My Tinnitus — Week 15

[Dmitriy]

It's my 15th week (3.5 month) with tinnitus after loud noise exposure. I decided to post a bit earlier then I expected. For some reason T gets me down for the past few days. I went out with few friends on Saturday, and they asked me if my ear plugs were hearing aids. At that point I sort of realized that this is my life from now on. I remember living in NYC and I saw people plugging their ears when train or bus would pass, and I was like WTF. Now I know, and will probably be doing same when I go to NYC in few weeks.

I don't have any major changes with my T for the past few weeks. Something is different in my ears to a point that I think about it, and kind of "feel" my ears that normal person would not. However, I don't feel any hearing loss. If anything, I watch TV at such low volume that my wife cannot hear anything.

I think about T more on relaxing days. I don't know if I have more time to focus on some physical symptom that I ignore other days, or my mind just has more time to dwell on it.

I read a lot of posts here about people whose T suddenly gets worse for no particular reason, and these get me upset. We all hate uncertainty.

It's sad to know that large number of people whose T really did improve or went away will probably never come back to this site, and we will never know about them. Really, the posts here are really skewed, and the mathematical reality could be that T heals in 90% cases.

Anyway, this is my short rant. Otherwise I keep going on with my life. Got workout in an hour, always look forward to these, although my ears sometimes plug up for a bit after the workout. Yet another mystery.

I will continue to write this on monthly basis. Hopefully, at some point I can write a success story.

What I should do (and what I do)

• Take 1-2 long walks per day to destress (not anymore, need to get back to it)
• Drink chamomile tea at night to calm anxiety (I try)
• Occasional 10 minute meditation (haven't done in month, it really helped, need to start again)
• Morning run few times a week (still do)
• Cross training few times a week (still do)

 

[billie48]

It's sad to know that large number of people whose T really did improve or went away will probably never come back to this site, and we will never know about them. Really, the posts here are really skewed, and the mathematical reality could be that T heals in 90% cases.

I am more positive about that. The success stories forum is filled with hundreds of success stories. So ya, some would leave silently but many did leave a positive story each to give hope and comfort to new sufferers.

 

[fishbone]

Success is overcoming this horrible ordeal. Whether it goes away or not, if one can put their life together, then I call it a success. I went to 2 big shows that I been waiting for almost 6 months. Sure, the ringing that I have right now in my ears, would drive 90% crazy.

It's great if tinnitus fades or goes away for people, I am ALL for it and even wished that for myself...for many years. I define success as living your life, no matter what. Tinnitus or not, loud destructive ringing (like mine) or super soft barely ringing. How you handle, your situation really makes a difference. Having that positive mindset, is key to life and to everything else.

Last night, I probably had one of the worst fibromyalgia attacks in quite a few years and the ringing was even more louder. I pulled through it and tonight I went to a show, that I have loved seeing...even as a teen and was just full of life and energy.

All can have success , whether the tinnitus fades or stay.... I wish all of you the very best and Im proud to have tinnitus and try to come here and help those that can find value, in my posts

 

[Jazzer]

Success is overcoming this horrible ordeal. Whether it goes away or not, if one can put their life together, then I call it a success. I went to 2 big shows that I been waiting for almost 6 months. Sure, the ringing that I have right now in my ears, would drive 90% crazy.

It's great if tinnitus fades or goes away for people, I am ALL for it and even wished that for myself...for many years. I define success as living your life, no matter what. Tinnitus or not, loud destructive ringing (like mine) or super soft barely ringing. How you handle, your situation really makes a difference. Having that positive mindset, is key to life and to everything else.

Last night, I probably had one of the worst fibromyalgia attacks in quite a few years and the ringing was even more louder. I pulled through it and tonight I went to a show, that I have loved seeing...even as a teen and was just full of life and energy.

All can have success , whether the tinnitus fades or stay.... I wish all of you the very best and Im proud to have tinnitus and try to come here and help those that can find value, in my posts

I agree @fishbone - coping with Tinnitus, is itself a success.
A huge step from the early days of not coping at all.

 

[Dmitriy]

I agree with @fishbone too. I guess I need to reread some of the success stories. Today a few friends came over, we talked a bit louder then usual while arguing about something, and no my static is much louder then before. This is what kills me, that simple things now can really screw you up.

 

[fishbone]

I haven't read the success stories. To me overcoming this ordeal is a success...anyway you look at it. If it fades and goes away, that would be awesome. If your tinnitus is insane loud and you can live your life...that is success as well....

 

[dpdx]

It's my 15th week (3.5 month) with tinnitus after loud noise exposure. I decided to post a bit earlier then I expected. For some reason T gets me down for the past few days. I went out with few friends on Saturday, and they asked me if my ear plugs were hearing aids. At that point I sort of realized that this is my life from now on. I remember living in NYC and I saw people plugging their ears when train or bus would pass, and I was like WTF. Now I know, and will probably be doing same when I go to NYC in few weeks.

I don't have any major changes with my T for the past few weeks. Something is different in my ears to a point that I think about it, and kind of "feel" my ears that normal person would not. However, I don't feel any hearing loss. If anything, I watch TV at such low volume that my wife cannot hear anything.

I think about T more on relaxing days. I don't know if I have more time to focus on some physical symptom that I ignore other days, or my mind just has more time to dwell on it.

I read a lot of posts here about people whose T suddenly gets worse for no particular reason, and these get me upset. We all hate uncertainty.

It's sad to know that large number of people whose T really did improve or went away will probably never come back to this site, and we will never know about them. Really, the posts here are really skewed, and the mathematical reality could be that T heals in 90% cases.

Anyway, this is my short rant. Otherwise I keep going on with my life. Got workout in an hour, always look forward to these, although my ears sometimes plug up for a bit after the workout. Yet another mystery.

I will continue to write this on monthly basis. Hopefully, at some point I can write a success story.

What I should do (and what I do)

• Take 1-2 long walks per day to destress (not anymore, need to get back to it)
• Drink chamomile tea at night to calm anxiety (I try)
• Occasional 10 minute meditation (haven't done in month, it really helped, need to start again)
• Morning run few times a week (still do)
• Cross training few times a week (still do)

I think some people just learned to live with it or are coping with it. I think some people's T has lessened & they habituated, some just habituated and others are coping with it. Lucky few will have their T fade completely.