Tinnitus getting worse

[bantams]

Hi all, I am a fairly new sufferer of Tinnitus, about 9 months, which my GP said was due to my age (68). Was due a appointment at Calderdale ENT in May which was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, now waiting for a new appointment. In the last week though my Tinnitus as got really bad, constant high pitched ringing noise and cannot seem to stop hearing it anymore, before I could take my mind off it by keeping busy (DIY), going out walking and watching TV, now doing all these things does not take my mind off the Tinnitus. I have now started to listen to music with earphones to mask my Tinnitus which works but as soon as I stop, the Tinnitus is back. Will listening to music with earphones make my Tinnitus worse, Thanks Alan.

[romford5]

Hello Alan

Sorry to hear about your Tinnitus, when you first get Tinnitus it’s always bad how we get Tinnitus has many different reasons I got mine from flu then I had a wax problem ear infection then this terrible noise started which went on sometime to cut a long story short I had Tinnitus that was 12 years there’s no set reason for getting tinnitus but I should suggest give the head phones a rest for the time being young people get tinnitus from listening to loud music from headphones. What you are doing with working getting on with things is good the idea is to push the tinnitus into the background so your brain starts to lose interest it takes time but you will get there.

I find my tinnitus is worse at night a quiet room is bad for tinnitus all you are doing is listening to the noise which always seems louder so I have a fan on or sometimes I have app on my tablet which gives you different choices if you use this have what you are listening just below the tinnitus noise so your brain hibernates to that lever it helps to push the tinnitus into the background

Alan there’s no easy solutions to tinnitus I still have some bad days but many better I know what you are going through it’s hard stick with it fight It I call it the beast on my back if it’s making you feel stressed or depressed which it can when the Doctors reopen he might give you something to help

Hope you don’t wait to long to get an appointment as for your GP saying its age related there’s a lot of people on here, they would say different

Best wishes

Marcus (age 64)

[bantams in reply to romford5]

Hi Marcus, Thanks for your reply, it`s just that at the moment I can`t seem to take my mind off the ringing noise in my head and it seem`s to be getting louder what ever I try to do to take my mind off it, but as you say most people have bad spells, will just hope mine does not last long.

Cheers Alan

[Nicola129]

Hi Alan, i dont think its to do with your age. I'm only 32 and mine is getting worse. I am also in the same situation as yourself. I was due a hearing test beginning of April and then it got cancelled. So I have no idea when to expect the investigations to continue. I have been told that as mine is in both ears it might be that I am going deaf. I did mention to the doctor that I am struggling to hear people. This may mean i need hearing aids but i dont know if it will eliminate the ringing. I didn't realise how bad the deafness was getting until I took my dog to the vets and the vet had a face mask on. As I couldn't see her mouth, I really struggled to hear what she was saying my ringing is getting so loud I can hear it all the time too. I always hear it. No matter what I'm doing. I also wouldn't carry on with the head phones. Probably not going to help.

I did read that tinnitus or a loud ringing can be an effect of going deaf. You struggle to hear so your brain replaces what you should be hearing with what it thinks you would hear. Unfortunately this results in a ringing noise.

I hope you find comfort soon and that we can have our investigations continued. I need it to be soon because I'm really struggling and it's getting worse quite rapidly.

I don't know if any of what I said helped, but you're not alone.

All the best x

[bantams in reply to Nicola129]

Hi Nicola, Thanks for your reply, not used my earphones for the last few days but this as made no impact on the constant ringing. I have now made a appointment at my local Specsavers for a hearing test, this is on Wednesday but is just a phone call from them to discuss my problems before seeing them for a hearing test. Also now that lockdown is easing thinking about trying to make a appointment with a private ENT clinic, as I think it could be a long time before I will get a NHS appointment soon.

Alan

[Nicola129 in reply to bantams]

Hi Alan,

Not using your earphones is to make sure that you don't make the tinnitus worse..So that fact it's not changed is good.

My appointment was supposed to be the 4th April. I had a phone appointment. They ask all 're questions that they would do at the appointment. This is so they can get you in and out quicker once you're there. Still waiting for my new appointment to come through. I have considered going private although money is tight at the moment so I probably can't afford it. I just keep hoping my letter comes soon because it's just really getting me down now.

Nicola

[bantams in reply to Nicola129]

Hi Nicola,

Yesterday I went to Specsavers for a hearing test and they told me I have moderate hearing loss which could be causing my Tinnitus, and they told me hearing aids would help with my Tinnitus. So went for it and have bought some, quite expensive at £1695 but if it helps worth it, also they give you 90 days money refund if not happy with them. Get them next week so hopefully my Tinnitus will improve

[bantams in reply to bantams]

Hi Nicola, just a update on my T, 2 weeks ago I had NHS hearing test done at Calderdale Royal Hospital and was told I have slight hearing loss, I have now a telephone appointment 9th September with a ENT doctor. Regarding my Specsavers hearing aids, they did not help with my T, in fact they made me focus more on my T, so I have now returned them and to be fair to Specsavers there was no problems and gave me a full refund.

[Chall11 in reply to bantams]

Hi Alan I am also in Calderdale and I saw Mr Charlett privately at the spire hospital in Elland. I have tinnitus on both sides with no hearing loss whatsoever.

I would recommend him as he was thorough and I then went on to the tinnitus clinic in Leeds to be seen by Steve Douglas the audiology there.

[Pollyanna65]

Hi Alan

I am your age, and have noticed my Tinnitus is much louder recently. Having investigated this problem and understanding it is in the Brain, I wonder if there is an over activity Brain function like Anxiety, or depression that makes it change?

If you can get UTube, look at all the Tinnitus advice, and exercises you can perform on your head and ears, also the various noises that help to alleviate it.

I have found it very useful, and because the noise is debilitating, I get tense, and need to relax, so this helps me. Good luck, it's a b*****y nuisance, but we have to live with it.