Tinnitus

[Lemonade2020]

Hello Everyone I’ve had Tinnitus almost 2 yrs now. Loud exposure. My sounds are high pitched everyday 24/7. What I’m so confused about is what is a spike? I wouldn’t know if I had one because I hear loud hissing sounds all the time. Please someone explain this to me. Thank you

[rabbits65]

Good morning . Well basically a spike is just referring to the fact that the tinnitus has got worse and possibly to an intolerable coping level. Usually most spikes will hopefully settle back down again . Everyone is different too. Whatever happens just keep calm and you will cope better .

[Lemonade2020 in reply to rabbits65]

You explained it very simple. Thank you

[Happyrosie]

A spike is where the sound you are hearing in your ears gets louder, or changes to a different sound, then goes back to what it was before.

In my case this is a screech that lasts about a minute, but it could be a buzz or something different and last for hours or days or weeks. It might be caused by something or it might not.

[Lemonade2020 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you

[purenostalgia]

Hi Lemonade

Like you my high pitched Tinnitus does not seem to vary in volume and is pretty constant, I think it is the situation and location that makes it less noticeable sometimes.

My Audiologist says it will reduce in volume with time, I am clinging to that.

Take Care

Mike

[farmerwife85 in reply to purenostalgia]

It will, I’ve had T for nearly 3 years, and it is nowhere near as loud as it was when it first started. Still sounds like I have a hoover in my head but like you said, spending where I am I stop noticing it

[SixtySix]

Hi L2020, my experience is that when I am alone and have nothing else to distract me the noise is loudest. The worst time is when I wake which is normally about 5am and I can’t get back to sleep because it’s sooooo very loud. I’ve just started CBT and am going to explore getting hearing aids as I am, a year on, getting very tired with the noise.

[doglover1973 in reply to SixtySix]

Hi SixtySix I found CBT very helpful. It was only a short course but it reset the way I think about life in general and T in particular. Hope you find it useful too.

[1966366]

Hiya, a "spike" is when your T becomes more 'bothersome' than normal; mainly because the volume of it exceeds what it is normally like every day. Yesterday I had a ENT appointment and the same was mentioned upon, in that my T is constantly crazy 24/7 whereas earlier patients had informed the doctor that theirs differed from day to day. Hopefully this will help you? All the best

[Mags1417]

Hi LemonadeI’ve had a couple of spikes since my main sound high frequency tone appeared in July. For me spikes are an increase in the volume of my sound - like it was when it first appeared. It was very loud and the spikes are very loud. Both times it has then settled after a while. Last one was over period of 2 weeks. So now my sound is still there 24/7 and I can hear over everything but it just does not seem as intrusive. I have other sounds that I hear when it is quiet or at night. Each time one has appeared I have had to adjust to hearing a new sound. They can vary as to how intrusive they are but not to the level of my main sound when that has spiked. I can still experience loud volume when I wake at night as well. Today was the quietest morning I have had in a while! But tomorrow? Who knows!

Take care