Advice

[Flowerpot1234]

Hello everyone I’ve had my T for 9 years the past couple of years it’s got worse at the moment the noise is a very high pitched screeching noise which is getting me so down I have no relief from it and I dread bedtime has any one had this type of sound any advice would be much appreciated thank you

[Happyrosie]

I imagine most of us here have had this type of noise. I regard myself as being very very lucky as I started with T in my teens and just assumed it was part of growing up, so it’s never really made me anxious and depressed and though it affects my sleep I just do slow gentle breathing to help it go away.

Do have a look at the British tinnitus Association website for lots of tips to help you.

Other posters will, I’m sure, be more helpful than me. But you’re not alone!

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you 😊

[doglover1973]

Hi Flowerpot - Lovely name 🙂 This seems to be a common theme. Normal T followed by loud T. It happened to me just over a year ago. It's quite a shock when it gets louder and can be very disruptive at first. I couldn't sleep for several months. It might be worth going for a hearing test. If you have hearing loss aids can help by day. It's trickier at night but there are several things you could try - sound therapy & relaxation techniques. I hope this helps a little.

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to doglover1973]

Thank you for your reply 😊

[Lemonade2020 in reply to doglover1973]

Great advice

[msspinner]

Hello Flowerpot1234,

My T started with the high pitch tone but did morph into a boom, though the screech sometimes makes a comeback 😊

Could you listen to soft music at night to distract your brain from the T. I tried it for the first time last night and it did work.

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to msspinner]

Thank you I will try that also I can hear what sounds like a washing machine spinning hopefully I will try and block it out but it is hard.

[msspinner in reply to Flowerpot1234]

It's amazing how the mind works. I've been out doing archery this morning, completely oblivious to the humming in my ear. Now I'm laying down, hoping to read a little and snooze, and there is a distinctive buzz again.

I hope the music works for you!

[Mille23]

Sorry to hear that your T is getting worse. I have had T for the last 5 years, and it has increased in volume tremendously during the last year. . I manage during the day , night time is a challenge. But I get my sleep when I take 3-6 mg Melatonin and listen to audio book, every time I wake up. And I wake up many times during night time, but am talked back to sleep. 😊

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to Mille23]

Thank you I’ve not heard of melatonin I will try this and great idea a audio book I too wake up loads.

[PopcornLover1971 in reply to Mille23]

Have you any idea how long one can safely take melatonin?

[Mille23 in reply to PopcornLover1971]

Some say that you can only take it in a short periode, others say that it is safe to take for a long time. I dont know who is right. I have taken it for the last 2 years. It works best if you are + 55 years old .And it works also as an anti oxidant.

[PopcornLover1971 in reply to Mille23]

I have been taking it since June but have read elsewhere that it isn’t safe to take for long periods of time.

[Mille23 in reply to PopcornLover1971]

What does it say for long use of melatonin?

[PopcornLover1971 in reply to Mille23]

“Melatonin is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately, long-term. Melatonin has been used safely for up to 2 years in some people. However, it can cause some side effects including headache, short-term feelings of depression, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, stomach cramps, and irritability.” webMD

[Mille23 in reply to PopcornLover1971]

Thank you very much for your answer. 😊 Luckily I dont have any side effects so far.🙏

[PopcornLover1971 in reply to Mille23]

But also things like alaskaregional.com/blog/ent...

[Mille23 in reply to PopcornLover1971]

Unfortunately , I cannot open the link. Page is not available to your current location, it says. But thanks anyway.

[purenostalgia]

Hi Flowerpot, I have had Tinnitus for about 25 years but it was bearable, then in March this year it increased to unbearable levels and has remained constant. sleep is a very serious problem for me. I am now better able to control it by not going to bed until after midnight and downloading the My Noise App on my phone setting it to rain and placing it under my pillow. I also leave my tv on, set to go off after 1 hour.

Take care and you will work out the best way to handle Tinnitus.

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to purenostalgia]

Thank you for your advice I’m going to try all of the above , I just need to except that T is hear for a long time .

[Jimmuck]

Hi Flowerpot. I know what you are experiencing and how miserable and depressed it can make you feel. I have had a battle with tinnitus for over four years now and while I can cope with it much better than before, I still find it very hard to live with. My head noise is a very loud invasive hissing with a dentists drill thrown in just to add to the fun! On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the loudest, I can go for a few days on a level 5 or below and then for no apparent reason, the next few days will be a ten or very close to it and so it goes on. At bedtime, when it is on a really bad spike, I take 10mg of Amitriptyline about 8.30pm and that helps a lot. I also find that just emptying my mind of all thoughts and concentrating on slow rythmic breathing helps me fall asleep quite easily. I have quite a few other coping mechanisms I have tried over the years but I think the main one is keeping the brain occupied and diverted away from the head noises by whatever means. Best wishes and I hope you get a decent nights sleep soon!

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to Jimmuck]

Thank you for your reply I will try the deep breathing and Also I’ve started listening to the calm App which is quite good 😌

[LoveActually01]

Hi there. I use Bose sleep buds and I find they help

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to LoveActually01]

Thank you I will have a look for them 😊

[DiegoDiegales]

When there is a spike or worsening of T. it is normal to feel anxious and down, it affects the sleep too. But then, you get used to it. It takes time and it is a process of accepting the new reality. However most of the times, it also gets better.

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to DiegoDiegales]

Thank you for your reply 😊

[1966366]

Hiya Flowerpot. I have had T for the last 7 years but currently, I am really struggling: it is sooooo loud, and like you said, it is finally getting to me,and also like you, I dread bedtime. This is no longer bearable and I have to say that my quality of life is nil at present. I am currently taking Melotonin and Clonazepam to assist sleeping. I found that they worked in the short term but not as effective after a couple weeks, but maybe you can look at this and decide for yourself. All the luck in the world, A

[Sparklylady67]

Hi there. Are you able to identify what's caused the spiking? I know the noise is unbearable but by identifying where it's occurred may help. Mine improves when I de-stress my day- going to the woods and listening to birds, removing all the noise from the day- sitting quietly with no tv/radio. Have you tried calming soothing music as background noise to lessen it, or mindfulness before bed? Look on the BTA website for useful info. There is a sheet about relaxation without sound. I've not read it yet but it may help you find a strategy that's right for you.

[Flowerpot1234 in reply to Sparklylady67]

Hi thank you for replying not sure why it’s so bad I think my anxiety makes it worse. It’s a constant high pitched noise all the time. I listen to music and also have down loaded the calm app and wear ear plugs at the nite time. I’ve also just bought the book Tinnitus from Tyrant to Friend and I’m going to start this today. You take care