Tinnitus Help

[Jellybeanz_]

Hello Everyone

I was wondering if anyone has experienced tinnitus spikes after listening to distraction noise before sleeping. I also use an in ear sound generator (white noise/ocean sound) and this also seems to cause spikes in tinnitus. I have had the dome replaced with a moulded earpiece and although this is more comfortable the tinnitus worsens after use.

I really don't know what else to do. I have been discharged by Audiology and Hearing Therapist with advice to look up mindfulness and retraining therapy. The Hearing Therapist used most of all 4 appointments over 2 years shuffling for bits of paper, telling me how to use Google and generally yawning. No offer or mention of any counselling. GP is not interested as I have already accessed specialist care....

Any suggestions?

Thank you

Nicola

[Neal2017]

Hi Nicola, sorry to hear you don't get much help from your audiologist. I'm no expert but reading about your in-ear sound generator I'm not sure if a moulded ear piece is a good idea for tinnitus as it blocks outside noise and might tend to cause a drum or hollow sound effect in your ear. I use a hearing aid (no masking sounds) with a dome ear piece. I found like you it was a bit uncomfortable and on a return visit to audiology they changed the dome size for a better fit and this has proved better.

I don't use an in ear sound generator but use pillow speakers at night this has helped but does take a while to get used to and it's worth experimenting with which sounds work best for you. Also it's important to keep the sound volume slightly lower than your tinnitus noise rather than trying to drown it out.

I hope things improve for you

regards

Neal

[HissingSid]

Hi jellybeans I have an audiologist appointment next month and I know from people’s experiences here, and some of my own, not to expect a lot of help from it. However, I do know that my single hearing aid with no masking devices or moulded ear piece is inadequate to help control my tinnitus noises in both ears. I will be using the time with the audiologist to obtain the best equipment and advice/help I can get from NHS. I’ll post on here how I get on.

[NicTinnitus]

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.

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here including our free e-learning programme

takeontinnitus.co.uk

which covers most of the ground your hearing therapist should have worked with you on.

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[starshine53]

Hi ! jellybeans. I tried ear plug white noise and came up with same result as you. Furthermore, if I turn the volume of my TV up my Tinnitus gets louder too. However, I experimented by attaching two medium speakers to my sound generator on white noise setting on all night and this works for me.