Still spiking

[catman68]

Having horrendous spikes every day, they can last ages, really don’t know what to do, they just start for no reason at all, I normally wear hearing aids but they don’t seem to help. I just wish there was something that would turn it off.

Catman68

[SB7516]

Hi Catman, I hear you. Not sure what to say except I feel your pain. We are all here to support you as fellow suffers. Stay strong!

[Happyrosie]

And, catman68, so do we all! Want to turn it off I mean! The Big T seems to be a fairly common problem and because there’s no cure some GPs can be a little dismissive. But it’s YOUR body.You just have to hope that your brain habituates to this, as it will, sooner rather than later.

You’re not alone.

[catman68]

Thanks for the support, been round the block a couple of times GP, audiologist etc went to a private clinic. I hope habituation is true and not a myth.

[Julia1jasper in reply to catman68]

Hi cayman68. Sorry to know this is getting you down and you are not alone but it sometimes don’t male it any easier. I consider self lucky in some ways as have had hearing loss and what I now know is tinnitus all life and like self have spikes. This is usually if stressed or unwell with a cold or flu etc. I can imagine that if didn’t always have tinnitus it must be really distressing to realise its possibly a permanent thing. It’s good to share stuff and from what can gather Habituation happens for most over varying amounts of time. Mines pretty loud and when a kid thought everyone had this noise and was why I couldn’t hear what people said properly cos mine was a bit louder. When eventually found out what was and fact had significant hearing loss it irritated hell out me for good year or so as had struggled so much in school. Somehow never had hearing tested. Once that was over it’s ok again and don’t really notice unless concentrate on it. When I get a bad spike I do notice and keep busy or do something I enjoy as sometimes if bit below par or stressed it’s like a fire alarm and occasionally like am completely deaf. It always passes and returns to normal. Even tho there all life I suppose I did go through the habituation that’s often mentioned as I was really put out when realised not everyone had it. Many do though and it’s good to talk and share and British tinnitus society have so much information and advice. After boyfriend forced me go for hearing test I’ve had aids for maybe 10 or so years. We all different but at first would only use occasionally but told needed to as it be more difficult to process sound using them if in later life things changed. However I sometimes feel that if use for most of the day it’s like the t gets so loud it’s harder work to make out what’s been said. I think maybe partly imagination but I know that being able hear more external sound makes it less noticeable so then feels twice as loud if turn down volume or take out. Sorry long winded but have faith that over time this habituation will happen and, tho not easy, try do something you enjoy or one those jobs you’ve been putting off. It diverts your attention away from it amd also the amount of time worrying. I can only say what I know but for sure keep faith and stay strong, J 😻

[catman68 in reply to Julia1jasper]

Hi J

Thanks for your words of support, it would appear that you have had T for some considerable time, have you managed to habituate? If so how long was it for you.

Keep strong

Catman68

[daverussell]

There is plenty of strong evidence that the brain does habituate. I have found Sound Therapy and, I suppose, Mindfulness a perfect effective combination.

I have Tinnitus 24/7 and hear it above everything, even in the engineering workshop at college where I work. Luckily I am able to turn my focus away from it, though not perfectly.

My Tinnitus is due to mild hearing loss. Like yourself I have hearing aids. They mask it, but only ever so slightly I'm not sure I get that much benefit from it. However, as I also have hyperacusis so they pick up more loud noises that cause me annoyance. Yet, they have three settings which I can adjust to my environment: it took several visits, but the audiologist programmed the first two, and the third setting I use is "off".

Otherwise, I practice sound therapy, using the Beltone Tinnitus App. This helps me relax at night and during quiet times. Though, nowadays, I don't always rely on it. When I wake early in be morning I don't even entertain too much of a fight with Tinnitus. I put on the sound therapy app and read (and/or often post on here). In fact, I find waking early is a positive, as I have several hours to relax and I do things I enjoy that I never did before. A first step towards mindfulness.

Also I was referred to an audiologist, after my ENT appointment, who went through my results to explain. I found understanding tinnitus and my tinnitus helped tremendously. A second step for in mindfulness.

Unfortunately, it takes time to adjust and the quicker you can start to accept, using methods to get rid of anxiety and stress, the quicker you'll improve your quality of life. There maybe other options you need to add to your tool bag such as CBT.

I may make this sound like I've had an easy journey. Not at all! I still have my moments.

Check the following links...

*Sound Therapy*

tinnitus.org.uk/Pages/Categ...

*Mindfulness*

tinnitus.org.uk/mindfulness...

[Joeb17]

I feel for you mine is 24/7 in both ears I find I can’t control it as just as my brain stats to block it out .it spikes and them I’m back to square one.I posted on hear and said I have had it for about 6 years but had a letter from my doctor for my benefits that stated my health problems and was surprised that I was diagnosed with server tinnitus in 2008 I can’t believe it’s been that long with out any silence.I have had a tee shirt made to help people understand what tinnitus is and how it affects people on the tee shirt it says tinnitus sufferers ask what silence is.we all have to be strong I know it’s hard but we must try to beat this devil noise.stay safe be strong talk to family and friends let them know what your going through.they say we will soon get a cure for covid so let’s hope they will soon find a cure for tinnitus John

[Lynne-H]

Yes in 2014 when I first developed tinnitus I felt just just like you do now - the thought of living with this for the rest of my life !!

