Hello. My name is Ben, I'm from Germany, 33 years old, and I have had tinnitus for as long as I can remember.
I have had mild symptoms of tinnitus since I was a kid, I have no idea how it came to be. Maybe I listened to too much loud music, maybe it was that one really big firecracker one time on New Year's Eve. The thing is, the first time I learned about this condition, I was like "Wait, that's not normal?" Anyway, as I said, it was always mild. A high-pitched beeping in my left ear, a slightly less pitched ringing in my right. I could only notice it in total silence. But even the smallest of noise-sources, like wind pressing against the windows, would overshadow these beeps. So I didn't even mind for the longest time.
However, around 5 days ago, this tinnitus suddenly worsened dramatically. Its volume has at least doubled or even tripled. I can very clearly hear it all the time now, when there isn't some sort of masking sound around, like running water. But even then, when I concentrate on it, I can notice it. In addition, I have weird sensations around the ears towards my temples, like there's pressure or pulling. It basically feels like a mild version of a fleeting tinnitus. Which I still sometimes get, but those are much louder than the chronic stuff I'm having now. Thankfully, they subside after 10-20 seconds.
Before this happened, I had fleeting tinnitus more frequently. I don't think, it has to do with stress, since I really enjoy my job from home and can spread my work hours as I please. However, a friend of mine, who suffers similarly, is 100% sure this came from nicotine, since I started smoking sporadically (again) lately.
Basically, what I'm experiencing right now, he went through a couple of times in his trials to get away from tobacco. He always had blood pressure-issues, so in numerous cases of overindulgence, his system said "No more." and gave him these conditions. According to his doctor and research, it has to do with blood vessels being damaged in that area. I explained to him what is happening to me, and he says it's pretty much on point. I haven't even smoked that much, but I guess my body was not okay with me picking up nicotine again and punched me in the ears for it.
My friend says, doing without alcohol or nicotine, these blood vessels can regenerate in around 2 weeks. It worked for him. So, I'm praying that this tinnitus right now can go back to its "normal", way less intrusive, state. Until then, I'm curious to look around on this board for conversations and potential cures, in case I'm unlucky.
If anything fails, I read that Lenire, "bimodal neuromodulation," is a thing now and, out of research, came on the market some time ago. It is even available in Germany. I just hope my health insurance can cover it. Does anyone have experience with this already?
Thank you for reading! Have a nice day!
I have had mild symptoms of tinnitus since I was a kid, I have no idea how it came to be. Maybe I listened to too much loud music, maybe it was that one really big firecracker one time on New Year's Eve. The thing is, the first time I learned about this condition, I was like "Wait, that's not normal?" Anyway, as I said, it was always mild. A high-pitched beeping in my left ear, a slightly less pitched ringing in my right. I could only notice it in total silence. But even the smallest of noise-sources, like wind pressing against the windows, would overshadow these beeps. So I didn't even mind for the longest time.
However, around 5 days ago, this tinnitus suddenly worsened dramatically. Its volume has at least doubled or even tripled. I can very clearly hear it all the time now, when there isn't some sort of masking sound around, like running water. But even then, when I concentrate on it, I can notice it. In addition, I have weird sensations around the ears towards my temples, like there's pressure or pulling. It basically feels like a mild version of a fleeting tinnitus. Which I still sometimes get, but those are much louder than the chronic stuff I'm having now. Thankfully, they subside after 10-20 seconds.
Before this happened, I had fleeting tinnitus more frequently. I don't think, it has to do with stress, since I really enjoy my job from home and can spread my work hours as I please. However, a friend of mine, who suffers similarly, is 100% sure this came from nicotine, since I started smoking sporadically (again) lately.
Basically, what I'm experiencing right now, he went through a couple of times in his trials to get away from tobacco. He always had blood pressure-issues, so in numerous cases of overindulgence, his system said "No more." and gave him these conditions. According to his doctor and research, it has to do with blood vessels being damaged in that area. I explained to him what is happening to me, and he says it's pretty much on point. I haven't even smoked that much, but I guess my body was not okay with me picking up nicotine again and punched me in the ears for it.
My friend says, doing without alcohol or nicotine, these blood vessels can regenerate in around 2 weeks. It worked for him. So, I'm praying that this tinnitus right now can go back to its "normal", way less intrusive, state. Until then, I'm curious to look around on this board for conversations and potential cures, in case I'm unlucky.
If anything fails, I read that Lenire, "bimodal neuromodulation," is a thing now and, out of research, came on the market some time ago. It is even available in Germany. I just hope my health insurance can cover it. Does anyone have experience with this already?
Thank you for reading! Have a nice day!