Got tinnitus 24/7 all of a sudden

[Rossi50]

Hello. I'm new to the forum and been on a bit of a journey so far. My mum died suddenly in New year's day. Had to give her cpr so quite traumatic. Handled things ok initially until a fortnight later when I got awful flu. Went to doc and told him symptoms included ringing in ears and total stuffy head and felt the need to pop my ears. Was given antidepressants and told I didn't have ear infection and my sinus issues would go and "it was all grief and I should go home and think positive" !!! Was like this for few weeks went back to GP which was different but same practice to be told that if I had bilateral tinnitus there was nothing anyone could do! Gave me beconase for congestion!!! Went to audiologist who said I may be very lucky if tinnitus went away but said I had fluid in my ears! Gave me hearing test said I had hearing loss. The test was done when tinnitus was screeching I was not in soundproof booth and could hear traffic outside and girls laughing in reception!! He then sent me info to purchase hearing aids and told me I MUST have been struggling at work. I hadn't and able to chair meetings quite comfortably etc. he said he didn't believe me and male voices were easier I said my team were all women! Again he wasn't convinced. GP gave me antibiotics given fluid diagnosis but no change. The ringing continues so went back to doc who said she'd refer me to ent only because of hearing result not tinnitus but it's over 20 week wait and said nothing could be done but given hearing result she'd reluctantly refer. Then went to private ent given the wait. He told me I didn't have fluid in ears. Each audiologist gp and ent have said I've got tiny ear canals too with build up of wax. The private ent just said my brain would get used to noise! This seems to be the answer all the time. I then went to another audiologist who gave me proper hearing test however wasn't convinced on result given tinnitus and said ent would be best as they have different sounds to accommodate. So I'm just trying to manage as best I can with a white noise mask on a night to sleep and keeping busy! The noise has changed a lot since January and more like a static noise but ok when I'm busy using other senses and talking whereas beforehand it didn't matter what I was doing it would be screaming! Sorry for the long post but I took the decision to engage with this platform to learn more about habituation, see if I'm doing it right and to avoid the constant negative comments on the internet about how this will stay with me for the rest of my life!!

[bluedawnstar]

Dear Rossi50,

I'm sorry for your loss, the trauma must have been immense. Welcome to the forum and credit to you for taking positive steps to help yourself. The severe tinnitus you describe may be part of the response to the bereavement stress and may have occurred regardless of whether you had flu or not. Your hearing loss may not be apparent to you, as yet, but it has been picked up and may only be with sounds at a certain pitch, regardless of volume. I imagine it would be difficult to perform a hearing test whilst not experiencing the T as these times are few and far between in my experience. Given that you have had mixed test results I would advise that you request a referral to NHS ENT for a full assessment. That your T is now more like static, I would take to be an indicator that you are now somewhat less stressed and that habituation has commenced; the use of the white noise mask is likely to be working for you. There are also T apps that you could consider, I like MindEar but others are available. Like everyone else, there will be good and bad days, but do as much as you can to look after yourself, be it exercise, increased rest, avoiding stimulants, etc. It's your journey and what works for one person may not work for another.

[Rossi50 in reply to bluedawnstar]

Thanks for replying. Yes it was a tough time. My husband was in hospital at the time too after being ill with chemotherapy so I was dealing with things on my own. I'm certainly less stressed now. Back to normality in a way and doing things I enjoy. Always been a positive person but maybe I'm trying too hard or being impatient. Just being pushed from pillar to post with no answers is frustrating. I was also told I had TMD so dentist gave me a mouth guard as she said that too could have been causing tinnitus. I still have the NHS referring waiting for so will ask questions then. My husband is a bit of a guide with my hearing as I keep asking him if things are now too loud but he says it's the opposite so who knows! I did have wax removal too in January and read negative things about microsuction so concerned I've brought this in by having that? I've read a lot about it I just find it disappointing that when you reach out to the medical professionals you get hit with one line "nothing can be done you'll get used to it," and be on your way!

[Ray200]

My tinnitus walked in after 3 bereavements in 7 weeks. That was 12 months ago. The thing is definitely on the improve these days, as early on I invested in audio kit some of which I no longer need to use. A combination of habituation to the condition and some definite improvement. Though at the moment it is singing loud, I expect it to lessen in a hour or two.

I've found this site so supportive, and I'm sure you will too.

[Rossi50 in reply to Ray200]

Yes when I compare to how it was it's certainly improved in 6 months. Before I couldn't even have a conversation without hearing it now when I'm engaged in conversation I don't or the fan in the shower wouldn't even mask it but now it does.

[Ray200 in reply to Rossi50]

Your fightback is underway. A phrase I don't expect you'll get coming from the medical profession.

In the early weeks, two paracetamol could give me relief. That time didn't last long and thereafter they became ineffective. That could be because the intensity they were able to suppress was no longer there at that stage.

[Jcol61]

Hi,I am really sorry for your loss,I have not been on here for awhile,same thing happened to me but it was my husband and my son did the CPR. It was three weeks after I had the same symptoms as you, I am now deaf in my left ear and still struggle with my sinuses but I have learnt to cope which has helped tremendously but it did take time and therapy.Hope you can feel better soon.

[Rossi50 in reply to Jcol61]

Sorry for your loss too. I'm coping. I'm the type of person who researches and always proactive but have to accept there's not always solutions or should I say quick solutions! When I first went back to work I thought I was going to lose my job as I couldn't even have a teams call without my tinnitus screaming in my ear. Now my teams meetings are fine and I don't hear it. Same when I'm talking. So when I compare to how things were then I would say it's better just maybe need to be more patient with myself!