Tinnitus

I've had Tinnitus for about 12 years now, following a car crash. I'm used to the hissing and humming noises. My 38yr old son also has it, and he plays some kind of waterfall sounds (rainforest) at bedtime. He says it helps him to get to sleep.

My Dh has recently developed tinnitus and has be sent for scans.

He also plays rainforest music through the night which helps.

I have it too and for me stress certainly makes it worse.

My husband has had tinnitus all his life. He can often 'zone out' the tinnitus but mostly not if he's tired or stressed. Originally as a child he was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome (he's blind) but thankfully that was a misdiagnosis and he didn't become deaf/blind.

I have it too, combined with moderate hearing loss in the same ear. Am hoping it doesn’t transfer to the other ear as it’s quite intrusive.
I listen to r4 at night to help me sleep and focus on something other than the tinnitus which in the silence of the night seems much louder.
It can disappear but mine has been around for years. Unfortunately. Sad face!

I have tinnitus. It's a constant swishing, buzzing sort of noise. Fortunately it doesn't bother me at night, I can fall asleep without other sounds to cancel it out.
Some days it's louder than others, but I don't know why, there doesn't seem to be a reason for it.

I have had tinnitus for years. It’s a constant high pitched whine which I can tune out most of the time, but on occasions it becomes very intrusive and can be mildly distressing. Having said that, my hearing is extremely good - probably the most acute sense I have. I wish I knew what had caused the tinnitus. My former GP suggested that using a nasal menthol inhaler might help. It didn’t unfortunately.

Thanks everyone I’m going to try the sleep app for the first time tonight so fingers crossed. It sounds a bit like speeded up morse code or a radio that’s gone off the station it was tuned to and it wakes me up - it came on out of nowhere about 3 weeks ago so I know it’s early days but it feels like it’s taking over my life and it’s very intrusive at night. I’m very tired because I’m not sleeping properly and it’s getting me down. Hopefully I’ll get used to it and the app and relaxation techniques will help.

I felt the same when tinnitus arrived sirchenjin, about 20 years later it’s just part of who I am. Recently it’s changed when I lie down from its usual high pitched squeal to more of a distant motor bike which is actually quite soothing. I’ve never found sleep apps or listening to anything helpful but I know many do. Sometimes it drowns out normal life but that’s rare and most of the time I can ignore it. I agree, high stress levels make it worse as does tiredness and strangely being excited about anything (rare these days ). Some doctors are very dismissive, others take it more seriously. Good luck with it, hope you can sleep.

Hi yes I have tinnitus in both ears and hearing loss.Mine became worse in my early 50s as did the hearing loss.I've tried betahistine, but it didn't work for me unfortunately.Have you had a cold recently, mines so much worse, with any type of cold or cough, it takes weeks for it to return to my normal. Hope it improves very soon.

I’ve had it since I was 27, over 40 years. I’ve learnt to live with it although some days are worse than others. Alcohol, sadly, exacerbates it as does air travel, head cold and sinus probs and loud noise such as at a concerts. Mine is a constant ‘electrical’ ringing/squealing and sometimes the boom boom of my pulse which is really annoying. I had a brain scan a few years back as they thought it might be a broken blood vessel. It wasn’t. I think after all this time I’m lumbered with it. I have the radio on all day which helps - avoidance tactic! Some days I don’t notice it at all unless I consciously do, like now when writing about it and it’s screaming at me ?.
I hope yours is temporary and if it isn’t, take heart you can learn to live along side it

I feel for you. One of the things I've found most effective is buying 'sleep headphones' such as these;
www.amazon.co.uk/CHOKMAX-Headphones-Adjustable-Comfortable-Relaxation-Black/dp/B07P1PRD8Q/ref=sr_1_15?crid=3OLOKS9CUSACH&keywords=sleep+headphones&sprefix=sleep+%2Caps%2C197&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1569314680&sr=8-15

I can listen to podcasts, books, music etc at night time, and even sleep on my side with them on.

A great podcast is radio 4 'bunkbed'

Hi,

I never suffered with this until my Mam died three years ago and then suffered with lots of physical problems and tinnitus was one, I’ve never had it in my life until then so I’m sure stress makes it worse. I leave my fan on low all night and that helps a lot. The worst thing is catching a cold it seems to get so bad. I have a hearing test on Thursday at the hospital my gp referred me but I do think my hearing is ok though. It seems tinnitus is worse in quiet rooms.

Have had mine since childhood. Can remember asking what the whistling was only to be told I was imagining it. Over the years it has worsened & ranges from a high pitched whistle to a whooshing beat when laying down. Being a bit deaf does not help but over the years have managed to tune it out except when wound up & stressed when it increases. Sorry not very helpful but as other posters have said, there are many ways to try to help cope with it.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hi SirChenjin, sorry if I missed you saying this, but have you been checked out by your GP? Maybe it's been brought on by something that can be treated...

I have it in both ears accompanied by hearing loss. I am at present waiting for a Cochlear implant and have been warned it might make the tinnitus worse for a while. Stress and alcohol don’t help it but most of the time it’s bearable - just a nuisance.

My GP was less than helpful and told me to go back when I become deaf! I decided to find ways to diminish the annoying sounds, so headphones are a boon as I can't hear it at all with music playing. I wonder whether we must be careful about the volume though so we don't make the problem worse.

I find that certain foods, e.g. salty dishes, make it worse. I've been experimenting with different foods and find this website helpful: www.hiddenhearing.co.uk

Good luck with finding something which makes it tolerable for you.

I have had tinnitus for years, sometimes it sounds like there is a radio on , or someone talking i,n another roonother times,i have gone into the bathroom thinking i have left a tap on,it sounds like was running,
Mostly i can ignore it

I know of people who have been helped by using a sound masker ( looks a bit like a hearing aid) to drown out the tinnitus. Your local audiology department would be able to help ( requires GO referral)

It should have read GP referral!

I have had tinnitus since 1984. After several visits to the drs I am still no better. I have certainly got used to it but there are days when I could scream the place down. Right now I have a headache and my tinnitus is screaming! Whenever I have a cold or infection it is just as bad. Arghhhhhhhhhhh!

My son has found "white noise" helpful.

Doctors don't seem able to help. I would try a reliable chiropractor myself.

I have had tinnitus at night for 10 years but find listening to R4 (World Service after midnight) with headphones, helps.

Recently a friend has developed severe tinnitus and other health problems which she ascribes to electromagnetic sensitivity. It is a controversial subject with most doctors treating it as psychosis while some countries take it more seriously.