"Stop scrolling and start living." I know, easier said than done, especially when you first experience tinnitus.
I'm posting this because I once promised myself that if I got through it, I would come back to a forum one day to give others hope. The thing is, when you do get through it (and you will), you move on with your life. You are not constantly googling or reading about other people's struggles, so you are not on here every day, week, or month. You forget about it. That is why you see fewer success stories compared to the number of people suffering on forums.
Seven years ago, I developed tinnitus. I have no idea what caused it. On a scale of 1 to 10, I was at a 10. I had a loud high pitched noise for months, maybe even years. It led to anxiety and depression, creating a never ending cycle. I could not enter a room without using some kind of background noise to mask it. I would play something on my phone, turn on the radio, run the tap, or even light the gas hob or fireplace just to distract myself. Looking back, it was awful. I would not wish it on anyone. My ringing was louder than the TV.
I tried sound therapy. It made no difference. Honestly, I think it is a scam. But when you are desperate, you will try anything.
What worked for me was two things: exercise and time. Exercise calmed my anxiety and improved my well being, which in turn reduced my perception of the ringing. But the main healer is time. And I do not mean days or months, I mean years. The process is so slow and gradual that eventually, you just forget about it. It fades when you stop ruminating over it. Some people call that acceptance. I never wanted to accept it, but that came naturally with time, even though I once thought that was impossible.
If you asked me now, I would say my tinnitus is at a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10. It is not even something I really think about anymore. But I do remember how I felt at the beginning, like my world had been turned upside down.
I hope this helps anyone who is struggling. You will get better. I promise.
I'm posting this because I once promised myself that if I got through it, I would come back to a forum one day to give others hope. The thing is, when you do get through it (and you will), you move on with your life. You are not constantly googling or reading about other people's struggles, so you are not on here every day, week, or month. You forget about it. That is why you see fewer success stories compared to the number of people suffering on forums.
Seven years ago, I developed tinnitus. I have no idea what caused it. On a scale of 1 to 10, I was at a 10. I had a loud high pitched noise for months, maybe even years. It led to anxiety and depression, creating a never ending cycle. I could not enter a room without using some kind of background noise to mask it. I would play something on my phone, turn on the radio, run the tap, or even light the gas hob or fireplace just to distract myself. Looking back, it was awful. I would not wish it on anyone. My ringing was louder than the TV.
I tried sound therapy. It made no difference. Honestly, I think it is a scam. But when you are desperate, you will try anything.
What worked for me was two things: exercise and time. Exercise calmed my anxiety and improved my well being, which in turn reduced my perception of the ringing. But the main healer is time. And I do not mean days or months, I mean years. The process is so slow and gradual that eventually, you just forget about it. It fades when you stop ruminating over it. Some people call that acceptance. I never wanted to accept it, but that came naturally with time, even though I once thought that was impossible.
If you asked me now, I would say my tinnitus is at a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10. It is not even something I really think about anymore. But I do remember how I felt at the beginning, like my world had been turned upside down.
I hope this helps anyone who is struggling. You will get better. I promise.
