Just Something That Helped Me Put Tinnitus Into Perspective This Week

[Jason37]

My wife's grandmother died of a rare cancer in her neck this last weekend that the crazy doctors took over a year to diagnose.

She went from coming over here last year planting flowers with the kids in the garden to death on the doorstep in a year.

I know for a fact she would spend another 20 years with my mild tinnitus I complain about so much in trade so she could be with these kids longer.

And that makes me feel embarrassed to even complain a little bit about it anymore.

I also just watched a video left for my church of a woman who had passed away. She had several small children and wanted to let us know how every moment counts. She was only in her mid 30's and talked about her chemo and how she was bitter about the pain and it happened her in the prime of her life at first. Then she understood she was wasting her time with anxiety and anger when she should be holding her kids every second and not dwelling on what could have been.

These two things really impacted me this weekend, and after having my tinnitus spike for the first time from a speaker I was on high alert.

But I woke up today with my T back low and thought what the heck am I complaining about.

I can still hold my kids, I complain about it but people like @fishbone and @glynis always have a great outlook and would probobly not even notice my T if they could trade.

It's almost embarrassing when I put it into that perspective. It's still hard to forgive myself for causing the accident that started this crap but I am grateful and thank the good Lord it's not as bad as it could have been.

That's all just some thoughts.

 

[glynis]

@Jason37,
Don't be to hard on yourself as mild tinnitus can still cause you aggrvation we carn't stop.
Sorry to hear about your wifes grandmother...
Maybe do a memory box together or plant a rose tree.
Love glynis x

 

[Tinker Bell]

I empathize with what you wrote. A week before I suddenly lost my hearing, a friend suddenly lost their young child. I can hear my tinnitus over everything, it reacts by increasing in volume to certain sounds, and I have severe hearing loss. But seeing what my friend endured and the pain and loss they will forever carry with them, it has given me a different perspective. They would trade their pain for my own, but that is not a trade I would ever make.

But, do not be too hard on yourself. It is okay to be upset, angry and mourn what you have personally lost (silence, healthy hearing). I think that is an important part of the process to moving forward. Maybe that is even the key. Allow yourself some time to grieve your previous norm, but then keep things in perspective and start adjusting to your new norm.

 

[Alvise]

I empathize with what you wrote. A week before I suddenly lost my hearing, a friend suddenly lost their young child. I can hear my tinnitus over everything, it reacts by increasing in volume to certain sounds, and I have severe hearing loss. But seeing what my friend endured and the pain and loss they will forever carry with them, it has given me a different perspective. They would trade their pain for my own, but that is not a trade I would ever make.

But, do not be too hard on yourself. It is okay to be upset, angry and mourn what you have personally lost (silence, healthy hearing). I think that is an important part of the process to moving forward. Maybe that is even the key. Allow yourself some time to grieve your previous norm, but then keep things in perspective and start adjusting to your new norm.

What caused your hearing loss?

 

[Tinker Bell]

What caused your hearing loss?

A virus. I had been sick a week before I lost my hearing. At the time, I had thought it was just a minor cold. I knew loud noise could damage hearing, I had no idea a cold could.

So when members post about wearing earplugs with earmuffs and avoiding moderate sounds, I wonder if they do the same diligence to avoid germs.

 

[Alvise]

A virus. I had been sick a week before I lost my hearing. At the time, I had thought it was just a minor cold. I knew loud noise could damage hearing, I had no idea a cold could.

So when members post about wearing earplugs with earmuffs and avoiding moderate sounds, I wonder if they do the same diligence to avoid germs.

Are you 100% sure about it?

 

[Tinker Bell]

Are you 100% sure about it?

Yes.

And so are the ear specialists, ENTs, audiologists and neurologists that I saw at several well regarded, highly ranked hospitals. I have spoken with medical professionals in other fields as well, and every single one has told me that even seemingly minor viruses can do far more damage than most people realize.

To leave no stone unturned, I have had multiple MRIs, MRA/MRVs, a spinal tap and countless blood tests checking for autoimmune disorders, genetic conditions, and a host of other rare possibilities. Plus very thorough audiology testing.

My hearing loss pattern looks nothing like a typical loss pattern seen for acoustic trauma, ototoxicity or presbycusis. A high frequency hearing test supported that, too.

