So I have been lurking on the forums off and on, thought it was time to join after a month of moderate tinnitus due to noise exposure. I've had very minor tinnitus in one ear for 25+ years, the type I'd only notice in a quiet room and listened for it. That has all changed now...
It was my own dang fault. I came across a piece of equipment at work making very loud noise. Like a fool, I spent a few minutes trying to determine the cause instead of leaving and returning with hearing protection. Around the same time I started experiencing a sinus infection and a few days into it the ringing in both ears started. It is way louder than anything I've experienced before and 24/7.
I saw a ENT mainly for the sinus infection and discussed the ringing. He said it could be from the sinus infection or noise exposure, that we would have to wait and see if it stops once the sinus clears up. I held on to hope though in the back of my mind I knew it was probably from the noise exposure as it was really loud high pitched noise. Now that hope has faded and I've started struggling with the fact that I screwed up and will now have to live with that decision the rest of my life. My sinus has started to clear and the ringing is loud and constant a month later.
It's been a real struggle the past week. My thoughts are filled with how my life will never be the same and so many what if's had I just gone and gotten ear plugs first. I can't seem to enjoy anything at all as I can hear the tinnitus over the TV, surroundings, people talking.
So I've come here to learn more about coping with tinnitus since I know there's no cure. I've been encouraged by the positive posts I've read of people that have become habituated or had their tinnitus subside, but also been discouraged by those that have not. But also to have a place to talk to people that understand. Friends and family just don't seen to get a grasp or understand what I'm dealing with. Heck, I feel the ENT doesn't put much into the tinnitus side of things.
Mike
It was my own dang fault. I came across a piece of equipment at work making very loud noise. Like a fool, I spent a few minutes trying to determine the cause instead of leaving and returning with hearing protection. Around the same time I started experiencing a sinus infection and a few days into it the ringing in both ears started. It is way louder than anything I've experienced before and 24/7.
I saw a ENT mainly for the sinus infection and discussed the ringing. He said it could be from the sinus infection or noise exposure, that we would have to wait and see if it stops once the sinus clears up. I held on to hope though in the back of my mind I knew it was probably from the noise exposure as it was really loud high pitched noise. Now that hope has faded and I've started struggling with the fact that I screwed up and will now have to live with that decision the rest of my life. My sinus has started to clear and the ringing is loud and constant a month later.
It's been a real struggle the past week. My thoughts are filled with how my life will never be the same and so many what if's had I just gone and gotten ear plugs first. I can't seem to enjoy anything at all as I can hear the tinnitus over the TV, surroundings, people talking.
So I've come here to learn more about coping with tinnitus since I know there's no cure. I've been encouraged by the positive posts I've read of people that have become habituated or had their tinnitus subside, but also been discouraged by those that have not. But also to have a place to talk to people that understand. Friends and family just don't seen to get a grasp or understand what I'm dealing with. Heck, I feel the ENT doesn't put much into the tinnitus side of things.
Mike
Member
