New Tinnitus Sufferer

[ekiwi]

Perhaps I should have titled this 'another' new tinnitus sufferer?
Just recently started hearing the ringing and staggered to find just how many people experiencing similar symptoms! I had no idea.

From everything I've read there are no magical cures or easy answers to even why or what causes?
I'm 46, not abused my ears in the slightest, but suddenly wham! 24/7. Sometimes loud, sometimes bg noise, but always there. I can ignore for the most part, and maybe I'm naive but I'm kind of telling myself there has to be a way to solve this riddle? )

Everyones circumstances are different and maybe that's part of what makes a 'cure' elusive but here's mine for the record...

Male
46 yrs.
Non-smoker
Drinks- Wine 1-2 glasses a day (red/white).
6ft 1. Slim(ish)
Screaming kids 2 (that probably doesn't help lol).
resides - Queenstown, NewZealand. Altitude 1000ft.

That last part i am thinking may be an indicator/clue. We moved a year ago and after along flight from the US my ears were blocked. Coincidence maybe, but now being at a relatively high altitude - and a v.dry climate it's like they never quite settled.

A lot of general noise during the day so don't notice too much, but nights are loud!
A lot of reading has left me none the wiser but I did notice something only just tonight and this encouraged me to write - that a couple glasses of red and it's like the ringing volume goes to ten.

Also my right ear quite often pops. But ringing seems to be in the left.
Weird?

Does this help anyone out there? As mentioned maybe I'm deluded in thinking this is temporary a year in, and not bothersome enough that I've gone to the doctor (I should) but tbh I'm just fixated on the idea that we should be able to crack the code on this?! I know I know smarter people have tried and the inner ear is incredibly complex but still

 

[Michael Leigh]

@ekiwi
HI ekiwi,
Welcome to the forum.
Many things can cause tinnitus the most common exposure to loud noise. You need to see your doctor and possibly a referral to ENT for tests to be carried out on your auditory system. Hearing loss can also cause tinnitus. Do you listen to music through headphones or attended places where loud music is played? If yes then this could be the reason for the tinnitus.

The type of job one does can also be responsible, if they work in a noisy environment and don't use hearing protection. As I've said many things can cause tinnitus even a build up of ear wax, ear infection or medication. The list can be endless.
Please read the post below that might be of some help.
all the best
Michael

New to tinnitus what to do?

The onset of loud intrusive tinnitus can be very traumatic for most people. I use the words loud and intrusive, because tinnitus comes in many forms and intensities. When it is mild, moderate or occasionally heard in quiet surroundings it is usually not too bothersome and a person can go about their daily affairs quite happily and unperturbed by this anomaly. This type of tinnitus usually comes on gradually and in some cases it's associated with hearing loss, as we get older and the usual treatment is the wearing of hearing aid/s.

Tinnitus can be caused by other things: an underlining medical problem, build up of ear wax (cerumen). Jaw problems. Some medications and even irregular blood flow through the body causing Pulsatile tinnitus. There are a plethora of other conditions that can be responsible. However, the most common cause is exposure to loud noise or music that has been played at high levels causing some damage to the cochlear in the inner ear.

This type of tinnitus can be loud, intrusive and very debilitating. Often leaving a person at a loss and not knowing which way to turn to escape the nightmare that has suddenly come upon them. Your Dr has probably told you, it's tinnitus and nothing can be done, you'll just have to learn to live with it. I remember those words as if it were yesterday resonating through my mind and thinking, live with this for the rest of my life, impossible. So I fully understand how difficult it can be for someone new to this condition to take this in and believe it to be factual.

If you are having difficulty sleeping you might have been advised to try a night time sedation or an ant-depressant to help cope with the stress and anxiety that often accompanies tinnitus. These medications can be helpful especially in the early stages and they don't have to be taken long term, so it's something to consider. They can act as a safety net so you don't become too down.

