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[GlennC]

Hi. My name is Glenn. I've had ringing in my ears, mostly high pitched but sometimes different frequencies in each ear since 1997. I have loss of hearing, and as of late the noise is becoming louder, to the point that I am having a hard time concentrating on what someone is saying to me. I have in the past been able to ignore the noise, but it's getting more and more difficult as time goes by. I'm scared, and don't know what to do.

 

[wags]

Hey Glenn, welcome to the forum!

19 years of tinnitus is quite a long time. I'm amazed! I hope I have the fortitude to carry on that long. T changing is one of the most frustrating things, especially if you've had it and it gets louder... When was the last time you had an ENT visit, to perhaps rule out any physical causes that have cropped up?

 

[SilverSpiral]

How have you been dealing with your T since 97? How much worse did it get recently? any causes?

 

[GlennC]

Basically just just ignoring it for the most part. It's just been a factor in my life that I can't change. As far as what caused it to get worse lately, I have no idea.

 

[Lorac]

Welcome to the forum @GlennC !
How strange that your symptoms are increasing after 20 years. Have you had your hearing tested recently? You list white noise as a cause of your tinnitus. Do you believe that using white noise contributed to your situation?

 

[GlennC]

Absolutely. The HF frequency spectrum is affected greatly by atmospheric conditions. I spent 3 years working with that in particular. I didn't have the ringing prior to transteering to that duty station.

 

[billie48]

Basically just just ignoring it for the most part. It's just been a factor in my life that I can't change. As far as what caused it to get worse lately, I have no idea.

That is a good attitude. If your T can be ignored and that you have accepted the new normal, you are on the right path. As far as the reason for the T increase, it can be many things. There are many causes which can trigger or aggravate tinnitus including by not limited to:

Drug reaction or side-effects from ototoxic drugs, ear or Eustachian tube infection, ear drum injury, fluid build-up feeling pressured, TMJ, TTTS, high blood pressure or blood circulation problem, loud noise exposure or acoustic trauma, head trauma & injury, neck problems, hearing loss, Meniere's, barotrauma from rapid change of atmospheric pressure, ear or head slapping, grief for the loss of loved ones, untreated sleep apnea, elevated stress, anxiety & panic disorder, unhealthy diet such as too much salt, sugar, caffeine, MSG, alcohol etc. or lacking some mineral or vitamin supplements, such as Magnesium, Zinc, B12, D3 etc.

If your T spikes, it may be due to one or more of the above, or nothing (lol). T is unpredictable so it is hard to explain the spike. So hang in there. It may just fade. Try masking it if it bothers you. Take good care. God bless.