What Have You Given Up Because of Your Tinnitus?

[Alexiskaye]

How much of your life have you guys given up because of your tinnitus? I'm still pretty young, soon to be 25, and have spent my life studying (and still am) and therefore it feels a bit like my life didn't even got to actually start before this happened. I know I sound really ungrateful, considering that things could be so much worse, but the thing is that I see a lot of problems with the future that I had in mind. I actually see a lot of problems with my current way of life as well, but some changes are harder to make than others. I just feel like there are countless of things to avoid, and I don't know how to get used to it.

Do you still travel, go to restaurants, concerts and other noisy places, or do you stay away from such things? Did you quit a noisy job and moved to the countryside? What have you given up because of your tinnitus?

Tinnitus came at a very social, loud time for me. Cheerleader, dancer, and an active teen in high school. And I won't lie, it was super depressing at first. I thought i'd never be able to enjoy normal things again. But i've learned I can still have fun and be safe at the same time. Once I got over the constant anxiety that I was going to ruin my ear more or have a spike, I started to get my life back. Of course, i'm not reckless by any means. I wear earplugs at all social events, and take breaks from extremely loud things like parties, dances, and loud radio. Which sucks. Won't lie. Music is my muse. But although i've lost a lot with tinnitus and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, I have gained some things.

1. I realized how strong I am and that I can handle whatever life throws at me. Sounds cheesy, but it's true. If I can learn to find a new normal and be okay with this, then I know I can get through a lot of other trials. And i'm sure the same will go for you.

2. I became more empathetic towards others and what they deal with. It reminded me that although sometimes we cannot always see someone's struggles or disabilities, we need to be aware of others feelings and be a support to friends and family.

3. I appreciate music and things in my life more because I realize how blessed I am to have them and how I took them for granted before.

 

[AZeurotuner]

I hope you are right.

The idea that there is a very small chance that I will have to pay for this experience for the rest of my life (or even for the next 12-24 months) would likely poison the experience of being on the boat, though...

Get a pair custom molded, you'll get a true NPR of around 30 decibels... That should put you in the 40s and 50s, even quieter than typical conversation. I'm having a set made for road racing and riding dirt bikes, and other loud activities. I had a setback a year ago and it got worse T along with horrible H, but it's not the end of the world. I'm getting better, and plan on continuing motorsports and living my life to the fullest again, fuck letting a noise in my head ruin my life.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I had a setback a year ago and it got worse T along with horrible H, but it's not the end of the world.

It is not temporary spikes that I am worried about. I believe that those spikes interfere with healing.

 

[AZeurotuner]

It is not temporary spikes that I am worried about. I believe that those spikes interfere with healing.

My setback was a permanent spike, but I will admit that I was being ignorant. I failed to protect my ears from some rather loud noises and a was racing an extremely loud car with no protection either. Going forward I've been working on the hyperacusis and protecting when necessary. With custom plugs you shouldn't need to worry unless you're at a rock concert, nightclub, around gun fire/explosions, or something else that's extremely loud.