checking T constantly

[Sassyjax1]

My tinnitus is bilateral and 24/7. Just started CBT & therapist has set me the task of not “checking” my T by putting my fingers in my ears. I’m struggling not to do this - but unfortunately as I know my T is persistent - it’s a battle - because when I yawn of clench my jaw tightly - I know the T is still there. It kind of defeats the “not checking”. Any suggestions?

[Happyrosie]

learning anything new, Sassyjax, can often be difficult. A new language, for instance. Or a new sport. Or how to cook.

CBT is about change, and change means breaking old habits.

So you’ll need to learn to concentrate, consciously, on doing or not doing something. Practice practice practice.

[Sassyjax1 in reply to Happyrosie]

Happyrosie, thanks for taking the time to answer. Sadly, I am still in the high anxiety stage where I think everything is causing my tinnitus. I have suspected TMJ and a small lump in the side of my neck. I hear crackling or clicking every time I swallow. GP no idea why that’s happening. I seem hell-bent on trying to cure myself. I can hear my T all the time and no sure how anyone can habituate to that? Anyone I know with T knows the cause and they don’t have it all the time either. Just trying to get your perspective on it as you give such good advice.

[Sonnybee]

Hi there. I understand fully what you mean, as I've been there too. I was constantly listening for new noises and obsessively monitoring my hearing. When someone tells you to ignore it, especially someone who may not have it, you feel like thumping them!! The big factor, I now realise is TIME. Unfortunately, tinnitus is a marathon, not a sprint. Sorry that sounds clichéd. Once you start taking measures to combat it, your definitely on the right track with cbt, and coupling it up with sound therapy, relaxation etc, things will start to calm down and you will find yourself monitoring it far less. Stay on the forum as I find theres lots of good POSITIVE advice from fellow sufferers. I'm in no doubt your on the path to success. Take care.

[Sassyjax1 in reply to Sonnybee]

Thanks so much for your support. It’s devastated my life completely and it’s really affected me little girls too. She’s so upset that “mummy used to laugh, but only cries now”. Don’t know what to even tell her. It’s just her and me at home.

[Kellythecat-74]

I spent months the first time trying to find the magic cure. Eventually gave up Slowly over time I forgot to listen to it . I was lucky but it did take a few years before I realised I didn't hear it anymore. However now back to square one.

[Sassyjax1]

Oh Kelly. I am hopeful you will find your way back. You have done it once before. You can do it again. You are even supporting me with mine and that’s admirable. Goes to show what you are made of. I feel it’s isolated me and shrunk my life

[Happyrosie]

just to add to what others have said - and I absolutely agree with them.

I’m surprised that everyone you know who has T knows the cause. my go-to book called Tinnitus, from Tyrant to Friend says it’s stress that causes it. I Disagree! Among my acquaintances many have this, and haven’t bothered to think about a cause so haven’t found one. That was the same with me.

I’d recommend the book, you can get it as a kindle download if you are into that. It’s by Dr Julian CowanHill.

[Sassyjax1 in reply to Happyrosie]

I have heard some say it’s stress. I don’t know really. All I know is that I had cerebral fluid leaks caused by what were supposed to be too Neurosurgeons. They left me 10 weeks before listening to me beg for help. My T started after the first op - within days - when the first leak was left undetected. I also suffered TMJ from the way the procedure is done. Two hospital audiologists have confirmed I gave no hearing loss. So I honestly don’t know the causes. Thank you for your recommendation for the book. I know a lot of people recommend Julian Cowan Hill.

[PuddingChipsAndGravy in reply to Sassyjax1]

My tinnitus and hyperacusis used to go away on its own over the last 7 years but as of April it seems here to stay. It used to go away when I went on holiday but I had a holiday cancelled and it has got worse.

I am told my stressing about it is making it worse and I too have been told not to look for it but as you know it is very hard. I am trying to retrain my brain with CBT but struggling.

As for TMJ, I have used a splint on my front teeth when I sleep, for years now and that helped. There are occlusal dentists that specialise in this. You can get a device to wear during the day but it cost me a fortune and threw my bite out so I stopped. An ear specialist did suggest I see a physio who says she can help with TMJ tinnitus but she uses dry needling and a Low Level Laster which apparently can make things worse before they get better and I am scared to try. If anyone does know if this treatment has helped them, i would be interested to hear.

[Sassyjax1 in reply to PuddingChipsAndGravy]

I don’t need to look for mine. I can hear it 24/7. It’s worse in quieter places. I don’t like sound therapy - but looking like it’s my only choice. My head and jaw were put under immense pressure during 8 hours of spine surgery 4 & then again 2 months ago. Along with other complications, - ( that’s when my T started). It’s 24/7. Sometimes I forget I have in them BOOM! An evil spike appears. I’d still have the laser therapy if it was me. I had a second op recently and it didn’t change my tinnitus. It was the same. I can understand your trepidation though. My brain is no longer able to decipher if my T is whistling or ringing. Might be both. I see that as some sort of proof that my brain is trying to do something at least. Mine all started with hyperacusis. It came overnight & was terrifying. I do know how you feel. I exposed myself to all sounds on a daily basis as it was impossible to leave the house otherwise. I feel fortunate that I currently don’t have any hearing loss. I don’t know why I check the T. It’s louder if you close the ears at the tragus point as that cuts out all sounds and makes the T seem louder. I can’t change the intensity of my T by moving my neck at all. My jaw heightens the presence of it when I very tightly clench my jaw - even then it’s only the right side I notice it on. It can intensify regardless of whether we have TMJ or not apparently. Especially in those of us with persistent T. I really hope you can manage to break the habit of actively listening to it. My CBT therapist and a few friends have all told me that by deliberately seeking it out to listen to it in such a magnified way - that we are inviting our brains to latch onto it even more and that gives it even more importance. Let’s both try not to put our hands anywhere near our ears and see how we go? We’re bound to get bored of it eventually.

[sds111]

do you recommend CBT?

[Sassyjax1 in reply to sds111]

I would recommend it for anyone who has suffered aggressive, sudden onset Tinnitus like myself. Except my T isn’t hearing related. Regardless, it helps with the fear.

[sds111 in reply to Sassyjax1]

Thanks, I’ll take a look. Did you do it online or in person?

[Sassyjax1 in reply to sds111]

Personally, I needed it to be face-to-face. There’s a better understanding I find. It’s not for everyone though.

[sds111 in reply to Sassyjax1]

Yep, I’d prefer that.

[Sassyjax1 in reply to sds111]

My therapist prefers face-to-face too as the environment is dedicated - so there’s no distractions. The aim is to take the focus off T and change our thought patterns towards it. Some people can accept it and live with it easily. Others can’t. All depends on how it arrives. So I’m told anyway.