Life with Tinnitus and No Earplugs

[light rain]

L

May I ask you to please elaborate? What part of the test do you think had that impact on you?

On day 11 after my acoustic trauma, I visited an audiologist and had a hearing test done. My T began in the evening of that day. I always thought that it had to be a coincidence. Was any component of your hearing test loud? I can't think of anything during my hearing test that could have been bad for my ears. The audiologist did a bone conduction test, but it wasn't noisy...

I was completely surprised too because I wasn't antipating any problems and wanted the test. I don't know if it was the booth and the headphones combined but it has made me leery of further tests. Oddly the clicking for the nerve testing didn't seem to cause a spike and I this ought that would (that was a month later during balance testing). So I have to think something with the soundproof environment made it spike.

 

[Bill Bauer]

L

I was completely surprised too because I wasn't antipating any problems and wanted the test. I don't know if it was the booth and the headphones combined but it has made me leery of further tests. Oddly the clicking for the nerve testing didn't seem to cause a spike and I this ought that would (that was a month later during balance testing). So I have to think something with the soundproof environment made it spike.

This is shocking. Your experience and my experience seem to imply that those tests are not safe and can cause T!!!

 

[light rain]

This is shocking. Your experience and my experience seem to imply that those tests are not safe and can cause T!!!

My reaction was still at the drs office and I even mentioned it to the ENT. So not sure why but it is interesting if it has happened to others.

Lynn

 

[Bill Bauer]

My reaction was still at the drs office and I even mentioned it to the ENT. So not sure why but it is interesting if it has happened to others.

Lynn

All you heard during the test were those very quiet tones, right? Your doctor didn't test your tympani muscle, right?

 

[light rain]

All you heard during the test were those very quiet tones, right? Your doctor didn't test your tympani muscle, right?

Honestly I don't know. The test just seemed tones and word recognition. I felt odd afterward and then a spike. And that was before the ENT started looking in my ears or testing for bppv. So I don't know if the muscle was tested but I don't think they would have since I hadn't even seen the doctor yet. Unless that is routine.

 

[Bill Bauer]

The test just seemed tones and word recognition.

Just like my test...

This is disturbing on many levels.

Someone with a recent onset of T ought to think twice before seeing an ENT (who requires that you do a hearing test before coming in). If you know your T is not a result of a tumor, there is nothing an ENT is going to do for you (unless you get them to do steroid injections, which most of them are not comfortable doing). Yet as can be seen from my example and from Lynn's example, you can end up with a lot of damage, after seeing those doctors.

 

[Angelos'life]

Can someone tell me how do I reply to someone I can't seem to figure it out btw bill thanks for the kind words

 

[Bill Bauer]

btw bill thanks for the kind words

You are most welcome.

To reply to someone's post you can either click the word "quote" on the bottom right of their post, or you can use your mouse to select the text you would like to reply to, let go of the mouse, and then click the word "quote" that will appear near the text you had selected.

 

[Angelos'life]

You are most welcome.

To reply to someone's post you can either click the word "quote" on the bottom right of their post, or you can use your mouse to select the text you would like to reply to, let go of the mouse, and then click the word "quote" that will appear near the text you had selected.

Ok I think I got it thanks

 

[GregCA]

For me it's one of the worst. For the mayority it isn't but that doesnt mean extreme t/h do not exist

I do believe you when you say it's the worst for you. But you're a sample of one, which doesn't make much sense when making statistics with a scope of a planet (which was the original point).

I do know (personally) what extreme t/h is. Believe me, I am sympathetic.
We shouldn't minimize the pain and suffering that T causes, but we should also be cognizant of the opposite bias that makes us tend to minimize the pain and suffering that others are facing out of ignorance of what it actually entails. One way to think of it is to ask yourself if you realized how bad T/H could be before you got it. You didn't know not because you were evil, but because you didn't "live it": you were somewhat ignorant about it (I use the word in a non derogatory meaning).
We are very knowledgeable about T/H suffering, but ignorant about many other conditions' suffering.

 

[Angelos'life]

Hello @Angelos'life
That's how I feel right now. I think tinnitus is the worst handicap that someone can get because even disabled people can still enjoy things like going out, cinema, SLEEP etc. and of course music which is a life element. I don't see much hope after hanging around in the forum. It gets worse and nobody can be pure happy with this. It's true that for most people out there, out of TT it's mild and stable. I know people with tinnitus that goes to clubs etc and nothing happens to them. Here we are different cases. I am thinking everyday about suicide. I'm losing hope unfortunately... sorry

We are so screwed left with no options no choices no no way out

 

[Zug]

Hi everyone,

First I wanna say if this post offends anyone, I'm sorry, it's not my attention, I'm just venting.

