Standing at the gates of tinnitus

[Karen]

Darren,

That is great news! It sounds like you've found a very good doctor. and I'm so glad to hear you're doing better. Those hearing aids are a godsend. Maybe you'll be able to find a smaller hearing aid with your doctor's guidance

Thanks for the tip about the meteor shower!!

 

[Carlo]

View attachment 588 Hi Guys,

It's been a while since my last post, so I thought I would give you an update. My ENT has diagnosed me with cochlear hydrops, which is a form of Meniere's disease. My hearing fluctuates from almost completely deaf (for a few hours) to perfect hearing. My other Doctor, the amazing Dr David Baguley has fitted me with a NHS combination hearing aid, which is a hearing aid, plus a white noise masker. Over the last 6 weeks, my T has really started to settle down (famous last words) but when the T is low the aid completely removes it. When the T is medium the masker distracts it. When the T is loud the aid or masker really helps in giving me comfort until it passes. The only problem with the NHS aid, is that it is quite large and when you are a 45 year old babe magnet like me ;-) a smaller aid would be a better look. I'm going to give it six months before I decide whether to spend £2k to £5k on a pair of smaller aids. So much of T is coincidence, but over the last 6 or 7 weeks my T has been really good, apart from a spike about 2 weeks ago, which my man Carlo helped me through. Last night, my T was so good I slept for the 1st time without white noise. Is the aid re-booting my brain into hearing clear sounds and so it no longer needs to reproduce the sound it thinks its missing? Am I just healing at my own pace? Am I just getting used to my T? I don't have all the answers, but yes, after 5 months, my T is so much better than the 1st 2 months of having it. The volume is lower and the tone has changed The aid is definitely my comfort blanket and it was free. Everything Dr Baguley has giving me has worked. The relaxation CD, the sound generator and pillow, the Aid, the advice about a low salt diet, etc...... all free of charge! Google David Baguley. I'm so lucky to have him. I'm also on a high dose of Betahistine as proscribed by my ENT Dr Donnely (They both work hand in hand). Everyone is different, but my advice would be to check out some cheap aids to see if they work 1st. I have spoken to a few, so called, Tinnitus specialists about £5k aids, but when I say I'm under Dr Baguley they go a little quiet. As I said in my last post, its still early days and I will keep you posted.

Have a great weekend guys and don't forget to get up around 1am tomorrow morning (Saturday the 14th) and watch the Geminids meteor shower. About 60 shooting stars per hour, but as the moon is quite full, maybe slightly less.

See ya,

Darren

Really really nice to hear good news from you, @Darren Knight! I have to say your positive attitude it's a big help for me as for everybody here around. What a pity, due to the light pollution in Rome I'll not watch the meteor shower...
Don't forget to keep updated, friend

 

[Darren Knight]

Really really nice to hear good news from you, @Darren Knight! I have to say your positive attitude it's a big help for me as for everybody here around. What a pity, due to the light pollution in Rome I'll not watch the meteor shower...
Don't forget to keep updated, friend

Then you really need to move mate ;-)

 

[carol kane]

Sorry Carol, I've only just seen the post. As it's been a few weeks now, I hope you have seen your Dr and this fourm has given you some great comfort and advice.

Thank you Darren, no i havn´t seen anyone yet, next friday i have an appointment with an ENT, i need some meds just to help me cope... and i need some proper ear plugs, i´ll hopefully get some support, it´s much needed, i´ve been alone this whole time as my husband works overseas.

 

[yonkapin]

You've made some great strides here since you've joined here Darren, congrats! Hope thing continue to improve for you!

 

[Darren Knight]

Thank you Darren, no i havn´t seen anyone yet, next friday i have an appointment with an ENT, i need some meds just to help me cope... and i need some proper ear plugs, i´ll hopefully get some support, it´s much needed, i´ve been alone this whole time as my husband works overseas.

The early days were the worst for me, but it has become a lot better as time has passed. The volume level was around a 10 for the 1st 2 months, down to a 2 or 3 after 5 months. The spikes started getting longer apart as well. I do drink a lot of camomile tea, try and keep on a low salt diet, spend a lot of time outside or in a room that doesn't have heavy carpets or lots of soft furniture, as this amplifies the sound. I take herbal sleeping tablets if I'm having a spike, I eat plenty of fish and take Betahistine 24mg twice a day. The aid is working well and sleep with a sound pillow and rain for white noise. The brain is a wonderful tool and you will learn to shut out the noise over time, especially when you are relaxed or concentrating on something you enjoy. Stay busy and positive and you will find yourself healing over time. But please don't compare 1 day to the last. It doesn't happen over night and if you expect that, you will become anxious. Try something that helps you relax, like yoga or walking. Take up a hobby like photography, that gets you outside and makes you concentrate. Let the months unravel and soon you will be on the right path.

