Coping with Tinnitus

I'm on a website for widows, and sadly someone's husband committed suicide because of tinnitus, she now fund raises for the charity.

There is an on-line support group, you might like to join, link below.

www.tinnitus.org.uk/find-a-support-group

Pleased to hear nothing nasty going on.

I have had tinnitus for many years mainly in one ear. It presents as a buzzing sound. I’ve learnt to live with it but it does affect my hearing significantly. Unlike many on here who say background noise helps I prefer quiet. Sometimes I find that a particular musical note or sound can start the buzzing. I use the subtitles on the television and keep the volume turned down. My biggest problem was when I went out with friends to restaurants pre covid I wasn’t able to join in the conversations as the background noise made my tinnitus far worse and I couldn’t hear anything!

Mine started straight after I had a hearing test with Specsavers. It is not too severe and much of the time I can ignore it, but I always need to have the radio on. When I am busy I scarcely notice it, but it comes back when I relax.

I’ve had it in one ear or at least been aware of it since my Mum
died in December last year. I think it’s probably down to the stress of losing both my parents last year. I’m sorry you have it too. It’s difficult at times. I find that as long as I keep busy I don’t notice it too much. Tv, radio, music etc helps and anything that distracts my thoughts. It might be relieved for you just by getting your ears syringed and ear wax build up being removed. Hope you resolve things. I think I’ll just have to live with mine. :-(

Just popping back and glad to read your scan was clear.
I used one of these

www.ninelife.uk/products/yortot-sound-machinewhite-noise-machine-with-13-color-night-lights-20-soothing-sounds-for-sleeping-and-relaxation-autooff-sleep-timer-adjustable-volumebrightness-perfect-for-baby-kids-adults

when I had a particularly disturbed- nights- period. It helped me.
Now I find I go for days, maybe weeks, and don’t think about it but that wasn’t the case when I got the diagnosis of tinnitus.
I wish you well Suzy .

I'm so pleased to hear your consultant says there's no problems - other than the tinnitus. I didn't find that distraction noise works - or white noise as its too much like the tinnitus I have, so in effect it's just turning the tinnitus up louder.

My main help is Radio Four nattering away in the background. Or getting outside as it's never quiet out there. Wind in the trees, waves on the beach, cars, birds. Nature is really quite noisy.

Hi again Suzy. So glad you’ve had this checked out and there’s nothing untoward going on. Your coping though is a big issue and I’ve had days when I really understand how some people can’t cope. As I said yesterday though, focussing on it is, for me, absolutely the worst thing. I used to go on the Health Unlocked tinnitus chat until I realised it was making me think about it more. But I know for many people the mutual support is very helpful. It’s still early days for you though and your brain has to get used to ‘hearing’ this and partially blocking it out. I think your GP’s attitude is very dismissive and unhelpful. This can be a serious mental health issue for some people. Have you tried listening to music through headphones or ear buds? The music can help you relax. Have you had your hearing checked? Hearing aids are often used to help with tinnitus, even if your not hard of hearing, as it accentuates other sounds. I love popping my hearing aids in and hearing the birds. If you do get to see an audiologist make sure they understand you have tinnitus as it affects the sounds used in the hearing test. I really wish you all the very best and truly hope you are eventually able to manage this. ?X

Thanks for your comments everyone. My ears have been checked and as my tinnitus is one sided I have had a scan. The consultant phoned me to say nothing was showing on the scan and that I should Google ideas of how to cope. Nothing is helping at present other than holding a conversation which can help a little but I can't talk all day and I live on my own most of the time. White noise and distraction noise seem to have the opposite effect but maybe one day I'll learn to live with it. Until then I'll be sleeping as much as possible for relief. Hope you all have a good day.

I would suggest you talk to your GP if the onset of tinnitus is a recent thing and you’re also having headaches. Can you think of anything that may have triggered it?
I’ve had tinnitus for over 40 years and it has got worse as my hearing has deteriorated. The intrusion varies as do the sounds but I’ve found the best tactic is to refuse to focus on it. Not always easy! Best wishes,I hope things improve for you soon ?

Yes B9exchange,dh has it and only last week had an MRI scan to see if theres an underlying problem.
8 weeks until he gets his results.

