New to Tinnitus, Ultra-High and Finding It Unbearable

[Paul10]

Hi all, new here but I've been reading through the forums since my T started almost 2 months ago. It started as a loud noise, which went away, only to replaced by several other (lower volume) noises. Now I have two tones in both ears but the worst is this ultra-high pitched T which floats from one ear, to both, to in my head.

The frequency must be around 15-17 Hz. I had my hearing checked by two different places and it's apparently fine. I've had bad, untreated depression/anxiety for many years (I've only started anti-depressants).

The noise is so high frequency that I can't mask it, even though my hearing is fine. I can hear it over everything. I can even feel it, like an electric shock in the brain. It can be one noise, or a hundred, all blasting this frequency at once.

It's low in volume (touch wood) but so high in freq. I have been thinking about the big 'S' word for weeks. It seems the only way out. The T keeps changing. The only thing that gets me through a day is Valium. It does nothing for my anxiety, it just pushes me through without calling it quits. I try to keep my intake low. I can't do anything or function.

The noise just becomes painful to the point where I can't think or move. My teeth are constantly clenched and my body always tense, every muscle. I read @billie48 's story is the only thing that got me through today. He seems to have had similar experience to me. I'm seeing hearing specialists but only met them once as an intro. Don't know if they appreciate how high freq this is. I feel like throwing up all the time.

Just want to dig my nails into my hands to distract myself. Sorry for such negativity but this feels like the end for me. Really hope there is anything that can be done. Thanks all!

 

[GregK9]

I too only get a high pitched noise in both ears.but after having mine checked by my local hospital, they are currently making some small ear pieces for me to help combat this.
In the meantime i do find that having some "background" noise [ie music] , helps kill the quietness and stops me from just listening to my own nose battle..
a hobby or something that helps you to concentrate on "something" can help take your mind away too....leave the valium alone if you can, as once addicted, it can take more effort to stop these than your ear problems.

 

[MCVB]

Hi, I am new to all of this but I am experiencing unilateral left sided high pitched, low frequency hearing loss documented x 2 on audiogram. The ent person I saw said my ears were beautiful and I would learn to get used to this and to get an mri to make sure there was no pathology involved. "many people have this"-clearly, he never has! Since then, I have searched and did get an md friend to order me 50 mg prednisone x 7 days (im on day #4) and have not noticed any appreciable difference. So, this will likely not help me. I have written down that others have tried gabapentin and the medication we cannot get in usa. I am not sure what I am going to do but it is really driving me crazy. I did finally schedule an mri for next week.

BTW. I was put on Effexor (37.5 mg a day) for severe hot flashes and ha in early dec 2016. Once I started noticing this in early Jan 16, I stopped Effexor and the hot flashes recurred fairly quickly but this has not abated...and "everyone" says these are unrelated.

it is all very upsetting but it is helpful to see what others are doing because I am not a sit around and "get used to it" kind of person.

 

[Jeff M.]

@MCVB So sorry you are suffering!! Tinnitus sucks!! I can totally relate! When I first started experiencing T, I was dead set against the whole "learn to live with it" mantra. It just pissed me off and depressed me. So I tried EVERYTHING!!! Literally! No results. So I had to realize that I had to deal with my T. Which is severe, high volume and high pitch

So I am 5 years in. My encouragement is 1. Don't spend a bunch of money (like I did) chasing a "cure" 2. Work towards acceptance. 3. Engage in life! As hard as it may be, participate in the things in your life that bring you joy. 4. Exercise and healthy living. 5. The big one.... get your SLEEP ON!!! Mask if you have to, but get proper sleep!!

Some meds, in the short term, can help you stabilize and even you out, but there are no pills or supplements that will take your T away (currently). Just being straight up honest with you.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you have. I pray for relief and peace for you!! As much as it sucks, know that you are not alone!!

Jeff

 

[MCVB]

how do I write back just to one person??

 

[billie48]

how do I write back just to one person??

If you are thinking to have a private message with that person, then click on the username and then click 'Star a Conversation'. If you still want to have your post public, but you want reply or address that person, then put a @ in front of the username. If you want to quote a text of a person, then high light the text and click 'quote', then continue to post your reply below the QUOTE box. If you want to quote the entire post, then simply click on the 'Quote' tag at the bottom right of the post, and then type in your reply. Hope I have answered your question.

 

[billie48]

I read @billie48 's story is the only thing that got me through today. He seems to have had similar experience to me.

Thanks for the good words on my story in helping you cope with your T. When I was at 2 months like you are now, I was still in a horrible mess, surviving with all sorts of meds, with relentless anxiety and panic attacks on auto mode each time waking up with my ultra high pitch T. But my situation was worse due to severe hyperacusis too. H turned all normal sounds so loud and unbearably piercing to the ears so much so that even the soft voice of my wife was hurtful to hear. I couldn't stand most noises so I feared going out. I tried to eat out with the family but restaurant noises were too loud and I couldn't chew with the earplugs on as I could hear the thunderous grinding sounds of the teeth against solid foods, and that the sound of the ultra high pitch T was just unbearably dominant without outside ambient sounds. Severe T & H are mutually exclusive, meaning if you do something to please one, the other will kill you and vice versa. No escape from the suffering from these two monsters who dislike each other. Sigh! I had to withdrew from all social functions, facing the chasm of a lonely withdrawn life ahead without much hope in the horizon. Yes, what a dark time to even think about it. So I can definitely relay to you and your suffering. You are in my prayer. Hang in there. Don't give up. Time is a great healer and your body will not always react or perceive T the same way as your darkest time. If you read the success story and those who posted above, you will know that there are no superhumans and we all need some time plus some helpful strategies to get better. Take good care. God bless your recovery.

 

[Paul10]

Thanks everyone for your support and thanks @billie48 for your prayers. This is the most difficult thing I have ever went through, the frequency cuts through my brain like a knife, it makes my skin crawl. I'm seeing an audiologist this week. I just wish my body would not react the way it is, it's like a pain shooting through my brain. Really appreciate all your support, I need all of it I can get right now. Hope you're all getting to a better place every day