Newcomer to the Forums and Tinnitus

[AlexM]

Hello,

My name is Alex, I'm a recently qualified counselor in Australia, just finished my course last year. In April I developed tinnitus after a door slammed right next to my ear, I was trying to stop a small dog from getting out and I suppose I wasn't thinking of the consequences. Regardless, I had listened to loud music at times, had some possible barometric trauma to my ears and also a chemotherapy regimen when I was a child which all add up as bad things for my ear health!

I'm trying to stay positive, I'm two months in now and it is difficult with my constant bilateral high pitched multi noised tinnitus. I have been having trouble sleeping at times but at other times I've been able to sleep pretty well. I've also been sure to see a GP and an ENT and we're working through a series of tests to rule out any serious causes for the symptom of tinnitus. Given a history of cancer I was worried about a tumour.

Sometimes I handle the mental component quite well, especially when I am busy with friends or engaged in a stimulating activity. Sometimes I don't handle it at all and just want the suffering to stop. I believe that being positive and seeing this challenge as a growth opportunity will serve me well. Sometimes I just forget this mind set especially when I am ambushed in the morning by the noise .

I am hopeful for a cure and I see a lot of great work researchers are doing. This initiative of tinnitus talk is also encouraging to see as they lobby researchers and provide a voice to the scientists and companies on behalf of the community.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

Sorry my friend. It's a Friday night and there's not many regulars on board. Use the search above and you should be able to find some postings related to your condition. Stay relaxed and try not to expose yourself to loud noise. Then again, one never knows when someone will slam a car door or hit their car horn. It's too early to say in what state your tinnitus will be in the months to follow, but doing some of the things that you are doing - will help.

 

[Bill Bauer]

one never knows when someone will slam a car door or hit their car horn.

I wear earplugs whenever I step outside of my home. I think protecting my ears from noises like the vacuum cleaner allowed my ears to heal faster.

Check out the "Success Stories" section of this site. It will make you feel less hopeless.

 

[billie48]

I believe that being positive and seeing this challenge as a growth opportunity will serve me well. Sometimes I just forget this mind set especially when I am ambushed in the morning by the noise .

Definitely keeping positive will help. It will lower your stress and anxiety level and that will help tame T in the long run. Tell me about the morning scare. My brain used to go into anxiety and panic attacks on auto mode when waken up to the loud high pitch T and I had to instantly reach for the meds. But now the brain is hardened or used to the same ringing and it just doesn't react any more. I am no super human. It is just time and repetition, and using the positive attitude to know that eventually the brain will learn to cope with this sound. Of course other strategies also help which I talked about in my success story. Take care. God bless.

 

[Jeff M.]

Hey @AlexM ! Bummed to hear you are struggling! It sucks for sure! Great advice has already been shared with you on this thread from everyone. Listen to @billie48 , he's the guru! Anyhow, my two cents is to live in the moment. Own the moment. Don't let T own the moment. Look into Mindfullness techniques. Don't waste any time or energy worrying about the future. Focus on making each moment to bet you can bro. I'm 5 years in and still have pretty severe T, but am living a great life! Have and hold onto hope!

Peace and rest to you!!!

Jeff