I wasn't aware that tinnitus bothered so many people. For me, after 72 years, it was just something I grew up with, never knowing the cause. Lightheadedness and ear buzzing were constant since childhood, with occasional vertigo. Cold water at the Long Island beaches made it much worse. Merry-go-rounds were off-limits because I would instantly get nauseous and sometimes stay that way for days.
I complained to doctors for years. They found I had high blood pressure and anxiety as a teenager, followed by BPPV as an adult, but no one could explain why. Only recently did I make the connection to having scarlet fever when I was two years old. As a child, what I felt and heard seemed normal to me. I assumed everyone experienced the same thing.
So where am I now? Happily married, with four healthy, successful daughters, a nice home, and a pretty good level of health. I worked in engineering for 40 years, and every day, I'm grateful that my tinnitus isn't hereditary, which supports my belief that it resulted from scarlet fever. My mom kept a diary, and in 1955, she noted my high fever and our house being quarantined.
The constant high-pitched ringing never stops, but I get some relief at night by turning on the A/C, which hums enough to cover the buzzing. I rarely let it bother me, only when I think about it, so I keep myself busy to stay distracted. That helps, though it makes it difficult to fully relax.
I've learned that you can't just try to ignore the sound. Instead, you have to refocus on things you enjoy. It's frustrating, but things could be so much worse.
I complained to doctors for years. They found I had high blood pressure and anxiety as a teenager, followed by BPPV as an adult, but no one could explain why. Only recently did I make the connection to having scarlet fever when I was two years old. As a child, what I felt and heard seemed normal to me. I assumed everyone experienced the same thing.
So where am I now? Happily married, with four healthy, successful daughters, a nice home, and a pretty good level of health. I worked in engineering for 40 years, and every day, I'm grateful that my tinnitus isn't hereditary, which supports my belief that it resulted from scarlet fever. My mom kept a diary, and in 1955, she noted my high fever and our house being quarantined.
The constant high-pitched ringing never stops, but I get some relief at night by turning on the A/C, which hums enough to cover the buzzing. I rarely let it bother me, only when I think about it, so I keep myself busy to stay distracted. That helps, though it makes it difficult to fully relax.
I've learned that you can't just try to ignore the sound. Instead, you have to refocus on things you enjoy. It's frustrating, but things could be so much worse.
