Do we 'hear' tinnitus?

[Mark174]

I am intrigued when post after post I read that fellow sufferers describe their tinnitus as something they ‘hear’ in one or other or both ears. I have had tinnitus for several years now -although I cannot recall when or how it actually started -and for me it is a very loud, very high pitched, raw screeching sound… like white noise. However;

If I put my hands over either or both of my ears it’s still there and remains constant,

If I put headphones on it’s still there and remains constant,

If I am in a room full of noise it’s still there and again remains constant,

…it’s always the loudest thing I can perceive above all other sound around me and no matter how loud the ambient sound.

For me it’s not something that I consider that I ‘hear’ as it’s not via my ears. This infernal sound is just there -a constant right in the dead centre of my head no matter what I do. Not in one ear or the other… Is this different to how others perceive it?

regards to all...

[Mille23]

Thank you for your description of your tinnitus. I can recognize everything you write. I have had tinnitus for the last 3 years, got it after an inner Ear infection. My life has changed dramatically because of the Infernal noise. The doctors cant give me a reason for tinnitus, maybe because of infection, one doctor said. I heard a herbalist talk about White noise as a perception. I dont know what she meant , could not ask her, as it was an online seminar. Could White noise be a symptom of imbalance . Just a thought.

[AusRinger]

Hi Mark. I perceive mine as sound coming predominantly from my right ear, occasionally from the left or both. It comes and goes but I can induce it at any time through manipulation of my jaw and can also change volume to at least 4 different levels. Sometimes wonder if mine is blood pressure related as it tends to occur more when under pressure. Have had it for a long time and just learnt to live with it.

[Curlew]

This is exactly the same as my T.

Sadly!

[Ivorheadache]

Mine is exactly as you describe yours too.

[Hidden]

Hi Mark, mine started 2 years ago after a bad virus and what you describe is how it started out- a crazy high pitched whole head racket, but now I get different days when it sounds like a swarm of locusts in both ears. It constantly changes, I never know what I'm going to struggle with, but as you know, struggle describes it. It never lets up, nothing calms it down (no chance of 'habituating' at this extreme level, and forget wasting good money on CBD oils, etc)- can only sympathise, my friend, and say you're definitely not alone, cheers!

[ROMEROS]

I tell people that the noise doesn't from my ears but from the back of my head.