My Masker for Sleep Doesn't Seem to Always Work

[Alex Matyjasek]

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit frustrated lately because the masker I use before going to bed sometimes doesn't seem to work all the time.

Before going to sleep I put a Bluetooth speaker on and play a rainfall white noise in the background.

Normally the noise level is at about 45 dB (in a very quiet room).

Funny thing sometimes I need to put it louder or it just doesn't simply work.

Could it be my pillow?

Could it be I pay too much attention to my tinnitus which makes it a lot louder, or I just need to focus more on my speaker and then try to sleep? Any tips?

I also have to admit I am pretty nervous.

After 5 weeks having this, at this stage I have to accept this is here to stay!

(My next hope is it diminishes in time...)

 

[Michael Leigh]

Could it be I pay too much attention to my tinnitus which makes it a lot louder, or I just need to focus more on my speaker and then try to sleep? Any tips?

I also have to admit I am pretty nervous.

After 5 weeks having this, at this stage I have to accept this is here to stay!

HI @Alex Matyjasek

You are new to tinnitus so it takes time to habituate and get used to using sound enrichment at night. Tinnitus should not be masked. The sounds that you are using at night are good, but be careful not to play them too loud as you don't want them to masked your tinnitus. Please click on the links below and read my posts which you may find helpful

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

 

[JohnAdams]

If you have noise induced tinnitus be aware of exposing yourself to loud sounds because it definitely can get worse.

 

[glynis]

@Alex Matyjasek ,
Maybe try a new sound or soft music and a warm drink,make sure your room is dark and warm and snuggle under your duvet and I'm sure your sleep will get better.
Pillow speakers work nice and can play it quietly at the sound best for you.

love glynis

 

[marc 1974 london]

HI @Alex Matyjasek

You are new to tinnitus so it takes time to habituate and get used to using sound enrichment at night. Tinnitus should not be masked. The sounds that you are using at night are good, but be careful not to play them too loud as you don't want them to masked your tinnitus. Please click on the links below and read my posts which you may find helpful

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

This is spot on

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

Thanks for the reply. Mine is not noise induced but I will be careful.

 

[kmohoruk]

If you have noise induced tinnitus be aware of exposing yourself to loud sounds because it definitely can get worse.

Before going to sleep I put a Bluetooth speaker on and play a rainfall white noise in the background.

Normally the noise level is at about 45 dB (in a very quiet room).

While I see your worry @JohnAdams , I wouldn't consider 45 dB a "loud sound". It is no different if you were sitting in a room with a humming fridge, passing traffic outside your apartment, or a snoring partner next to you.

 

[JohnAdams]

While I see your worry @JohnAdams , I wouldn't consider 45 dB a "loud sound". It is no different if you were sitting in a room with a humming fridge, passing traffic outside your apartment, or a snoring partner next to you.

Oh I am referring to the fact you're just 5 weeks in, not about your marker. Take care to avoid loud sounds in general.

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

Yes but I guess it had to be lower than to habituate slowly slowly...

 

[Bam]

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit frustrated lately because the masker I use before going to bed sometimes doesn't seem to work all the time.

Before going to sleep I put a Bluetooth speaker on and play a rainfall white noise in the background.

Normally the noise level is at about 45 dB (in a very quiet room).

Funny thing sometimes I need to put it louder or it just doesn't simply work.

Could it be my pillow?

Could it be I pay too much attention to my tinnitus which makes it a lot louder, or I just need to focus more on my speaker and then try to sleep? Any tips?

I also have to admit I am pretty nervous.

After 5 weeks having this, at this stage I have to accept this is here to stay!

(My next hope is it diminishes in time...)

If your T is high pitched maybe switch to cicadas or 'tropical night' which has a few birdcalls etc thrown in. I started out with rain but switched to this at night as i found it seems to require a lower volume to get the job done.

Either way this shit takes time.
We've lost silence my friend....that is not normal. It's properly f***ed up. And in anyone's books is a life changing and highly traumatic ordeal. Sadly you will get zero understanding of this from anyone but us lot but good luck.

 

[kmohoruk]

Oh I am referring to the fact you're just 5 weeks in, not about your marker. Take care to avoid loud sounds in general.

Oh ok! My apologies! Yes that is very true!

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

It's extremely fu...Up. My family still doesn't seem to understand what I'm going through... It's just a mess, one big bloody mess. I just can't imagine getting used to this! Anyway guys thanks for your help.

 

[marc 1974 london]

Yes but I guess it had to be lower than to habituate slowly slowly...

Have you tried this?

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

Nope, I'll have a look. Thanks Marc!

