Constant ringing

[Alicemariejam]

I'm 18 years old, female, and I have a constant ringing in one of my ears. It's been like this for 2 weeks now and it doesn't stop. I'm scared it's gonna last forever I'm also worried it's self inflicted because I often listen to loud music, especially at clubs. It's really hard to not focus on it and I have to go to sleep with music on atm. luckily I can only hear it when it's quiet, but I'm worried it's going to get worse and I don't think I could cope with it any louder. I'm going to the doctors on Tuesday but I'm just so upset over it. I've already purchased some ear plugs for when I next go out, and havnt listened to music loud.

I want to try and train my brain to not hear it anymore but because I'm so anxious I can hear it constantly atm.

Can tinnitus be temporary? or is there anything I can do to minimise it/get rid of it.

I'm also getting abit of pain in my ears, and they feel quite blocked, but the sound is only in one.

I can best describe the sound as when you rub your fingers around the rim of a wine glass, it's high frequency but the sound goes up and down abit.

Please help. I'm only 18 xx

[Alicemariejam]

I also take 10mg of amitriptyline a day for around a year now x

[Ruud1boy]

Keep your fingers crossed that it's a blockage or infection in the ear - if so, once that situation resolves, the tinnitus should fade away in time. In the meantime, try not to focus on it - stressing about it only makes it worse unfortunately.

Make use of all the BTA leaflets available via their website, there's loads of useful general info on there.

[Alicemariejam in reply to Ruud1boy]

Thank you, I hope so, my fingers are crossed, I'm hoping it's just wax or something. I've just tried out my earplugs and when they are in I seem to have it in both ears. I'd of thought this would have made it worse but for some reason, having it mild in both ears now I hear it helps distract me from the other side, so it kind of sounds a little better, balancing it out.

Although I really hate it, I guess I just have to be positive and grateful that it isn't a lot worse, because some people have it awfully loud. Hopefully if I protect my ears from now on it won't get any worse. And from reading up on it, even people who have it really bad can get used to it and live happy lives. Xx

[starshine53]

Hi Alice ¡ When you see the doctor try as best as you can do to describe the sound your hearing in your Ears or head. It is very important because there are many other condions other than Tinnitus that generate noise in the head. Furthermore, I read you go to venues where loud music is playing and this is probably the source of noise in your ears, a condition called "Acoustic Trauma " which is usually temporary and very common in young people after pop festivals. But it can be permanent in some people and there is no cure so best to take precaution like ear muffs at your next gig. Finally, the noise you describe doesn't sound classic Tinnitus it could even be "Hyperacusis " a condition similar to Tinnitus generating a buzzing or humming noise in the ears and leaving sufferers ultra sensitive to external noises rather than internal noise from within.

I'm sure you'll be fine, your dilemma is not unusual and will fade in time.

[Alicemariejam]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I will be wearing earplugs next time I go, 100%. I can't help but think this is never gonna go away because I've had it for 2 weeks and & it's the same sound, never stopping, it's not getting any quieter now you've said that, although the ringing is in my head, other sounds our sounding so much louder and making me jump when I hear something. normal sounds are hurting my ears, like knifes being put back in the draw or shutting doors, even normal talking sounds too loud. but this is happening to both of my ears, not just the ringing one. xx

[NicBTA Partner]

Hello and a (belated) welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum. - I've been away on leave.

Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

Tinnitus caused by one off exposure to loud music is often temporary, but it is wise to protect your hearing, and you've done the right thing getting some ear plugs for future nights out.

The sensitivity to sound you're describing sounds like hyperacusis, and again this can be temporary - my own is more noticeable when I'm tired or stressed. You can find out more on our website at tinnitus.org.uk

/hyperacusis

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk

takeontinnitus.co.uk

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[Fady123]

AlicemRiejam how's your hearing did you get it check? Did your T gone better? I was also exposed to loud music last month's after that I got really bad t in ears. Also also I had a significant hearing loss in both ears ( high frequencies) I am so hopeless. I don't listen to loud music anymore

[Alicemariejam in reply to Fady123]

Hi fady123. Sorry for the late reply I didn’t realise you had sent a message.

So it’s been 2 years Since I posted this and I Just want to ensure you that it does get better.

My tinnitus comes and goes, most of the time I do not hear it at all, like at all !! however when I am stressed or poorly then it will come back, along with a really high sensitivity to sound, actually at the moment it is quite bad, and it will usually last about a week then go away again. But I know this is because i was ill last week and I am extremely stressed with uni.

I had my tinnitus for about 4 months when I first got it, without it getting any better and after googling I started to lose all hope as most posts say that if it’s there for longer than 3 months it will usually stay.

I always always protect my ears now. Every single time I go out clubbing or to a concert or even to the cinema I will wear earplugs. The brand I buy is “senner” And they are amazing. There are loads of different kinds to choose from, I have the music pro ones. They offer really high protection yet you can still hear the music clearly. Thy fit really well into the ear and they are clear, so you can hardly see them. They are specially designed to fit ears properly, so they are not made from foam or the clear putty like ones you mold into your ears. And they stay in place all night.

I did have an appointment with a specialist who checked my hearing and everything however they didn’t really help. They just said it’s tinnitus, and gave me a leaflet which told me how to cope with it.

I also have a couple of sessions of acupuncture now and then for my fibromyalgia, however he has been treating my ears to which I believe has helped so you might want to try that too?

I know it’s horrible when it’s there, but you do get used to it after a while and you can no longer hear it unless you concentrate. But as I said earlier, mine has genuinely seemed to have gone completely, and only gets worse when I am stressed.

Hope your all good!

Alice.

[Alicemariejam]

Hi fady123. Sorry for the late reply I didn’t realise you had sent a message.

So it’s been 2 years Since I posted this and I Just want to ensure you that it does get better.

My tinnitus comes and goes, most of the time I do not hear it at all, like at all !! however when I am stressed or poorly then it will come back, along with a really high sensitivity to sound, actually at the moment it is quite bad, and it will usually last about a week then go away again. But I know this is because i was ill last week and I am extremely stressed with uni.

I had my tinnitus for about 4 months when I first got it, without it getting any better and after googling I started to lose all hope as most posts say that if it’s there for longer than 3 months it will usually stay.

I always always protect my ears now. Every single time I go out clubbing or to a concert or even to the cinema I will wear earplugs. The brand I buy is “senner” And they are amazing. There are loads of different kinds to choose from, I have the music pro ones. They offer really high protection yet you can still hear the music clearly. Thy fit really well into the ear and they are clear, so you can hardly see them. They are specially designed to fit ears properly, so they are not made from foam or the clear putty like ones you mold into your ears. And they stay in place all night.

I did have an appointment with a specialist who checked my hearing and everything however they didn’t really help. They just said it’s tinnitus, and gave me a leaflet which told me how to cope with it.

I also have a couple of sessions of acupuncture now and then for my fibromyalgia, however he has been treating my ears to which I believe has helped so you might want to try that too?

I know it’s horrible when it’s there, but you do get used to it after a while and you can no longer hear it unless you concentrate. But as I said earlier, mine has genuinely seemed to have gone completely, and only gets worse when I am stressed.

Hope your all good!

Alice.