I only recently joined and have had tinnitus for over forty years.
Loud high pitched screaming noise in my right ear and low pitched humming in my left ear. The cause is from long term exposure (circa 12 years) to industrial noise in excess of 90db prior to retirement 10 years ago. I have learned to accept the T and get on with my life being very careful to keep away from loud noises or wear ear protection when required.
Anyway to recap, over time I found my brain adjusted to the T and became less intrusive.
About a month ago the T in my right ear suddenly for no apparent reason increased in intensity and I am now struggling to cope with it in the short term. I assume its due to to my advancing age.
My way of coping with the T is to look around and think myself lucky observing
and admiring many people getting on with their lives who are far worse off than myself.
Apologies for my ramblings !!!!
Dave
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Dave, thanks for this uplifting post. I, too, have had T for many years - probably fifteen or so - though not caused by anything. I too deal with it by ignoring it as far as is possible.
I’m glad that I live in a beautiful part of the country with family whom I love living not far away, with enough money for my needs. I’m a Christian so I thank God for what I do have. Every day I try to think of three things that went well for me: they can be little things like hearing birds tweet, or a nice meal cooked by my husband instead of me!
There are many posters here whose T started fairly recently, and who are finding it very hard to cope with. You and I can tell them that they will get used to it, but I suspect they find it difficult to believe!
Your post resonates with me - I have suffered with T for 42 years, caused by a serious car accident while living in France. Over the years, I have had recurring setbacks with my coping strategies but try as much as anyone with this unseen condition to live life to the full. As with you, recently the level of sound/pitch has increased for no known reason - high pitched in the right ear, less in the left ear. Bought an Alexa which I have by the side of my bed and have constant white noise on to be able to get to sleep but once I am awake the noise in my head is so bad I have to get up - then insomnia kicks in, goes on and on.....
I live in a beautiful but very quiet part of leafy Berkshire which throughout lockdown has been so good in some ways but not for a T sufferer. I never feel sorry for myself as I know it is something which isn't life threatening but equally as you know, it can make you feel so down and lonely. Have learnt over the years that some of the things I used to like - ie quiet music and reading a book are now impossible but adapt as much as I can.
Earlier this year, I was on this forum so often which helped reassure me that others are in the same position - we can identify with each other.
I hope the level of your noise decreases a little over the next few days.
Morning Dave,, your experience similar to mine, developed T through ear infection in spain as a 20 year old, learned to live with it so much so my brain switched off to it(habituated) 44 years on, completely out of the blue one day BANG and mr T did his worst and the volume went up into outer space, so began a nightmare and journey into the darkest of darkest places no one ever wants to visit. Fortunately with help of very understanding gp and audiologist at local nhs hospital I have got my life back, no easy journey and with the ongoing assistance of BTA I remain in charge of my unwanted lodger!!!!! Best wishes and carry on fighting the fight.
My tinnitus started after a very bad ear infection lasting months some 30 years ago! I suffered such hearing loss at the time, it was during college, that I was having to read lips to understand my professors. No issues with background sounds though. Background sounds were much louder! Finally one day my ears cleared over a few days of crackling sounds in my ears, and I was so excited to hear voices clearly again! However, after that experience I was left with tinnitus. Initially only heard under very quiet circumstances but has progressively gotten louder. I can hear it in all but very loud environments. Most of the time I really don’t think about it much, but I sure wish it would lessen or go away. My hearing is fine but the high pitched whine in both ears mostly affects my ability to hear soft spoken speech.
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