@bobvann
Bobvann, you are right that I truly want to help people with tinnitus. I do this because I know how debilitating this condition can be. The lack of help, support and understanding that some people receive and also, because I was once helped many years ago by people that were very experienced in tinnitus, at a forum similar to this one.
I do not have any medical qualifications or letters after name. I left school at the age of 16 and began an apprenticeship as a Carpenter and Joiner and passed my City and Guilds and obtained my advanced C&G qualifications. Ever since I can remember, I had a passion for expressing myself through words and liked to write poetry. When I was on a construction site, I'd often sit and write poetry in my lunch break.
In my early 20s I began working in people's homes doing most things concerning carpentry. From repairing box sash windows, hanging doors, building cupboards, installing stairs etc. I liked communicating with people especially women for some reason, as I was able to tune into them quite easily and really understood the way they think on an emotional level and have always found they opened up to me whatever was bothering them. I never forget, one Christmas whilst working in a woman's house we began talking as I fitting a door lock. She became emotional and began pouring her heart out, explaining that her husband had a drink problem although he wasn't violent towards her.
When I had finished fitting the lock we carried on talking and by now she revealed most of her life story. I learned she was devout Christian and remember her saying the Lord was a carpenter. When I was packing up my tools to leave she said: "You should be a doctor as you have a way of talking to people and really understand". I thought it was a nice thing for her to say and have never forgotten her words.
In my 30s I bought a touch typing book and taught myself to type on portable manual typewriter. It was then my interest in writing began to grow. When I got tinnitus and acquired a computer,I found using a flat keyboard much easier than a typewriter, where the keys are in rows and elevated.
Writing emails and communicating in forums has helped me to retain my touch typing skills and enabled me to express myself through words. I have previously mentioned I am an Audiophile something I am very passionate about and regularly write at HI-FI forums. Even though my tinnitus can be intrusive at times, thankfully it hasn't stopped me from enjoying listening to music through speakers. I no longer use headphones which I gave up using 24 years ago when they gave me tinnitus because I was listening to music too loud without realizing it. I haven't missed them once over the years and rarely think back to those days, as that's in the passed and it's best not to dwell on them.
The word habituation means to get used to something or learn to live with it. That is my definition when I describe my tinnitus. I am not cured of this condition but I have habituated and I am quite content, even at times when my tinnitus is severe and intrusive.
I am advising you to please think carefully before trying the Lenire device. Someone I used to know that had Noise induced tinnitus, used it and their tinnitus became worse. I advised this person not to use it but understand they felt desperate. This person's tinnitus grew louder two weeks after using this device. Each person is different so it may help you. However, Lenire plays audio tones through headphones and for this reason, I advise anyone with Noise induced tinnitus to be careful using any tinnitus treatment where sound is played through headphones. White noise generators and hearing aids are designed differently and will not usually irritate the auditory system in most people. I know at the moment your WNGs cause you irritation, but if you follow my advice I think you will be able to use them eventually.
I strongly advise you not to play drums even when you habituate to your tinnitus. Loud sounds and tinnitus do not go well together.
Michael
Member
