Struggling to Adjust to Life with Tinnitus — Just Reaching Out

[Rachel Lou C]

Hi, I've had tinnitus since October 24. Initially, I could only hear a ticking sound in my left ear, but it progressed into loud, high-pitched noises at night. I was terrified for many months.

In January, I was diagnosed with severe anaemia. After a blood transfusion, I felt more able to manage my tinnitus. Six months on, I'm better day to day, but I feel a bit stuck at the moment.

When I go to shops or cafes, I need to use earbuds to play other sounds that help block out the noise, especially if there's music playing. I keep wondering if it's going to stay like this, or if I'll eventually get used to everyday sounds again.

It's affecting family life for my husband and son. We still go out for walks and spend time outdoors, but things like the cinema, pubs, or loud cafes put me off. They've been great at supporting me, but I can't help feeling they must be getting fed up with it.

I'm trying to get on with life, but I do find it hard sometimes. Just putting it out there. I'm in the UK.

 

[MindOverMatter]

When I go to shops or cafes, I need to use earbuds to play other sounds that help block out the noise, especially if there's music playing. I keep wondering if it's going to stay like this, or if I'll eventually get used to everyday sounds again.

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your struggles.

You are less than six months in with your tinnitus, so there is a great chance for it to improve significantly.

What you describe sounds like some level of loudness hyperacusis—sensitivity to sounds or certain soundscapes.

This condition often gets better over time. Just make sure you avoid exposing yourself to unnecessarily loud environments. Take precautions, and use earplugs when needed.

What happens when you hear music playing that you are not in control of?

 

[SueX]

Hiya,

I have had pulsatile tinnitus since September 24. I am still at the stage of trying to understand it, let alone adjust to it. I had two sessions with a psychologist to help me habituate, but I think it was too early. I still have not accepted that I have it, if that makes sense.

I wake up each day hoping it will be gone, but it has been there for six months now, nonstop. I am in the UK too, and I also have young children. I do feel it is tough for the family, but at the same time, I cannot avoid letting it dominate my life, and sadly, theirs, for now, because it is so intrusive.

From what people here say, it does get easier to cope with everyday sounds.

 

[Rachel Lou C]

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your struggles.

You are less than six months in with your tinnitus, so there is a great chance for it to improve significantly.

What you describe sounds like some level of loudness hyperacusis—sensitivity to sounds or certain soundscapes.

This condition often gets better over time. Just make sure you avoid exposing yourself to unnecessarily loud environments. Take precautions, and use earplugs when needed.

What happens when you hear music playing that you are not in control of?

I have noticed that music in shops, along with the sounds of shopping trolleys and other background noise, seems to make my sensitivity worse. Still, I am persevering because I do not think avoiding it is the answer.

However, I do not spend any more time in that environment than necessary. I am hoping it improves naturally as I continue doing more everyday things. I also bring my earbuds with me in case it becomes too overwhelming.

 

[LukeYoung]

Hi, I've had tinnitus since October 24. Initially, I could only hear a ticking sound in my left ear, but it progressed into loud, high-pitched noises at night. I was terrified for many months.

In January, I was diagnosed with severe anaemia. After a blood transfusion, I felt more able to manage my tinnitus. Six months on, I'm better day to day, but I feel a bit stuck at the moment.

When I go to shops or cafes, I need to use earbuds to play other sounds that help block out the noise, especially if there's music playing. I keep wondering if it's going to stay like this, or if I'll eventually get used to everyday sounds again.

It's affecting family life for my husband and son. We still go out for walks and spend time outdoors, but things like the cinema, pubs, or loud cafes put me off. They've been great at supporting me, but I can't help feeling they must be getting fed up with it.

I'm trying to get on with life, but I do find it hard sometimes. Just putting it out there. I'm in the UK.

Don't be too hard on yourself.

This condition is almost impossible to understand unless you have experienced it yourself.

You're doing the right things. Gradual exposure to everyday sounds is important, as long as nothing is too loud. It sounds like your initial onset included hyperacusis as well, which is pretty common with noise-induced hearing damage.

I think you're on the right track. Use whatever healthy coping mechanisms work for you. White noise generators are a good option for many people.

You will need to give your ears time to recover, and I believe they will. But it is not a quick process. You may still have tinnitus, but the sensitivity and other symptoms should fade over time, based on my experience and the experiences of others I have read about.

Try not to overprotect. If you have an Apple Watch, consider setting up the Noise app and using it as a complication on your watch face. In theory, anything under 80 dB should be safe. I understand from personal experience that even 60 dB can be difficult when you have sound sensitivity, but I would not recommend using earplugs for 60 dB environments. You do not want your ears to become accustomed to such low levels.

 

[Rachel Lou C]

Thanks for your reply, @LukeYoung. It gives me hope that things will get better. I have come a long way since this started, but I still have days when I think, "Not another day of this." Hopefully, those days will become fewer and fewer.

Rachel Lou

 

[billie48]

Things will definitely get better. Either your tinnitus intensity will fade, or you will become more resilient to the ringing to the point that you begin to habituate, and your brain will start to filter it out of your conscious awareness. This happens when your brain no longer sees tinnitus as a mortal threat.

How do you reach that point? It usually takes months. Some people need more time, others less. It happens gradually, as you move on with life and do your best to live as normally as you possibly can. That becomes easier over time.

Try to relax with abdominal breathing, and take up hobbies, especially new ones. This helps shift your brain's focus away from the ringing. In time, your brain will pay less and less attention to it.

I am speaking from personal experience. I struggled a lot during the first few months, but now I am living an incredibly happy life and traveling often. In fact, I am writing this from the Regal Princess cruise to Europe.

So do not panic or despair. A good life can return. Give it time. Take care, and may your recovery be blessed.