Poll: If You Have VERY LOUD Tinnitus, Are You Able to Work Full Time?

[Telis]

If I could work, I would, I can't so I don't. I miss my work and would do anything to get back, guess I'm not bad ass enough like these other amazing people.

 

[1000]

Agreed. Ed is 100% correct. Sit at home on your own and if you have severe tinnitus it will consume your soul. Trust me I've done it.

You have to get up and be out all day every day pushing your body and mind......Fucking tough but otherwise you're finished.

Are you taking medication? Keep on being ...the way isn't easy and you know it. Do you have noticeable hearing loss in which frequency?
At least you don't have hyperacusis with pain, that is truly a hell.

 

[1000]

I also think that besides the loudness the main issue is in what area of the brain you are receiving these horrifying tones in... I noticed a difference on both sides of my head, the left one feels more in the frontal area, the right one it's on the side mostly.

 

[Telis]

I also think that besides the loudness the main issue is in what area of the brain you are receiving these horrifying tones in... I noticed a difference on both sides of my head, the left one feels more in the frontal area, the right one it's on the side mostly.

Yeah, my head screams above the ears and in between the temples, the headaches are almost as crippling as the tinnitus itself. I can modulate sounds moving my eyes side to side.

 

[1000]

Yeah, my head screams above the ears and in between the temples, the headaches are almost as crippling as the tinnitus itself. I can modulate sounds moving my eyes side to side.

all that plus I have pain inside the ear...I don't know if it's hyperacusis or trigeminal nerve related... I feel the tensor tympanic muscle is like pushing the ear drum, I don't know, it's just really bad.

 

[coffee_girl]

It's either work or sit at home and concentrate on the gloomy thoughts that t will bring. Either way it sucks

 

[Telis]

It's either work or sit at home and concentrate on the gloomy thoughts that t will bring. Either way it sucks

Unfortunately some people don't have that choice. I'm sure there are those that just make the choice to sit around at home and consentrate on gloomy thoughts, maybe they are unmotivated, lazy, or just bad at life, but there are others that are unlucky enough to have it severe enough that they can't sleep, think, exist, never mind hold a job.

Some of the highest achievers that I have ever met have been taken down by tinnitus.

Tinnitus can actually be a disability (look at all the war vets that are crippled by it) and not just some choice to either work or sit around at home.

 

[Telis]

all that plus I have pain inside the ear...I don't know if it's hyperacusis or trigeminal nerve related... I feel the tensor tympanic muscle is like pushing the ear drum, I don't know, it's just really bad.

I have severe ear pain as well, I always thought it was some kind of phantom pain. Mines feels like a lot of pressure in the ear. I've had a lot of ear infections, it feels exactly like that. I honestly don't know if i could even tell if I got a ear infection at this point

 

[1000]

I have severe ear pain as well, I always thought it was some kind of phantom pain. Mines feels like a lot of pressure in the ear. I've had a lot of ear infections, it feels exactly like that. I honestly don't know if i could even tell if I got a ear infection at this point

I feel pressure sometimes, like burning and stabbing... If I go to the UC they will be prescribing antibiotics, just did a week ago, took them and feel the same.

A neurologist told me by guessing that is a nerve thing, pain management told me it could be the trigeminal nerve, another pain management told me that it is muscle pain...

 

[Michael B]

Can someone define loud tinnitus?

I would define it as being intrusive to the degree that it's affecting your activities of daily living (ADLs).
Mike

 

[Ecip]

Speaking of work... I'm almost out of options of what to do for a living. Other than winning the lottery I don't know what else to do.

A few months ago I started as a bus driver. Seeing as buses are very quiet, I didn't think it would be an issue at all. I was fine for 2.5 months, and then BAM. Major spike.... took 4 days off and it settled back down, went very quiet (2/10ish?). Back to work for a week now and I'm right back with loud, spiking tinnitus. Ears feel tired, weak... low rumbling noises bother me. Bus is too loud.

Seriously, what do I do? What are my options? I have a small family with a young son. I need income. I'm desperately trying to find a desk/office job of some sorts. Anyone hiring? lol... fuck...

 

[Tamara]

Bus driver is one of the professions that most have hearing loss, because of the noise of the bus engine, many people talking, air conditioning and the traffic noise.

 

[Emperor-Drax]

Tinnitus can actually be a disability (look at all the war vets that are crippled by it) and not just some choice to either work or sit around at home.

This peaked my curiosity regarding the government's position on awarding a disability pension to someone with T/H, and, well, in Australia, it looks like a complicated process that seems to make it as difficult and stressful as possible for a sufferer to receive any sort of benefit.

http://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/6/3/110

Sounds to me like they won't even consider awarding you benefits unless you agree to subject yourself to dangerous hearing tests ordered by an ENT (if you refuse, based on what you've read about it, it could indicate to them that you have something to hide?).

Imagine having debilitating T/H, unable to work, but failing to qualify for disability because you didn't tick the boxes in their narrow range of "hearing loss" requirements. No wonder so many people off themselves!

 

[Tamara]

What I don't understand and don't admit is the fact that ENTs do not know that certain tests are dangerous for us and may even worsen our situation. How are you going to prove that to justice where there is no one in the medical field, if even doctors do not know?
When I told ENT that I would not repeat certain exams again because I had gotten worse. She said it has to be done carefully!!!!!!?????

 

[dpdx]

yes, its hard though when your T is a 8/10

 

[Telis]

This peaked my curiosity regarding the government's position on awarding a disability pension to someone with T/H, and, well, in Australia, it looks like a complicated process that seems to make it as difficult and stressful as possible for a sufferer to receive any sort of benefit.

http://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/6/3/110

Sounds to me like they won't even consider awarding you benefits unless you agree to subject yourself to dangerous hearing tests ordered by an ENT (if you refuse, based on what you've read about it, it could indicate to them that you have something to hide?).

Imagine having debilitating T/H, unable to work, but failing to qualify for disability because you didn't tick the boxes in their narrow range of "hearing loss" requirements. No wonder so many people off themselves!

True, that is a tough one. But, I guess they do have to verify that you actually have severe tinnitus somehow. And if you don't have much for auditory damage, it's pretty tough to do just that. It's like trying to claim that you can't walk because of your legs, yet there has been no serious damage to them, pretty tough sell.

I don't think it is generally accepted that a hearing test is dangerous, so yeah, I would imagine that the conclusion by most would be that you are full of you know what.

There does need to be some form of verification, otherwise anyone could walk around claiming that they have severe tinnitus and collect.

There are also tests like qEEG that can show brain damage that can be associated with severe tinnitus. I'm sure there are many ways to prove a case if it's bad enough that it has become a serious disability.