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Hi Everyone,
I have seen 3 doctors so far to find out what has caused the sudden onset of hissing/ringing in both my ears. One said it could be an ear infection and put me on antibotics, no change. The next one put me on Stemzine, no change. The last one just said to wait a little longer and it would go away itself - yeh right!
I asked to see a ENT specialist to rule out any underlining issues, the last one was reluctant but agreed to refer me. We spoke about having a hearing test, well, I was one step ahead having already arranged one to at least find out whether a hearing loss was responsible.
I am stressing a little as I am finding it hard to live with this constant noise, particularly difficult at work when people are talking to me and even harder when I work in front of my computer in a quiet area.
I have researched some many sites and got lots of different advice. Sound therapy, hearing aids, masking, sound generators, TRT etc. There are so many people out there who say 'live with it' but I cannot, there must be some relief out there. I just don't know who to believe and what I should do?
Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Angelique
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Hi Angelique,
Welcome to the forum.
Yes, the information can be quite confusing, not only because tinnitus is not very well understood, but also because it can be quite different for everybody. This is because tinnitus is a nervous condition and thus depends strongly on the nervous activity, which in turn depends on a lot of things like nutrition, hormone levels, your psychological state etc.
So don't expect too much in a short time. It takes a while to orientate yourself and find your best way forward here. Don't worry, it will get better, but it will take time (for most people a few months).
Thomas
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Hi,
Just come back from having my hearing tested. The good news is that my hearing is OK and don't need hearing aids. The bad news is the guy I saw didn't know anything about T so couldn't even tell me my frequency. Told me to wait until I saw the ENT guy and ask! So do I have to repeat the test?
What questions will the ENT ask about my T? Will he? or do I have to force the issue?
Angelique
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Angelique,
There isn't really any point in forcing the issue at this point. The knowledge of the exact frequency doesn't help much unless you plan to do certain sound therapy programs. If you want to know it, you can determine it for instance at http://www.tinnitool.com/en/tinnitus_an … ertest.php (I am only linking to this for the frequency generator, not to promote the devices and services sold on this website). I think there are also iPhone apps that do a similar thing. It is best to use headphones for this.
Thomas
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Hi Angelique,
I have good experience with drinking alcohol-free beer to reduce the intensity of the tinnitus, and I had this confirmed by some others as well. You don't need to drink much, just a bottle or two every couple of days should be enough.
Thomas
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Hi Angelique,
I do feel your pain I have suffered from T for 2 years. Its a constant buzzing or ringing I get. I also have pain in my head do to the T. Now the good news. I'm still here. I live everyday with my T, over time you'll learn to go about your day and not focus on your T. It won't happen overnight and even when you learn to live with it you'll have days when it comes to get you. On those days I find pain killers, a stiff drink, or just going for a walk helps. I try to do the same things I did everyday before the T came.
After 3 ENT's and a dozen other doctors I have discovered they don't know how to stop T unless they find some other medical problem thats causing it.
If your like me you won't except your condition until you've run out of doctors. The journey may be long and you may not like the outcome.
All the best to you.
Tonyf
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Hi Tonyf,
Thanks for your message. I saw the ENT yesterday and he ordered an MRI but said not to bother making another appointment, he would ring me with the results. I got the impression he wasn't expecting any medical problem. At least I don't have to pay for the results!
The ENT said that my T wouldn't get any worse but really didn't actually do any test to gauge how bad it really was. He said that if I still had T in a year's time then I would expect it was permanent. Maybe then a special device could be considered.
I have been given anti-depressants by the doctor but I haven't taken them because when I researched them I found that one of the side affects is T. Why would I take something that has a side effect that I am trying to reduce?
I have had 2 days this week when my T has been bearable which is great. I find it very hard to hear at work, I have told my boss who is very understanding. He suggested I should try alternative treatments if there is no cure.
Keep you posted.
Angelique
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Hi Angelique,
If you can manage without anti-depressants, then this is of course very much preferable. The side effect of tinnitus is not so much an issue I think (as you have it already anyway), but there can be a host of other unpleasant side effects. On the other hand, I have heard from quite a few people where they have helped to cope with the situation in the initial stage. But if you feel strong enough to go through the next couple of months without them, I would not take them. A few months down the line the problem will have diminished anyway.
Thomas
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Hi Angelique,
As thomas stated I would stay off drugs unless the Doctors say to take them. Anti-D do help, they calm you down and help you sleep. Sleeping 7 to 8 hours can reduce the stress you have and reduce stress means less T. You may never get rid of the T so controling it is the best thing to do. You'll have a much better life once you learn to stop thinking about T. Keep yourself busy and go about the things you did before the T came. Its only a noise you hear and it won't hurt you. Soon your brain will tune it out but you have to stop thinking about it.
Last edited by Tonyf (27-07-2013 23:09:46)
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