Loud high pitched sound

[karl180]

I was diagnosed with Tinnitus in October as a result of slight hearing loss in both ears. The noice was irritating but not that loud so was coping fine. Was working nights last week using noisy equipment which must have triggered something because now its so loud nothing can mask it and im struggling to sleep. Over the weekend it was so bad I was concidering alsorts to make it stop. I know there are other people with this how can I cope and is there any help

[Annie07]

Hi Karl180,

Whilst I’m no medical expert but I suspect that the loud noise exposure probably made your tinnitus even more bothersome. I’ve had tinnitus for five years now, the last three I became habituated to it (I almost forgot I even had it tbh) However a couple weeks ago I had a relapse, I’m not exactly sure why (perhaps to lockdown). The first week was tough when I had the relapse (anxiety attacks, not being able to sleep) but now I’m in a much better state and I’m working through it. The things that is successfully working for me is not viewing the tinnitus as a threat or reacting to it so negatively. I find the more negatively i perceive the tinnitus, the more negative an effect it has on me where I get stuck in a vicious circle (anxiety making the tinnitus worse, and the tinnitus worsening causing me more anxiety). I know it’s not easy to break out of that but it’s been helping me keep sane. It helps me to ignore the tinnitus and focus on other things. At night time I play white noise to distract from the tinnitus, I also practice breathing exercises which helps. The mind is a complex thing, the more I fixate on tinnitus, the worse it seems to me. I really hope your situation improves for you, wishing you all the best!

[karl180 in reply to Annie07]

Annie

Many thanks I am trying not to focus on the noise and trying to keep myself busy but really finding sleeping difficult. All my appointments for treatment ie maybe fitting of hearing aids have been put on hold at the moment due to the current situation. Someone has suggested downloading an app on my phone to try and retrain my ears stimulated by other noises so will try that. The noise is so intrusive and loud at the moment so finding concentration quite hard. Hopefully it will ease soon

Regards Karl

[T-shirts]

Hi Karl,

Sorry you have Tinnitus that has gone much louder, I know how horrible it is, I have it too, but you have to retrain your hearing, try using an app off your phone so you brain is concentrating on another sound, one you like, then do this a night too, as your stressed this makes it go up, these times not helping, do exercises early evening, have you been to your Doctor, sorry I can see you have, hearing aids will help you, as hearing loss, ask for hearing aids, they have helped me alot, also watch what you're eating, as certain foods can make it louder, and drinks, Google them, as everyone different, it's hard in the beggining, but wishing you much better with it soon, keep away from loud noise if you can, I hope this helps you some, best wishes

Anne

[karl180 in reply to T-shirts]

Anne

Many thanks. I have been referred by my GP for hearing therapy and that will include looking at hearing aids but due to the current situation that has been postponed. I have told my employer and am going to get a telephone appointment with occupational health. In the mean time I'm finding it difficult to sleep because the noise im hearing is so loud and intrusive. I will look into downloading an app at the moment I will try anything its very hard to cope with this at the moment hopefully it will ease as I get used to it

Regards Karl

[T-shirts in reply to karl180]

Hi Karl,

I had hearing therapist for a long while, she helped me so much, years really, but she gave me white noise Maskers, they help at night, use it on an app if you can, it will help you sleep, if you get maskers, use them as long as you can, they should help, but look into hearing aids, they have me greatly, best of luck,

Anne

[karl180 in reply to T-shirts]

Anne

Thanks will try masking the noise with what I can find online or in an app. Hopefully earing aids might help although didn’t think I’d be needing them when I hit 40 lol but needs must. I will literally try anything to stop this horrible noise . It’s surprising how many people suffer with this at all ages just hope I can cope with it and it doesn’t drive me insane

Thanks again for your help

Karl

[T-shirts in reply to karl180]

Oh you're welcome Karl, I hope you can get some help with it, hearing are good though, Maskers with white noise on also good for me, the hearing aids small now, but yes I get what you mean, I'm 60, and I thought I was too young, lol, but give em a try if you can, it takes about 2 or more months for your brain to get used to them, but I've had some really good days, good luck to you Karl, take care,

Anne