relax... But I hope for a cure...SOON!
 

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