Update - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

Ruth77 · 08-18-2003, 10:56 AM

Hi hbep and all,
This is probably not a good day to give an update on how I'm dealing with the tinnitus, as I'm just not coping today at all.

Thanks both to hbep and Brina for telling me how you dealt with the tinnitus. Stupid really, but I just feel if the volume could reduce by 50%, I think I could manage! Sure you felt that too!
Hbep - do you go to sleep without any background noise in the room? It sounds like you try not to mask the tinnitus. I couldn't possibly do this, although in a way I wish I could, as I'm pretty sick of having fans/maskers on all night.
I get the occasional patch where it definitely doesn't seem so loud. I still feel as though I have sellotape in my right ear when I squeeze the muscle in my ear - I don't know if this is something to do with the bone behind the eardrum? Am wondering if this is exacerbatiing the problem. Wishful thinking.

Do either of you find the noise sometimes alters? Or does it pretty much stay the same?
Was hoping this would be a more positive post, but never mind!
HOpe you are doing better,
Ruth
xxx

scant5 · 08-18-2003, 11:10 AM

Ruth;
Sorry to hear you are having such a bad time with the tinnitus. I don't really know your situation to well but I am wondering if you are on any kind of meds? I know that when I am having a rough patch and I take a few more diazapam than I wish I wouldn't have to take, that seems to aggravate my tinnitus. I on occasion get it vaguely in my left ear but I have it most of the time in my right ear, although as time goes on and on and on it appears to be diminishing. I also use a neti pot using sea salt every day to rinse out my sinuses. You may have heard all this before but I just thought it may help. My husband has had tinnitus for a very long time, sometimes its very pronounced but he got his from to much target shooting without the right ear protection. Sorry to hear you are suffering with this so much that it torments you. I read though that your dizzies are much better, I hope that is still the case.

all the best,
Kathy

hbep · 08-18-2003, 01:51 PM

Hi Ruth,

Don't worry about being in a bad frame of mind, I think you're in good company at the moment on the board. A lot of us, myself included, are pretty fed up.

The tinnitus - it's funny you should ask about masking it. Mine has definitely got louder, and is definitely more irritating. It's true, I can go to sleep without masking the racket in my ears, it's not exactly a pleasure at the moment, but I generally do as I have never liked the idea of dependancy on something external. Having said that, I guess this isn't strictly true as I always sleep with the window open, even in winter, I think I use external noise as a way to divert my attention from the T as opposed to masking it. And for the first time now I'm considering getting some cd's - rainforest sounds, waves etc, to use to a similiar end.

I have been lurking on the T board for a while now on account of the increasing T, and was interested that someone else also said you should have something you listen to which isn't louder than the T itself. I guess this is what I'm talking about, not masking exactly but diversion from the noise, which, it seems to me, wouldn't hinder habituation. Basically as habituation is learning to focus on the noise you want to hear, so that the T becomes like background noise, listening to something else as you go to sleep in this way should be fine. It trains you to do that.

Does my T change in volume? At the moment yes, no question. It spikes a lot at the mo, getting very loud. In my case I think it's tmjd related - it's worse after lots of talking and when I wake up first thing. And I am sometimes woken up by a spike. I am hoping that the new splint I get on Sep 3rd might help. To be honest, Ruth, I wouldn't be surprised if the sellotape feeling in your ears is related - sounds potentially like a muscle in spasm, although I can't be sure. With tmjd I get that tight feeling in my ears. It might also be possible you still have some fluid trapped in your e tube. I also often get an under water feeling - like my hearing isn't quite right.

The only piece of advice I can give on a T spike, is absolutely do not panic. I know for me panicking will made the spike louder. As hard as it is, if it spikes, try not to give it any attention, shift your focus, think calming thought - it will get quieter, it's ok, etc.... Tinnitus loves attention - the more you give it, the louder it gets. You do have some control even if it feels like you don't.

It's difficult, Ruth, mine has been really quite bad for the last couple of days, but for the moment I'm still ok. To be honest it's so flipping loud at night I'm actually amazed I am ok. I was listening to it last night thinking wow, how is this not driving me crazy? The answer is habituation. You will get there, it just takes a while. I'm sure once I'm used to it being louder I will probably get back to the point where I don't notice it again.

Don't feel you have to stay away from the board if you're having a bad time, that's what it's here for, to provide support. It's always good to hear from you,

best,

hbep.

[This message has been edited by hbep (edited 08-18-2003).]

I Robertson · 08-18-2003, 03:30 PM

Hi Ruth - excellent advice form the others - sorry too that you are having a rough time - as the others said you sure are in good company - many of us are having a tough patch at the moment. About the tinnitus - I have had it in the past and it drove me wild - like the others said it looooves attention and you gotta try to shift your attention - far easier said than done. My cleaner has Minieries disease and today she looked a bit upset (I have known her for over 7 years) and she said its the tinnitus - it was driving her nuts - she also has lost the vast majority of her hearing through Minieres hence why she cleans as her lip reading is kinda not great. Any how she said when she first got it over 20 years ago she felt like banging her head off a door hard - it drove her to what she describes as the edge. Eventually after much struggles and meds she accepted it and shifted her focus - she said that whilst it did not disappear it gradually became alot less annoying and generally does not bother her. Today was unusual for her she was feeling a little stressed and that just set of the annoyance with it. Chin up I hope you are OK!!

Cheyenne · 08-18-2003, 04:34 PM

Hi All.
I have tinnitus for 3 months and have lost 30 pounds. I have it in both ears (different sounds) and it is driving me crazy. Masking makes it louder. There are days when its bearable. also, have pain and pressure in both ears and jaw,nasal drip, tightness and open and closing (popping) right side of neck, vibrations nose and under chin near upper throat. My doctors look at me as if im crazy and just pats my shoulder. Any advice would be appreciated. I also just learned I have an enlarged thyroid and uncontrolled blood pressure. I have not been given any medication.