In ear sound generators: good or bad

[_Barnabas]

Hi everyone

I have an audiology appointment next month and the option of in ear sound generators (maskers) is on the cards. I am really uncertain about going down this route. Will it delay habituation or in fact help the process along? Is learning to live with and accept the noise using relaxation exercises a better option? I have habituated before but my current spike is so high pitched and loud that I hear it above nearly everything.

Not sure which way to go. Any reflections from personal experience would be welcome.

[doglover1973]

Hi Barnabas. I'm looking forward to trying maskers - when I get to audiology - but I can see your dilemna. Can you take the maskers home and try them out? I'm guessing you might know within a week or so whether they're helpful. All the best when you go.

[_Barnabas in reply to doglover1973]

Thanks. Will let you know how I get on. Recently the tinnitus has triggered a lot of panic and anxiety and felt too much to cope with. At times like these maskers seem a good option.

[doglover1973 in reply to _Barnabas]

Tinnitus can so easily do that. I imagine maskers are good for taking the edge off T. and so reducing the panic / anxiety response. I'd really like to know how you get on.

[Louie04]

Hello Barnabas

Tell about your anxiety as I really suffer from this in my short 12 week period lost so much weight sick every morning at prospect of another day with T

Stress worry has got me 😢

[_Barnabas in reply to Louie04]

Hi Louise

So sorry to hear about your anxiety. If you have not already gone please go and see your doctor and ask for help.

I have experienced bouts of anxiety and depression for over 20 years. I have gone through two serious bouts since developing Tinnitus just over twelve months ago. I think the trigger is the negative thinking: “how can I live with this? My life is over etc” I try hard to counter balance this with the hope of habituation which I have experienced and so know is achievable. The problem is the spikes which seem to set you back to the beginning. When things have been really tough I have phoned the Samaritans and talked things through with them. Articulating how you feel I find really helpful in gaining perspective. Following a phone call to the BTA I embarked upon a Tinnitus CBT course which was very helpful. The relaxation and deep breathing excersises are essential. I am also on anti depressants and try to get outside as much as I can even when I don’t feel like it.

Overall I would say there is always hope. What we feel now may not be how we feel in the future. I tell myself that this is an episode that will pass and I will learn to cope with the T in the long run. I’m also a Catholic so pray a lot which is very helpful too.

[Happyrosie in reply to _Barnabas]

Thank you Barnsbas for mentioning prayer- which I find helps me. But I’ve been cautious about mentioning this myself.

[doglover1973 in reply to Louie04]

This is totally normal. I went thru a very bleak time. I couldn't even walk the dog. You'll eventually come out the other side. Hard to believe I know. I pray too.

[Eleanor1989 in reply to doglover1973]

I also pray x

[Yogachamp]

Hi. I really feel for you & you are not alone remember that. The worst thing is T feeds on stress & anxiety trust me I have also been in your dark place as also have a cancer diagnosis to deal with as well as T doctors tell me the T is because of the stress with my cancer but I don’t strictly believe that as the T came first so I think the T is my brain telling me I have a problem In my body . I realise now the only way to live with T is to calm your nervous system & that way I feel it becomes more easy to adjust to. I also drink gallons of water to stay hydrated. For me the anxiety pills made me worse try reading Rock Steady by Joey Reminyi it won’t help everyone but it helps you to think more about your body & the brain x. I am waiting for more test results before my tumor can be removed so I’m obviously anxious but have to try keep calm as I can to control the T . For me I’m trying the habitation route as my sister has lived a normal life with T for 20 years & she says it took her a good few months to habituate but nowadays when she listens for it it’s there & then she can switch off . We all have our own coping strategies & I am lucky to have family & friends support as I know I’m much worse when I have to spend the day alone with only my thoughts for company. When I got in bed last night the ringing bells in my brain were full blast as when I take my hearing aids out they often do that but I was exhausted so took a few deep breaths & fell asleep . I pray for all of us On here that one day there will be a cure but until then it’s down to you . Don’t let T ruin your life . Sorry I do go on sometimes 😀

[Happyrosie in reply to Yogachamp]

Yoga champ your posts are (usually) inspiring

[Eleanor1989]

Hello,barnabas,

I’m also getting my maskers from audiology on Monday x

[_Barnabas in reply to Eleanor1989]

Hi Eleanor

Please let us know how you get on.

