Only One More Month Before My Tinnitus Is Cured

[Bam]

Yeah, I don't know. I think in part happiness is definitely a choice. I mean, we have the ability to view things in a certain way.

I have to admit, I got to the point with severe tinnitus where I was happy, even laying on the floor with my dog for 4 months with shingles I was okay.

Laid out watching YouTube day after day crippled with shingles and a screaming brain, I had this ability to switch off the tinnitus at times, slept like a log, took naps, tinnitus did not bother uo to an hour at a time. Yeah I was still disabled by it, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't make it through the day, symptoms backed off to a reasonable level, that's all I needed to be happy. I still suffered, but I could find little things to help, plus I could escape with a really good nights sleep, or a long shower with a couple of cold beers. Little things to keep going is where it's at for me, right now I have nothing.

Unfortunately symptoms are back to a point where I can't actually handle it. I can't walk around delirious all day and choose happy, doesn't make sense. I'm not choosing to be unhappy either, I'm just pushing as hard as I can. But to sit here and choose to be happy while I'm suffering like a beaten dog, I do have to be realistic, I'm not selling myself on this one, it doesn't matter how

Sorry but this forum is full of frauds. Posturing about how they've tamed their 'incredibly loud' T. I don't buy any of it for a second. You look between the lines and you see clues like, 'I had to wear earmuffs in the house to listen to it scream.'.....Please! I can hear mine 'scream' in a f***ing nightclub you clown.

Also if you 'love' your T why are you fucking here?!?

Your early posts Telis were some of the few I read where I thought, 'this guy has what I have!'

I'm pretty sure that some of us with really severe T come across to others like trolls, trying to stir things up with suicidal posts, but sadly we are just genuinely severe sufferers caught up in this life and death hell.

 

[katri]

Sorry but this forum is full of frauds. Posturing about how they've tamed their 'incredibly loud' T. I don't buy any of it for a second. You look between the lines and you see clues like, 'I had to wear earmuffs in the house to listen to it scream.'.....Please! I can hear mine 'scream' in a f***ing nightclub you clown.

Also if you 'love' your T why are you fucking here?!?

Your early posts Telis were some of the few I read where I thought, 'this guy has what I have!'

I'm pretty sure that some of us with really severe T come across to others like trolls, trying to stir things up with suicidal posts, but sadly we are just genuinely severe sufferers caught up in this life and death hell.

Sorry. Never meant to offend you in anyway or make your suffering come off as trivial or mild. It's just how I cope. Mine is louder than a ton of things in my house all at once and I'm sorry to make it seem as debilitating as yours. I don't do that thing everyday. It's an exercise that happens every blue moon.

 

[Bam]

Sorry. Never meant to offend you in anyway or make your suffering come off as trivial or mild. It's just how I cope. Mine is louder than a ton of things in my house all at once and I'm sorry to make it seem as debilitating as yours. I don't do that thing everyday. It's an exercise that happens every blue moon.

Wasn't actually referring to your post Katri. It's cool.x

 

[S Matthews]

@Bam I assure you..no troll. I was a long time patient at the old Tinnitus clinic in Oregon and I went to counseling for over two years as I was so suicidally depressed. I put on ear muffs to block out every other sound..to reverse what I had been doing..trying to not hear it..or fighting with it..to listening only to it. It made a huge difference and I did not die by my own hand as I had planned. It helped me...that is all..I have no idea if it would help anyone else..but it did get me off the ENT and specialist merry-go-round.

 

[Bam]

@Bam I assure you..no troll. I was a long time patient at the old Tinnitus clinic in Oregon and I went to counseling for over two years as I was so suicidally depressed. I put on ear muffs to block out every other sound..to reverse what I had been doing..trying to not hear it..or fighting with it..to listening only to it. It made a huge difference and I did not die by my own hand as I had planned. It helped me...that is all..I have no idea if it would help anyone else..but it did get me off the ENT and specialist merry-go-round.

It just seems incomprehensible to me that somebody can be so accepting of something that as @Wolfears pointed out is so inherently evil and soul destroying.

If I'm honest @jasonbourne original post about gassing himself to death made far more sense to me than your post which just looked like some form of TRT self delusion.

