Hi all, thought I'd introduce myself, apologies if it seems a bit rambling.
I've had high frequency tinnitus for about 2-1/2 years due to being exposed to noise at 135dBa+, long story but negligence on someones part. I don't really know what the volume is - it's only in my head ! (hahahaha) but either I do manage to ignore it or the volume fluctuates considerably. I tend to lean towards the latter tbh, it's too severe a noise to ignore.
It's between 13500-14500hz and is like several sounds all wrapped round each other and constantly changing. Also get sound of water running through drainpipes sometimes. So some nights when I'm lying there and managing to ignore the ringing I become paranoid and go round house checking all the taps are off, toilets not overrunning etc.......
For the first few months I was (very) close to complete breakdown, sleep deprivation, where's the nearest wall to hit my head against, you're only paranoid 'cos they're out to get you etc type symptoms. So nothing unusual from reading what other people have also experienced.
I lost my job - walked out due to paranoia from sleep deprivation etc (3 months at less than 2hours a night), - been working part time since but have just quit as have lost all ability to concentrate ( I worked in sales/technical role) in any sort of quiet environment. How will we cope financially - I haven't a f****ng clue but it wasn't fair on my employer to carry on.
I've always been a happy go lucky person, put up with what life has to throw at me etc. Luckily have a loving wife and family, they've had to put up with a lot the past couple of years.
I suppose I'd say I'd never commit suicide, I'm not a selfish person and as far as I'm concerned it's the ultimate act of selfishness. I have family and for them to be left with a bad memory same time, every year, birthdays, christmas or any time something reminded them of me for the rest of their lives, I'm not able to do that....... I think that's what's saved me and helped me to carry on and somehow ......be/exist?
However last year my brother-in-law did exactly that, (marriage break-up/depression etc, no one in the family knew as he kept it so well hidden) I turned round to my wife a couple of weeks after and said I can understand exactly why he did it - trying to explain I may think about it due to the tinnitus but wouldn't actually do it - if that makes sense?
To date I now cope - just about.
People just don't realise what a debilitating condition it is, especially the higher frequency types.
I seriously consider trying to make a sound file of the noise and the volume I hear then put it on my phone and play it to people to make them realise what it's like - I was playing with a tinnitus sound generator earlier, wife walked in and immediately complained "what's that noise, turn it off, it's making me feel sick!"
I do my best to avoid any drugs etc, refuse to take sleeping pills etc, do my best to avoid unnecessary chemicals in any form (mis-spent youth;-)). Not into new-age therapies, hippy/spiritualist/religious "nonsense" (I'm a complete aetheist).
It's clear reading to others stories that every persons Tinnitus is different, what may work for some to relieve it doesn't work for others, please don't try to foist any of the above on me;-))
I've read a lot about tinnitus and the causes etc, what i suffer from was caused by single event loud noise, it's damaged the inner ear /nerve link to the brain somehow. It's such a minute thing located inside the brain that it's almost impossible to operate on, so impossible to cure, either surgically or with drugs. The symptom however is purely subjective as far as the medical profession is concerned and is just classed as purely that - an auditory symptom.
If I was hearing voices in my head - purely subjective again - it's classed as a mental disorder. What's the difference?? Both completely screw your head up, cause paranoid delusional behaviour, breakdowns etc etc No offence intended to any one affected by this, just using it as a comparison!
Written by
afm2
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hey bud. Mine is exactly the same frequency as yours. Around 14000hz. Sawing, screeching metallic sound like a sheet metal factory between my ears. As you did I tried to play it for family etc for understanding but I got a pretty disinterested, perhaps disbelieving, response, like it couldn’t possibly be that bad and I was simply exaggerating.
I exist, just about, but I currently derive zero enjoyment from life and have lost nearly all hope of salvaging a life. Like you I lost my work, can barely function anymore, concentration levels are zero. I’ve blown a fortune trying to ‘fix’ myself. I’m scared, lonely, tortured, isolated from family and friends. You’ve done remarkably well to get through 2 years of this crap. Hopefully it will get easier for you.
