Tinitus get used to it - Hearing Disorders Message Board

Jay Ar · 04-04-2007, 11:32 PM

I'm 67 and like probably half of the aged population of the world suffer with Tinitus. I'm wondering how other people describe what they hear, to me it sounds like millions of Cicardas and goes from barely noticeable to quite loud and annoying as it is right now and for the last couple of weeks. I assume that once you have it, you might as well accept that it is your lot from here on in. Looking forward to some input from other sufferers. I estimate that I have had it in varying degrees for about 10 years.

Remmy · 04-05-2007, 03:21 AM

Hi Jay Ar.

I'm only 35 and I suffer from tinnitus in my right ear, due to a rare ear disease named Patulous Eustachian Tube (PET).
The sound I hear is like the high pitch sound that a monitor or a TV (or another electric/electronic) produces. I can alway hear it, even when I am sitting at my desk, or when people talk to me. I've been suffering from it for more than one year, continously. Sometime, I forget I have it and it is like if did not have it, but this is possible only because I got used to it and, maybe, because it is not very loud..... it is a little bit less loud than a normal speech of a person, so I hear it when people talk or when I watch TV and I have the ability to separate other people's voice from it and divert my attention from it.
At night, I can easily sleep, because I can focus my mind on something else.
But when this damn thing started, it was not like that: I was continoulsly nervous, anxious; my hands were always wet and my heartbit was continously high; furthermore, even if I was able to fall aslept in the evening, I could sleep only for two or three hours.
After one month and a half, I started to get used to it and I could get back to a normal life. My tinnitus is now like a "normal" sound in the environment I live.
Mybe I'm lucky, because my tinnitus is not that loud.... I do not know. Anyway, I would say that one can get used to it, at least in certain cases.
My tinnitus is as intense as when it started.....but I'm changed.
Bye

Remmy.

tally07 · 04-05-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Ar

I'm 67 and like probably half of the aged population of the world suffer with Tinitus. I'm wondering how other people describe what they hear, to me it sounds like millions of Cicardas and goes from barely noticeable to quite loud and annoying as it is right now and for the last couple of weeks. I assume that once you have it, you might as well accept that it is your lot from here on in. Looking forward to some input from other sufferers. I estimate that I have had it in varying degrees for about 10 years.

You are right in the fact that tinnitus is a common problem. The types of tinnitus can vary greatly. The type you describe sounds high pitched and is often associated with normal age related high frequency hearing loss. Sometimes a mild gain hearing aid can help with this type of tinnitus. If you are not a hearing aid candidate at all, a tinnitus masker or a masking noise may also help as well. The idea is that if you stimulate the cochlea with a masking noise , you will get releif from the tinnitus for awhile. Also, there has been an association of increased tinnitus with caffeine, red wines, hard cheeses and certain medications . Sometimes a change in diet can decrease tinnitus. I assume that you have had a full audiological workup to rule out anything else that may be causing your tinnitus. If not, you should do this first. Stress is also a factor in increased tinnitus and often once someone finds out that their tinnitus is not caused by something life threatening, the stress decreases and thus the tinnitus. There is a tinnitus foundation you can find on the web which may offer you more information--best of luck

Jay Ar · 04-05-2007, 09:48 PM

Thanks Remmy and Tall07, as a general rule I manage to live with it, as it's more of an annoying discomfort rather than a serious problem. It's there most of the time, but only becomes obvious at quiet times sitting at the computer, driving the car and laying down etc, etc. With regards to medication I'll list mine here and see if somebody can come up with some constructive advice.

Metoprolol (Minax 50) ..................50 mg twice a day.
Renitec Plus 20 mg / 6 mg.............1/2 Tab per day.
Movalis 15 mg............................1 Tab per day.
Zoton 30 mg............................1 Cap per day.
Asprin 300 mg..........................1/2 Tab per day.

I can't really do without any of these, however if somebody can see a definite association with Tinnitus maybe I could ask my Dr about trying a different brand to see if there is a change.

redcdg · 05-07-2007, 10:47 AM

if you have terrible tinnitus try the sound soother from the shaper image it is 59 dollars and is fabulous, or you can research the university of maryland tinnitus center. they have lots of techniques...

good luck..