Hi...new to the forum

[ckingswell]

Hi,

I'm Cassie, I've just discovered the forum and am hoping to tap into your expertise! I'm still learning how it works so please bear with me!

I'm a 36 year old Londoner, with one son (aged 9) and work as a breast cancer nurse. I first developed Tinnitus about 2.5 years ago. I ignored it for a few months then saw my GP who said it should go by itself. it didn't. I went back to my GP and was referred for a hearing test, from there I was referred to ENT as had some hearing loss with it. I had 1 very brief appt with a ENT doctor, who didn't even take the history of the problem. He ordered an MRI (which came back normal, phew!) and referred me on to the tinnitus nurse...still with me?

I had 1 session in the tinnitus clinic where the nurse gave me some leaflets, told me there was nothing she could really do, suggested I get a white noise machine and said to get hearing tests yearly. Then promptly discharged me.

That was 6 months ago...so I'm struggling to get my head around self care with no support at all. I'm not sure if this is the norm, or if I was just seen at a bad clinic??

I have the tinnitus constantly in my right ear, sometimes it isn't too loud, sometimes it is. It doesn't effect my sleep (My other half snores, so I put my good ear to the pillow and it cuts out the noise from that!) but I struggle to hear quiet conversation, or if there is lots of background noise. It can be very frustrating.

I guess I'd really love to hear how others manage it?

Oh and I random question, I currently have a stuffy head cold and the tinnitus is so much worse...is that common? I'm guessing its because of my head being stuffed up so it sounds louder?

Any input/experiences etc much appreciated

Cassie

[Xene]

Yay Cassie, from what you have said I would advise you to ask your GP to refer you to an audiologist and see if he/she can assist you with your hearing deficit and also the possibility of masking your T.

Best wishes

Xene

[Angela-H]

Hi Cassie and I am glad that you have found this friendly forum where you will find more info, advice and support than you ever would from GPS and ENTs - even if you pay privately for the words "it's tinnitus, there's no cure, learn to live with it".

I often wonder why we are greeted with such deflating negative statements when we desperately need positivity -

i.e., " keep calm, you will habituate to it gradually, and here's the recommended treatment for tinnitus".

Can you imagine the uproar if cancer patients were told "it's cancer, there's no cure, live with it"!!!!!!

I would suggest that you request a hearing check and an appointment with the audiology dept. I have slight hearing loss in one ear and was given a hearing aid and a masker for the other ear. Gradually, my tinnitus lessened and I now wear only the hearing aid.

You will find lots of positive advice on here and I recommend joining the BTA - their quarterly Quiet magazine is full of help and real life people and how they cope with their T.

Love and best wishes, Angela xx

[ckingswell]

Thanks Xene and Angela for your replies.

I will definatley ask to see an audiologist- the idea of a hearing aid makes me nervous, but i didn't realise it could help with the T so will definatley consider it if they offer that option!

I understand I wont ever get rid of it, but I have already picked up some great tips and ideas for coping better from reading posts on here- so glad I found it!

[Angela-H in reply to ckingswell]

Ps Cassie, yes a head cold worsens the T. Less outside sound to quieten it! Xx