Tinnitus advice please!

[Sammi4688]

Hi everyone, so I have been living with Tinnitus for as long as I can remember however I have not always known it was Tinnitus. A couple of years ago me and my hubby to be were sat together and I discovered through random chit chat that what I thought was silence wasn't silence, he didn't hear the same thing as me. I thought the TV static noise I heard constantly, everyone heard and that was what silence sounded like (sorry it sounds so silly writing as a 36 year old woman) I then learnt about Tinnitus and all the different variations as i listened to what I could hear.I hear like a TV static noise mostly, a pulsating/heart beat when I lay down sometimes (especially if my blood sugars are running slightly high being type 1 diabetic), high pitched ringing noise and i've recently discovered when I apply eye liner, anything that touches my eyes I hear like a constant morse code sound in one ear....

I do feel like I sometimes struggle to hear conversations, almost like my brain is concentrating more on the noise around me rather than the person talking.

Does anyone else feel they can relate??

I would really appreciate some advice.

Thank you xx

[Happyrosie]

you sound a bit like me! I thought everyone heard these noises!

Have a look at the website of Tinnitus UK for cool clear tips and information, then do come back to this community for any specific help you think we can give. Also, you might like to see, through your doctor, whether your hearing is a little impaired. Some doctors tend to be a bit dismissive but many follow the guidelines given by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Evidence) which you yourself can look up on their website.

Just don’t believe anyone trying to sell you pills to “cure”! Try not to wander around Facebook or Dr Google.

[Sammi4688 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi thank you for your reply, I haven't actually been to the Doctor's yet as I've read there's nothing that can be done and they will say it's a case of having to learn to live with it. I have had heating tests at boots and Specsavers, they found nothing wrong with my hearing; however one commented my ear drum looked like it might feel like it's needs to pop. I'm going to book an appointment with my GP soon I think. I will have a look at that advisor to thank you x

[CamperT25 in reply to Sammi4688]

Hi, I have issues with my eardrum too, I get fluid build up behind it, eustacian tube dysfunction. I take Sterimar Congestion spray, which is natural, then Vicks Sinex Soother. These work to ease the pressure in my sinuses and tubes. The tinnitus eases a lot. Worth a try. Hxx

[Notreve7766]

Hi Sammi

Fascinating to read that you had Tinnitus and didn’t realise. Just goes to show that when our Tinnitus dosent have an emotional link to it then it dosent bother us.

How are you now you know what it is?

Definitely worth checking in with a hearing clinic and see if the hearing challenges you mention aren’t linked to hearing loss.

[Sammi4688 in reply to Notreve7766]

Hi thank you for your reply, I know it sounds so silly doesn't it 🫣 No, no emotional link, just more frustration at times. I have been to boots and Specsavers for hearing tests, however I feel a visit to my GP may be a good idea now xx

[Notreve7766 in reply to Sammi4688]

No no dosent sound silly. We don’t know anything different if it’s not pointed out.

I don’t think the GP will find anything wrong etc but they will refer you to ENT. At that stage there may be options for you to get additional support if you still find your Tinnitus frustrating or impacting you in any way

[vincentchan]

From cbt tinnitus book

Just think B instead of A

244

Living Well with Tinnitus

1

A.

Tinnitus makes me feel tired, as I cannot sleep well at night. Tinnitus is a terrible disease with no cure!

B

I am lying down and con despite hearing tinnitus. This is the second best compared to a deep sleep. Resting helps to energise me. Even if there is no cure, I can still live well with tinnitus

2

A Tinnitus affects my sleep and concentration. Hence it reduces my efficiency. I can no longer be in control at my workplace.

B

I can concentrate on my tasles most of the time. I can do whatever I need to do despite the difficulties caused by tinnitus. This makes me feel strong.

3

A.Tinnitus invades every aspect of my life and makes me feel useless.

B.

Tinnitus is present most of the time and is a nuisance Regardless of tinnitus, I can do whatever I need to do. This makes me feel useful.

4. A I make lots of mistake coz of my t

B.

I can do most things as well and accurately as I used to before I had tinnitus. It may take me slightly longer to complete my tasks. It is OK to double check my work for accuracy. My performance is intact despite tinnitus.

5

A.

Tinnitus is like a fog that affects my performance.

B.

I can see, hear and think even when I hear tinnitus Loud and clearly.

[Sammi4688 in reply to vincentchan]

Thank you ♥️

[Graham-E]

Hi and welcome.

I cannot imagine the difference between your T experience, sounding like you were born with it, and someone that developed it later in life. That is interesting for the habituation side of the condition. You might have developed different ways of dealing with this condition, possibly.

I wish you well and I hope now your T has been identified that you might receive some additional help with it. I use H.A.s with Bluetooth and a T overlay of the sea from the NHS which helps because I do have hearing loss as well. Then an Oasis sound machine connected to a pillow with speakers for the nighttime.

Very best to you and do update to let others know how this story unfolds. Graham

[Sammi4688 in reply to Graham-E]

Thank you very much, it's so nice to get so many kind responses so quickly. I do have to sleep with background music on to try to distract as I go to sleep and also a fan. I will definitely be making a visit to my GP just to see what my next steps are.