A traffic jam in a city in my head day and night.

[daverussell]

I go to bed at 9pm and put on a speaker head band with sleep music or crickets. This helps me fall asleep most of the time within minutes rather than without.

My T wakes me/keeps me awake every night after 4-5 hours sleep without fail. I'm awake for 1-2 hours, and I often get up and read (write this post) or do some work.I sometimes sleep for another 1-2 hours. So, whilst I'm in bed for 6-8 hours, I get maybe 4-5 hours sleep a night. It doesn't feel this is really really poor, but I'm tired in the day.

My hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperacusis has affected me in some form and has been creeping in over several years. My T has been 24/7 for 3 or 4 years now and Hyperacusis is more of a problem in my environment as teacher, even a part-time teacher. Whilst the classroom is noisy, and relatively noisy all the time for me, after my two full days (which is 2 x 6 hours actual teaching) and next day of only 2 hours in the classroom, I get rest days and time to work at home flexibly for admin and lesson planning.

So work and the workload (even as a part-time teacher) is a certainly a contributing to keeping me awake, but short of quitting work again, what can I do? I already changed from office work as I couldn't hear or concentrate in a busy office or office that was too quiet - i also like to be active as possible. Although part-time is financially far from ideal, my boss is very understanding and flexible, so I'm lucky and in a good place as any.

I'm tired and struggle to concentrate during the day (and night), but my T and Hyperacusis doesn't help even when I've had the occasional good night sleep.

I've changed my diet, which is due to a recent diabetes (which is also a contributing factor to my poor sleep/waking up). I'm told I can manage on a good diet, and I'm feeling some benefit. I do 3-4 hours a week in the gym and I've recently taken up running twice a week to train for a 1/2 marathon. I wasn't massively overweight, but i've lost almost 1 stone in 6-8 weeks.

I continue to struggle daily with anxiety in general, despite trying to be positive. My GP has referred me for another ENT appointment. I'm reservedly optimistic at the moment, but not expecting a magic pill or anything at all.

Whilst it's hard to complain with my position and I imagine some of you are envious, it's so aggravating, I sometimes get the urge to poke my ears out with red hot knitting needles. I'm not sure what else I can do. I've read the very helpful book Living with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis by Dr David Baguley et. al, and I've spent many other reading hours trying to understand tinnitus and my tinnitus and other conditions in particular.

I think lack of sleep is the most contributing factor to my symptoms and quality of life with 24/7 tinnitus and hyperacusis. If I could get rid of additional stress of work, maybe I could habituate for once and all. Then again keeping busy does offer some distraction from this constant buzz and noise I cannot switch off from.

[rabbits65]

Thank you for your post and I know you’ve helped and answered us many times on here before with useful ideas. However I think for all of us trying to habituate to tinnitus even when we think we are getting there and making progress we all get our very bad days and weeks. Well done for losing that stone in weight , could it be that reason too why your not sleeping so well. Make sure your not over doing it . I have not been very successful with my slimming world programme as anxiety makes me overeat. I need to lose 2 stone. Only lost 8 lbs in 2 years !!! My tinnitus drives me mad at times , mine is low tones mainly like electrical sounds , a fan oven running constantly etc. . Walking my dogs has been my saviour as I’m retired . Don’t give up your teaching job I’m sure this must be very rewarding . 😊 😊

[daverussell in reply to rabbits65]

Too much crisps, biscuits and beer at home was the biggest factor. Just couldnt have one or two. Starting to feel the benefits of not feeling tired from the Hyperglycemia (just Tinnitus keeping me awake now I hope). Everyone is different, but watching the carbs in other stuff I eat has really worked well. I needed the shock from the diabetes diagnosis, and drive to now keep it under control, or reverse it if I can.

Yes the teaching job is very rewarding. Well I try to remind myself.

Best of luck in your journeys.

[Happyrosie]

Dave, I’m going to change the habit of a lifetime and be nasty to you for two reasons.The first is that four hours sleep without coming to the surface becomes more and more normal as you get older. Just as an example, my husband and I stay awake until about midnight and do most of the “sleep hygiene” stuff you read about. We’d both be ecstatic if we were to wake later than 4 a.m. Up, pee, drink of water, painkiller, May well get another hour of sleep in. Fully awake and up between 7 and 7.30. If we’ve had a lot of exercise (we work in a foodbank warehouse lifting crates of food, or we might have a long walk) we have an afternoon kip. You’re not nearly as old as us but I feel you need to regard four hours uninterrupted sleep as the new normal and something to be cherished. Certainly this was me from age about fifty.