I've had tinnitus for 1 month and I posted a few times but I want to say my story and what I think of T and this forum and life with T in general.

I'm 32, I'm married, I got a son and I was living life just fine up until a month ago.

So I'll start off by saying my t was pretty low, a simple fan or tv would mask the noise, not so much anymore, only because I choose not to wear ear plugs, people on here say the minute they go outside they put ear plugs in there ears when they drive in a car when they go to a restaurant when they're just taking a walk, I don't understand what kinda life is that, my thought is that if you have to live in a bubble, cause that's pretty much what it is, then you shouldn't live at all.

My T gets loud, goes low, gets loud, goes low, there's no controlling it if you wear ear plugs or not, if you smoke, drink, eat salt, drink coffee, you really never know what is spiking it, it's all a guessing game so live the best you can if you can.

My ENT says my eustachian tubes are inflamed very bad, that's pretty much what is causing my T but I'm not very hopeful that it will go away, I was hopeful but because of this forum because everything on here is horror especially when I read about people with the same problem I have, yet they've had T for 20 years, but for some stupid reason I'm addicted to this forum like a drug just reading and reading and reading. I believe that this T is hell on earth and nothing less, it's so unpredictable it makes me feel so hopeless, I cry and cry and cry, I feel sorry for myself, for my family and then I get angry that even if I habituate to the noise, I gotta wear ear plugs wherever I go basically and I can't stay in the silence and I can't stay where it's to noisy, so pretty much stay in a bubble with a white noise machine, I tell you now it's not a life, it's hell on earth, and the thought of leaving this life is not far from my thoughts.

My work consist of me driving constantly and this forum pretty much says that the damn bumps in the road and pavement is no good for your ears it spikes t, it's just amazing how it takes away the simplest things in life like going to a movie is a problem, now driving is a problem, the ambulance truck that passes by is a problem.

Last week I went to a bar with friends with no ear plugs because I refuse to live in a bubble and all I can think about is how my friends are drinking and having fun and my thoughts are is my t gonna be louder and stay louder forever after this night, it's depressing.

I'm mad at life, now I could not sleep because yesterday I drove 100 miles and my t has not gone down and seems to get louder every day, so my options are wear ear plugs, and live in a bubble, and stop salt, and don't eat fast foods, and don't smoke, and don't drink, and don't drive too long, and don't go to movies, and don't go to bars and restaurants, and pretty much just stand still with a white noise machine or have t spike constantly and the best part is even if I do just stand still with a white noise machine it still spikes, lol life sucks, your thoughts....?

@Angelos'life , please don't confuse what you read here with professional advice. There is no evidence that driving can make your hearing or Tinnitus worse. I have pretty loud Tinnitus on both years, been to parties, movies, etc. You're still pretty new to this and it may go away. Even if it doesn't, we adapt.

You don't need to wear earplugs everywhere, jut in really loud situations. Theoretically that's what everyone should do. If you're in a place that you need to shout to be heard, it's best to plug your ears.

Try not to freak out, if you need, get some white noise app on your phone and leave it on by your side.

Best,
Zug

 

[Angelos'life]

We are so screwed left with no options no choices no no way out

Bill can you tell me how long you got and how and all the little details in between if possible. But the most important thing is how are you coping with it ?

 

[Angelos'life]

You are most welcome.

To reply to someone's post you can either click the word "quote" on the bottom right of their post, or you can use your mouse to select the text you would like to reply to, let go of the mouse, and then click the word "quote" that will appear near the text you had selected.

.
Bill can you tell me how long you got t and how and all the little details in between if possible. But the most important thing is how are you coping with it ?

 

[fishbone]

Hi everyone,

First I wanna say if this post offends anyone, I'm sorry, it's not my attention, I'm just venting.

I've had tinnitus for 1 month and I posted a few times but I want to say my story and what I think of T and this forum and life with T in general.

I'm 32, I'm married, I got a son and I was living life just fine up until a month ago.

So I'll start off by saying my t was pretty low, a simple fan or tv would mask the noise, not so much anymore, only because I choose not to wear ear plugs, people on here say the minute they go outside they put ear plugs in there ears when they drive in a car when they go to a restaurant when they're just taking a walk, I don't understand what kinda life is that, my thought is that if you have to live in a bubble, cause that's pretty much what it is, then you shouldn't live at all.

