New to Tinnitus

[JimmyDBD]

Hi All,

I am fairly new to tinnitus, gaining the condition agter being onvolved in an RTC last July.

I have seen an Audiologist who seems to think that my tinnitus will go away after a short period of time (12-18 months)? Is it possible that it can go and I will be able to live my life again without the constant hissing/high pitched tone in my ears.

I struggle to sleep so normally wait until I'm really tired before I go to bed as I know I will just lie there being distracted by the noise. I also find I have lost some of my hearing, especially in places where there are lots of people.

I have seen another audiologist today who recommended a number of remedies that may work to distract/mask the noise one of which are hearing aids. Has anyonw gone down the hearing aid route and do they work?

Any suggestions/tips on managing the noise would be welcome.

Thanks

[Happyrosie]

hello Jimmy. Welcome to this forum. We are all tinnitus sufferers here who know what it’s like and how to cope.

Firstly, yes it can go away on its own.

Secondly, if you trawl the internet you’ll find “cures”. Don’t believe them! They take your money and run.

You are already on the pathway to habituation by following the audiologist advice. Personally I find hearing aids helpful in that the real world is louder so the noise in your head is diminished. If you are in the Uk and get your aids from that route, they are free.

Go to the tinnitus UK website, if you haven’t already, for lots of information.

[Roolin]

Hello Jimmy,

As Happyrosie stated: “Personally I find hearing aids helpful in that the real world is louder so the noise in your head is diminished.

I was in a rear end collision and ended up with tinnitus. My audiologist said that I had moderate hearing loss in my right ear and mild in the left due to nerve damage. My ENT specialist also ruled out any other issues that may contribute to tinnitus. I waited for 2 years to see if the nerve might heal however it did not happen. At that point I decided to trial hearing aids with a masker to see if they would help. I found the same thing as Happyrosie in that the real world is clearer and louder so the level of the tinnitus is lower and my concentration has improved as a result.

[Cookie24]

I have sudden onset, April 27, tinnitus in right ear only. Ear wax was flushed but noise continues. It is a high pitched Eeeeeee. Hearing test showed moderate high pitched hearing loss. Back toENT for follow up. Audiologist said hearing aid may give relief. Hoping it goes away.....

[Knitter67 in reply to Cookie24]

I had sudden onset tinnitus about the same time this year in my right ear. Dr prescribed bicarbonate solution which cleared the wax but I had to stop it after 7 days due to excruciating pain. Then I had the steroid spray. Different Dr suspected acoustic neuroma, as I also had face numbness and continuous ear pain, and did an urgent ENT referral. NHS is in trouble and 2 refusals later still no appointment. Now I am going down the "my trigeminal neuralgia has flared up" route and Dr has prescribed carbamazepine. The pain and numbness has eased but I still have tinnitus. Specsavers initial test said my hearing is normal but ENT have asked my Dr to refer me for a hearing aid! I am frustrated and a little worried something is being missed.

[Cookie24 in reply to Knitter67]

My primary physician flushed out a lot of earwax, but tinnitus continued. So, I went to ENT and audiologist. ENT didn't think a MRI was indicated, but she gave me the order anyway. What steroid spray did youuse?

[doglover1973]

Hi Jimmy. Welcome. Hearing loss may well be the cause of your tinnitus. If this is the case HAs will help enormously because you'll hear better and notice your T less.