Take care

Darren

 

[Darren Knight]

You've made some great strides here since you've joined here Darren, congrats! Hope thing continue to improve for you!

Thanks mate,

It's been hard at times, but you and the forum have been a great comfort. The more you learn the more you know how to cope. I always try and stay busy, plus I do a lot of what I enjoy. Having said said that, I got up a 1am to watch the meteor shower, but with the moon over 80% illuminated the sky is to bright to see them. Never mind, I'm Going back to bed now.

Take care

 

[LadyDi]

View attachment 588 Hi Guys,

It's been a while since my last post, so I thought I would give you an update. My ENT has diagnosed me with cochlear hydrops, which is a form of Meniere's disease. My hearing fluctuates from almost completely deaf (for a few hours) to perfect hearing. My other Doctor, the amazing Dr David Baguley has fitted me with a NHS combination hearing aid, which is a hearing aid, plus a white noise masker. Over the last 6 weeks, my T has really started to settle down (famous last words) but when the T is low the aid completely removes it. When the T is medium the masker distracts it. When the T is loud the aid or masker really helps in giving me comfort until it passes. The only problem with the NHS aid, is that it is quite large and when you are a 45 year old babe magnet like me ;-) a smaller aid would be a better look. I'm going to give it six months before I decide whether to spend £2k to £5k on a pair of smaller aids. So much of T is coincidence, but over the last 6 or 7 weeks my T has been really good, apart from a spike about 2 weeks ago, which my man Carlo helped me through. Last night, my T was so good I slept for the 1st time without white noise. Is the aid re-booting my brain into hearing clear sounds and so it no longer needs to reproduce the sound it thinks its missing? Am I just healing at my own pace? Am I just getting used to my T? I don't have all the answers, but yes, after 5 months, my T is so much better than the 1st 2 months of having it. The volume is lower and the tone has changed The aid is definitely my comfort blanket and it was free. Everything Dr Baguley has giving me has worked. The relaxation CD, the sound generator and pillow, the Aid, the advice about a low salt diet, etc...... all free of charge! Google David Baguley. I'm so lucky to have him. I'm also on a high dose of Betahistine as proscribed by my ENT Dr Donnely (They both work hand in hand). Everyone is different, but my advice would be to check out some cheap aids to see if they work 1st. I have spoken to a few, so called, Tinnitus specialists about £5k aids, but when I say I'm under Dr Baguley they go a little quiet. As I said in my last post, its still early days and I will keep you posted.

Have a great weekend guys and don't forget to get up around 1am tomorrow morning (Saturday the 14th) and watch the Geminids meteor shower. About 60 shooting stars per hour, but as the moon is quite full, maybe slightly less.

See ya,

Darren

Great news Darren. Hearing aids work really well for some people. So glad u r one of them!

 

[Darren Knight]

The quality of your thinking determines the quality of your life. - A.R. Bernard

Good night all

 

[Darren Knight]

Hi Guys,

hope you all had a good Christmas. I don't post as often as I used to, because T can fluctuate so much from one day to the next. I'm trying to keep my posts 2-4 weeks apart to make sure that what I'm saying is correct. I've had T for 5 months now, with the 1st 3 months being horrendous. Although I stayed positive through them awful months I was concerned my stamina would fade and I would one day crack. However, the last 2 months have been much better. The volume level has seriously decreased along with a tone change. I have a hearing aid, but I'm also using it less and less. I don't have to sleep with white noise now, but I do as I enjoy the sound. So this is really a post for scared newbies, that read posts of doom and gloom and think their T will never improve. Hang on in there! It may take a while ( longer or shorter than me) but it will improve. I'm not on any strict diet anymore, although I now enjoy eating healthy food. I only take Betahistine as proscribed by my ENT to help with my Hydrops. I don't drink lager, but do drink Guinness or John Smith (both flat and non fizzy) I drink caffeine but only if someone offers it to me. I take supplements, but only when I remember I hope this helps someone who is going through a rough time and I wish you well.

Clear Skies and lots of love

Darren

 

[Misery]

I'm glad you're doing so well, @Darren Knight. Your positive attitude must contribute to your overall well being. Thank you for sharing.