Tinnitus as Long as I Can Remember — Anybody Else Have Tinnitus from a Young Age?

[waterbottle]

Hello! I'm 24 right now and for as long as I can remember I have always had a ringing in my ears. When I was little, I just thought that's what everyone heard when there weren't any other noises. It's definitely gotten worse over the years but it's always been there. I envy people who have experienced silence, but it's sort of a blessing that I've sort of gotten used to the noise.

I'm wondering if anyone could think of a reason why somebody would have tinnitus from such a young age? Or if there's other people like this?

 

[Kagami]

Hey! I'm 19 at the moment and I was exactly the same as you. When I was young, I thought it was normal too. It wasn't until I was around 15 I actually found out what tinnitus was and realised I've suffered with it as long as I can remember.

Though, I don't really have a clue what could of caused it to be honest. I always suffered with earwax build up since I was really young and I still do to this day. I often have to use ear drops to help get rid of excess earwax, though it doesn't help with my tinnitus, nor do I notice any difference in hearing to be honest.

Luckily I don't feel like my tinnitus is too extreme, but that could just be because I've grown up with it so it's normal for me. Anyway, I hope your tinnitus improves one day.

 

[Brain Tumor Dave]

I developed tinnitus when I lived in Japan as a kid, caused by ear infections. I can't remember a day in my life without it. That was 1974.

Like you, it seems like we just live with it. It's our normal - has always been mine, anyway. I've never had "silence" and it's just a word to me.

 

[tester81d]

I've had tinnitus as far back as I can remember. As a child I had chronic ear infections so I chalk it up to that but honestly I don't have a definitive answer.

 

[arcanesystem]

I'm 24. I have had tinnitus since I was 12 and 2017 was when it started to significantly impact my quality of life. As far as what can cause tinnitus, there's just so many things you can attribute it to. Unfortunately, with the current popularity of earbuds and headphones, I would suspect that younger populations will become more at risk for tinnitus.