Tinnitus

[Tin Man]

So I've had tinnitus for over two years now. It hasn't really bothered me so far, but it seems to be getting worse. I'm planning on seeing a otolaryngologist (ear nose and throat specialist), but that won't be for a while. Does anyone have a history of tinnitus and/or has come across ways to reduce the noise.

I don't know what's causing it, but I do know it isn't from a waxy buildup or damage to my hearing. Any suggestions or advice would be welcome.

 

[barbad0s]

My mom has very bad tinnitus. For everyone it's probably a little different, but what seems to help is reducing stress, avoiding loud music, exercising, and sleeping regularly.

Tinnitus often causes depression, so you have to be careful with it.

 

[sprinkles]

I have mild tinnitus now and then. However I also have high frequency hearing, and a little hearing loss in upper-mid frequency mostly from listening to music too much.

Basically I can hear the vibrations that result from electronics operating (such as a monitor backlight) which sounds a lot like tinnitus, but it isn't because sure enough it will shut up just after pressing the power button (it takes a fraction of a second and I can actually hear the frequency quickly ramp down to nothing)

There's a range just below this level where my hearing is slightly impaired, which is about the same range that my tinnitus sounds like. Noises that are too loud in this range are painful.

As niffer said though, take care of yourself and avoid stress and loud noises, especially in the range of damaged hearing if you have it - just because you can't hear it well doesn't mean that it isn't loud and hurting you more.

 

[Tin Man]

My mom has very bad tinnitus. For everyone it's probably a little different, but what seems to help is reducing stress, avoiding loud music, exercising, and sleeping regularly.

Tinnitus often causes depression, so you have to be careful with it.

Hm, my tinnitus has worsened since starting a new job. I was very stressed for the first month or so and exercising far less regularly. I'm no longer under as much pressure and have started a new exercise routine so hopefully it will get better..

Thanks for the advice.

I have mild tinnitus now and then. However I also have high frequency hearing, and a little hearing loss in upper-mid frequency mostly from listening to music too much.

Basically I can hear the vibrations that result from electronics operating (such as a monitor backlight) which sounds a lot like tinnitus, but it isn't because sure enough it will shut up just after pressing the power button (it takes a fraction of a second and I can actually hear the frequency quickly ramp down to nothing)

There's a range just below this level where my hearing is slightly impaired, which is about the same range that my tinnitus sounds like. Noises that are too loud in this range are painful.

As niffer said though, take care of yourself and avoid stress and loud noises, especially in the range of damaged hearing if you have it - just because you can't hear it well doesn't mean that it isn't loud and hurting you more.

My hearing is quite sensitive; I at first thought that the noise I was hearing was a high pitch vibration. I've done extensive testing on my own ears and while I haven't ruled it out, I'm pretty certain there's no hearing loss. I avoid loud noises whenever I can. I usually listen to music on the lowest range possible as anything more is painful (and even this is sometimes too loud for me.)

 

[sprinkles]

My hearing is quite sensitive; I at first thought that the noise I was hearing was a high pitch vibration. I've done extensive testing on my own ears and while I haven't ruled it out, I'm pretty certain there's no hearing loss. I avoid loud noises whenever I can. I usually listen to music on the lowest range possible as anything more is painful (and even this is sometimes too loud for me.)

This could be a contributor already. What's your environment like most of the time?

Loudness is not the only thing that causes damage, repetition does as well. Background noise also counts, for example one sewing machine might not be very loud but if you have a thousand of them running at once in a factory, it becomes a different story.

 

[TinyBubbles]

drink a lot of water and keep stress down. also get yourself checked for any hidden allergies, and ensure you're not nutrient deficient.

 

[Tin Man]

This could be a contributor already. What's your environment like most of the time?

Loudness is not the only thing that causes damage, repetition does as well. Background noise also counts, for example one sewing machine might not be very loud but if you have a thousand of them running at once in a factory, it becomes a different story.

At home it's pretty quiet. I usually have a laptop or a console running. That or I'll be listening to music and reading. I wear headphones, but the sound is very low.

I work in tech support (the tinnitus started well before this job) so I'm in an area where a lot of machines are running. The tinnitus has gotten worse since starting here, but I'm not sure if that's down to stress or just a coincidence.

 

[sprinkles]

At home it's pretty quiet. I usually have a laptop or a console running. That or I'll be listening to music and reading. I wear headphones, but the sound is very low.

I work in tech support (the tinnitus started well before this job) so I'm in an area where a lot of machines are running. The tinnitus has gotten worse since starting here, but I'm not sure if that's down to stress or just a coincidence.

