The Uninvited Noise: Waking Up to Tinnitus

[The Dude 4791]

First time here. It's a bit overwhelming. I'm a 50-year-old professional who woke up out of the blue with a little ringing in my left ear on September 6th. I thought it was just a fluke, so I ignored it for a few days before finally seeing my primary care provider the following Thursday. Over time, the ringing seemed to move between ears, sounding like a high-pitched electrical buzz, similar to old fluorescent lights. The primary care provider dismissed it as possibly due to allergies and suggested a round of decongestants, saying if that didn't help, I'd probably have to live with it.

I followed that advice, but it didn't help, so I saw an ENT last Tuesday. She had a much better bedside manner and did a hearing test, which confirmed some very slight hearing loss in my left ear, but otherwise, my hearing was good. She said she wouldn't call it tinnitus just yet and thought it might pass, recommending sound masking (which I had already started doing).

Day-to-day, my experience varies, but I've been powering through it. A good portion of my days are spent on calls and Zoom meetings, which help pass the time. The worst part, however, has been the nights. Early on, I was getting, at best, an hour of sleep a night. That gave me plenty of time to go down various internet rabbit holes searching for a quick fix. I was shocked to discover how something that affects so many people has so few real solutions, especially considering that veterans and other critical workers in loud environments have probably suffered with this for a long time. Nighttime often became particularly dark as I spiraled into anxiety: "When will this stop? What if I don't sleep? How will I do my job? How will I support my family if I lose my job?"

During my internet search, I found useful information on CBT and stumbled upon an app called MindEar on the Apple Store. I've been trying to use those strategies, and I thought I had found a few tricks to get real sleep, which had me feeling much better going into this weekend. I'm also working through the medical system to rule out other causes. One of my theories is that I may have brought this on myself by not addressing my loud snoring sooner. I saw a sleep specialist and am awaiting insurance approval for a sleep study. I plan to see a dentist and might consult a maxillofacial doctor to check if I have TMJ. I've never been diagnosed with it, but I do have occasional clicking on my left side.

Despite having a comparatively good Thursday and Friday last week, my ears weren't ready to let me go, and I had a mildly bad night on Friday, followed by a worse night last night. I know this is going to be a long journey, and I assume many here have been dealing with this longer than I have.

I'm new here and looking for effective coping and sleep strategies for a newbie. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mark F.]

Try running a box fan in your bedroom when you're ready to go to sleep. Any kind of soothing or hypnotic sounds can help distract your brain from the tinnitus, making it easier to fall asleep. We've all been where you are right now, and yes, it's tough. But it might go away, and if it doesn't, you WILL eventually get used to it. It could fade to a very mild level, or it might even disappear entirely one day. Hang in there! It WILL get better for you. It may take some time—months, even—but eventually, you will sleep better, and your anxiety levels should come down as well.

 

[The Dude 4791]

Thank you.

 

[IYIiKe]

The Good: You are at a very early stage. Tinnitus isn't considered chronic until at least 3 months, and some doctors say 6 months.

The Bad: Sometimes it sticks around, and as each of those deadlines approaches, it can lead to unnecessary anxiety. It's best to make peace with the possibility that it might be permanent. If it goes away, great. Sleep can be an issue—it's hard enough dealing with tinnitus, let alone on just 3-5 hours of sleep. If sleep issues persist, talk to your doctor about potential medications. Assuming you aren't sensitive to noise, you can use masking (YouTube videos of tinnitus maskers on loop) to help you get through the day.

I recommend buying earplugs, like Eargasm or similar brands, for loud events. You might also consider adding earmuffs for activities like mowing the lawn. Protect what remains of your hearing. You can explore sound therapy or tinnitus retraining at audiology clinics. Remember, it's a journey and not a linear one. You will have good days and bad days. I hope it goes away, but if it doesn't, know that you can get through it.

 

[RunningMan]

My tinnitus hasn't gotten better in about 25 years. It has even worsened significantly within the last 3 years, along with anxiety, where I hear it over everything and have tones in the low, mid, and high frequencies. The high frequencies are the worst. There is no getting used to that. If you have mild tinnitus, maybe a box fan or white noise machine will help, but they stopped being helpful for me years back when my tinnitus was more moderate. For about 2 1/2 years, I've been using a YouTube video of thousands of crickets, cicadas, and katydids to sleep to. It doesn't mask my severe tinnitus, but it helps keep my mind from focusing on the tinnitus. I've tried plenty of others but always come back to that.

That's still not helpful enough to sleep much, so I use Quviviq at bedtime and Zolpidem about 3 to 5 hours later overnight. There are also many of the same tired sleeping tips repeated all the time that haven't helped me, but it doesn't hurt to try. The sleep study will probably result in a CPAP, which could help.

There is limited feedback on the success of TRT and CBT, especially if you have severe tinnitus.

 

[David Ralph]

Buddy, I honestly don't think you have a problem that can't be easily nipped in the bud. I had tinnitus myself, and by focusing on improving my circulation and addressing tension in my shoulders, neck, and throat, it eventually went away. There are many simple, holistic changes you can make in your life, and with time, it can just disappear.

 

[The Dude 4791]

Thank you. I hope you're right. I've stopped drinking, started eating better, and have been working out more and stretching. Do you have any other specific recommendations? Also, I'm curious—how long was your journey? The biggest challenge for me now is trying to get normal sleep.