Newbie — List of Tips?

[JammyDodger]

Hi,

2 weeks into this and a bit scared (sounds soft but just being honest) - hoping it might go away as I've had it briefly before for a few days when sleeping and getting a stiff neck.

Downloaded some apps for my iphone - do I just listen through my headphones all night??

Picked up the advice about making sure your T is slightly above the noise.

Is the T louder at first because you are thinking and focusing on it??

Any quick tips appreciated

Great forum - amazed how common it is - I thought I was too young and I'm over 40!

 

[LadyDi]

Hi and welcome, @JammyDodger

You are very new to tinnitus. So yes, you have a chance it may just resolve. Did anything in particular happen that might have caused your tinnitus? (like you went to a very loud concert, or near something that made a sudden, very loud noise, or had an acute ear infection)? I ask only because if you have a definite cause, could make a difference in what newbie tips would be good. But many people never know what caused their T.

Re. headphones at night: I prefer a Sound Pillow. More comfortable and less risk of piping sound into your ears all night that's too loud. Also works much better than "pillow speakers" you slip into your own pillow. Remember to always have your masking noise on as low as possible, low enough to hear your tinnitus.
http://www.soundpillow.com/

And: Do you have anxiety to go with your tinnitus? If so, anxiety tips will follow. If not: You are lucky!

Yes, tinnitus often seems louder in the beginning. In time, you do get used to it and it fades for good portions of the day. As people here say, distraction is a huge help: Do things you enjoy, keep busy.

And even if it turns out your tinnitus does go away, remember to always protect your ears from loud sounds. Invest in good ear plugs and wear them at concerts, movies, noisy restaurants, on air plane flights, other very noisy environments. Just don't over-protect, because you then can make your ears hyper sensitive to noise.

 

[JammyDodger]

Thanks LadyDi,

I noticed over the last few months that my shoulders and neck were getting stiffer and tighter - the top of my shoulders where they meet the neck felt like wood rather than muscle.

Two weeks ago I noticed high pitch ringing (like a TV) on waking and my ears were a bit muffled and I had some mild ear pain in both ears. Went to the nurse who found fluid in the mid ear for one of the ears - told me to take ibuprofen 3 x daily and to hold my nose and blow to clear my ears - she said it was likely to be blocked ear tubes. No change a week later so the doctor has given me prochloroperazine to try and calm the inner ear nerves apparently. He also said there was no cure and if the tablets don't work I can wear headphones if I have trouble sleeping!

It seems worse now and is more noticeable in the left ear - the first week I only noticed at night and it didn't bother me during the day.

So not caused by noise, possibly fluid in the ear or tight muscles in the neck??

Does this make any sense??

Hope it improves.

Thanks

 

[Quentino]

I doubt the fact that there's no cure if your probleme is fluid in the mid ear. My ENT said that i had some glue in the right ear , thick fluid. Had some prednisolone, didn't change anything but my ENT saisd that this problem take some months to go.

About maskers at night, some massking apps habve a timer to stop the sounds after ten, twenty... minutes. So your ears can rest at night in silence.

 

[Ricky81]

I don't listen to waterfall sound apps via headphones because that can damage hearing depending on the volume.
I place phone on my bed and listen via phone speaker.

If your T is high pitched you might also want to download WHITE NOISE app. That will help you at first with high pitch eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee sound.

For the first month or so it is very important you mask your T with noise.

I slept without any apps last night for the first time in a month. So it will take a good month or so depending on your situation. Take Melatonin tablets, it will help you fall asleep.

 

[LadyDi]

Thanks LadyDi,

I noticed over the last few months that my shoulders and neck were getting stiffer and tighter - the top of my shoulders where they meet the neck felt like wood rather than muscle.

Two weeks ago I noticed high pitch ringing (like a TV) on waking and my ears were a bit muffled and I had some mild ear pain in both ears. Went to the nurse who found fluid in the mid ear for one of the ears - told me to take ibuprofen 3 x daily and to hold my nose and blow to clear my ears - she said it was likely to be blocked ear tubes. No change a week later so the doctor has given me prochloroperazine to try and calm the inner ear nerves apparently. He also said there was no cure and if the tablets don't work I can wear headphones if I have trouble sleeping!

It seems worse now and is more noticeable in the left ear - the first week I only noticed at night and it didn't bother me during the day.

So not caused by noise, possibly fluid in the ear or tight muscles in the neck??

Does this make any sense??

Hope it improves.

Thanks

Sounds to me like you may have eustachian tube dysfunction. That can lead to fluid in the middle ear, which can lead to tinnitus. Its basically what happened to me -- although my ETD came on quickly, and painfully, due to an undetected upper respiratory infection that led to barotrauma on an airplane flight, which caused my tinnitus.

There is lots they can do for ETD -- and they need to get that fluid out of there, before it causes more harm. Trapped fluid can lead to middle and inner ear damage, which in turn leads to tinnitus. I would ask about having tubes put in if the drugs aren't working. Also, seems like something to reduce the inflamation (steroids, anti-histamines) might be a good idea.

When the doc said there was no cure, my guess is he was talking about tinnitus, not ETD.

 

[LadyDi]

I don't listen to waterfall sound apps via headphones because that can damage hearing depending on the volume

I slept without any apps last night for the first time in a month. So it will take a good month or so depending on your situation. Take Melatonin tablets, it will help you fall asleep.