A friend who also had tinnitus told me that accepting it was the only way I would get any better - and he was right - acceptance is the key.

Stay strong.

Lynne

[bantams]

Hi catman68, I have had Tinnitus for about 9 months and now just about accepting it, that it does not bother me that much, I know how you feel as they were times when I thought no way can I live with this, but slowly it as got more acceptable as I know there is no cure.Keep trying, All the best Alan

[catman68]

Thank you everyone for your support, had tinnitus for about 3 years now, but these last 6 months have been very testing. I find it difficult to accept as it is the constant companion I do not want. It would appear that accepting it might be a way forward not sure how I will achieve it, but I shall try. I hope at some point in the future a cure is found for this debilitating condition.

Thanks again Catman68

[Lynne-H]

Hi again catman,

What I did and I know it sounds ridiculous - I used to keep telling myself that I liked this noise - that I didn`t mind it. I also joined a local support group, had counselling with an NHS hearing therapist and also read lots of tinnitus success stories. I became a member of the BTA and they send out a magazine (Quiet Magazine) three times a year - always success stories in there.

My noises are pulsating, humming and hissing/buzzing and I`ve recently acquired another - musical tinnitus. Irritating but I know from experience that eventually I will be able to live with it.

I hope you can eventually come to terms with yours too.

Lynne

[Julia1jasper in reply to Lynne-H]

Hi there Lynne. Just wanted say I really like your comment about learning to like the tinnitus I’ve had all life but was only as young adult when finally diagnosed with hearing loss I discovered that not everyone had the noise I now know as tinnitus. It started to annoy me but now I just accept as part of me and totally accept it. So much so I don’t really take much notice most of the time even when having an off day. Thanks and am sure be of help to others 😻

[Lynne-H in reply to Julia1jasper]

Thank you Julia for your kind comments. I think when things are tough it may take a while but we do eventually find a way through it.

I`m so pleased to hear that you have come to accept your tinnitus. I have too really even though I have recently acquired musical tinnitus. I`m using all the methods I used previously and I know I will be ok.

Take care.

Lynne xx

[Julia1jasper in reply to Lynne-H]

Hi Lynne. I think it’s so good to make positive comments because I can understand how scary it can be and especially when things are are bit worse for varying reasons. Just sharing like this, I hope, gives others encouragement because if having one those days it seems like there a fire alarm going and unbearable but just with experience I know it don’t ever stay the same. With that then I feel less stressed and take less notice but realise that takes time but just reassurance is really useful instead of putting out how negative it can be. It shouldn't negative because there are so many other aspects to life we can all concentrate on. Very refreshing to see positive post 😻X

[Lynne-H in reply to Julia1jasper]

Yes I know what you mean - six years ago when I first developed tinnitus and I was in a big black hole one of the things that kept me going was reading success stories in the BTA Quiet Magazine. When I felt down I would read them over and over again.

They gave me hope that things would eventually get better and eventually they did. Knowing that it is possible to come to terms with this condition is so important.

Lynne xx

[Julia1jasper in reply to Lynne-H]

Hello again Lynne. I can’t imagine being diagnosed with tinnitus having never had so in some ways I feel lucky I didn’t have the trauma. Just the realisation of what this noise was caused me some stress initially. I hope you stay positive and always keep in mind that it is only a part of you and living with it will certainly get easier. I get some days when it gets more than a bit intrusive but over time am able to divert my mind away from it. Just keep your faith as am sure with time and a certain degree of acceptance it will get easier. The acceptance is the big hurdle and with that we can enjoy life more and somehow it becomes less annoying. For me it was only when I was made aware of what it was that it really cheesed me off but now it’s just something that’s there but doesn’t hinder life in any way. I can see that others use different things to get the mind from focussing on it. Just an example for me if having an off one at bed time I put the tv on for a while or get into a novel and usually wake up with pages of the book stuck to my face. I was in a bit of dilemma as earlier this year took up violin again as havnt played for years. I do have hearing aids and concerned it make things worse but then nothing’s changed since as far as remember so am forging ahead and don’t use aids whilst practising and it’s not made any difference to hearing or tinnitus. This was leap of faith for me so am happy my concerns are diminishing and reinforces faith that this thing shouldn’t get in way of doing what I want and particularly with all the Covid restrictions as it’s helped with boredom. Just about being sensible so I hope that eventually you are able to feel less uneasy with this and reading about people’s positive journeys is so useful as it’s all too easy when we feel alone to give it too much attention. If had a million I’d put it on that things will for sure get easier and also Your positive attitude will help others. Beat wishes J xx😻👻

[Lynne-H in reply to Julia1jasper]

Yes Julia

I know from my previous encounter with tinnitus that acceptance is the key and that I will eventually come to terms with my new noise. I`ve been laughing with my husband this morning because I hear this music - mostly Christmas Carols !! and I`m singing along with them - once Christmas is over I think we both might be sick of Christmas Carols he he !!

You too stay positive and keep on doing the things you enjoy. Lovely to talk to you.

Lynne xx