After 2 days off work last week (caused by the snow), I drove through the ice and slush to a meeting this morning, ate my lunch in the car, & returned to the office for a long client appointment this afternoon. Luckily I enjoy my job so I don’t mind being busy. And it means that I hardly notice my Tinnitus for a few hours because I’m completely absorbed in what I’m doing and I don't notice the noises. The downside of a busy day is that the noises are louder than usual when I get home. Today there was a sudden volume increase in my right ear almost the moment I walked into the house after work. My heart sank - these periods of increased noise can go on for several hours or several days. But I am trying to be positive!
Squeak/hiss/hum - all words I've used trying to describing the noises I hear. I have 2 or 3 different frequencies, all high pitched, some always there, others intermittent. I hear them in both ears. The lower sound sounds like the humming / interference-type noise that the TV used to make when a station finished broadcasting late at night. The higher pitched sounds are thin squeaking/squealing noises, which are either at a constant pitch, or which 'wobble' up & down a bit. Right now there's also a background hiss which I can hear if I really concentrate.
But for me it's not the actual noise which matters. It's the incessant nature of the noise which causes distress. The knowledge that it won't go away. I went through a really low period when I couldn't see how I could possibly cope with the never-ending noise. However these days I feel more positive and determined not to let it dominate my life. It's part of me, & now that I know I will spend a good part of each day not noticing it, I will be able to relax and sleep tonight, despite the noise.
Monday, 9 February 2009
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Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteYour T sounds exactly like mine, but I often get tone/pitch changes all of a sudden and for no apparent reason.......
As a sufferer of 20 years I've learnt to kind of accept it....though I'd be willing to have a go at anything to try and get shut of it !!
Best Rgds,
Nick
I've had tinnitus since childhood, and have had several people tell me the condition does not exist! Funny, huh? It's hard to imagine that there are some out there who do not experience the constant whistling, and pitch changes that we suffer. It used to keep me up at night, but most of the time now I can deal with it. It helps to have music or the television on in the background, because once I focus on the whistling sound, it is harder to ignore.
ReplyDeleteTwo things I have noticed. I believe that my tinnitus is affected by blood pressure, since the pitch does change at different times of day, and I have seen correlations with high blood pressure changing the pitch and loudness of the ringing. Also, sound does affect it tremendously, so the very real to me condition can worsen when I am exposed to loud sounds.
I have seen a tinnitus specialist here in the states, but they were unable to determine cause. Hopefully over time they will be able to determine cause, and hopefully cure.
Another doctor has said that I have larger blood vessels in my ears, which explains why I also hear my heart pounding in my ears. I do not nknow if this relates to the tinnitus or not, but if someone is collecting symptoms, it doesn't hurt to report everything.
Cheers, JOHN :0)
I've had tinnitus for four years. The start of this coincided with having an operation and also with the first signs of arthritis in my neck - not sure if these are contributory factors? It's interesting that in Dr Ali's book on neck and back problems that he states, in the section on neck problems, that he has encountered many patients with tinnitus. I guess this could link in with the blood pressure theory posted by John.
ReplyDeleteI live in Perth, Scotland, UK and although there is a very good local hospital here I have to say that the support through the NHS has been almost non-existent with GPs showing little or no understanding. I manage to stay positive most of the time but when I occasionally get the noises in both ears I do think it might well drive me over the edge ! I'm interested to find out more about headphones - I didn't know about that. I'm also hoping research will bring some results soon! Best wishes to all & I think this blog is a great way to provide support- THANKS 1
The headphones I use are made by Bose and are high quality noise reducing headphones designed for music afficionados. They are VERY expensive but to me they are worthwhile. They make two models - an on the ear and an over the ear - the over ear is more effective for me. The drawback is that they don't look very elegant! You can get them on 28 days free trial - return them if they don't help you. They may be useful to John above if noise makes his tinitus worse as it does mine. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate
ReplyDeleteYour post could have been typed by me.
I also suffer from assorted hums/buzzes/howls/music in both ears. I lost my hearing very suddenly overnight and it was replaced by tinnitus. At the very start I was afraid to even say to anyone that I could hear wolves howling, for fear I was told I was going insane !
I get by most days barely noticing it, and as others have said I just have to accept it as "part of me" - albeit a part like I am not fond of.
In the 12 years I have had tinnitus I would say on around 6 occasions the noises have stopped completely. This is very disconcerting. I actually stop breathing in an effort to stop the noises from starting again - never works of course :) , and it only lasts for around 10 - 15 seconds before "normal" service is resumed.
I have never used any kind of masker as I am profoundly deaf. A few years ago I did have a go with Ginko Balboa (sp?) and tried it for 3 months without any relief. Also for a while I kept a notebook of my tinnitus, detailing when / where/ how bad on a scale of 1 - 10. However, all that did was make me even more aware of it.
I agree that a particularly noisy or busy day brings on some extra loud tinnitus.
Unlike many people it has never interrupted my sleep pattern.
Good luck with this blog - great idea
Moira
I have been diagnosed with Meneires Disease which has left me with hearing loss to my right ear and constant tinnitus. My eldest son of 23 is profoundly deaf and has suffered from tinnitus from a small child. I now know all the years of suffering he has gone through. Although he has been great help with all his tips from years of suffering. TV on in the bedroom definately helps when the noise is unbearable.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with this blog - anything that helps with this awful thing is a great idea.
Denise