Tinnitis ,please help

[DaveyO]

I posted the tinnitis question a couple of months ago, when i was considering picking up the bass again.
(i talked to an audiologist and she said it could get worse so i decided against it.)

I now have a differnt problem, i have gotten a new ringing ,all of a sudden,it is high piched and louder than the other one.
I 'm afraid if i see my Dr. he will want to put me on meds but i feel maybe by some miracle he might know what is wrong.

Has this happend to anybody?
It happened after a night of worring about stuff and not sleeping enough, i have been stressing about things and i let it get to me.
I'm hoping it is temporary, i am used to the first ringing since i have had it for about 18 yrs.But this one is louder,and hard to ignore.


Does anyone take meds or gingo biloba or b12 to help?
thanks to any one who posts, David

[jimmyd]

I get occasional minor bouts of high pitched ringing. I went through a period where I had it almost constantly. A  side bonus of a very healthy diet and serious health regime to address other health issues also got rid of most of the ringing. I guessed in my case it was partly due to very high blood pressure and stress but I really don't know. I encourage you to go back to the doctor and get all the info you can on your condition. You can always opt in or out of any treatment plan. It's your decision, not a doctors and knowledge can only help you with choices. Hope it is a manageable situation without the heavy meds.

[brimc76]

I've had it constantly for about a year now and at times it really does drive you crazy. I've been to doctors and hearing specialists who can't find anything wrong or any reason for it. The last hearing specialist I went to told me to try an ear, nose and throat specialist as she thought it could have something to do with the sinus problems I've been having. I'm still waiting to get in to see this guy.

[dberch]

Hi David.  I've had tinnitus for several years now.  Done lots of reading and been to a couple doctors and a specialist.  The consensus is: "You have tinnitus. Learn to live with it."

I've experience the "new tone" many times.  They always blend in with the others after a while.

There are several good web sites on the subject, just do a search for "tinnitus" on Google.  Here's the site for the American Tinnitus Association: www.ata.org

The net result of my research:

• Probably genetic.  Possibly brought on by the intravenous antibiotic I had to take in '96 after elbow surgery. 
• So far, just a nuisance
• Caffeine makes it worse, but I've yet to give up coffee.

Benefits: I can't hear the phone from the TV room any more.  :WNK>

Good luck.
David

[Sparkz]

I've had Tinnitus for close to 25 yrs now. A constant high pitched ringing in both ears. About a year ago all of a sudden my right just started ringing louder. It used to be I mostly heard it when things were quiet such as at nite in bed or at any time when things were still. Now!! its a constant audible annoying ringing. At first I thought I would not be able to live with it, but in time I guess Ive grown accustomed to it although its always present. I had been to several EN&T guys along the way and went again when things worsened. The doc's have pretty much always told me that it is the result of some audio nerve damage probably as a result of being around loud sounds. In my younger years... I lived loud sounds, guitars, concerts, stereo music, even some shotgun shooting etc etc.... the strange thing... when the right ear worsened none of those things were present or had been for a long time. Now I'm just an old acoustic family guy.... =)  anyway... I'm basically echoing what David said... if you have it...get used to it. The doc's have told me there are remedies out there but none of them really work. It was interesting that two of the Docs that I've seen along the way (about my same age) also had the same problem. It may help you to know that apparently there are quite a lot of tinnitus sufferers out here... the docs told me that although to some it can be quite debilitating, most learn to deal with it ... so far for me that has been the case. I hope also for you... Good Luck

[DaveyO]

Thanks for the replys, i really appreciate it.
I'm going to the Dr, this morning ,i dont expect him to help me ,but i dont see that  i have a choice.
I suppose i will have to live with it ,i have for a long time now, its just that this one is so loud.
Another question: does anyone use white noise or something else to sleep ?
I think i might need it for this one.
thanks ,David

[jeremy3220]

Diet makes a huge difference. Salt, Sugar, caffeine,and  alchohol can make the problem worse.

Also some people believe that since it's a response in the brain, you can train your brain to get rid of the ringing. Certainly we have some "control" over it since our perception often times depends on how much we concentrate on it.

[dberch]

Diet makes a huge difference. Salt, Sugar, caffeine,and  alchohol can make the problem worse.

I've heard that.  Have not had the discipline to test it.  :rolleyes:

I did notice that mine is noticably louder when reading this thread.  :GRN>

[DaveyO]

Thanks again for the kind and informative posts
I just came back from the Dr.and he says maybe stress or my borderline high blood pressure.
He started me on some meds(that i was putting off for some time now.)and he suggested some ear wax removal.
I will clean up my diet and hopefully with Gods help it will subside.
David

[dberch]

By they way, the white noise thing for sleeping has some merit.  We always have a fan going and that does the job.

[prof_stack]

The earwax removal idea is a good one.  Some people (like me) build it up pretty quickly and don't realize it. 

Exercise is also a stress reducer, not to mention helping blood pressure somewhat.

Good luck.

[jeremy3220]

Yeh weight training is great for reducing your resting BP, but check with you doctor first because during the lifting your BP goes way up.

[flaggerphil]

I've had it for over 25 years...mine comes mostly from too much time around jet engines and race engines.  For the most part I have learned to live with it, though, at night, a white noise machine comes in very handy.  The pitch and volume changes from time to time, but for the most part it's just a background high-pitched singing.

It's actually not that hard to live with.

[Ratishna]

To quote Miche Jagger: "What a drag it is getting old" though he sang it when he was young.

E. Shoaf

[DaveyO]

thanks again for the posts,
Actually i've lived with the first bout of tinnitis for 18yrs or so,this one does not let me sleep,
I got a prescription from the Dr. yesterday to calm me down and i waited till bedtime to take it.
I dont know what happened but i woke up during the night with it ringing loud,it may have something to do with the herbal pills i took at the same time.I've been taking some herbal pill that an accupunturist gave me.
I've had 2 sessions with her and no change,i dont know what to do anymore.

At this point i am asking for your prayers,
If i have to take a pill to maintain sanity i will, i just want some releif.
thanks to all .God bless you.
David

[bhika]

Prayer sent your way. I had a mild bout for a short while that was quite maddening, i can only imagine what you are going thru. Hope you find a solution or better yet that it goes away.

[DaveyO]

You said yours went away, how did it go away, .
did you go to the Dr?
This is the most awful thing i have been through.
Thanks,David

[Steve]

I got a prescription from the Dr. yesterday to calm me down

I hope it wasn't from the Benzodiazepine family.

If you think Tinnitis is bad, try withdrawing off Benzo's that my lovely doctor put me on years ago for anxiety after a disabliity.

Steve

[prof_stack]

Davey0, I hope it goes away soon. 

My bout with tinnitus was a few decades ago (THAT long ago?  Gosh, where does it go???).  Anyway, stress was part of the problem.  The tinnitus sort of left the same way it came, slowly, and then it was gone.  Weird. 

If you can get your mind to NOT focus on it, it will be a little better.  White noise (we use a Heathmate room air-purifier) can be a good thing, too.

Best of success to you.