Not Sure What Caused My Tinnitus. I Am 16 Years Old.

[MelanieAmore]

Afew months ago, I experienced tinnitus for the first time at night and I found it really difficult to sleep. I only heard ringing in my right ear. I thought this may have been because i was sick.

Just now, I got tinnitus again and in my right ear i have a ringing sound and in my left ear i hear a whooshing sound. I'm not sure if it's because i have a bit of a stuffy nose and it's hay fever season or if it's because i'm wearing my earphones too much. Is this normal?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Just now, I got tinnitus again and in my right ear i have a ringing sound and in my left ear i hear a whooshing sound. I'm not sure if it's because i have a bit of a stuffy nose and it's hay fever season or if it's because i'm wearing my earphones too much. Is this normal?

HI @MelanieAmore

Exposure to loud noise is the most common cause of tinnitus and most often headphones use is responsible. Frequently going to clubs concerts even the cinema where loud sounds occur can also be the cause too. If I were you, I would not use headphones for a while even at low volume. Hopefully your tinnitus will calm down and even go away. If headphone use is the cause as I think it is, then act now and you could save yourself a lot of misery. I don't mean to cause you alarm but these are the facts as I see it.

At night try not to sleep in a quiet room as this will make you focus on the tinnitus more. It will also make the noise appear to be louder and more intrusive. Use "sound enrichment" this is best provided by a sound machine. As you are new to tinnitus and hopefully it's temporary, play relaxing nature sounds from your mobile phone and keep this on your bedside. If you have another type of portable device that can play nature sound this will also suffice. Try to avoid music as this will draw the brain's attention which you don't want. Keep the sounds lower than your tinnitus don't try to mask it.

The stuffy nose that you mention can also be linked to tinnitus as the ENT (ear nose throat) are all connected. Just give it time and see your GP if things don't settle down. Please click on the links below and read my articles on tinnitus. Read them completely and try not to skim through them.

All the best
Michael


https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

[Dave111]

Burn your headphone

 

[Christophe_85]

Hello !

Just be very careful with your headphones !

Did you have any stress in your life before that ?

 

[TinH]

Afew months ago, I experienced tinnitus for the first time at night and I found it really difficult to sleep. I only heard ringing in my right ear. I thought this may have been because i was sick.

Just now, I got tinnitus again and in my right ear i have a ringing sound and in my left ear i hear a whooshing sound. I'm not sure if it's because i have a bit of a stuffy nose and it's hay fever season or if it's because i'm wearing my earphones too much. Is this normal?

I got my tinnitus from a common virus in school, (hopefully will be gone within a few weeks) and my headphones that I used to wear a lot triggered the tinnitus. As soon as I fished listening to them in bed late at night, i got a whooshing noise that developed into tinnitus. i would quit the headphones just like I did, Im only 14, but since your young you have a chance of your ear healing if you just quit the headphones even though it can be hard.

 

[Digital Doc]

@MelanieAmore

Most folks are listening to headphones at too loud, and too long. For some folks, any exposure is simply too much and results in T and other symptoms.

I would avoid both earbuds and headphones now and in the future. Any audio you listen to should be via an external speaker, and at low volume.

Avoid loud noises, including clubs and movies for now to allow healing over the next several months. Also, use foam ear plugs for any loud noises you cannot avoid, such as vacuuming, power tool usage, or even the hair dryer to protect from further damage. Carry your ear plugs with you, and use them as needed for loud environments, such as some restaurants that when busy can exceed 90 db.

In general, play by the rules, and there should be some improvement over the next several months.