My Tinnitus

[Decolady56]

Hello, I have just joined the group. My tinnitus is a constant ‘ hissing ‘ noise in my ears. It has just recently got worse. I am very stressed at the moment, but also my partners dog has a very loud ‘ bark ‘ and I believe she started my tinnitus off in the first place 4 yrs ago. I am going to have a MRI scan this Sunday and I am very nervous about it and not looking forward to it at all. I have never been offered any treatment for tinnitus from my GP.

[Keoni]

Hi, Decolady56,

I, too, was nervous about having an MRI scan although I was probably more worried about the result than the process. Weighing the two, I decided to count the procedure as just another one of life's experiences.

It's likely they'll just scan your head which will probably take 15 - 20 minutes. You'll lie down on a narrow bed with your head in a kind of frame. Periscope type mirrors will give you a view of the control room. They'll probably play some music to cover the clanking and whirring of the machinery. You'll be given a panic button so that you can stop the process at any time - although a few moments of discomfort is a small price to pay for what may turn out to be a positive result. My audiologist said there's usually a 70% all-clear rate with MRI scans.

I hope it all goes well for you and you get the answers you're hoping for. If you know of someone else about to go for a scan you might be able to reassure them as I've tried to do here.

Respectfully submitted,

Keoni

[Decolady56 in reply to Keoni]

Hi Keoni, that has helped put my mind at rest. I hope it is just a head scan like yours. 👍

[HissingSid]

Hi I call myself Hissing Sid here named after my hissing sounds from tinnitus. I’ve not had an MEI scan so I can’t relate to that side of your immediate problems. However you mention your partner’s dog barking and with tinnitus any repetitive sounds like that can set off a tinnitus spike period. Perhaps a pet counsellor may help if the dog can be calmed down from barking repetitively. You also mention your GP hasn’t offered any treatment so far. I think you need a referral to see an audiologist at your local hospital as they can give you a full hearing test and if necessary provide you with hearing aids with masking sounds fitted to distract you from tinnitus hissing sounds. You may also try using sounds at night found on apps “Sound Oasis” and “Chillax”. If you can then also go out walking with your partner’s dog as being outdoors among other natural sounds can help to distract you from constant hissing sounds. Once you get into a routine of doing things regularly like that then you start to kick your tinnitus into the background. Like me, you may never get rid of the constant hissing but hopefully your spike periods will become less frequently over time. Good luck! Joe

[Decolady56 in reply to HissingSid]

Hi joe, thanks for the lovely message. I will wait for the results of the MRI scan which will be sent to my GP. This “ hissing “ tinnitus is really getting me down. As for my partners dog, I just don’t know what to about her. She doesn’t bark all the time, but when she does it’s loud.

[Freddy17]

There's nothing to worry about it. I'll take a few minutes and you'll be in and out. You got to relax.

[Decolady56 in reply to Freddy17]

Thank you Freddy. 😊

[NicBTA Partner]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum Decolady56. I'm sorry I wasn't around to say hello sooner, but I've been on holiday. I hope your MRI scan went well.

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:

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)