Status update, readers advisory - negative post
My T still keeps tormenting me, and I fail to cope as good as I should do, even after all these years.
I really thought that the mental and physical stress last year, was the cause of my T worsening. But now, since things are much better mentally and physically, I am not so sure anymore. Of course, I could be adding stress that I am unaware of, by thinking about my T and obsessing over it. I am having some serious trouble in coping and my quality of life is just on a downward spiral. Sleep is not an issue, it is everyday life I am struggling with and keeping positive about the future. I have 2 wonderful children and a very understanding and supportive wife, but I am merely just a shadow of myself and it crushes me. At the same time, I feel so alone suffering from both moderate/severe hearing loss and severe T at the same time. I'm really not sure what I want with this post... perhaps just vent out my thoughts and feeling or something. I apologise for the negativity, but I keep ending up in this dark hole and I hope someone has a solution for it.
Hey Makrohn, I hope you're doing well and I look forward to hearing back from you here.
I know that at times you can feel so alone, isolated. but you are definitely not alone. There are a lot of us going through it with you the same.
A few things I want to touch on, I've only had tinnitus for just over 2 years, but sadly, it has gotten worse as the time passes. How it continues to get worse is a mystery.
I got my tinnitus from a rock festival, where I spent (quite literally) 13 hours 2ft from a set of 30 gigantic industrial speakers spitting out hardcore music at 140 dB for the entire day. I havent always made the best choices, but that was undoubtedly the worst mistake ive ever made. My tinnitus and hearing loss is pretty bad.
You said you had an MRI. Even with the best hearing protection an MRI can still register at peaks of 100+ decibels. That is a possible cause of your spike.
Also using headphones, imo, is not a very good idea, in any case, low or high volume. And CERTAINLY not in ear headphones. No way. Simply not worth it. I hope for your sanity you'll reconsider using them.
Another consideration I've found, driving long distances, depending on the cab, can be upward of 85 dB. If you drive 3 or 4 hours, this duration could also be a cause for a spike, and more hearing damage. I wear 17NRR plugs while I drive.
But during your day when life seems tough, and I know it does, try and find some small peace knowing that you are not alone, and that I, and plenty of others are somewhere, going through the same (or close to) thing. It's very difficult sometimes to put into perspective, but try and be grateful that you still have the hearing left that you do have.
It's not always easy hear (woe is me), but things truly could be much worse.