listen

I find it hard to talk to people who don't have tinnitus because I feel daft ,grown man talking to maybe some one half my age trying to explain how I feel ,I'm 60 and I feel sorry for younger people I know how it make s me feel every day the same

[Ruud1boy]

No need to feel daft, it is what it is. With all due respect, as you get older there's going to be more & more people who are younger than you in positions where they're trying to help you, so best get used to it old boy!

[Hidden in reply to Ruud1boy]

very true thank s ,

[Lindsay6 in reply to Hidden]

Don't think it's just age , it's personal experience of a condition. a 20 year old with tinnitus would be , hopefully , emphatic . I am not sure if BTA staff have tinnitus or not

[NicBTA Partner in reply to Lindsay6]

Some of us do, definitely. My latest bout was caused by impacted ear wax, and did resolve after I had microsuction.

(Oh, and I made the situation worse by thinking I could safely use cotton buds. Turns out I was wrong!)

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[JoeDea in reply to NicBTA]

Did your grandmother never tell you that the only thing you should put in your ear is your elbow? (Mind you that being the case what will I do with my new hearing aid when I get it?). As to the original point about feeling daft, no need. I have had to tell people at work I have an issue just in case they have spoken to me and I haven't heard them. I'm 56 so not worried about ages either. I'm glad I found this forum and looking forward to some advice from fellow sufferers.

[NicBTA Partner in reply to JoeDea]

The very esteemed Don McFerran told me about ears and elbows ... which is why I want you all to keep this secret

Best wishes

Nic

[Hidden]

I'm 64 so I experience the same thing. My 'regular' nurse is just a young girl. I like her because her needlework is good (annual blood test). She goes through the script and I agree with her as she is doing her job so I'm not going to say 'I know better'.

Tinnitus aside it's amazing how little some young people know of things in general and the past in particular. We get older and more youngsters.

[Lindsay6]

Please don't feel daft , far from it as anyone who goes by with tinnitus deserves the utmost respect. The impact of tinnitus is still not truly acknowledged , including where it should be . I have gone from working fullltime , including working with people to help them manage long term conditions and with the homeless , to having a whole host of symptoms and this week been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , such has been my experience of tinnitus. So please don't be hard on yourself

[AnneJ7 in reply to Lindsay6]

Hi Lynsay

I'm really sorry to hear about the CFS and hope you get a lot of support with it. Before I was diagnosed with M.E. 23 years ago I knew there was something awful happening but there wasn't much understanding.

Managing it and the tinnitus can be quite tricky at times especially because feeling exhausted ..and the brain fog seem to chase each other around. Try to get enough rest and the best help I have found is by using the relaxation cd from BTA which I try to use 2-3 times a day.

Take care and look after yourself

Love and best wishes

AnneJ

[NicBTA Partner]

I think a lot of people, whatever age, find it difficult to talk about tinnitus. They feel odd explaining how something invisible has such an effect on them. And unless you've experienced tinnitus, it can be difficult to realise just how big that effect can be.

Our helpline team DO understand about tinnitus, and won't think you're foolish at all - they can be reached on 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

If you're in the UK we have a network of tinnitus support groups, where everyone (regardless of age, but we find it tends to be people 40+ at these groups) knows what you are going through. You can find your nearest group at tinnitus.org.uk/find-a-supp....

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[Hidden in reply to NicBTA]

thank you , I go to a support group when I feel upto it , some nice people on here

[Lindsay6 in reply to NicBTA]

Great that they experiemnce tinnitus - if that's not cruel !

[NicBTA Partner in reply to Lindsay6]

It's okay, I know what you mean

[28dinky]

Hi, it's surprising when you talk to people how many suffer in some shape or for, good friends who have never talked about it. This forum has been a godsend for me someone always is there with advice and encouragment.

[bluewanderlust]

Its a very serious condition and you have nothing to feel daft about. I have raging 24 hour a day tinnitus for just over a year now that was caused by medical negligence in an A & E Ward. I know how hard it is to try an make people understand that it is a form of disability especially when your hearing has been reduced and affected as a result.

[Hidden]

don't feel that way, tell people i do