The second is this. You are concentrating on your T. Please, please don’t!

Now I will put on my nice (normal) face. I’m sure you’ve read the BTA’s Take on Tinnitus training module. Next time you feel the urge to read up about tinnitus, please have another go at this instead.

The staff at BTA are very used to helping with all aspects of T so on your non-teaching days, why not give them a ring?

Congratulations on getting your diabetes under control. This diagnosis must have come as a shock to you so no wonder your T became more prominent. That’s what T does, it takes advantage and with the slightest slip, well, there is is.

Be kind to yourself, Dave, and I wish you all the best.

[daverussell in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you :). I appreciate i. Writing the post got most of it out on my system.

[1966366 in reply to Happyrosie]

Lovely post. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great advice and well presented. 👏👏

[doglover1973]

Hello daverussell Thank you for sharing. I think your post perfectly illustrates how challenging T can be . You've taken sensible steps to mitigate it but it's still there & still troublesome. That's my experience too. What else can we do? I'm just starting a second short course of CBT . Very well done on the weight loss & I hope your sleep improves very soon.

[Hylda2]

I know how you feel. I have tinnitus in my left ear and pulsatile tinnitus. I go to bed at 10pm every night and sleep until 3 when my husband gets up for the loo. That’s it, I’m awake and can’t get back to sleep. I go and sit in a chair in the lounge and this seems to help to bring my pulsatile tinnitus under control and I can often snatch a couple of hours there.

[Hylda2 in reply to Hylda2]

Forgot to say saw ENT consultant Friday off for a CT scan of my head and new hearing aids. 🤸🏻‍♂️🤸🏻‍♂️

[Hidden in reply to Hylda2]

Hi Hylda2I also have T in my left ear only and I am also able to stop the noise for extended periods of time when I want to. I have had it for about 4 months and it would be useful to me to share notes with you on how you manage it. Are you interested?

Thanks

Marcus

[Hylda2 in reply to Hidden]

Have pm’d you Di

[Beesmac]

Hi Dave - have you thought of going to bed a little later. I know if I go to bed at around 9 and manage to get to sleep quickly that after about 4 hours I am awake for a good couple of hours with my tinnitus pounding away (I have musical tinnitus plus other noises). I do get back to sleep for a time but wake very early so usually read and sometimes nod off again. The clocks going back doesn’t help me as my ‘body clock’ can’t seem to adjust. The point I am trying to make is I think we are all different in our needs when it comes to sleep (with or without tinnitus). I am certainly better during the summer months. The worst part is looking at the clock and thinking other people are probably tucked up peacefully sleeping when in reality they probably aren’t.

I feel sure that at some point we have all wanted poke something into our ears to release ‘the demon’. I know I have - this time last year I was terribly depressed about all that was happening . Stick with your tablets as I’m sure they will help and please don’t give up on your teaching - although I do know that can be exhausting (our son taught for many years) it does keep your mind focused.

That is an incredible weight loss so well done and I’m sure most people will agree with your dieting and fitness regime you will surely feel the benefits all round. Let us know how you get on with the half marathon.

Finally I read an article about Bill Oddie who has musical tinnitus and like myself has lost the ability to hear higher tones. I cannot listen to the music I love as it all now sounds flat and distorted. Bill Oddie has lost the ability to hear some of the birdsong which of course is his love in life. It made me laugh though as when he gets really fed up he tells his tinnitus to ‘shut up’ - I do too and who knows, one day perhaps it will! Ever hopeful. xx

[notdodgy in reply to Beesmac]

I have slight hearing loss at higher frequencies.

Bought some headphones which come with equalisation, so I can adjust them to suit my ears better.

(Soundcore Q30/Q35 and some in ear ones have this feature in their app).

[Beesmac in reply to notdodgy]

Thank you for that information - I’ll have a look into that. I do miss listening to music. The weird thing is if I can see the lyrics I can identify with the song better. An audiologist explained that all my favourite music is still in my brain and the more I listen to a song then it will come back. If we are in the car with the radio on I get snatches of a song I think I should know and ask my husband what it is. They still don’t sound like the original artist to me though which is very frustrating. Thank you again for responding x

[notdodgy in reply to Beesmac]

You should be able to return them if they don't work for you.

