Suddenly louder ringing in ear . Please give me some advice

[Amyleeh]

So I’ve asked in here previously about braces making my tinnitus worse. I got my braces on and have them on 3 weeks now. Since the second I got them on I was listening out to see if my tinnitus got worse and kept checking until they actually got worse . It’s always been the hissing sound that actually bothered me cause the ring in my ears want that loud. I’ve noticed in the last few days I keep getting like a loud ring in my left ear that eventually tapers off, on and off today I can notice the ring louder than usual even outside which I couldn’t before . Is this a spike or is this going to be permanent ? Please help me I’m actually so upset this that really been taking a toll on me the last 3 weeks . Thanks

[Amyleeh]

Also it gets louder when I talk or hear a sound what is this

[Ruud1boy]

Can't offer any definitive answers I'm afraid Amy, but you mentioned you've been constantly listening for your T and checking for any change? By doing this, you are effectively telling the bit of your brain that generates the T that it's vitally important that you are kept up to date with the T, and it's the most important thing. So your brain does what you are unwittingly asking it to do and it sticks your T up to the front of the queue for your attention.

I'm probably not explaining this very well, but basically it usually will get louder if you focus your attention on it.

[Amyleeh in reply to Ruud1boy]

Is a spike when the tinnitus just gets loud for a split second and goes away but for some people it can linger for a few days?

[Ruud1boy in reply to Amyleeh]

Most people would define a spike as the latter of your 2 scenarios - it gets louder and stays there for a few days or even weeks, before eventually backing off again.

[Amyleeh in reply to Ruud1boy]

Ruud1boy thanks again for being very helpful🙂 I only discovered a few days ago my mam also has tinnitus and has for years but she said she trained her brain to ignore it she’s a very positive and not an anxious person so that’s a bit of hopeful information 🤗

[DownUnderInAus in reply to Ruud1boy]

I totally agree, I have pulsatile tinnitus and the more I listen the more it thumps..., if I'm distracted it can even "go away".., but once I listen....

[Richmac]

Hi Amy

The thing that immediately struck me was you said you were “listening and kept checking” to see if your tinnitus got worse. Why? You need to be doing the exact opposite. If you focus all your attention on a burn as an example, it’s going to be more painful than if you focused on something else. I suggest you try forgetting about your tinnitus (if you can) and focus on something cheerful/positive/enjoyable.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

Richard

[Amyleeh in reply to Richmac]

Thanks for you reply richmac . Ya I have it four years now i have habituated before hopefully I will do it again. It sends me into panic when I can hear it out in the open air. I know a lot of people hear it over almost every thing I’m just not used to it