As you sadly pointed out everyday people succumb to far less permanent situations and life pressures and yet we have to deal with all of those same stressors, with this noise like a nasty little cherry on top. It’s an unimaginably tough life that none of us could ever have been prepared for.
I've forgotten and left the sound generator on more than once for a few hours whilst trying to work out frequencies, wife and son have both wondered what the awful noise was! I can't hear as it matches what's in my head...
Some people are understanding, but many just think it can't be that bad.
My wife doesn't like any loud noise really, I now need it to shut tinnitus out, etc etc.
One of the worst things is what appears to be the sheer hopelessness of any chance of a resolution to the problem. Basically you're stuck with it for the rest of your life!
Hi .....I know what your going through right now try breathing excercise inhale and exhale daily morning and evening you will surely see change in your tinnitus.
Each person tinnitus is different I can understand .........breathing excercise helps me great and knoll I'm sorry nothing is working for you calm down your tinnitus .
Some days it's like the noise from a motorway about a mile away- it's just there in the background.
Some days or periods of time it's like the motorway is a hundred metres away, not nice but you can just about ignore it.
Sometimes it's like standing on a bridge over the motorway. Pretty loud and you can't ignore it.
And then the really bad times when it's like standing between the barriers in the middle of the motorway.
I'm fairly good at putting a brave face on things usually so try not to let it get me too down, but my wife understands when I say "the tinnitus is not good today".
Hi, I've tried various Tinnitus sound generators available on t'internet and seem to come up with various different results. Generally try to get the sound level to somewhere about what I'm experiencing at a lower frequency, then increase frequencies to point where I can't hear them as they match, usually once I'm quite a bit higher or lower I can hear it again. Not a single flat line frequency/pitch though....... I can hear/am aware of the frequency constantly going through some fluctuation if that makes sense. Have tried it with more than one henerator at the same time - with an empty house though;-)(
I’m so sorry to hear of your pain. For the last year I have been living through hell. I quit my job and didn’t know I could cope. I have tinnitus in both ears and head and both with several noises.
The depression it brings makes it worse so I decided to take antidepressants which helped me cope.
I urge you to visit this website Tinnituseprogam.org.
I never believed this would work but with remote on line therapy from Debbie I am a different person but the change has been gradual. Breathing excerises and cbt have played a major part and I am amazed at the result . Your situation sounds horrible and my tinnitus has been very loud and many a months I could see no future .
A lot of people on this site will say there is no cure or hope but i believe you are the key and you can train your mind to calm a down once you understand how tinnnitus works !
I hope you find so reduction in noise which I am now experiencing but I still have some way to go . Like you I am married with a 12 year old daughter and. They don’t really get it but they do support me .
Please do look at the link , it has changed my life
Hi there. I have not habituated yet but making good progress towards getting better. It’s been almost a year since the new onset tinnitus and it’s been a rough ride but I now get good days but also bad ones. . I would strongly recommend you visit the E Tinnitus Programme which only requires a smalll donation/ payment which entitles you to self help and therapy assisted help which I am currently undergoing.
It is my understanding that what ever the course of tinnitus you need to understand how the brain and your sub conscious work and the need to help the body’s relax!
Breathing excellent form part of my daily self management which I belive is key so I encourage you to visit the e programme and BTA site .
I habituated twice to my long standing left ear tinnitus so it can be done and I rarely would hear it and I classed myself as not having tinnitus. Unfortunately I believe stress was the trigger for my new tinnitus which was awful but now getting under control .
I use sound therapy a lot but I also have hearing aids that play fracutral zen tones as well as helpin my low frequency hearing loss . Not cheap but I believe they are helping me retrain my braain as they are claiming . These are Widex Zen hearing aids
Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum afm2. 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:
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Siren tinnitus changing sounds 24/7
Tinnitus being made worse by chemotherapy 
Tinnitus getting worse 
Echo in head and Tinnitus/Hyperacusis
My brief Tinnitus story