You slept without an app! Good news!

 

[Karl28]

If I were you I would avoid loud noises / music for a while and dont use headphones.

 

[JammyDodger]

Thanks for all the advice - really appreciate it -

Managed to sleep without any app noise probably because I was that tired from the night before.

Even though the T is high pitched I've noticed I can tune out occasionally like almost deciding to ignore it even though it's still there!

Will go back to the doctor and ask about further treatment - he is quite blasé about it unfortunately.

Is there anything I can do myself to help ETD ?? - I think the doctor mentioned about inhaling steam to free the sinuses ( which seem perfectly normal)

Thanks

 

[JammyDodger]

I don't listen to waterfall sound apps via headphones because that can damage hearing depending on the volume.
I place phone on my bed and listen via phone speaker.

If your T is high pitched you might also want to download WHITE NOISE app. That will help you at first with high pitch eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee sound.

For the first month or so it is very important you mask your T with noise.

I slept without any apps last night for the first time in a month. So it will take a good month or so depending on your situation. Take Melatonin tablets, it will help you fall asleep.

Hi Ricky,

Thanks for your advice.

Why is it important to try and mask the noise in the first month?

Thanks

 

[Ricky81]

Hi Ricky,

Thanks for your advice.

Why is it important to try and mask the noise in the first month?

Thanks

Your brain is not used to the T noise so it will remain awake 24/7 trying to figure out the T threat.
This can lead to fatigue, stress etc so mask your T for few months and then go from there.

I have noticed if I sleep on my side I can hear my T louder so I have to sleep facing up looking at ceiling.

 

[JammyDodger]

If I were you I would avoid loud noises / music for a while and dont use headphones.

Thanks Karl,

I know thus may seem obvious but is why exactly?
Is it just for the first few months while I get used to it?
Does loud noise include cinema, pubs etc?

Just trying to figure out the dos and don'ts of T.

Thanks

 

[Ricky81]

Thanks Karl,

I know thus may seem obvious but is why exactly?
Is it just for the first few months while I get used to it?
Does loud noise include cinema, pubs etc?

Just trying to figure out the dos and don'ts of T.

Thanks

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-tinnitus-basics

I would stay away from pubs, bars and clubs and even movie theaters.

Tinnitus can worsen in some people if they drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, drink caffeinated beverages, or eat certain foods. For reasons not yet entirely clear to researchers, stress and fatigue seem to worsen tinnitus.

 

[JammyDodger]

Thanks Ricky,

I'm going on holiday in a few weeks - loud noises will be plane plus kids disco.
Can you get ear plugs that reduce noise rather than block it out and that are inconspicuous?

Thanks

 

[Ricky81]

Thanks Ricky,

I'm going on holiday in a few weeks - loud noises will be plane plus kids disco.
Can you get ear plugs that reduce noise rather than block it out and that are inconspicuous?

Thanks

For airplanes I use Noise cancellation head phones. i think if you are only travelling once, you should be ok on the plane, just use ear plugs if you don't wanna spend lots of money on airplane head phones. I'm not familiar with ear plugs as I dont use them, maybe someone else here can tell us about ear plugs.

 

[washashore]

Thanks Ricky,

I'm going on holiday in a few weeks - loud noises will be plane plus kids disco.
Can you get ear plugs that reduce noise rather than block it out and that are inconspicuous?

Thanks

Yes, there are many different options for ear plugs, either over the counter or custom molded, ranging from cheap to expensive. I would recommend using the search tool on the forum - you'll find plenty of info here.

 

[LadyDi]

Thanks for all the advice - really appreciate it -
Is there anything I can do myself to help ETD ?? - I think the doctor mentioned about inhaling steam to free the sinuses ( which seem perfectly normal)

Thanks

Yes, inhaling steam is a natural, good, non-invasive treatment. Boil water and then either pour it into a mixing bowl or keep it in the pan. You can put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in it, if you want. Then put a large towel over your head, put your face over the hot water, and inhale deeply through your nose.
Do this at least once a day. Twice is better. Good for your sinuses even if you dont have ETD.

You need to get that fluid out of your ear, though, if its still there. Steam treatments aren't going to do that.
Be very careful about nasal syringing and stay away from these "ear popping" devices, where you insert a tube up your nose and blow air into your sinus cavities. These things can do far more harm than good.

 

[LadyDi]

For airplanes I use Noise cancellation head phones. i think if you are only travelling once, you should be ok on the plane, just use ear plugs if you don't wanna spend lots of money on airplane head phones. I'm not familiar with ear plugs as I dont use them, maybe someone else here can tell us about ear plugs.

Hey all, one thing: If you use regular ear plugs on an airplane, DO NOT keep them in when you ascend and especially when you descend. It can make it even harder to equalize your ears and create barotrauma. You should buy Ear Planes for flights. Or wear ear muffs that don't clamp tightly to your ear. With Ear Planes (or muffs), you can take them out and put in regular plugs once you reach cruising altitude. Just put the Ear Planes back in as soon as the descent starts (usually about 30 minutes to an hour before landing, depending on how long the flight is and the flight path). Before using Ear Planes, carefully read the instructions on the box.

 

[Karl28]

Thanks Karl,

I know thus may seem obvious but is why exactly?
Is it just for the first few months while I get used to it?
Does loud noise include cinema, pubs etc?

Just trying to figure out the dos and don'ts of T.

Thanks

Because It can get even worse