 

[S Matthews]

I don't know what TRT is and I have no delusions. I've had oppressive ringing which has caused me to modify my life for a very long time. There was no support group when I was first stricken and I suffered alone. I joined this forum recently due to a large acoustic trauma I suffered..and in clicking about was delighted to read about the new research in hair cell regeneration and to find this forum. You seem angry with my sharing my experience. Perhaps you are just angry with having the ringing..this I understand...but Indid get better..less depressed..more functional...and the ringing itself never improved.

 

[Spiral]

@jasonbourne I was going to write a big post trying to convince you not to do it but.. I'll post this instead.
I had a childhood friend that committed suicide. We used to jam out to all different kinds of music and talk until the sun came up.

This was his favorite song:

When a man lies, he murders some part of the world
These are the pale deaths which men miscall their lives
All this I cannot bear to witness any longer
Cannot the kingdom of salvation take me home?

I play it anytime I need a kick in the ass, a reminder that life is worth living. It's taken on a whole new meaning since I got tinnitus.. Maybe it will help you too.

 

[Ed209]

Sorry but this forum is full of frauds. Posturing about how they've tamed their 'incredibly loud' T. I don't buy any of it for a second. You look between the lines and you see clues like, 'I had to wear earmuffs in the house to listen to it scream.'.....Please! I can hear mine 'scream' in a f***ing nightclub you clown.

Also if you 'love' your T why are you fucking here?!?

Your early posts Telis were some of the few I read where I thought, 'this guy has what I have!'

I'm pretty sure that some of us with really severe T come across to others like trolls, trying to stir things up with suicidal posts, but sadly we are just genuinely severe sufferers caught up in this life and death hell.

I can answer this from my perspective. My T is really loud and can be heard 24/7, and this includes environments like the cinema, a noisy bar, loud traffic, etc. I have multiple noises and the high pitch dentist drill that fills my head cuts through most things. I have static/hissing, a low drone in my left ear, a pure tone at around 6khz in my right ear, and electrical zapping in my brain (although this is not as frequent anymore).

I had an MRI in March which was one of the noisiest things I've ever had to endure, and I've had an MRI before. The one I had was in a mobile unit made of steel, so I believe the resonance and sound reflection made it even louder. I wore plugs and they gave me a flimsy headset, but they did nothing to help as the sound was so loud. Afterwards, I went back to square one and had all the same strong suicidal emotions that I did before. It was horrible. I had a new tone in my left ear but I think this has got better. Over time, I gradually readjusted to life again and I am now back to the same place I was before, mentally speaking.

I'm under no illusion that my tinnitus could get worse, but if that's all I thought about I'd go insane now, whether it did or not. People just can't live that way.

I would much rather see a cure or effective treatments for people, but for now, we have to learn to adapt. If you eliminate your emotional reaction, it really does have a profound impact on how you perceive it. I know it sounds super cheesy, but in my case and many others' it's true. I hope it stays this way for me because I know it can be a fragile state, but I'll take it. It's better than being tormented by it.

If you're thinking about suicide, my advice is to hold off. In time, our experiences can change quite dramatically, but you don't learn that unless you wait it out and see for yourself how your perception might change.

 

[Steve G]

I can answer this from my perspective. My T is really loud and can be heard 24/7, and this includes environments like the cinema, a noisy bar, loud traffic, etc. I have multiple noises and the high pitch dentist drill that fills my head cuts through most things. I have static/hissing, a low drone in my left ear, a pure tone at around 6khz in my right ear, and electrical zapping in my brain (although this is not as frequent anymore).

I had an MRI in March which was one of the noisiest things I've ever had to endure, and I've had an MRI before. The one I had was in a mobile unit made of steel, so I believe the resonance and sound reflection made it even louder. I wore plugs and they gave me a flimsy headset, but they did nothing to help as the sound was so loud. Afterwards, I went back to square one and had all the same strong suicidal emotions that I did before. It was horrible. I had a new tone in my left ear but I think this has got better. Over time, I gradually readjusted to life again and I am now back to the same place I was before, mentally speaking.

I'm under no illusion that my tinnitus could get worse, but if that's all I thought about I'd go insane now, whether it did or not. People just can't live that way.

I would much rather see a cure or effective treatments for people, but for now, we have to learn to adapt. If you eliminate your emotional reaction, it really does have a profound impact on how you perceive it. I know it sounds super cheesy, but in my case and many others' it's true. I hope it stays this way for me because I know it can be a fragile state, but I'll take it. It's better than being tormented by it.

If you're thinking about suicide, my advice is to hold off. In time, our experiences can change quite dramatically, but you don't learn that unless you wait it out and see for yourself how your perception might change.

