Tinnitus suffers

[Treasures]

Hello my name is Chris, I’m a cat scan Technologist in an Emergency Department. While at work I developed Covid19 in January 2021. The after affect for me s a bad case of maddening tinnitus. I’m desperately seeking some relief from the agonizing condition. I’m 56 years old living in Pennsylvania USA.

[Happyrosie]

Hello Chris. You’ve joined the right place, we all suffer from tinnitus. As do more than ten percent of the population.As you’re from Pennsylvania you won’t be familiar with the British Tinnitus Association. Can I suggest that you find their website and read the very helpful information that’s there.

You’ll find other posts here, too, to give you hope that the T won’t dominate your life for ever.

As you look into the subject you’ll come across advertisements for ‘cures’. The advertisers are only after your money so don’t believe them.

Also, you’ll see the words ‘habituation’. That’s what you need to aim for - just getting used to T. You probably don’t, at the moment, believe that this is possible. It is.

Other posters may give you their take on things too.

[doglover1973]

Hi Chris. Welcome to the forum. Tinnitus is tough - especially in the early weeks / months. In my experience it gets easier to live with over time. This varies from person to person of course. As Rosie says - there's no cure to date and the holy grail is habituation. I'm about half way there. Nothing specific has brought me relief although several things have been helpful. My advice would be - Just take one day at a time.

[rabbits65]

As the others have already posted I might like to add - going for walks in the fresh air helps me a lot, hearing the rustling of the trees etc and birdsong is lovely . This helps with relaxation , relaxing is the key because the more stressed out you get with the tinnitus the more the t likes to feed off this anxiety .

[iraymond]

Hi ChrisI absolutely understand how you must be feeling, I have had tinnitus now for 2 months. Rather than writing a long post here, PM me and I would be happy to talk about my experiences so far. The key here is to try and be positive (yep it is tough, I know!), there is a lot of support and hope out there and I have come to realise that, although tinnitus cannot be cured, there are a lot of folks for whom tinnitus really isn't that bothersome (habituation is one part of this). Getting there is our journey as newbies. One peice of advice though, don't spend time on the internet reading horror stories, there is hope - just focus on the positive advice.

I am currently using a couple of apps on my phone which I find really useful, Tinnibot (free) and oto (subscription fee but does have a free trial).

Ian

[Spurdog1]

Hi Chris, good advice here. Tinnitus feeds on stress and anxiety. This is the hard bit, chill out as much as possible. you need to keep training on that. It'll never go, but you will in time handle it better. Soft music with special headphones, concentration (you realise you have been grafting and "forgotten" your tinnitus). Please just one step at a time. We're on here to help, any time.

[Philip6]

I have severe tinnitus, I hear it all the time above everything, high pitched screaming and low frequency droning which can change in tone all the time. I’ve had T for over 20 years. You learn to live with it, but it’s not easy, I get good days and bad.

[1966366 in reply to Philip6]

I fink I've finally found my twin in this horrible situation! At night the high-pitched noises suddenly subside and I am left with the constant drone of a low frequency. This year it has started to wake me up, usually around 4am - this is if I am able to get to sleep - as like you, I hear my T all the time. Yesterday, for example, I sat down with a friend and had a drink in a beer garden beside a very busy road: he couldn't believe that I am still able to hear the awful din over all the traffic. Best of luck, Philip

[Jdaniel123]

Chris,

I agree with all the other replies. I also got T after having Covid. Never had any issues with it before that. I have had it for a little over a year. Different things work for different people. Personally, for me there is nothing like being outside. When I am inside I try to keep my mind focused on other things. A movie, music or something. And I like to wear some type of Air Pods or something. They really help. Hang in there, things will get better.