IS THIS NORMAL

[Michael8272]

IS THIS NORMAL.

I'm Fearly new to tinnitus.have it 7 weeks today.also have hyperacusis aswel,this week on Monday and Tuesday my tinnitus was only noticeable in quiet but last night and this morning it has really went to a really high pitch sound.i thought I was starting to get better or atleast getting used to it.but now I'm really scared again.have first e.n.t appointment this Tuesday.really don't know what to make of this

[HissingSid]

Unfortunately high pitch sounds in tinnitus is normal or at least it is for me. I’ve been keeping notes on days that I have what I call “flare ups” when the noises are loud for long periods. I get around 4 or 5 days per week like this. I’m waiting on an appointment with Audiology so that I can have a hearing test and hopefully get new hearing aids with masking to help deflect the tinnitus sounds. Currently I have just one hearing aid without masking so it only helps to pick up other sounds to help distract me from hearing the continuous tinnitus noises.

[NicBTA Partner]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum. Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

It is completely normal to notice your tinnitus in quieter environments, such as when you wake up. And the noises can come and go, and change sound and pitch - this is very common.

Tinnitus does generally get better over time. And even if it doesn’t go away completely, it can get to a level where it isn’t intrusive, and it isn't noticeable - in the same way you probably don’t really notice traffic noise when you walk down the street.

The time tinnitus takes to disappear or reduce in intensity varies from person to person, but there are some tips and techniques you can do to help. These are the things we at the BTA generally recommend:

Information - you will probably feel better when you find out more about the condition, that it is very common and that you are not alone.

Counselling - techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be helpful, either as a standalone therapy or combined with sound therapy.

Correcting any hearing loss - if your tinnitus is accompanied by any hearing loss, then trying to correct this loss with hearing aids is often very helpful. Do make sure that these are adjusted correctly, and that they are worn – they do not work if they are kept in a drawer!

Sound therapy - if the noises seem louder at quiet times, particularly during the night, it may help to have some environmental or natural sound from a CD, a sound generator, or even a fan or ticking clock in the background. Some people use in-ear sound generators.

Relaxation - learning to relax is probably one of the most useful things you can do to help yourself. Those who practice relaxation techniques say they reduce the loudness of their tinnitus and helps them become indifferent to it. Yoga and tai chi can also help.

Mindfulness is showing some very promising results after recent clinical trials, so that is something else you might like to try.

I would say that none of these solutions is an "instant" fix - they take time and perseverance. Some people do expect tinnitus to subside after one session of breathing exercises, for example, and that just isn't the case.

There is no drug or medication which directly helps tinnitus, so we do not recommend any.

There’s a lot of good information on our website tinnitus.org.uk - try to avoid sites which promise “tinnitus miracles” or “tinnitus cures” as there’s no such panacea - but with time, you will learn to manage your tinnitus well.

We have a free tinnitus management e-programme as well takeontinnitus.co.uk which you may like to try.

Our Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone]) can also answer your questions and give you support.

I hope this is helpful, and we are here to answer any questions you might have, or offer support.

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[Michael8272]

Just feels like taking a step forward and 2 steps back.the hyperacusis is worst at the minute,it just seems to get worse by the day.

[Hidden]

Hi Michael,

The hyperacusus is very much linked to the fear (scared!) and over sensitivity to the T. I know it’s very easy for people to say ‘try to relax and not focus on the T’ but it is the answer.

Hyperacusus is a bit like turning up the microphone gain too much on an amplifier. The over sensitivity causes distortion and sometimes even the sensation of pain. Much of this is due to being in a ‘fight or flight’ state of anxiety where unfortunately the side effect is heightened senses, including hearing!

The best way to become less sensitive is to try to develop a more ‘I don’t care about the T’ attitude and focus on things you enjoy doing.

As Nic says, there is no quick fix, but the vast majority of those who develop T do move on to a point they rarely notice their T and enjoy their lives again. The brain does adapt naturally in the end.

[Michael8272 in reply to Hidden]

Hi asw21,

Thanks for reply.my sensitivity is high anyway, I slept with ear plugs for 10 years. Had alot of wax out a week after I got t.i'v been worried constantly about t since.h came two weeks after.i do agree with you my anxiety about t has made me a mess and senses are heightened due to all the worry.now I keep listening for things to see if they sound different. Very hard to calm down at the minute.have first e.n.t appointment on Tuesday

[amitkumarshah]

Try the tonal tinnitus therapy app when you get these spikes i hope yours goes away ive had for nearly 25 yearslast year it went high pitch now i hear it everywhere ent dont have a clue best thing is visit a audiologist and get your hearing fully checked as well.

[Michael8272 in reply to amitkumarshah]

Thanks for reply.it is hard to work out,woke up this morning and it's bearly noticeable.only can hear it in quiet.is it the e.n.t that sends you to audiologist or do I have to go private.h is harder to deal with at the minute.know doubt tinnitus will go high pitch later,7 weeks yesterday and it's just so draining

[Mary-intussuception]

Hi. I have sent private messages.