 

[Alue]

A virus. I had been sick a week before I lost my hearing. At the time, I had thought it was just a minor cold. I knew loud noise could damage hearing, I had no idea a cold could.

So when members post about wearing earplugs with earmuffs and avoiding moderate sounds, I wonder if they do the same diligence to avoid germs.

Did you have a lot of congestion in your Eustachian tubes with that cold? I'm assuming that's how the virus gets into your middle ear.

I do my best to not get sick (which is challenging when people don't bother covering their mouths when they cough), and when I am sick I try my best to keep my ears clear. Waking up with SSNHL is a big fear of mine now.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Did you have a lot of congestion in your Eustachian tubes with that cold? I'm assuming that's how the virus gets into your middle ear.

I do my best to not get sick (which is challenging when people don't bother covering their mouths when they cough), and when I am sick I try my best to keep my ears clear. Waking up with SSNHL is a big fear of mine now.

Not really, at least nothing that really stood out to me compared to other colds.

I seem to have horrible luck with viruses, so I am trying to be extra vigilant this year. I will be relieved once flu season passes. Several doctors told me the flu can lead to hearing damage.

 

[Alue]

Not really, at least nothing that really stood out to me compared to other colds.

I seem to have horrible luck with viruses, so I am trying to be extra vigilant this year. I will be relieved once flu season passes. Several doctors told me the flu can lead to hearing damage.

I've been super vigilant too. Call me paranoid, but I've gotten into the habit of taking alcohol wipes with me when I fly. I'll wipe down the armrests and tray tables. I also wipe down the steering wheel of rental vehicles. Getting good sleep seems to be the best defense.

Makes me think about all the people that are leery of the flu shot. I'd rather decrease my chances of getting the flu.

 

[Tinker Bell]

I've been super vigilant too. Call me paranoid, but I've gotten into the habit of taking alcohol wipes with me when I fly. I'll wipe down the armrests and tray tables. I also wipe down the steering wheel of rental vehicles. Getting good sleep seems to be the best defense.

Makes me think about all the people that are leery of the flu shot. I'd rather decrease my chances of getting the flu.

Those are very good ideas. I am going to keep those in mind for the next time I travel. You should see the cleaning I give shopping carts at the grocery store!

I agree about the flu shot, too. I realize it has a low rate of effectiveness, however it does still aid in lessening symptom severity. I'll take all the help I can get.

 

[AZeurotuner]

I've been super vigilant too. Call me paranoid, but I've gotten into the habit of taking alcohol wipes with me when I fly. I'll wipe down the armrests and tray tables. I also wipe down the steering wheel of rental vehicles. Getting good sleep seems to be the best defense.

Makes me think about all the people that are leery of the flu shot. I'd rather decrease my chances of getting the flu.

I take 5 grams of turkey tail and reishi mushroom fruiting extracts (ten grams total per day mixed with water and drank on an empty stomach)... I haven't been sick with ANYTHING for two years, and I've been in close proximity to many people with the cold and flu. In my opinion nothing beats these two when it comes to keeping the immune system firing on all cylinders, there's even a study where they cured HPV in 80% of the participants in only two months, and are also used to treat and preventing cancer. Take some time and do your research on these guys, they're amazing for the body, best supplements I've ever taken bar none.

 

[Jason37]

Also just wanted to say My my uncle with andvanced MS came to visit my Grandmother across the street today. He is wheel chair bound and can barely see a thing. Everything has to be done for him. He also has Tinnitus from hearing loss aswell, Likely from medication. He was very happy and smiling today. I haven't seen him in awhile and was shock had rapidly he has deteriorated. I will not complain of my T again. As a matter of fact I am thankful that is not near as bad as it could have been.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Also just wanted to say My my uncle with andvanced MS came to visit my Grandmother across the street today. He is wheel chair bound and can barely see a thing. Everything has to be done for him. He also has Tinnitus from hearing loss aswell, Likely from medication. He was very happy and smiling today. I haven't seen him in awhile and was shock had rapidly he has deteriorated. I will not complain of my T again. As a matter of fact I am thankful that is not near as bad as it could have been.

Thanks again for sharing. Hearing loss can be a symptom of MS. I have an increased risk of MS (thanks to another health condition), so an initial worry when I lost my hearing was that it was MS-related.