 

[glynis]

@Alex Matyjasek ,
We are here around the clock so keep posting for support .
My tinnitus is not noise related but I keep plugs handy if going the Cinema etc.
Hope you sleep better tonight.

love glynis

 

[Bam]

It's extremely fu...Up. My family still doesn't seem to understand what I'm going through... It's just a mess, one big bloody mess. I just can't imagine getting used to this! Anyway guys thanks for your help.

Don't bash your head against a wall trying to get people to understand. You'll only get more and more frustrated. Trust me I've been there. You can scream and shout and stamp your feet, but the bottom line it's you dealing with this and even loved ones only have so much tolerance of whining before they totally lose interest.

Your world has changed and will become a lot more lonely with this condition. That's a sad irrefutable fact I'm afraid. Tinnitus is a nightmare. Period. It's also sorely underestimated by those who don't have it. It's about becoming hardened to that harsh truth accepting the carefree days of sunshine and roses are gone and trying to adapt to a much tougher life that neither you or anyone of us wanted.

It will feel like it, but you're not alone my man. That's the only consolation in this.

 

[Bam]

Oh and drinking definitely helps. My mate @JohnAdams is another advocate of this.

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

@Alex Matyjasek ,
We are here around the clock so keep posting for support .
My tinnitus is not noise related but I keep plugs handy if going the Cinema etc.
Hope you sleep better tonight.

love glynis

Thanks, I've been visiting this page the first week I got tinnitus. I've found it extremly handy for all my doughts. I think visiting my ENT in November is just gonna be a waist of time. What I don't seem to get is why I need earplugs if mine isn't noise related. Mine came from extreme stress. 100% sure and still remember the exact moment it started. What a nightmare... Thanks for the support and I hope I can also contribute to anyone who needs a hand.

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

Ow yes? Probably the best news till now! Lol

 

[marc 1974 london]

Nope, I'll have a look. Thanks Marc!

Let me know if it helps. I have a few more. Just don't drown tinnitus out, use it low so you relax, the idea is you hear a bit of both, take the stress out of tinnitus, but get used to it being there.

 

[glynis]

@Alex Matyjasek ,
I have severe Bilateral Tinnitus so I use plugs at loud events just as a precaution only.
Will be going see a Slade Tribute band in December so for that I will have plugs handy .

Always wise keep some handy then you have a choice.
Pro plugs are flat to your ear and clear.

love glynis

 

[marc 1974 london]

Slade

Funny I met noddy holder in a pub in Portugal one night.

 

[Bam]

Ow yes? Probably the best news till now! Lol

Maybe get a dog too. They like quiet places and won't judge you for being drunk all the time.

 

[marc 1974 london]

Oh and drinking definitely helps. My mate @JohnAdams is another advocate of this.

Got to say if it gets really bad, get smashed beyond belief, have a good night.... yeah agree, I'm with them...

 

[coffee_girl]

T is a lonely disease, nobody will ever be as close to you as your T is and will be. Make it your best friend and hope that it won't become your worst enemy.

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

Maybe get a dog too. They like quiet places and won't judge you for being drunk all the time.

Got a crazy Boxer that from one month to the other has become annoying.... This is gonna be strange, always been a social person. Plenty of social life, and my friends are already worried. I'm just not up for it. I known a guy who's had T for a long time and he managed to get over it. Anyway, thanks everyone

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

T is a lonely disease, nobody will ever be as close to you as your T is and will be. Make it your best friend and hope that it won't become your worst enemy.

That's a good one! I'm working on it, just a bit limited at the moment. This is probably the biggest first step I have to take. Making this nightmare my friend.

 

[marc 1974 london]

Got a crazy Boxer that from month to the other has become annoying.... This is gonna be strabge, always been a social person. Plenty of social life, and my friends are already worried. I'm just not up for it. I known a guy who's had T for a long time and he managed to get over it. Anyway, thanks everyone

Why would you change? Let tinnitus be tinnitus, don't stress or be anxious...

 

[Alex Matyjasek]

Why would you change? Let tinnitus be tinnitus, don't stress or be anxious...

Need time...a month ago I was crying, anxious, desperate every day. 5 weeks later I'm still finding it hard to assimulate this is happening to me... Still frustrated, sad, pissed off (hoping), but time will put me in my place. Like coffee girl said, I need to make this mess my friend first :/

 

[Bam]

Got a crazy Boxer that from one month to the other has become annoying.... This is gonna be strange, always been a social person. Plenty of social life, and my friends are already worried. I'm just not up for it. I known a guy who's had T for a long time and he managed to get over it. Anyway, thanks everyone

Everything is annoying when this strikes. But if you don't have kids to focus on that boxer might be the only thing to get you through this and to where your friend is.