Love your ears... and your tinnitus

[bluewanderlust]

I know this might seem strange but having suffered constant raging tinnitus after and accident for over a 15 months now, I started thinking that there is a mindset to all this to help you cope. I thought about all the things that make you the person you are and all the life changing events we all go through good and bad that shape and mould you. I decided that rather than fight it and deny I have tinnitus that I should almost try and love my ears. I realised that the word heart actually contains the word ear (h-ear-t). My tinnitus keeps me awake most nights even though I play brown noise, it has affected me socially as I have so much hearing loss and cant keep up with conversations. I also have pain with it from the accident. But I have finally started to accept that it is part of who I am now, and I need to try and see it as some sort of fate. I know some of you will think this is silly but i wanted to share my thoughts to try and help to shift the mindset on this potentially debilitating condition.

[Lynne-H]

I don`t think that you are silly at all. If something helps us then it`s worth doing. I did a similar thing to you. I used to pretend that I liked my noise and didn`t mind having it . Three and a half years later I have my life back.

I did have other things that helped me along the way - the BTA, counselling, support group and medication but I do think that acceptance is the key.

Good Luck

Lynne

[bluewanderlust in reply to Lynne-H]

Thank so much Lynne. I haven't been able to get out too much as am now 38 weeks pregnant! Hopefully I will be able to look into some support over the coming months

[Curlew]

It doesn't sound strange at all, in fact it sounds positive and well balanced to me. In the end all we have as tools to deal with T is our attitude and mental well being. With your attitude you are on the right road. I have had severe T for 9 months now and it has only been the support of my husband and friends and me keeping myself busy and positive that has got me to where I am today living nearly as normal a life as I had before. Yes, I have days when I don't feel as positive as others, but I know now that better days always return.

You are doing very well, keep it up and take care.

Spoil yourself now and then too 😂

[bluewanderlust in reply to Curlew]

Thank you so much. I hope we can all find a place where we can live along side our Tinnitus in some kind of harmony

[NicBTA Partner]

I agree bluewanderlust - I think acceptance is key - fighting any long term condition just takes up so much mental and physical energy. Once your brain goes "Okay, I've got this, I don't like it, but let's focus on the bits of my life I do like" it does get easier to cope. And your condition becomes less intrusive and problematic.

Certainly, it's what's worked for me (I have multiple sclerosis) and although wobbles do happen, my MS is usually at the back of my mind, not the front.

Nic