(Buy from a place with a good returns policy).

I initially rented a pair of nuraphones which sounded amazing, but they grew uncomfortable.

[doglover1973 in reply to Beesmac]

Hi Beesmac I know the feeling .. Wide awake when the rest of the world is sleeping. Except the milkman who delivers at 5am 🙂 I'm interested to read that you sleep better in BST . So do I. Always have done but even more so now I've got T . It must be a body clock thing - as you say. Only 7 weeks to go!

[Beesmac in reply to doglover1973]

Hello - I always say I could hibernate during winter - a couple of weeks ago I had a meltdown. My tinnitus was dreadful and I felt cold and miserable - my husband was at football so I just let it all out and bawled my eyes out for about half an hour. Strange thing is my tinnitus calmed down after that! Felt better since. Last Tuesday I went out and did some gardening and felt so invigorated. I just love it when I feel the warmth of the sun on my back. We live by the sea and to see the sun glinting on a calm day also gives me a lift! I don’t think we sufferers ask for much. Hope you are having a good day x

[doglover1973 in reply to Beesmac]

Aww Beesmac I'm glad to hear your T has settled & you're feeling a little better. It's not easy sometimes. It's a good idea to do things you enjoy - like gardening. I live by the sea too but don't venture down to the beach at this time of year. Too cold for me. Sending you a big hug 🙂

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Hi doglover again. It’s me , Penny . I must find out if that latest version of that good book is out yet . Living with tinnitus , only last year “ Smiths” said they were waiting for the latest version . Maybe it’s not important what version there is . 😃

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

Hi Penny. You never know .. There might be some updated info in the new version . How are the poodles? Behaving themselves I hope 🙂

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Yes they are crazy and bouncy are you enjoying your dog . I see in your profile that your Jo . I find the evenings are the worse for me with tinnitus I think trying to have the TV on means the hyperacusis doesn’t like the amplified sound . I’m assuming that’s what it is as tinnitus on its own surly wouldn’t have that affect.

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

My dog passed away in his sleep early November . He was a very old fella so it wasn't unexpected but I do miss him. He was good company. It must be tricky having T & H . Have you talked to anyone about the H? I know in other posts you said your mum had it too . I think there's a genetic link in all these things. My dad has T - although it doesn't trouble him.

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Oh No ,, I am so sorry to hear this sad news , I have lost elderly dogs and you miss their presence so badly. People always say “ get another one” but it’s not the same and only you will know when the time is right.I think you could be right about there being a genetic link . I don’t think there is any help for hyperacusis that I know of . More research needs to be done. Yes some people do get tinnitus mildly , they are lucky. Most of us that write on here have more debilitating tinnitus.

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

Aww. Thank s Penny. I knew you'd understand - being a dog lover yourself 🐶

[rabbits65 in reply to Beesmac]

Yes , they say laughter is the best medicine. 😂 😂 Good luck Beesmac.

[daverussell in reply to Beesmac]

I tried going to bed later but found myself distracted by work. Didn't have much of an impact. I know I should try again.

Yes, I often feel an urge to poke redhot knitting needles in my ears.

I know I can habituate. I'm trying as much as I can at present to use background noise.

[Jcol61 in reply to Beesmac]

I have hearing loss at high frequency, also some music sounds out of tune especially if it's a piano, but I am beginning to think that fresh air if you can helps a lot.

[notdodgy]

Sometimes I have to accept that if I wake up, that the best I can hope for is to get a time of rest even if I cannot get to sleep.

Headphones and relaxing music.

I wear sleep headphones and use a combination of sounds from the resound app to get to sleep/ back to sleep.

Currently my hip and knee get painful and rolling into the wrong position can wake me up.

Also have the weight loss challenge having regained weight over lockdowns.

[Hidden]

Good to let off steam here, Dave. Well done losing a stone and doing lots of fitness. I often find myself having a decaff tea at 3 or 4 in the morning due to tinnitus. My food habits are up n down, crisps are my thing.

I'm hoping to get up early and have a swim tomorrow which is very calming. It is a struggle getting motivated in the chilly UK weather.

Have a nice night everyone. xx