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Tinnitus

(39 Posts)
Rosiebee Mon 07-Mar-22 19:22:54

I had covid exactly 2 years ago and it's left me with a few long covid symptoms, the worst of which is tinnitus. There doesn't seem to be anything that can be done to stop it. It's worse when I'm in bed or not busy. Has anyone any experiences to share or ideas for coping with it? Thanks for any help.

Rosiebee Sun 24-Apr-22 17:56:16

Thanks for all replies. I'm going to go back to the Hearing Centre I went to for the earwax removal and ask for a Hearing Test. Yesterday when I was in M&S, I found it difficult to hear what the assistant was saying to me. I seemed to be very conscious of lots of background noise and couldn't make out her voice. Ears still ringing away.

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mrsjonesy Thu 14-Apr-22 20:10:59

I've had tinnitus in one ear for 40 years and have had to learn to accept it as a part of me and my body (well, my ear'ole) Sometimes I can go weeks without thinking about it, although, recently, the high pitched whistle has been accompanied by some interesting clicking noises. Music is such a help and, as Nankate says, subtitles on films save me a lot of straining to hear. I always find it seems louder after I've washed my hair, I don't know if its just me. Shame because I also love swimming. But its not going to stop me from going down the leisure centre or getting my hair done.

Esspee Thu 14-Apr-22 18:40:47

I have suffered from tinnitus for about 20 years or so. I have learned to tune it out but reading this thread has upped the volume considerably so I won’t be returning.

Jaxjacky Thu 14-Apr-22 16:02:15

I’ve had it since I contracted labarynthitis a few years ago, it’s like white noise, my ears are ‘de waxed’ every couple of years and I’m on bp tablets. Nothing has made any difference, I just have to live with it.

NanKate Thu 14-Apr-22 15:31:53

Good idea MiniMoon also subtitles help. I know it is hard to believe but you do get used to tinnitus. I’ve had it for about 14 years. Until I read this thread today I hadn’t noticed it since last night.

The App Calm has been brilliant, which I have on my IPhone. I tune into a sleep story every night. In fact I snuggled down with Harry Styles last night and was asleep within 10 mins. ?

MiniMoon Wed 13-Apr-22 19:44:37

I have a constant shh in my head. It varies in degrees of loudness but I can always hear it. My DH said to me yesterday "listen to the rain". He could hear it pattering on the conservatory roof but I couldn't, all I heard when I listened was shh.
It is quite obtrusive when I'm trying to concentrate on dialogue on the TV. I have been thinking about buying my own headphones so that I can have my own volume when watching television.

Rosiebee Wed 13-Apr-22 19:26:23

I had my ears syringed last week but sadly it's made no difference to the tinnitus. Will look into the ear buds mentioned. I've also just been put on tablets for very high blood pressure and wondered if the Tinnitus would improve as my blood pressure lowers.

Bellanonna Thu 07-Apr-22 23:14:31

I’ve had tinnitus for years too, which sounds like something between a hiss and bacon sizzling. I only notice it when all is quiet, like now, plus being focussed on it on this thread. I belong to a tinnitus group in my local town and we have mindfulness sessions which are supposed to help. If I found it really distressing I would probably put these into practice but to be honest when I notice it at bedtime I put the radio on to one if its special features, maybe a waterfall or waves lapping on a beach. Luckily the noise in each ear is the same and it doesn’t change.

NanKate Thu 07-Apr-22 22:40:43

I agree Joebi. My trip to the doctors for. Syringe left me with one ear that felt under water for about 3 months ? It slowly wore off.

Don’t put those lighted things in your ears either.

jobieP Thu 07-Apr-22 15:57:59

If you ever need your ears syringed Don't have it done at the gp's. It is too harsh and my tinnitus was off the scale and the nurse never got it all out. Having it done at a private clinic was so gentle.

Granva Sun 03-Apr-22 12:47:31

Tricia2 Yes, that sounds very like auditory hallucinations or musical tinnitus. It is a kind of tinnitus. It is very unnerving but more common than you might think, and not a sign that you are going bonkers. My mother had it - hers was brass bands or opera singers. The usual tactics for tinnitus, of distraction, not focussing on it and having other sounds around such as the radio can help. And not worrying about it!

NanKate Sat 02-Apr-22 21:26:23

Noises have been clattering about in my head for about 15 years and I also rely on Alexas all over the house.

At present I am listening to ‘Spa Music’ I also like ‘25 minutes of Tibetan Bells’. I downloaded the app CALM on my mobile and pay a year’s sub to be able to play sleep stories every night or meditations. Distraction works for me at subduing the constant clatter.

bridie54 Sat 02-Apr-22 20:26:34

Oh Grannynise I like the sound of that headband.
I've had constant tinnitus since I suffered a bad head injury age 19 (49 years ago). Like so many others on this thread I have radios on all over the house.

Grannynise Wed 23-Mar-22 09:57:27

I use a bluetooth headband, a bit like the sweat bands worn by tennis players. I can listen to the radio or audio books in the night very comfortably without disturbing my partner at all. This really help mask the tinnitus. It was quite cheap, from the big river company.

Nonogran Wed 23-Mar-22 09:44:02

I’ve suffered bilateral tinnitus since summer of 1993.
Drove me mad at first and was exacerbated by stress, especially in my working days.
I’ve got used to it now. It’s just another noise to put up with.
Until you experience it, I’m afraid folk have no idea how debilitating it is so it’s good to hear others’ experiences.

PECS Wed 23-Mar-22 08:49:04

Am sitting here in bed listening to the high pitched noise of three washing machines on top spin! I have bad tinnitus for so long I cannot recall when it first began. I usually do have the radio on which pushes it into the background but never stops .

argymargy Wed 23-Mar-22 08:24:19

I have a Lectrofan micro, which was quite cheap. It makes various kinds of "white noise" type sounds that can override the noise in my ears. I use it when I'm on the computer, as lots of laptop work seems to make my tinnitus worse.

Tricia2 Wed 23-Mar-22 05:04:02

I have tinnitus also. I also have sounds that resemble people chatting on the radio. Haha they are not telling me to do weird things. I think it may be auditory hallucinations. I also hear muffled conversations and music. Help! Is this associated with tinnitus?

HowVeryDareYou Thu 10-Mar-22 16:39:41

I've had Tinnitus for about 14 years, following a car crash. It's been there 24/7. never once gone away. It's a hissing noise in both ears, also a sound like radio interference as well sometimes. I always keep the tv/radio on, for background noise, and at night (when everywhere is silent), I try to think of something else. It drives me mad some days.

Maudi Thu 10-Mar-22 09:17:03

Have a look on Amazon at Bose Sleep buds 2, lots of good reviews re helping tinnitus sufferers, expensive though. I haven't got tinnitus but am thinking of getting some for when I go away to help me sleep in a noisy environment.

Cabbie21 Thu 10-Mar-22 08:59:54

Just reading this thread is making my tinnitus worse, so I definitely think it is good to try not to focus on it. Actually as well as being on this thread I am also listening to the weather forecast, so it is not just a case of having the radio on, or being busy.

Katyj Thu 10-Mar-22 07:54:01

I have it too, can’t remember not having it either. It’s related to hearing loss now, although I have a feeling it’s due to fluid in my inner ear, it’s so much worse when I have a cold.
I’ve had scans and tests but not much can be done . Like others have said I don’t like to be without some background noise. I can ignore it when I’m busy. It’s horrible though.

Katie59 Thu 10-Mar-22 07:22:04

My tinnitus does not affect sleep but it does mask high pitch frequencies, bird song, childrens voices that sort of thing and it does make conversation in noisy environments difficult.