hi all Matthew here. Thought I’d do my first post as I’m struggling. I have had a high pitched ringing mainly in left ear for about a month, see ent in a few days. It’s not hearing loss or an ear infection. Also found out from blood test I’m hypothyroid so started meds for that last week. Apparently they are not linked but I’ve seen some links online maybe but who knows.
My main issue seems to be sleep and anxiety. I’ll probably go several days without much sleep then have one good sleep, think I can deal with it all but then back into bad or no sleep. I feel very upset and down about this although know I must keep going on somehow for my kids in particular.
Even the diazepam the doctor gave me for sleeping didn’t help last night. I’ve been trying to use breathing, bits of cbt, oto app, and now if not sleeping in 20 mins leave the room. But so far it’s tough. Don’t really have any questions just felt like reaching out. I had a great life before, I’m only 38 and now I’m just trying to keep going for my family who I love dearly and hold down my job. Thanks for listening
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mra1984
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Hi Matthew. A very warm welcome. It sounds as if you're in the early stages of tinnitus distress. This isn't unusual. Your brain registers the new sound as a threat and so you're on high alert day & night. The distress lessens as you get used to the sound(s) . There are several things you can do to help yourself . They are sound therapy, relaxation therapy & CBT so you're on the right track. All three helped me get back on an even keel. Sleep will get easier over time. Hang in there.
Tinnitus can be a tough challenge, especially when new, but your brain will eventually get used to the ringing and tune it out. Then you won't notice it so much and sleep will be easier. In the meantime, you will need to use the coping techniques that you're already exploring to help you sleep.
For me, relaxation and distraction work best. I downloaded a sound file for sleep that talks you through relaxing different parts of your body one by one - however, I found that talking myself through it works just as well. Once relaxed, the old sleeping technique of counting sheep can be effective as a distraction of the mind away from T and also to tire the brain - I don't actually do this but count backwards from 100 instead, sometimes several times before I start to drift off (losing track of your counting is a good sign). If you can get to sleep with a bit of sound, a sound generator at your bedside can be useful to distract your brain away from the T and towards something more pleasant and soothing. The best sound for this depends on you but I prefer natural sounds such as waves on the shore, distant thunder and a campfire. There are also some more general tips on getting to sleep that you may have seen like not having caffeine drinks in the evening and not staring at a computer or phone screen in the hours before you go to bed. You will get through this - it's just a matter of time.
just to say, mra1984, the other posters who’ve replied are exactly right. In due course you’ll find your way. Your pharmacist can suggest supplements which might help sleep - I’ve not found one personally but others on this forum have found supplements that help. You might need to keep trying ones out but don’t mix them with prescribed medication just in case (or ask pharmacist).
About one in ten of the population have T, some of us for much of our lives, and my T hardly bothers me at all now.
Hi mra1984 previous contributors are spot on. I am four months and have the same struggles with sleep , I moved away from using sedatives too much as did not want to become reliant . Looking into CBT methods now provide me guide. I recommend "Julian Cowan-hill" Treble Health" on youtube. They have a wealth positive resources around sound therapy and CBT. Their podcasts have positive recovery stories along with interviews with some the of most clinically experience in the field of tinnitus. The mind can adapt, we are more resilient than we think.
hi Matthew. Sorry to hear you’re going through a tough time. There’s already some great advice given to you already but I will add I use a blue tooth sleep headband. This has helped me massively. Linked to your phone. I use it every night, normally podcasts on low level just as a distraction. Your brain will soon work out to habituate so try and stay positive. It’s not easy but try and keep yourself as relaxed as possible and don’t fight the tinnitus. All the best mate.
no mate not at all. It’s not one of those fluffy ones I’ve seen. It’s really thin and stretchy. Called musicozy. I don’t even notice it’s on. All the best.
I had a major shift in my tinnitus this year from an occassional white noise to a high pitched tone in both years that never tops.
I was surprised at what I learned from the ENT. There are a lot more chemical processes than I thought in the hearing system. Last year I had pneumnia, covid, and chemo that ended in a botched dose that cause kidney failure.
I was surprised that all the treatments and kidney failure can cause or alter tinnitus.
I hope you get some perspective from the ENT. As others have suggested there are some sound programming techniques/apps that can mitigate the condition, at least to some extent.
Hello and sorry to hear you are distressed by T. I had a bad sleep patch last winter and ended up going to the docs.
There's a short programme on BBC Radio 4 at the moment at about 10:45 pm with tips on how to get to sleep. Sounds like you've already got plenty of techniques up your sleeve but you might find it worth a listen.
Hi Matthew, sorry you are suffering like this. Glad you found this place, some helpful posts already here. I have had tinnitus since March 2016 and I had it checked out by ENT man, but it led to a large brain aneurysm being found on a brain scan. No connection between the tinnitus or the aneurysm, by the way, don't want to add to your worries. I had the aneurysm operated on, but still have the tinnitus. It is something I wish would go away, but thankfully it doesn't trouble me in the way yours is troubling you. I can't add to the good advice or suggestions already here. I just listen to music all the time unless the TV is on. For me, a bit of background noise to distract me from the tinnitus helps. Good luck xx
Hi I know there are lots of reasons for Tinnitus but the high pitched sound and all your Problems sounds very much like my experience. After 4 months of struggling with the T I was diagnosed with Eustachian tube dysfunction. I got it during a very bad chest infection. The tube equalise the pressure for your auditory system when it gets blocked this can cause tinnitus. See if you can pop your ears using the valsalva manoeuvre. It might not be the source of your problem but it was for me.
Morning. I'm going through high tinnitus rates too .I've had manageable t for 14 years but past 3 months are awful.Sleep is as yours.I keep waking literally every 2 hours all through the night.Going to bed is stressful if you know your going to lay awake half the night.I also leave my bed and go into the spare room every night on first waking usually 1am.Then read for an hour or so,no phone or tabs though.It sometimes helps.My point here is you are not alone. Very best wishes.
Hi Matt. I also recently developed (4 weeks ago) a high pitched whine in my left ear following a neck gland infection. At night I use a sound generator app on my phone and bluetooth ear buds to help me sleep together with sleeping tablets as and when I need them. You are not alone and it does get better over time as your brain adjusts to the noise. I find simply going for a walk helps. Hang in there.
For the sleep side I have an Oasis sound machine connected to my pillow with speakers inside it. Then when I get in bed I turn it on to 30 minutes playing rain.
That helps me the most at night times getting to sleep and if I wake up in the night when the house is silent and my T is the only thing I hear.
Hi Hope you are ok I feel for you - last July for no reason I woke up with tinnitus diagnosed with Sever Tinnitus by the hospital it was very hard to handle I was am under the Tinnitus clinic in London who 100% helped me cope with a tinnitus ear plugs in the day - You mention sleeping I Tried a head band did not work for me - Then I tried Over Head Phones not inside ear ones from amazon (hope that's ok to mention) And joined Borrow box from the Libarie this works for me at night GOOD LUCK - it will settle in time
I too recently had T and am finding my way to cope with it, 38 years old had a baby too but T and having eustacian tube blockage has zapped the happy spark I had to enjoy maternity leave with my baby and family. I have been busy with baby so pretty occupied till night time when I am up regular due to baby feeds. I listen to guided meditation if I struggle to sleep.
I love my family too and want to be back to my usual self, I also have to prepare returning back to work soon.
You are not alone should you need to talk we are here 💜
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