Tinnitus Advice

[Lard Armstrong]

I recently developed a quite serious case of this, following illness and ear surgery. The sound is like a cross between the noise when you're on a plane and a lorry engine. It's quite loud most of the time.

I am losing sleep and it also affects my balance and my bike handling. It's dead annoying too.

Any advice ?

 

[Milo]

I suffer at the ripe young age of 22. I went to the doctor who referred me to have an MRI scan which did not pick up anything. I was then more or less told I would have to live with it

 

[G-Zero]

I've had it for years in both ears, more of a high pitched constant whistle.

Had loads of tests & scans and pretty much like Milo, I was told nothing could be done and it was something I would have to put up with.

I notice it less when I'm busy and concentrating on other things, but as soon as things quieten down around me, it comes to the fore and is a bind, especially noticeable when trying to sleep.

I've heard (pardon the pun) that some foods make the condition worse (cheese, chocolate, wine) and also that there is some sort of noise reduction therapy available, but I manage on the little sleep that I do get, so I've never felt the need to explore alternative avenues; and I'm not prepared yet to cut out some of my favourite foods and drink.

 

[HaloJ]

I've suffered with it for longer than I remember. I only actually found out I had tinnitus when I remarked to a colleague in a perfectly quite office about the sound of silence being a soothing "wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee".

The knack is to not concentrate on it, especially if it's disturbing you. Harder to do than say I know. If it's disturbing you as your trying to sleep and you just can't get it off your mind play some soothing music and go to sleep using that instead.

 

[Mozzy]

Mother-in-law has suffered most of her life. We have been backwards and forwards to all and sundry. No cure for her as yet sadly; although I suspect no two types/individuals are the same; perhaps similar.

I was told, but have not yet researched it, so know very little, that there is a way to have grommets fitted to the ears which emit ( I assume a white type noise) which is allegedly supposed to match and cancel out the Tinnitus for you. I understand from source it is only privately available. Again from what I was told, the white type noise is not audible as it is above or below human tolerances. One does apparantly cancel out the other quite successfully.

I asked Mum if it was something she would think about; and it has been met with a resounding no thus far.

Despite test after test the 'experts' have not yet been able to nail it down as to why or where specifically it is coming from … in Mums case anyway; which is greatly disappointing.

 

[sdr gb]

Another sufferer here. Mine started after a left ear infection approx 12 years ago. Now I am totally deaf in that ear and can only hear the Tinnitus. Like Milo and G-Zero, I had all the tests to be told there was nothing they could do.

The only advice I can offer is to go and see your GP about it, particular as you are having balance issues. The Dr prescribed me Betahistine Hydrochloride which is supposed to help the blood flow in the inner ear thus relieving the pressure that causes the ringing and balance issues. With me, they helped the balance side of things but I've not noticed any reduction in the level of Tinnitus.

Hopefully, it will get better as your ear heals following the surgery. If it doesn't then as has already been said, there isn't much they can do to get it to stop. I was told that standing near running water such as a tap or river can sometimes lessen the symptoms for a while. As HaloJ says, play some music so your not concentrating on the ringing. The busier you are, the less you'll notice it. I started noticing mine more as soon as I started reading this thread.

 

[Asa Post]

Just in case any new sufferers don't know about it:

http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/

 

[fossyant]

Pardon. What did you all say ? Fellow sufferer here - had it as long as I can remember - high pitched whistle. Hearing is 'normal' but I wouldn't say good, as I struggle when there is lots of background noise. Never had any scans - hearing tests come back normal though.

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

I suffer too, but only in a fairly minor way. Seems to be worse after being out on the drink, so wonder if there's some kind of link to dehydration??

Anyway Mrs Sandwich Monster, who is an audiologist, would think me most remiss if I weren't to say to you: "Go to your GP and get them to refer you to an audiologist", rather than guessing at what it might be...

 

[Blue]

Mrs Blue is a sufferer and got a white noise device on the NHS - it's a bit like a mini hearing aid to look at. This can be used at night to aid sleep.

 

[GM]

And another one here! I've had it for at least 30 years, tried everything to no avail. It got so bad a couple years ago to the point where I just wanted to scream, so I asked my GP to see a specialist. The first thing they said 'sorry but there's no cure, but we would like to do some research'. One of the best things I've found to help at bedtime is the 'Under Pillow Speaker' connected to a CD player with some ambient music, the sound of waves, and birds etc. I got mine from Maplin's.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Another one here, I've had it for years, very mild though, only aware of it if its very quiet, sounds like the hiss on a short wave radio, I've just lived with it rather than try and get something done about it, its better some days than others, if it gets worse I'll speak to the doctor.

 

[aberal]

I've had it for about 5 years. Both ears, sometimes one ear worse than the other. I find it hard to tell whether it comes or goes or whether I just sometimes notice it more. If I think about it, like now - reading this thread, it becomes very noticeable. Other times, I can spend hours unaware of it. I very quickly resigned myself to the fact that it will probably never go away, although apparently in some people it does. Advice? Best thing to do is accept it, live with it, ignore it. Tell yourself at least your not living with something terminal, or chronic pain or something. It's just a noise which doesn't actually exist except inside your head. Don't pay any attention to those (usually American) "how I cured tinnitus websites". They are quackery. White noise, on the other hand, can help and you can download some online. Mine doesn't affect my balance though, so maybe your Doc could help with that - though my experience is that they aren't very helpful.

 

[Doseone]

Another here. Mine is the high pitched whistle variety. I notice it less when I'm busy, but it's more noticeable in quieter surroundings (like right now) and particularly when I'm going to sleep. I tend to listen to music or the radio very quietly on earphones when I'm trying to get to sleep. It may not work for everybody but it really helps me. Had it for years but I haven't seen the GP about it as always assumed you can't do much about it.

 

[ColinJ]

I suffer from it too, as well as being a bit hard of hearing. I definitely notice it more in the morning if I have had been drinking alcohol the night before.