Suddenly it's got worse

[WandaDelamere]

I've had tinnitus since November 2019. It came on one day while I was lying on my sofa playing a video game on the Switch. I had my hearing tested, was told I had minimal hearing loss, and advised to get used to it. It's a high pitched sound that I described as being like the noise a flourescent lightbulb makes when it's on the frizz.

I did indeed get used to it. I would have called myself a success story.

But just in the last week or so it has got much worse. Nothing masks it. The brown noise is almost more infuriating than the tinnitus. I'm also having episodes of hyperacusis. There is a definitely a connection for me between indigestion and the tinnitus - in fact the tinnitus came on at exactly the same time as an appalling episode of indigestion. And I recently found this:

nature.com/articles/s41598-....

I wonder if my hearing took a sudden nose dive and the exacerbated tinnitus is the result? I'm not aware of hearing less; it feels as if I'm hearing too much of everything all at once. The high pitched buzzing is scraping the inside of my skull. My sinuses and ears feel full. I don't dare take any painkillers. I don't mean to sound dramatic, but rather, to give a clear picture.

I'm brand new so I hope you will all forgive me for this post and maybe offer some words of encouragement? I'm feeling very alone. Thank you.

[Whitburn]

Hi Wanda.

I am in a similar position. 5 weeks ago my tinnitus came on suddenly and I am just wondering whether it is here forever. It sounds just like you have described yours and like you, I don't think I have any hearing loss. My ear feels full and sometimes I have a dull earache that lasts only 5-10 minutes or so before it disappears. I feel muzzy headed and very tired. I am feeling confused and want some answers. I have an appointment with audiology today is see what is going on and a follow up GP appointment for a possible referral to ENT depending on today's results.

I hope that you find some answers, but reading the posts on here (I have just joined too) it seems that many people never get any. I really wish you well.

Sally xx

[WandaDelamere in reply to Whitburn]

Hi Sally - thank you for responding. I am so sorry tinnitus has happened to you. Since it's early days, I'm really hoping it will turn out to be something they can fix. But if they can't, you need to be prepared for it. When I was at your stage, I could not believe tinnitus was something you could get used to. But you really can. I work full time as a teacher; I write, read, listen to the radio, enjoy Netflix, socialise, bake cakes... I'm already getting used to this new situation, which I suspect may be connected to anxiety spikes and/or raised blood pressure.

Please believe there is light at the end of this tunnel, even though it's so frightening and distracting right now. I wish you all the best.

[Whitburn in reply to WandaDelamere]

I am a teacher too! This sounds very positive. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I guess like everything in life, we just keep moving forward .. living and learning to manage the various challenging situations we all inevitably have to face. ❤️