A referral to ENT will usually be recommended. In the mean time try to keep occupied with something you like doing, as it helps to distract the brain from focusing on the tinnitus. Avoiding quiet rooms during the day by playing low level non intrusive music such as classical in the background can be helpful.

At night a sound machine placed by the bedside playing nature sounds or listening to favourite mp3 tracks or Cds are good. Keeping the volume just below the tinnitus is ideal and set to play throughout the night until morning. It takes time to get used to sound therapy so please stay with it. Whilst in a deep sleep it supplies the brain and auditory system with sound enrichment. Over time the tinnitus is pushed further into the background helping to make its perception less noticeable during waking hours.

In the early stages of tinnitus, if one chooses not to use sound enrichment sleeping can sometimes be difficult and there's also the chance of the tinnitus becoming more intrusive as sleeping in a quiet room can allow the brain to increase it's own background activity. In doing so it will also increase the tinnitus making it more intrusive during waking hours.

There is a tendency for newbies to try and cure their tinnitus which is quite understandable. There are many remedies, treatments and concoctions out there. Some affordable others quite expensive. I am not adverse to trying to help myself but want to say, there are charlatans and con artists eager to relieve someone in distress of their money so please be careful. Even tried and tested treatments I wouldn't recommend a person try until they have been seen at ENT. Often a person after been seen at ENT is advised to wait a while.

The reason being. Many people habituate to tinnitus within six months sometimes a little longer and it has been known to go away. The ear is a very delicate organ and many Drs prefer to wait before investigating further and then suggesting a treatment. If other problems are experienced such as: pain in the ears, deafness, dizziness or balance problems this is of more concern and a person will usually been seen quicker.

It is best to have a word with your GP if you're feeling stressed or depressed in any way, as previously mentioned there are treatments available. Leaving things alone until ENT advise you of the next step is the best thing to do in my opinion. I advise not to try and fix anything or throw large sums of money at treatments that you have no way of knowing whether you'll get any relief.

It is not advisable to listen to audio through headphones even at low volume and keep away from loud sounds. By all means go out but anywhere that plays loud music then wear noise reducing earplugs.
Take things slowly and one day at a time. Read some of the positivity threads and ask other members for advice. Many people eventually habituate to their tinnitus and go on to lead a happy and fulfilling life even though it may take a little time.

Michael

 

[Julien87]

but tbh I'm just fixated on the idea that we should be able to crack the code on this?! I know I know smarter people have tried and the inner ear is incredibly complex but still

I think we'll have to hack the brain rather than the inner ear ^^ But yeah, it's important to keep hope!

Welcome here and stay strong

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Ekiwi,

Welcome to the site.

My first suggestion to you would be to go to an ENT to get a professional, clinical opinion. He/she will look inside your ears and also check your hearing. This way you will know where you stand. Good luck!

 

[billie48]

tbh I'm just fixated on the idea that we should be able to crack the code on this?! I know I know smarter people have tried and the inner ear is incredibly complex but still

I guess this is the same questions millions of T sufferers are asking the medical field and the big pharma. Why the heck it takes so long to figure out this thing? This actually can add to our frustration, even anxiety at some level, that there is no magic pill even in the modern era of advance medicine. But we really can't wait for these folks to crack the code fast enough and we need to have some strategies that will help reduce the suffering. That is the realm of CBT, TRT, mindfulness etc., etc. In the mean time, masking is the simply form to get some relief from oppressing T, even partial masking can help.

 

[ekiwi]

Thanks for the kind words and support everyone. Right back at you)
Michael - great background on causes thanks! In my case beyond any doubt nothing to do with loud noise or music.

 

[Bernard85]

Hi ekiwi,

Let's hope you will find some answers and a solution. Going to an ENT is a good start.
In my case (started 3 weeks ago) the underlying cause could be a lot of diffrent things. My mindset is accept the problem and pain, while searching for a solution. And I am not planning to stop searching until I find one.

Try to mask the sounds whenever you can. According to this study masking the sound in an early stage can reduce and even eliminate tinnitus: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25966560

Good luck.