Hi ED209 ,Sorry to hear you are suffering badly. I would just like to say thanks for all your posts. There are several members on this forum that have a certain way of putting words together that make so much sense and are so interesting to read. We are fortunate to have you guys and girls on this forum. I know that will not help your tinnitus or suffering but your words may help us all one day. You guys are true ambassadors and if you could only reach the right people with your words and the way you string them together. I have no doubt people in the correct position would listen. Cheers Steve G

 

[Jazzer]

Hi Folks.
My tinnitus is a very loud 'pressure cooker release valve' hiss, permanent, and voice matched to a decible meter at 60 dbs.

I have a simple method that helps me.
It's not revolutionary, but I practice it every day, never miss, and it honestly helps me.
I lay in a warm bath, and allow myself to hear "it",
but not actively listen to it.
(There is a distinct difference between
hearing it, as opposed to listening to it of course.)

I go into gentle a relaxed breathing cycle, let the noise be, and eventually the comfort of warm water, and gentle breathing helps me to feel comfortable and 'easy.'
You cannot rush this stage.
It takes as long as it takes.
Wait until you feel easy about it.

I am then not hating it, loathing if, despising it.
I am hearing it, but feeling "easy" about it.

Later in the day, if I feel myself getting ratty with it, I just remind myself
"Easy Dave - just take it easy."

What I don't know is whether any other type of noise is conducive to this method, of course.


I hope it works for you guys.

 

[Jazzer]

we have to learn to adap

The cochlea will not / cannot self heal.
With no treatments and no cure, adaptation is quite literally all we have.
As soon as my tinnitus really bit me, I started experimenting with different psychological techniques.
We have to find a personal way forward.
My relationships are too important to me to consider any other avenue.
Best wishes everybody,
experiment and try everything.
xx

 

[just1morething]

experiment and try everything

 

[Telis]

The cochlea will not / cannot self heal

True, but this is not the only mechanism involved in tinnitus, and people have reductions all the time. Not to mention, not all people with a damaged cochlea will even get tinnitus in the first place.

 

[Jazzer]

You may well be right @Telis,
but I have noticed that none of the severe sufferers that I tend to equate with have posted any such improvement in real volume - only adaptation, or that dreaded word 'habituation.'

 

[Bam]

only adaptation, or that dreaded word 'habituation

How many people have lost their lives because of 'habituation' being wholly accepted as real and a perfectly reasonable substitute for a cure by the medical profession?....Truly tragic.

One day in the future people will realise just how appallingly we were treated because of that f***ing dumb word.

Sure people learn to live with this. But never do they feel truly free of it. Never do they hear sweet silence and the freedom and joy within it.

 

[Jazzer]

Well as you are not somebody that I have had an acquaintance with, obviously I know nothing of your history.
I do remember you saying to me that my 60dbs of interminable hiss would be a luxuary to you, after which I took whatever you have said with a barrel of salt......

 

[Jazzer]

How many people have lost their lives because of 'habituation' being wholly accepted as real and a perfectly reasonable substitute for a cure by the medical profession?....Truly tragic.

One day in the future people will realise just how appallingly we were treated because of that f***ing dumb word.

Sure people learn to live with this. But never do they feel truly free of it. Never do they hear sweet silence and the freedom and joy within it.

@Bam - you nail it every time buddy.
Proud to be your friend old sport. xx

 

[Wolfears]

How many people have lost their lives because of 'habituation' being wholly accepted as real and a perfectly reasonable substitute for a cure by the medical profession?....Truly tragic.

One day in the future people will realise just how appallingly we were treated because of that f***ing dumb word.

Sure people learn to live with this. But never do they feel truly free of it. Never do they hear sweet silence and the freedom and joy within it.

If I used analogy, habituation would be the equivalent to using a coat hanger to prop up the muffler when it fails in the middle of nowhere.

A cure would be equivalent to getting it properly fixed at a licensed shop, once you get back to civilization.

Sure you might be able to drive that car with coat hanger holding things for quite some time, but it's just Mickey Mouse.

They want us to accept Mickey Mouse as the real fix and look the other way....not going to happen.

 

[Ed209]

They want us to accept Mickey Mouse as the real fix and look the other way....not going to happen.

Who's they?

I don't see anybody wanting that, and would say it's pretty unanimous that people want a cure or effective treatment.

