Well , finally had my NHS tinnitus therapy video call in Nov . I told her that I was waiting for the blue tooth hearing aids so I could listen to the radio. She said that they don't recommend sound therapy anymore ( in that case they need to update their advice on the NHS site) That was it oh apart from offering sleeping tablets.! No other advice at all and I waited 8 months for that ! After that I spoke to Tinnitus Pat and I understand that the habituate bit is quicker if you try to ignore it. However maybe at the beginning its too depressing . I've had a year and its been okay with my radio and earphone.
My hearing aids have arrived at last with bluetooth. Not rechargeable , batteries last 10 days. but you gets lots to start you off. I do now leave my ear clear for a while , habituate might take longer but I can can honestly say that the last year has been okay and I haven't been too upset by it( not like 20years ago depression lasted for months).
Maybe I'm still hoping it will fade away like last time , but who knows. My thoughts are with all of you who have to go through this awful time . It will get easier.
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Kellythecat-74
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Research will show many different outcomes, it's always evolving. It may not mean eliminating previously popular known treatments. It's not to say they don't work, it's just that studies may have identified 'something' inaffective, 'something' more effective or just something else. The new treatment may be in it infancy. The professionals need to weigh up the odds and risks. But, we're all different and have to find out what works for us, or variations of different treatments. Maybe there is some bias for that individual or organisation towards other treatments because they are profitable.
In my experience Habituation has been the best option. It's about mindset and minimizing your reaction - learning to live with it; for it to become part of you. This requires you to employ strategies along side just 'ignoring it'. To be clear I've realized that Habituation it's not a a cure; it doesn't go away or become unnoticeable.
The first step in Habituation, like overcoming any irrational fear, is to understand it. Providing your audiologist has ruled out anything that could be harmful, its not going to have any direct harm. You need to recognise and learn to suppress your reactions (this maybe during certain situations and in particular environments). But, it important not to avoid situations that will cause you to isolate yourself. Though you may need to make adjustments.
Since my Tinnitus stared effecting me 24/7 about 2 years ago I started taking Sertraline. It has helped with my anger and frustration during Tinnitus and auditory overload.
So despite habituation my Tinnitus has fluctuated due to unrelated stress. I more recently struggles with Hyperacusis alongside Tinnitus (this comorbidity is not unusual). For me noisy environments became unbearable and I struggle to following conversations and switch off completely. Worse still it can trigger spikes in my Tinnitus which along with stress makes it difficult for me to sleep.
I use sound therapy at night and use headphones to control my surroundings. I'm also in the process of reviewing my job career with my boss and HR - I have stress related issues. I'm a teacher and multidirectional noises have just added to my stress. I possibly do use a lot of sound therapy to just get through the day and night.
It's all part of the journey, but you will find what works for you. Furthermore, it's not something you can rush - one step at a time. Most importantly, remember you are not alone.
For what its worth I'm going through a rough time right now, awaiting further brain scans not related to tinnitus. Like yourself, I know it will get easier. So here's to easier times and keep fighting.
Oh I'm so sorry you are going through this. Stress certainly doesn't help. Yes I agree we are all different and what works for one person may not work for another. Its like music therapy doesn't work for me but voices on a talk program does.(low volume) I can listen to them chatting away , then at times just ignore it. I wear my headphones when I'm sleeping!
You can still hope. My first T did fade away .(took years) Unless I listened in complete silence and then only if I listened really hard. I remember years ago talking to a neighbour who has it driving him nuts. I said "I can't hear mine" . Famous last words come back to bite me.
If they are NHS hearing aids they will supply all your batteries free. I’ve been told to try and listen to more music - conflicting reports ! Good luck with them, my NHS aids are superb, better than the private ones I paid out for xx
Thanks Beesmac. Well they are just as good as the £2000 ones I trialled private. The batteries are supplied at our local community centre so at least I don't have to keep going back to the hospital. Yes conflicting reports are confusing. Guess we have to try them all and use what works best for ourselves. Its never "one size fits all" . and if some of these professionals have never had Tinnitus , how on earth can they give us advice.
A therapist does not have to suffer from the disease in order to effect an improvement. My physio doesn’t have arthritis but helps me. My oncologist has never had cancer but she gave me advice and oversaw my chemotherapy
Yes , the nhs ones are a good make although the ones I got are not rechargeable like the private one which do have the advantage of having to put them in the base every night , so you know exactly where they are every morning. Just be aware if you lose one, you may have to pay for a replacement. Got quite worried the other day when I couldn't find one of them.
So pleased you have found that the aids help. Yes I also find they help by getting me to hear more of my surroundings. Also have to laugh when I'm doing things like opening packages, rustling paper, walking on stone tiles. These sounds are so new to me.
Hi if you haven't already come across Julian Cowan Hill on You Tube (he also has books and an app) i recommend him, he has had T and now helps others, his practical advice and approach makes sense, he also explains what causes T and when you understand why we have it we can then do a variety of things to lessen the noise and many find they no longer have it, a positive mindset is very important, i often recommend him because there is little positive info out there, his book 'From Tyrant to Friend' is excellent and you can get it on Kindle.
Originally I spent a fortune on acupuncture, but it didnt work. I researched a lot . Not much out there in those days ( 20+ years ago.) After a few months of living in hell I used a pocket radio with ear phones and . Bought a sound machine , the heartbeat sound did seem to calm the T down , so I could sleep. Also took Gingko Biloba for years.
Can't remember when it started fading , but it did , guess it must have been very slow.. I honestly couldn't hear it . That all change when I was given ATORVASTATIN last year. 5 days was all it took to send me back 20 years.
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Hearing Aids 
Wearing NHS Phonak hearing aids for one week
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