[Eleanor1989 in reply to _Barnabas]

Of course I shall, I’ve had tinnitus 26 years but had habituated….It started again recently like you about two months ago 4 weeks after my operation….

Try watching Anne macnab on utube and her experience on tinnitus x

Also Julian Cowan hill,,,,

Theses may help you x

[Lizbeth54]

Hi Barnabas,I have been using sound generators for a few years now. I have found them very useful.

The Audiologist set the generators to the pitch I needed. I have the sound of soft waves, which is quite relaxing. You would be able to turn the sound up or down depending on the T sound you have, but it is advised not to have the sound louder than your T. The generators are comfortable to wear too. My T is definitely worse when I am stressed or anxious. I have habituated whilst wearing my generators and don't need to use them all the time now. I was told to only wear them for up to eight hours during the day.

I also meditate and do breathing exercises each morning. This I find helpful.

Your audiologist will be able to advise you on the sound generators. I feel lucky that I had this help.

I hope you get all the help you need.

Marian

[SimToTheWorld]

Barnabas, I would love to hear about your experience. I am seriously considering the ones behind the ear. I'm not sure I would like the ones that go in the ear. I hope you can try them before you buy it. They are very expensive.

[Lanzarotelover]

Hi Barnabas I have been using a sound generator hearing aid in my left ear for a couple of months I find it helpful when tinnitus is bad seems to calm it down

[Eleanor1989]

Hello barnabas,Went to audiology but unfortunately they had ordered the wrong maskers….

So will let you know x

[_Barnabas in reply to Eleanor1989]

Oh that is disappointing. Hopefully you won’t have long to wait.

[Eleanor1989]

Hope so, My ears are also a bit sensitive to noise x

[Eleanor1989]

Are your ears sensitive x

[_Barnabas in reply to Eleanor1989]

Sometimes. It’s interesting as it comes and goes. I think car noise in particular really upsets my ears and aggravates the Tinnitus

[Eleanor1989 in reply to _Barnabas]

I’ve been wearing my plugs….Especially in noisy traffic, seagulls where I live…. And I had to put my plugs in at work because voices were irritating me x

I’m so worried about this

[Eleanor1989]

How long have you had your spike

[Eleanor1989]

How long have you had your spike

[_Barnabas in reply to Eleanor1989]

About three weeks now. Anxiety has settled done but the T is still louder than normal.

[_Barnabas in reply to Eleanor1989]

How are you coping?

[Eleanor1989 in reply to _Barnabas]

I’m ok louder in right ear x just glad my surgery is over…..Just hope it will settle soon

[Eleanor1989]

Mines 9 weeks started four weeks after major surgery….

[_Barnabas in reply to Eleanor1989]

It is tough but things seem to be improving slowly. Keep going one day at a time.

[Eleanor1989 in reply to _Barnabas]

Me too x I think I’ve got a bit paranoid about noise making it worse….Looking forward to getting my maskers….

I think a lot of people are sensitive to sound at first

[_Barnabas in reply to Eleanor1989]

I seem to cope well for a time but then the constant buzz suddenly gets to me and I descend in my mental health. Think I’m on the way up at the moment but the last three weeks have been tough.

[Eleanor1989 in reply to _Barnabas]

Me too Some times I’m more aware than others…. And hyper vigilant with noise

[_Barnabas in reply to Eleanor1989]

It’s reassuring to know that many of us are going through the same thing and that we are not alone. Stay strong.

[Eleanor1989 in reply to _Barnabas]

You too I pray that we improve soon

Night night