I'm really trying hard to habituate, but it's so hard. Like it's too inconsistent to get used to. One minute I either don't notice it or it's gone, next it's whistling. Doesn't help when it randomly has a loud burst, I came down the stairs earlier and it went real loud for a second before settling down.
And it seems to react to noise and get louder too which again makes it hard. Like I'll try listening to an audiobook and it will be fine, but I'll feel it get louder with the audiobook until it's all I can think of, even if I tell myself "just habituate, don't let it bother you" it doesn't help. I spend so much time now not doing things I like, instead wasting my time on meditation that doesn't work or something similarly fruitless.
sigh, I'm not even asking for it to go any more, just to let me tame it. And I know the stress it's causing probably makes it worse and harder but it's hard not to freak out about this stuff.
I'm really terrified honestly. My doctor gave me some pills, Amitriptyline, which is supposed to kind of stop you hearing it as much and provide pain relief, and I took one but kind of felt like I became more aware of it somehow?
I'm sick of it. I just want to live a life. Not necessarily an amazing life free of problems or anything, but just a life.
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BambooFighting
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Habituation can’t really be a conscious effort in my opinion - you cant tell your brain to ignore it anymore than you can tell your empty stomach not to make you hungry.
I habituated years ago in what was a relatively short time (few months) but then my tinnitus came back with a vengeance over the summer and it’s taking longer this time and seems louder than before
I think the key is to keep busy, get stuck in to work (if you’re fortunate enough to do so in this difficult time) listen to calming sounds whether that’s the radio, tv, nature outdoors and I personally focus my energy on my family and kids and believe me that’s quite the distraction and brain power!
Slowly but surely I’m coping, I still hear the noise especially in the evenings at night but it’s starting to bother me less.
It’s hard and I feel your pain but the more you focus on wanting to get used to it the longer it’ll take - a cruel irony really.
But it will happen, we are wonderfully adaptable people (just look at how we live our lives now to a year ago!) so have faith it’ll not be this horrendous forever!
That's great that you were able to get used to it and gives me a lot of hope. Yeah unfortunately I lost my job in March and haven't been able to find anything since (though I'm quite grateful for this as a job would have meant Covid exposure.) so I haven't been able to distract myself with work or anything.
I think I’m trying to force habituation at times. Sometimes I just shake me head at the noise because it’s thst loud and ridiculous. I used to enjoy reading but T has made it hard. I won’t lie. It’s nearly had me in tears. We have to keep going though somehow. Acceptance seems key. Hopefully it won’t take forever.
Yeah I used to love reading too, but the noise is so distracting now. I tried audiobooks but sound seems to trigger my T in my right ear as well as a violent shaking feeling. There's not really much left I can do with these bloody noises.
Try to keep going even with the noise. Read and read read is my plan until my brain gets the point. It’s so hard though. But we’ll get there @BambooFighting Are you from the U.K.?
Maxi, have you tried some natural therapy ? Can you try Austin goh ‘S natural method for tinnitus? It works for some people. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me .
You literally nailed it...Acceptance. I spent so many months crying & wooing over my previous life ( life before T ) I realised that I’m going through the natural process of a loss and eventually will finally learn to accept things for what they are & I can finally move forward xx Everyone deals with things differently I suppose & I guess it’s the same with habituation. I’ve grieved, was in denial, was angry & now I can feel myself accepting it & life goes on regardless 🥰
That’s it. I look to my life before. Reminiscing that I was happy. How I used to dance in the kitchen. I don’t want to lose that. It’s just hard to ever see how I can be that person again. But I’ll sure as hell try. I’ll just have to dance with T in the mean time.
I'm not sure how long you have had the T. I have had it for only a few months. I have been through much of the same things. It can be very tough. Probably most people who have ever had it have had similar feelings. For me the key is staying busy and focusing on other things. Whether it's working outside or watching a movie or playing with Grandchildren. Still that is easier said than done. Good luck!
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6 months in and no improvement 
Earplugs making it worse? Singer
This is too depressing
Reactive Tinnitus - anyone else experience this