One big problem, as far as I can see, is that the tinnitus community holds itself back by doing nothing about it. Complaining about the lack of a cure on a forum that's full of sufferers won't help fix anything.

 

[Wolfears]

Who's they?

I don't see anybody wanting that, and would say it's pretty unanimous that people want a cure or effective treatment.

One big problem, as far as I can see, is that the tinnitus community holds itself back by doing nothing about it. Complaining about the lack of a cure on a forum that's full of sufferers won't help fix anything.

Come on Ed...you are a very intelligent guy.

Let's not pretend you don't know who I'm reffering to here by "they" .
I'm reffering to the prevailing attitudes held by the medical community and presentation of Tinnitus habituatuon in the media.

What we should be hearing is something like:

"We are very sorry but all we can offer you right now is some form of a dubious habituation scheme until a real cure is found...we are redirecting all of the available resources in that direction, so hang in there"

Are you hearing that?
Because I'm not.
Instead what I'm hearing, is stuff like:

"Learn to live with it and don't forget to grab the TRT/ CBT pamphlet on your way out the door".

 

[Ed209]

Let's not pretend you don't know who I'm reffering to here by "they" I'm reffering to the prevailing attitudes held by the medical community and presentation of Tinnitus habituatuon in the media.

There's no cure, so what do you want the clinicians to say? I agree they need to offer more support and not just say "you need to learn to live with it". However, in the absence of an effective treatment, there's not much they can do.

This is where the tinnitus community has to come in. Where is all the activism to change the current climate? This is what pisses me off. People moan when they are offered support and they also moan about the lack of treatments, but don't do anything to help change things.

It's the same old same old.

 

[Wolfears]

There's no cure, so what do you want the clinicians to say? I agree they need to offer more support and not just say "you need to learn to live with it". However, in the absence of an effective treatment, there's not much they can do.

This is where the tinnitus community has to come in. Where is all the activism to change the current climate? This is what pisses me off. People moan when they are offered support and they also moan about the lack of treatments, but don't do anything to help change things.

It's the same old same old.

Seems like we are going around in circles here...
I do realize there is no cure...what I'm talking about is the ATTITUDES held by the medical community and media regarding Tinnitus.

As long as those attitudes remain in place, there is most likely not going to be any cure available for quite some time.

 

[Mattv]

They sure want to sell me $5000 hearing aids, however.

 

[uae96]

RIP in advance have a good trip

 

[Bam]

They sure want to sell me $5000 hearing aids, however.

Trail them. If they help. Take them back. Trial them some place else. Take them back. And so on and so on.

 

[coffee_girl]

There's no cure, so what do you want the clinicians to say? I agree they need to offer more support and not just say "you need to learn to live with it". However, in the absence of an effective treatment, there's not much they can do.

This is where the tinnitus community has to come in. Where is all the activism to change the current climate? This is what pisses me off. People moan when they are offered support and they also moan about the lack of treatments, but don't do anything to help change things.

It's the same old same old.

Don't even bother, logic does not work here... Happiness dies a quick death... Roll eyes, move on.. Mute and ignore. Nobody cares about threads like this. Don't waste your time.

 

[Jazzer]

This is where the tinnitus community has to come in. Where is all the activism to change the current climate? This is what pisses me off. People moan when they are offered support and they also moan about the lack of treatments, but don't do anything to help change things

Perhaps you could be a little more specific about what you expect Ed....?

 

[Lex]

Don't even bother, logic does not work here... Happiness dies a quick death... Roll eyes, move on.. Mute and ignore. Nobody cares about threads like this. Don't waste your time.

Are you saying nobody cares about Jasonbourne and other people's desperation because of their suffering? But whatever happened to "Don't kill yourself, someone cares" stuff people love to spew out?

 

[coffee_girl]

Are you saying nobody cares about Jasonbourne and other people's desperation because of their suffering? But whatever happened to "Don't kill yourself, someone cares" stuff people love to spew out?

Everyone cares about suicide (my response was directed at what this thread is turning into) , nobody cares about these people hating on habituation as a treatment when there is no cure. It does work for a majority of people, it has helped many people to lead ordinary lives and it should be recommended for those whose tinnitus isn't unbearable.

 

[Mattv]

Trail them. If they help. Take them back. Trial them some place else. Take them back. And so on and so on.

I did trial some in ear canal ones. I did hear better, but it did nothing for the tinnitus. I may try another type.