That could be enough especially if your hearing is very good and undamaged. My grandmother was like that.

Not a lot you can do about it I suppose, other than what's been suggested already. You'll have to see a doc about it. I was just wondering since even though there can be other causes of tinnitus, damage is by far the most common.

 

[Tin Man]

That could be enough especially if your hearing is very good and undamaged. My grandmother was like that.

Not a lot you can do about it I suppose, other than what's been suggested already. You'll have to see a doc about it. I was just wondering since even though there can be other causes of tinnitus, damage is by far the most common.

I've already seen a general practitioner, but he said everything seemed fine. That's why I plan to see a specialist even if it does return to normal.

 

[Tin Man]

drink a lot of water and keep stress down. also get yourself checked for any hidden allergies, and ensure you're not nutrient deficient.

It could be related to an allergy. I have quite a bad case of sinusitis which might also be caused by a hidden allergy.

 

[TinyBubbles]

It could be related to an allergy. I have quite a bad case of sinusitis which might also be caused by a hidden allergy.

you might want to look into doing a 3 week food allergy diet, and supplement it by keeping your surroundings quiet and dust free etc.
also i've heard of people eating nothing but hemp seeds for a few weeks, and their tinnitus symptoms (among other things) clearing up. might be worth a shot

 

[Tin Man]

you might want to look into doing a 3 week food allergy diet, and supplement it by keeping your surroundings quiet and dust free etc.
also i've heard of people eating nothing but hemp seeds for a few weeks, and their tinnitus symptoms (among other things) clearing up. might be worth a shot

Yes, that's one option. Or I could rip out my eardrums and go deaf, might be less painful.

 

[TinyBubbles]

Yes, that's one option. Or I could rip out my eardrums and go deaf, might be less painful.

lol, it could be you're imagining the noise, in which case ripping out your eardrums wouldn't do much good and at least you aren't listening to kesha repeatedly. now that would be torture.

 

[jyrffw54]

I know you said, it isn't from a waxy build up, but perhaps, get your neck adjusted.

 

[Quiet]

[MENTION=5667]Jacobi[/MENTION], this information is more from a naturopathic perspective and your doctor may or may not think its ridiculous.

Do you have high blood pressure? This can be accompanied by tinnitus symptoms.

The main vitamins/nutrients to increase in your diet generally for the reduction of tinnitus symptoms are Vitamin B group, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Choline, and Zinc.

I dont like supplements or 'taking anything', but if you dont mind these... try a Vitamin B group and Zinc supplemet. I wouldnt bother with supplements for the other things because they are so easy to get in your diet.

Eggs are a great source for choline, Vitamins E, B12, and zinc. Vitamin A can be found in yellow/orange fruit and veg, dark green leafy veg, and oily fish.

So if you can -eat more eggs, oily yum fish like salmon and tuna, spinach, kale, oranges, carrots and nuts. Drink plenty of water, do 20 mins of cardio a day, and try to have a regular sleep schedule. These things certainly wont harm you in any case- unless you are allergic to nuts then you're totally fucked.

Ginko Biloba can also be very helpful. I prefer this as a tea, rather than as a supplement. It may help with memory, concentration and many other good things too.

Avoid artificial sweetners such as aspartame - equal, nutrasweet. These can also be found in many 'diet' drinks and foods.

....
And on a totally separate note to everything....what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the tinnitus? The first word, impression, feeling, though, image etc. What is it associated with? See if there is any specific triggers at all for when it occurs

Try meditation- maybe a physical mindful meditation where you meditate on a particular picture or an object such as as a interesting rock. If you use a rock for this meditation then you can carry it around with you to use whenever you need it
When you're alone, you could also try a chanting meditation when you're experiencing the tinnitus

 

[just me]

I have tinnitus: had it a long time.

Stay away from chocolates. There are foods you should stay away from. That may help control the intensity. They say to use sound at night, like a light fan, to help. Tried hearing aids and all they did was amplify the sounds around me, doing nothing for the sounds.
Was given a med that gave me kidney stones/crystals and that is no fun. I just try and live with it best I can. Gets loud sometimes and even more loud when listening to it. Ask about problems passing remnants of any pills they offer you through the urinary tract that could cause problems, or keep an eye on it. First my doctor had ever heard of such a thing, he said. Good luck.

Cause could be many different things. Having my left ear binged by a ten gauge shotgun's muzzle blast twice didn't help, and loving to shoot doesn't help. Don't take high concentrations of calcium without knowing it could cause you great pain.