My T gets loud, goes low, gets loud, goes low, there's no controlling it if you wear ear plugs or not, if you smoke, drink, eat salt, drink coffee, you really never know what is spiking it, it's all a guessing game so live the best you can if you can.

My ENT says my eustachian tubes are inflamed very bad, that's pretty much what is causing my T but I'm not very hopeful that it will go away, I was hopeful but because of this forum because everything on here is horror especially when I read about people with the same problem I have, yet they've had T for 20 years, but for some stupid reason I'm addicted to this forum like a drug just reading and reading and reading. I believe that this T is hell on earth and nothing less, it's so unpredictable it makes me feel so hopeless, I cry and cry and cry, I feel sorry for myself, for my family and then I get angry that even if I habituate to the noise, I gotta wear ear plugs wherever I go basically and I can't stay in the silence and I can't stay where it's to noisy, so pretty much stay in a bubble with a white noise machine, I tell you now it's not a life, it's hell on earth, and the thought of leaving this life is not far from my thoughts.

My work consist of me driving constantly and this forum pretty much says that the damn bumps in the road and pavement is no good for your ears it spikes t, it's just amazing how it takes away the simplest things in life like going to a movie is a problem, now driving is a problem, the ambulance truck that passes by is a problem.

Last week I went to a bar with friends with no ear plugs because I refuse to live in a bubble and all I can think about is how my friends are drinking and having fun and my thoughts are is my t gonna be louder and stay louder forever after this night, it's depressing.

I'm mad at life, now I could not sleep because yesterday I drove 100 miles and my t has not gone down and seems to get louder every day, so my options are wear ear plugs, and live in a bubble, and stop salt, and don't eat fast foods, and don't smoke, and don't drink, and don't drive too long, and don't go to movies, and don't go to bars and restaurants, and pretty much just stand still with a white noise machine or have t spike constantly and the best part is even if I do just stand still with a white noise machine it still spikes, lol life sucks, your thoughts....?

Avoid loud places, if you have to go there at least protect your ears. Tinnitus is new for you and all of us feel your pain. Please protect your ears , tinnitus can get louder and no one wants that to happen....

 

[Bill Bauer]

@light rain Lynn, have they done an acoustic reflex test during your visit to audiologist? What about the loudness discomfort level test?

 

[maltese]

.
Bill can you tell me how long you got t and how and all the little details in between if possible. But the most important thing is how are you coping with it ?

Hi buddy.

I see you're looking for information on how to hope with tinnitus. The best thing you can do is to read success stories:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/forums/success-stories.47/


These people had tinnitus for a while. They learned to cope. Now they live normal fulfilling lives. Those threads might answer some of the questions you have and more importantly - give you some positivity.

I'd go as far as suggesting that you should ONLY read success stories until you feel better.

Take care, you can do this.

 

[MJv]

I do believe you when you say it's the worst for you. But you're a sample of one, which doesn't make much sense when making statistics with a scope of a planet (which was the original point).

I do know (personally) what extreme t/h is. Believe me, I am sympathetic.
We shouldn't minimize the pain and suffering that T causes, but we should also be cognizant of the opposite bias that makes us tend to minimize the pain and suffering that others are facing out of ignorance of what it actually entails. One way to think of it is to ask yourself if you realized how bad T/H could be before you got it. You didn't know not because you were evil, but because you didn't "live it": you were somewhat ignorant about it (I use the word in a non derogatory meaning).
We are very knowledgeable about T/H suffering, but ignorant about many other conditions' suffering.

I crearly said that for most of the people it is not the worst. For me it is. You have no idea about how severe it can get. People commit suicide because of it.
And also the bad stories should be mentioned... Because people think it can't kill, which is true, but it can drive you to suicide. Have you been in that place to?

 

[vermillion]

I crearly said that for most of the people it is not the worst. For me it is. You have no idea about how severe it can get. People commit suicide because of it.
And also the bad stories should be mentioned... Because people think it can't kill, which is true, but it can drive you to suicide. Have you been in that place to?

@MJv Do you suspect any specific cause for your worsening of that kind?

 

[MJv]

@MJv Do you suspect any specific cause for your worsening of that kind?

@vermillion
I dont know, the doctors dont know. Nobody knows
And you?

 

[GregCA]

I crearly said that for most of the people it is not the worst. For me it is. You have no idea about how severe it can get. People commit suicide because of it.
And also the bad stories should be mentioned... Because people think it can't kill, which is true, but it can drive you to suicide. Have you been in that place to?

I have, unfortunately, and I get there still every once in a while, even though my H has subsided for the most part (but still have severe T 24x7). I'm not sure why you keep thinking that I have no idea about it.

