Suspected Tinnitus - Newbie Alert

[wallerz]

Hi All,

I'm new and want to start by thanking everyone for sharing their journey. I can connect with both the concerns and struggled shared, even if I'm not officially diagnosed.

For a long time I think in absolute silience I had some form of ringing with it never really bothering me. Over the past 2-3 months it has become more noticeable and irritable within my right ear! perhaps a 3/4 out of ten on the spectrum.

I visited the GP and they confirmed no blockage or signs of infection which surprised me given it felt blocked, felt uncomfortable months before and the fact it all got worse during this time. From reading about it, it does seem to just start with many triggers. If I crook my jaw the ring in my right ear gets worse in a certain position (Frequency change). if I try popping my ears water comes through my tear duck etc. Maybe its false hope can I can't help that think its more than simply tinnitus. The aspect is the fact I play rain sounds when I sleep and perhaps when not hearing the masking sound, I notice it more?

Anyway the GP said return in 3 months if it doesn't improve however she warned due to the pandenmic getting specialised treatment is unlikely. I used the NHS UK however I am considering using my private healthcare insurance to fully investigate this.

Any advice or comments would be appreciated? I certainly will be doing all I can to diagnose and improve the issue. Just hope it doesn't get worse.

[Happyrosie]

From what I hear of other posters’ experience, wallerz, and my recollection of the NICE recommendations (look up NICE and check) you usually get referred - so if you’ve got private insurance that sounds like a plan .

[wallerz in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks Rosie. Question, are you always Happy?

[Happyrosie in reply to wallerz]

Almost always! Despite a mastectomy, arthritis and other bits n pieces, and previous husband walking off with a younger model, I’m lucky. to have enough money, loving husband and family, live in a beautiful part of Sussex. To have had a good education and working life, and now voluntary work (when it’s allowed again) which suits me.

How about you?

[wallerz in reply to Happyrosie]

Sorry to hear about your husband. Volunteering sounds awesome! Use to be a cyber mentor. I’m happy chap most the time. Have a tendency to break a little then come back stronger.

[_Barnabas]

Dear Wallerz,

Thank you for sharing your story - it sounds distressing. I’m sure you will get an ENT referral but you might need to persist with your GP to speed it up. It took me 6 months to get a referral and I have an MRI and hearing test at the end of the month. As you have private insurance I would certainly explore that route to get seen more quickly.

Hope things improve.

[wallerz in reply to _Barnabas]

Thank for your reply. Will call this morning

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Further to Rosie's lovely reply, the NICE tinnitus referral guidelines can be found here - nice.org.uk/guidance/ng155/...

[wallerz in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you

[Maxi80]

This is so relateable!

I’m also in the ‘it might not be Tinnitus stage.’ I’ve had low level ringing for ndny a year but this ‘whoosh’ just seems different. When in actual fact it more than likely is T but my brain is finding it hard to accept that their can’t be a cure so it’s looking for a ‘fix’

[wallerz in reply to Maxi80]

Fair. I suppose part of getting older is the deterioration of health and search for the best management of that...