Unknown Cause, Previously Intermittent Tinnitus Is Now Constant — Chronic Pain, PTSD and Insomnia

[MaxT]

Hi!

You can call me Max. That is my online moniker of sorts.

I am not sure when it first started. Probably around ten years ago. It used to be intermittent, always on my right side. I would get it for a few days at a time, then it would go away for months before coming back again.

Then about a month ago, it started on my left side, which is unusual for me, and it has not stopped. Not once. It is driving me nuts. More nuts? lol

I have tried sound therapy, distraction, reading, gaming, and music on low. I have turned all my volumes down, even though loud sounds have never been a trigger for me before. I have been to rock gigs without getting tinnitus, but I have also spent a quiet day in nature and had something set it off. At this point, I have no idea what is going on.

I am slowly going insane. It is making everything else I deal with so much worse. Yay. I have chronic pain, which has lasted more than eighteen years, PTSD, and insomnia, which is only getting worse thanks to the tinnitus.

Aside from all the depressing stuff, I am a 31 year old Scottish woman, gamer, artist, crafter, and reader of high fantasy. I have a ton of hobbies and interests, though none of them seem to be helping much these days.

I also have a very sarcastic and dry sense of humor, and a solid talent for self deprecation.

Nice to meet you!

 

[YourTinGuy]

Hi @MaxT,

First, wishing you best health and no tinnitus asap!

I hear you, when tinnitus changes like this, it's beyond frustrating, especially when you've already got enough to deal with. I've been through similar struggles, and while there's no instant fix, there are things that can help.

One thing that stands out is how your tinnitus went from intermittent to constant and switched sides a month ago. Have you noticed anything else that changed around that time? Even things that seem unrelated; like stress levels, (new) medications, illness, or jaw/neck tension.

Since nothing has helped so far, I'd suggest two things to start:

1. Try relaxation techniques that target the nervous system. Sounds like your brain is on high alert right now, making tinnitus feel even worse. Simple things like 4-7-8 breathing, jaw/neck stretches, or progressive muscle relaxation can sometimes take the edge off.

2. Consider getting a hearing test (even if your hearing seems fine). Sometimes, even tiny changes in high frequencies can make tinnitus louder. If you do, ask for high-frequency audiometry and a speech-in-noise test to get the full picture.

3. If it's messing with your mental state, look into CBT-based tools. You don't need to see a therapist in person. There are AI-based apps like Oto that help retrain your brain's reaction to tinnitus at your own pace. Another option is Chat-CBT (based on ChatGPT but focused on free CBT therapy).

I know how exhausting this can be, but you're not alone in this. If you try anything, let me know how it goes. I'm happy to brainstorm.

Best health!

Guy