What should I be asking my Audiologist

[purenostalgia]

It was March this year when my Tinnitus increased to unbearable levels. it has remained more or less the same with occasional spikes.

I had hearing aids fitted which has helped.

I still find it difficult to concentrate.

I have named my bedroom "The torture chamber" as this is by a long way the time of day when Tinnitus takes the upper hand.

I am dreading the winter months and dark cold nights.

I am lucky that I have seen the Audiologist 3 times since March, I have another appointment tomorrow have you any suggestions as to questions I should ask?.

Take care

Mike

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Mike - sorry to read that things are still so tough for you.

My own advice would be to ask if the audiology department has links with any specialist tinnitus counselling services, whether that is in person or via an online link.

I think at any time if you're concerned about the potential outcomes of a situation or a time of year with regard to tinnitus, that's where emotional or psychological support can help.

I would say that concentration will come, and coping with stresses or anxieties which tinnitus causes you can also be achieved, but asking for a referral either to dedicated counselling or to a CBT team to help with the latter is a good idea.

[purenostalgia in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

The ENT audio dept is at Pinderfields Wakefield and they supplied me with plenty of information from The British Tinnitus Association, including plenty of reading matter.

[Suz_2 in reply to purenostalgia]

I am seeing audiologist on Thursday - last time I saw him i had lots questions and erhmm well - the people with Tinnitus on this forum seem to be the best experts

[bournville]

Hello if bedtime is the main concern then ask to go on a mindfulness and cbt course preferably in a group with other tinnitus folk. Also use sound generator at night I like the “dohm uno” because it’s a very natural sound. Having it on at night allows me to focus on something else rather than my Tinnitus

[Rustreloaded]

You've mentioned you have hearing aids, presumably you don't wear them in bed? I was issued a sound generator rather than a hearing aid and it was comfortable enough to wear in bed, I'm not sure it helped massively but it kind of took the edge off the worst of the tinnitus unless I was stressed or tired in which case it didn't seem to help which leads me to wonder whether the difficulty you have experienced around bedtime until now is causing you stress which is creating a bedtime tinnitus upward spiral; you worry about the impact of tinnitus on you at bedtime - your tinnitus gets worse - you worry more about tinnitus at bedtime - your tinnitus gets even worse etc? If so then I'd do as others have suggested and seek some CBT counselling via a referral from your audiologist to see if it helps to inverse that upwards spiral. I also find listening to voice radio or podcasts useful, I use bluetooth earphones so as not to disturb OH, create a playlist on a subject that interests me, delivered by someone with a pleasant voice and it holds my attention away from the tinnitus until I fall asleep - I tried relaxation recordings but they didn't work for me, partly because I'd get frustrated that they weren't working quickly enough and that put me into the wrong state of mind for rest, I'm much better with topics that interest me. Hope you're able to turn the torture chamber into a haven of peace soon; one of the podcasts I've recently started to listen to is the Huberman Lab; a neurobiology podcast, really interesting so keeps me engaged and my mind off the tinnitus, a soothing enough voice that I don't get agitated by it and because I really want to listen to it I'm tricked into forgetting that I'm trying to go to sleep .... interesting enough that I listen to the podcast again the next day to pick up any bits that I missed after Hypnos visited. Lots of pertinent episodes on concentration, focus, managing stress and gaining control of sleep there. Hope things get easier soon.

[purenostalgia]

Thank You all, I made a mistake my appointment is Thursday 14th Oct 3.15pm, I will let you know Friday how I go on.

Take care

Mike

[Julia1jasper]

Hi there. Sorry to hear that tinnitus has got to almost really disturbing levels. I had all life and thought everyone had this loud noise. It was only when finally had hearing test I learned of this thing and for some time it really cheesed me off and felt quite angry at times. I’ve gone back to acceptance mode but I can imagine it is torture trying get to sleep. Am not flippant cos I have times when can’t sleep and the damn thing almost purposely annoys me. I don’t suppose there is an absolute answer as yet but, tho shouldn’t, I put tv on to try get off or else get involved in reading a book then usually end up waking with it scrunched in face. I’ve got aids but from what I see it’s possible to get with a kinda tinnitus masker built in. Next time see audio maybe ask about this. Also I find getting involved with hobby of some sort distracts me from it almost as though it’s not there. Maybe some day they find a cure but for sure it’s good to chat on this forum because sometimes it’s quite isolating and like no one understands. Warm wishes and hope things ease up for you soon. Julia 😻

[doglover1973]

Hi Mike . I know how you feel. Sleep is difficult in the early days. It took me about a year to return to normal sleeping patterns - with the help of CBT . Talking is so good for T. It helps reduce the anxiety if not the noise. Try & find someone who knows about T. I chose the first person on the list at my local health centre . Firstly he knew about T and secondly he had a kind face. I still get anxious about all things T but not nearly as much as before.

[surreycccfan]

Hi, I posted a list of questions I asked my audiologists, this may be of some help healthunlocked.com/bta/post...

[Kellyc]

So sorry I have the same ugghh. Because mine is really in one ear I had an mri which shows an acoustic neuroma. Maybe get the test ask your md. I know it is awful makes me so tense!