Nonstop Static Hissing Sound — Doctor Says Nothing to Be Done for It

[wlafmdc]

Hello, I am a new to Tinnitus Talk but not new to tinnitus. I have been dealing with my version of tinnitus for about 5 years.

My version is more of a nonstop hissing sound. I downloaded the app to see if I could identify my type. I adjusted everything in about every possible way imaginable but I was unable to match my experience.

My constant noise is more similar to frying eggs, radio static or water rushing (white noise). Throughout the normal course of a day, I am able to ignore or mask it with daily life. At night, when I am trying to get to sleep, it is extremely annoying and loud. I often fall asleep with the tv on, music or a meditation app.

I have never had a professional medical evaluation. I have mentioned it to my family doctor during my annual physical. He just says it's tinnitus, there is nothing we can do for it. I have forgotten and given up on what it is like to be in a truly quiet place.

Am I in the right crowd, or am I looking for a different group?

 

[GregCA]

You're in the right crowd. Welcome!
You can go down the diagnosis path. Some root causes are actually fixable.
See https://www.tinnitusresearch.net/index.php/for-clinicians/diagnostic-flowchart

Good luck!

 

[JohnFox]

My version is more of a nonstop hissing sound.

Yep, that's me too. However, I do think we maybe have slightly different versions. My tinnitus volume ramps down a bit when I am in very quiet environment like a quiet bedroom. Any noise, even mild noise causes my tinnitus to spike up almost as if its directly connected to the outside noise. I guess you might call this "reactive Tinnitus". It's a static, metalic, hissing noise, that when bad sounds sorta like an idling jet engine. It never ever goes away. Had it for a year now. Came on suddenly when I suddenly lost all hearing in my right ear. ENT has no idea what caused it. However, I suspect that it was a delayed reaction to a very traumatic motorcycle accident I had about 7 weeks prior.

 

[alex1975]

If you've only been to your GP, perhaps a visit to an audiologist or ENT might be worth it just in case they notice something your GP didn't. Also, doing a hearing test would be helpful to see if perhaps you have any hearing loss, which more than likely you do, even if just a little.

 

[Tybs]

He just says it's tinnitus, there is nothing we can do for it.

If it's caused by hearing loss, then he's correct (at least for now). Is it the only sound you hear? Can you influence it with movement/posture?

 

[wlafmdc]

Hello, sorry for my late response. With the holidays and life, I have been away for a while. Posture/movement does not affect on my tinnitus. Thank you all for the ideas and responses.

 

[Mister Muso]

That's one of my main tones, but when spiked it solidifies into a more solid, less reactive ringing. Anyone else get that? It's easier to mask with cricket sounds or similar if I play them loudly enough, but playing anything when it's hissing can just raise the volume of my tinnitus without helping it.

 

[wlafmdc]

Y However, I suspect that it was a delayed reaction to a very traumatic motorcycle accident I had about 7 weeks prior.

I believe mine was caused by an extremely loud Motley Crue concert. Wouldn't have been my first choice but I agreed to go with my wife and her friends. Our seats were close to the stage, off to the side and too close to the huge speakers. For a few days after the concert, my ears felt as if they were plugged and hissing. The plugged sensation eventually went away but the tinnitus remained. I would have gladly taken a cheap souvenir concert t-shirt instead.