If you want to convince yourself that you've been dealt the worst hand in the world, then go for it, maybe it helps you cope better, but the reality is that there's a ton of shitty conditions out there, whose victims may think exactly like you about T&H because of their lack of knowledge about it.
What you are complaining about, i.e. other people not knowing how bad it can be (I quote: "people think it can't kill"), is exactly what you are doing with regards to other afflictions, by assuming they aren't as bad as yours.

Remember that acknowledging someone else's suffering does not diminish your own. It's not a zero sum game.

Good luck!

 

[MJv]

I have, unfortunately, and I get there still every once in a while, even though my H has subsided for the most part (but still have severe T 24x7). I'm not sure why you keep thinking that I have no idea about it.

If you want to convince yourself that you've been dealt the worst hand in the world, then go for it, maybe it helps you cope better, but the reality is that there's a ton of shitty conditions out there, whose victims may think exactly like you about T&H because of their lack of knowledge about it.
What you are complaining about, i.e. other people not knowing how bad it can be (I quote: "people think it can't kill"), is exactly what you are doing with regards to other afflictions, by assuming they aren't as bad as yours.
You dont understand what i try to say. I am not comparing t /h to other things.
I just try to point out that it can be a living hell for some people, thats all
Remember that acknowledging someone else's suffering does not diminish your own. It's not a zero sum game.

Good luck!

 

[GregCA]

I said:

T is very bad indeed, but I wouldn't claim that it's the worse condition on earth.

You said:

For me it's one of the worst.

Your sentence, given the context it replies to, expands to "For me it's one of the worst conditions on earth".

And now you say:

You dont understand what i try to say. I am not comparing t /h to other things.
I just try to point out that it can be a living hell for some people, thats all

I understand what you meant to say now that you've clarified it, but you will grant me that your original wording wasn't expressing the same view.

At any rate, it doesn't matter - yes I get that you have it bad. A few people have it really bad with T&H, and yes most people don't understand how bad it can be.

 

[MJv]

I said:


You said:


Your sentence, given the context it replies to, expands to "For me it's one of the worst conditions on earth".

And now you say:


I understand what you meant to say now that you've clarified it, but you will grant me that your original wording wasn't expressing the same view.

At any rate, it doesn't matter - yes I get that you have it bad. A few people have it really bad with T&H, and yes most people don't understand how bad it can be.

For me and some other people it could be the worst that happened to them. That is our daily reality.
And still for me it's still one of the worst thing on earth.
I respect everybodies opinion but I think there was miscommunication somehow.
Goodluck as well !

 

[Jomo]

dont be stupid...wear musician* ear plugs (custom fitted preferred) when you are in loud situations. whenever in doubt put them on. better safe than sorry. at the same time dont over protect. i was at a bbq over the weekend and was fine but then they put the music up to round the 85 - 90 decibel range. It didnt bother me but i decided eventually to give my ears a break and be a little cautious.

 

[light rain]

@light rain Lynn, have they done an acoustic reflex test during your visit to audiologist? What about the loudness discomfort level test?

I didn't have a loudness discomfort test - I know they use it for H but it seems like asking for trouble. I don't know the exact name of test for the nerve but it consisted of something being inserted in my ears and a long series of clicks at different speed one ear at a time. The test took forever and it was in a darkened room. I really thought that one would have caused a spike but didnt. I hated that test though.

And I have no copy of test results - the ent is holding on to them like gold. I asked and not only do I have to pay for them but still have to have his permission. Never had that problem before with other drs (first ent I've seen). So sorry for not being more specific.

 

[GregCA]

I asked and not only do I have to pay for them but still have to have his permission.

The former is not so surprising, but the latter is: as far as I know you are entitled to get a copy of your medical record by law. Maybe things are different in TN, but I'd be surprised.
I'd stay away from any doctor who isn't transparent with me, or who plays the permission game.

 

[light rain]

The former is not so surprising, but the latter is: as far as I know you are entitled to get a copy of your medical record by law. Maybe things are different in TN, but I'd be surprised.
I'd stay away from any doctor who isn't transparent with me, or who plays the permission game.

I'm new to TN so I don't know if it is a weird thing here but I never had a problem before. I was willing to pay ($20 for even one page) and then was informed I needed permission. It makes me uneasy esp since there is an issue and they can tell things by types of waves or pattern of nystygmus. I like the Dr though - he seems sincere. I am going back in a few weeks after MRI so maybe I can get everything then. I hate feeling uninformed.