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Some doctors and professionals in this trade told me to give it a couple of months, and share their experience that quite a proportion of those they see actually see it resolve on its own.
Thomas also says that hopefully, there is improvement in 2-6 months for most cases.
Any readers do share what it was like for you in the initial period? Some tinnitus did not just reduce in volume and becomes no longer disruptive, I was told of cases where it simply vanish?
Specifically, has anyone experience high bouts of anxiety over this condition and in spite of that still improve? I've never been so anxious in my life, and can't seem to bring the anxiety level down for longer durations. I will have one good day full of hope. Then the next day, there will be a spiralling down.
I understand most resolved cases stop checking in to tinnitus forums. This is one reason the medical professionals actually commanded that I stop checking in to the internet to read up on tinnitus. They say that at international conferences, they have established many doom-and-gloom sites that are stirred up by folks with a profit-motive. I'm checking in to Thomas's site because I find his advice level-minded. This forum's members also share in quite genuine ways.
The other reason is they say it does not do well for a tinnitus patient to keep being reminded of the tinnitus sounds. They want me to keep myself distracted with activities. A walk around shopping malls which are pleasant and not noisy is encouraged. In a silent room, they want me to on soft music. They also encourage certain maskers, which a counsellor would recommend to me.
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Alena,
It is true that some forums are quite depressing to read. That's the reason why I decided to set up my own website and forum, which tries to focus on positive advice how best to deal with the condition and improve it. It is here all about getting tips and advice and lastly also moral support from people who have been or are in a similar situation, not about hanging out here and creating a community of sufferers. Lastly, you have to find your own way out of this condition, but some information and advice is certainly needed for this. And the medical profession are mostly unfortunately not in a position to provide much in this respect.
Distraction does certainly make some sense, but it could backfire if you let it develop into a compulsive behaviour. In this sense, maskers or some other measures may not be right for everybody. My suggestion is, if you can't integrate something in an 'innocent' and unobtrusive way into your life, then leave it.
Thomas
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Alena I feel your pain, I go up and down with my emotions all the time also but I try not to and it gets better every week. My tinnitus rarely goes up at a level that's extremely annoying like it was in the first month and a half so there has been some progress. I do still believe it can vanish one day...I remember when I needed my music on my head just watching tv etc.
I still do have the urge to fight it and purposely try and listen for it etc. Don't do this, normally you wouldn't either.
I can work without hearing it (thank god) but at home I hear it in silent spots, I also developed the urge/obsession to search for the tone, hearing it in the bedroom is very annoying because it's so silent there. For sleeping I use my Ipod, put it on max sound and lay the headphones under/next to my pillow, this works for me since this masks my tinnitus (or for the biggest part). In the morning I wake up take my ipod off fast and don't lie around waiting for the sound to get louder.
The tinnitus got a hold of me at a time that my mother was having chemo for her breastcancer, I felt so terrible for her but I felt emotionally unavailable at one point. I hated myself for being to self absorbed with my T while she was so sick. No one can really understand how insane this sound makes you, unless they've had it/got it. And here is the kicker, my mom knows, she has had it for a year when she was 40...that really helped cause I have a feeling, no matter what the cause is, it can get better.
Hang on in there, more and more research is being done, even today in the newspaper there was a good article that gives me hope:
On this forum you can read the translation of the article:
http://tinnitussupport92262.yuku.com/to … g-Tinnitus
My counceller also advised me to go out more, for walks, exercising and just regular fun with friends. Take your earplugs/ipod with you, even if it's just for a secure feeling.
Last edited by Xander21 (05-02-2013 21:32:33)
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Xander, ipod and earplugs caused hearing loss in some tinnitus sufferers we read about. Presume theirs loud volume. Do take care with your volume, Xander!
Not a fan of earplugs so it's down to ambient noise, radio or soft music. Neuromonics claims speedier habituation but is it true? New to all this. Swamped by all the checkups I'm lined up for.
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I don't have to put the volume loud to mask my Tinnitus. I use the lowest setting when it's actually on my ears, but I only put it on max when its under my pillow when I don't want the plugs in my ears.
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