Tinnitus serious problem

[tulika_tinnitus]

I am 32 yr old lady with 3month old baby and a loving husband. I am working mother as well, few years back when I shifted to Dubai from India, I started working with different people from different countries, initially I faced some problem with their accents but gradually I started understanding. But we i detected tinnitus and them did hearing test, I found that I cannot hear after certain decibel, doc told there is no solution, you can use hear aid. But cannot accept that I have a problem, and thought it will improve and then gradually I started reading lips and then I feel very scared talking to people specially when anyone's accent is fast, I am used to the continuous sounds but I feel insecure and nervous, even if I don't hear or understand I used to say yes or no or smile to keep the conversation up...But this causing a problem everywhere at work, communicating over phone etc. Now recently I stopped listening to movies I prefer the subtitles, I scored low in IELTS listening test...It's scares me sometimes that what I am doing?? But I can hear most of the things, but why I am not confident??? Sometimes I feel that Tinnitus is not the only problem, I am distracted and I considered myself that I will not hear, this is effecting my mental health as well...Asking again and again to the opposite person might loose interest talk to me, which I don't want...I am good at work, people appreciate my work but I feel they avoid talking to me in person. This is quite depressing and have no idea what kind of therapy will help me, language or hearing or something else? Is it normal??

[doglover1973]

Hello. I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. Hearing loss and tinnitus are a challenge. And they can erode your confidence. No doubt about it. I often smile and nod when I can't hear what people say .. because I just want to fit in. It's natural. I think the first thing to do is accept the problem. Then work out what you need to do to cope with it day to day. There's nothing wrong with you. It sounds like you have lots to enjoy. A nice husband. A little bubba. A good job. But you're a long way from home which isn't easy - especially as new mum. Why not talk to your doctor about it . I'm sure s/he will be able to point you in the right direction.

[tulika_tinnitus in reply to doglover1973]

Thanks dear, so nice to hear from you...and I can feel your problem too, I also many times nod my head and started thinking what I missed started asking my brain what was it, and to find out that I misses more conversation.... it's funny for others may be few people call me freckle and make fun...which is quite upsetting but I'm trying my best to accept this challenge but I really don't know who can help me...ENT said you can operate that nerve which is buzzing and it will stop, but hearing cannot be better anymore, also asked me if you are comfortable wearing ear aids it might be better for me...is this the only option?? Seriously I have no idea...what to do, and to whom I should consult...At one point I though I should go for hear aid. How you are dealing/ treating this??

[doglover1973 in reply to tulika_tinnitus]

Hello again. I've got hearing aids yes. They are helpful. My nieces and nephews sometimes get impatient when I can't hear what they say .. but they don't always speak clearly anyway. Hearing aids are well worth a try. I wouldn't have an operation if I were you. There's no cure for tinnitus. I'm learning to live with it. Gradually. You can too. I feel sure. Try to relax if you can. All the best.

[tulika_tinnitus in reply to doglover1973]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience...giving me direction and positive vibes...I will go for a check up again and get this done...and my be will start some ayurvedic medicines. My only concern and aim is to prevent this from further deterioration...I will keep posting my status...please do yours as well...lots of love

[Happyrosie]

Hello tulika. Firstly - you are normal! I find that even with hearing aids I don’t always understand what’s going on - especially over the phone. I’ll do anything to NOT talk over the phone! And other peoples’ accents make face to face conversations sometimes hard. For instance, I’m fine with Welsh or Liverpool accents but can nearly understand Scottish or Chinese accents!

At my age (75) most people are very understanding and don’t mind repeating themselves, but you at a younger age will not be so accepted probably.

What dog lover has said, I fully agree with.

[tulika_tinnitus in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks for your response...I also avoid phone conversation, all official conversation I prefer in writing but some situation are unavoidable like sudden face to face meetings, interviews etc. Yesterday you know something funny happened. I board a taxi for my work place to home, and seated at the back...the driver was from our same nationality and started talking...trust me I couldn't hear at all, he was driving facing to the road and talking, I laughed a little and said ohh yes, I am work here...I though he asked me whether I work hear or not...because in his conversation work word was there...just trying to be sweet and though if I don't say anything it would be bad, so replied something which was relevant to that word....Funny Right??? Then he turned his face at the back and asked something again...I replied ohh no no...I don't drive...then he asked me "Mam, do you have a hearing problem???" I felt bad and due to so much noise and distance inside the car I couldn't hear him at all...But I know other normal people could have heard him perfectly. Then he started talking with hand gesture and loudly, then it was better...though I was not willing to talk after that but trying myself to hear and answer it correctly to prove that I am not deaf. 😪