confused

[Tinker2015]

after my appointment with the ENT doctor I am being referred for tinnitus therapy. Got to have a CT scan. Also a balance test as I get issues with that. I have hyperacausis also I think I might have reactive Tinnitus as this sound gets really loud at times . Everything seems loud to me but was told by ENT person do not put ear plugs in your ears. I feel like blocking all sound out but can’t as I believe it can worsen it. I have gone from hardly hearing the TV to turning it down. Problem is the Tinnitus gets so loud for tv to hear.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Wearing earplugs if you have hyperacusis is felt to be counter-productive as it increases the sensitivity level of someone who is already experiencing sounds as louder than they are, so that's something to take into consideration.

I'm sure that people in the hyperacusis community will beg to differ with me on this, and I accept their lived experience and difficulties are valid, but my understanding would be that it's difficult to build up a level of sound tolerance if someone views sound as inherently harmful or disruptive.

Perhaps our monthly tinnitus and sound sensitivity support group might be helpful - eventbrite.co.uk/e/tinnitus...

[Mille23 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

I wish I lived in GB, you have so much support for tinnitus people.😊

In Denmark, it seems that tinnitus is not of great interest, that for ENT ‘s or other helping organisations.

I have a very loud and constant tinnitus,, 24/7, Hyperacusis, probably due to clogged eustacian tubes, as I have immovable Eardrums , when trying to pop my ears . No solution so far.

[Philip6 in reply to Mille23]

Actually in the UK there is no support for tinnitus. Drs and ENT have no interest whatsoever. The last time I mentioned to the Dr he said it’s best to ignore it. I said it’s louder than a petrol lawnmower, how do I ignore that? And he ushered me out of the door.

[Hel_C in reply to Philip6]

Sadly I found my ENT consultant unhelpful regarding my tinnitus too, he was also wearing a mask so I could not hear him well.

[Philip6 in reply to Hel_C]

To be honest the person I saw was an idiot.

[Mille23 in reply to Philip6]

I have just heard a you tube podcast with Dr. Michael Golenhofen from Germany, an ENT with interest in tinnitus. He says that it is very important to find the root cause to your tinnitus, as it will make it easier for accepting and understanding your tinnitus. I agree very much. Have a look on you tube: “ Never try tinnitus treatment without THIS “

[Hel_C]

I found that my tinnitus does get loud when there are too many other sounds around and I have put this down to stress and if I can manage my stress my tinnitus quietens. I feel very sensitive to loud noises or competing noises and make sure I build quiet times into my day or week. Tinnitus therapy sounds like a great plan and I hope it does well for you.

After waiting 50 weeks, I found my ENT consultation unhelpful and he did not comment on my tinnitus so consider your referral a win! Good luck