Coping with Tinnitus

I am so sorry you have got lumbered with this nasty affliction, I have had it for a long while. So, first get it all checked out if you can get a Drs. appointment just to make sure, it may be a blocked ear tube which can be treated. There are lots of things like white noise machines and various distraction techniques. I don't notice it a lot of the time. Take care and good luck.

I've had Tinnitus for 14 years!! It's been there every minute of every day, following a car crash. There isn't a cure, it's a case of finding a way to live with it.

Have your ears checked to make sure it’s nothing obvious...wax for example. Is it accompanied by dizziness/ pain? Could be Ménière’s disease or Labyrinthitis.
Do see someone.

Sadly PinkCakes is right.
I have had tinnitus for 43 years,i blame working in a factory which made car horns,so 70/80 decibels all day long isn`t good for the ears,and the safety gear was as much useas donkey dust.
I just get on with it as best as i can or i would loose it tbh.

I have tinnitus which started in my 40s.some days it is worse than others. I can’t have quietness so always rely on radio 4 or the tv just to alleviate the ringing. This year I managed to get nhs hearing aids and for the first few weeks I had no tinnitus and could hear very well. Sadly the tinnitus is back and my hearing seems to have dropped off. Perhaps I need a retune?

Sorry you have this I have had tinnitus for 12 years after falling and banging my head, please have it checked out. I try to ignore it as best I can and find tv or radio helps.
Good Luck ?

I do sympathise, it must be horrible. DH thought he had it but turned out it was what luluaugust suggested, a blocked ear tube. I can tell from his relief that it isn't pleasant. I hope you find it is curable.

So sorry you have this it’s the most frustrating thing ! I’ve had mine for years, can’t actually remember when it started, it’s been worse the last 8 years.
You’ll need to have your ears checked, if it’s just in one ear you’ll need an MRI scan to make sure their are no tumours present. If then like me they can find no obvious cause apart from losing my hearing, which can cause tinnitus, you should be sent an ear nose and throat specialist. Good luck.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

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.

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.

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 ?