Yes B9exchange to your question re:pulsatile tinnitus.
It’s frustrating and challenging at nighttime but after several years of being a sufferer (and ENT tests and head scan to be sure it wasn’t caused by anything sinister) I just try to fill my life with noise and try to forget about it like I’m sure you do.

I have had it in both ears for about 25 years. I try to focus on other sounds but when stressed it seems much louder.
In general you learn to live with it. At the start I was offered hearing aid type things which played white noise to allow me to sleep but they were an irritation. Now when I am concerned I play soothing music very quietly or nature sounds (babbling brook, wind in trees etc.) all available on YouTube.

My mom had tinnitus following an ear infection. Eventually she became deaf in that ear.

After having jaundice 4 years ago I can hear my pulse in my left ear. Very annoying . But learnt to live with it. Had hearing tests apart from general wear and tear it's not affected my hearing. I'm 63 now. Just another thing to put up with.

I have had a high pitched whine which I have got used to, it isn't over loud. But what is distressing is the pulsatile tinnitus, which comes on when I move my head or undertake any exertion. Anyone else have that?

Yes, I have it. Started a few months ago when I wasn’t well with some kind of a cold thing. Woke up and thought there were police sirens outside the house. Looked out and there was nothing. Now it is like a background hiss, especially evident first thing in the morning.

Apparently I had a really bad infection when I was two which left me what my nana called 'chesty and probably with tinnitus. To me it's what silence sounds like. White noise.

A couple of years ago it switched on very loudly in my left ear so I had a brain scan as it can, apparently, be a sign of a brain tumour. It was clear but showed that my inner ear tubes are narrowed with scar tissue.

I now have NHS hearing aids which help a bit.

I agree with those who've said the OP should see the doctor to see what the cause is likely to be. Probably its just an age thing! But best to check.

I have had tinnitus since I was around 12 apparently caused by the constant ear infections from being on the swim team. I have television shows on my iPad at night and avoid silence where possible, there are also audio tracks you can play of a fan going which mask the noise.

DD has suffered from tinnitus from a teenager after being knocked over by a lad larking about on a motorbike. She finds it worse when it is quiet and always has some sort of music or other sounds on.

My husband had a brain scan after he went to the gp. He relies on noise and plays water sounds when he is trying to sleep.

I have it, like white noise since I had Labarynthitis in 2018, most of the time it’s background, comes to the fore for no good reason. I know I can’t do anything about it, so distraction is my only option.

I have suffered with tinnitus since 1993 in both ears! It started during a period of severe stress coupled with moving house. It was totally debilitating & I thought I was heading for a breakdown. I was trying to work full time in a role which demanded lots of telephone support work. This was a real struggle. I am also hard of hearing so have worn bilateral hearing aids since 2003 which is a bind & doesn’t help! The little hairs in my inner ears have broken off, poor things!
I have come to think of the whooshing, tapping, clicking, ringing, distant screams as “just another noise” and given time, you will too. The brain finds a way to deal with it so that it just lingers in the background. In time, hopefully, you’ll hardly hear it.
Try to relax and not to worry. There are millions of sufferers out there & if you search the internet you’ll find lots of information & support.
I know exactly how worried you must be but have faith; it will eventually settle. Big hug.

My mother had tinnitus following an operation on her middle ear - I suppose she was in her late forties and then had it for the rest of her life. I have had it for many years and have no idea why - much of the time I don’t notice it but I find that I only have to see or hear the word and I instantly can hear mine - which sounds like gushing water in pipes.
My sister in law was sent to the hospital with hers and was told there was no cure and she was given strategies to help her ignore it. I have never tried to have any treatment as I always believed it was not treatable. Maybe I should just get my tubes checked out!

I've had tinnitus for many years. You must go to your GP so it can be checked out and you can be referred to hospital if necessary.
Initially I went to audiology where they wired me up and poured warm water in my ears. Not sure why, and sure they have progressed from this now.
More recently, I have had MRI scan and hearing aids fitted. The consultant said the hairs in my ears were damaged so my brain was making up noises because it wasn't get anything through my ears.
I have learned to live with the tinnitus and try not to listen to it, which probably sounds a bit daft. It's worse when I'm tired or not well.
I hope you find a cure for yours, but if not, I hope you can find the best ways to live with it.

I’ve had tinnitus since I was 15. Once you get used to it, it’s not really a problem. Background noise (radio, white noise etc) helps to neutralise it at bedtime if it stops you falling asleep.