Here's an idea. Readers to construct our own Tinnitus scale

[Ray200]

Meeting up with an old school friend the other week, we found we have tinnitus in common. But as he pointed out, how to tell your nearest and dearest what it's like. Here's my attempt at a scale...

Level 0: Tinnitus not there. It can happen at times.

Level 1: Tinnitus as outside / traffic noise. You are not conscious of it as such but it's there

Level 2: Tinnitus that you need a break from. Perhaps with wireless headphones

Level 3: Wireless headphones could be on for hours

Level 4: Includes difficulty sleeping. Need audio device to mask the tinnitus to achieve sleep

Level 4 is the extent of my experience. Over to others for the rest...

[Choralmusic]

Hello Ray

That is a very good description of tinnitus.

It hard to put in words what it is like and of course most people have varying levels of tinnitus which might not match up to what a person is experiencing themselves.

Best wishes.

[Ray200 in reply to Choralmusic]

Thanks!

I believe there is merit in establishing a scale non sufferers and the medical profession can understand. It can also emphasise the difference between basic grade tinnitus and additional. For example, a Level 4 with pulsating could be Level 4P. Loss of hearing could be L. Roaring tinnitus could be R. Hyperacusis H. There's no end of the letters that could be attached.

I don't know if there is a scale of such. I've not come across one but then I've never gone looking for one. If there isn't, perhaps the good people behind Tinnitus UK might adopt the idea and bring it forward. It's the kind of thing academia would normally do, but they can't. It's left to sufferers to do what they can't.

[PABLR]

A good idea, but my breaks just come from being busy. Tinnitus is always there with three or four sounds battling it out, but as long as I keep busy I can ignore it for much of the time. It doesn't stop me sleeping, but on your scale I wouldn't know where I fit between one and three.

[Ray200 in reply to PABLR]

Your input is just what is needed! We need to get together as sufferers to work out and tell 'them' how it it is. Not be told by them.

I searched on line for Tinnitus Scales. They are there. but again I say, is it a case where the health workers are telling us how it is?

[Rossi50]

I used to be 1 until earlier this year when my mum died 2 weeks later got flu which affected my hearing and now it's 24/7. Would say I'm around 3/4. I don't wear anything through the day but have a sleep mask for a night with white noise. Better when I'm busy but it's always there I just try my best not to react to it like all the advice given. Even though I feel I'm progressing in life after what happened and doing new things keeping busy thinking positive it's still there!! My brain obviously isn't agreeing!!

[Ray200]

I was at Level 3 yesterday, so it was time for my 3 x 30mg Ginkgo dose, which I did overnight. For me, dose day means a slightly higher intensity during it, and I'd rather that happening while I'm asleep. It does mean being up at 3am to take the middle one but I can rely on my 65 year old bladder to ensure that!

[Kellythecat-74]

for me , level 2/3 = day time . level 4 = sleeping