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About 6 months ago I became aware of a background hissing noise in my hearing. It hasn't got much worse, but it's always there. I can cope with it - people put up with a lot more - but it's mildly annoying, to say the least. As ambient noise increases, so does the hiss.
I went to the GP who referred me to an ear/nose/throat clinic, which I attended yesterday. No physical symptoms or causes were evident, and a hearing test was absolutely normal. Basically the specialist said, "It's in your brain and not your ear, there's nothing we can do, move along now please".
I'm not going to delve into the internet too much, that way lies madness. But are people aware of any solutions that might help?
I went to the GP who referred me to an ear/nose/throat clinic, which I attended yesterday. No physical symptoms or causes were evident, and a hearing test was absolutely normal. Basically the specialist said, "It's in your brain and not your ear, there's nothing we can do, move along now please".
I'm not going to delve into the internet too much, that way lies madness. But are people aware of any solutions that might help?
2
In reply to airborne:
I've had it for 10 years. The best advice I can give is to ignore it. As the doctor said, it's in your brain not your ear.
Sorry not to provide a magic cure.
I've had it for 10 years. The best advice I can give is to ignore it. As the doctor said, it's in your brain not your ear.
Sorry not to provide a magic cure.
4
In reply to airborne:
If it’s permanent tinnitus then I’m afraid you have to learn to live with it. I also suffer as a consequence of a concert. I was in bits for the first few weeks but have come to accept it.
It’s great you’re not too bothered by it and if that’s the case crack on and do your best not to actively ‘listen’ for it, which is the best advice you’ll get, as difficult as it is to do.
Unfortunately for some, tinnitus can become a serious mental health problem caused by the way they react to what’s happening, rather than the tinnitus itself.
In the meantime, be sure to protect your ears and hearing when ever possible. It’s precious and easily damaged.
Best of luck and like you say, don’t google too much!
If it’s permanent tinnitus then I’m afraid you have to learn to live with it. I also suffer as a consequence of a concert. I was in bits for the first few weeks but have come to accept it.
It’s great you’re not too bothered by it and if that’s the case crack on and do your best not to actively ‘listen’ for it, which is the best advice you’ll get, as difficult as it is to do.
Unfortunately for some, tinnitus can become a serious mental health problem caused by the way they react to what’s happening, rather than the tinnitus itself.
In the meantime, be sure to protect your ears and hearing when ever possible. It’s precious and easily damaged.
Best of luck and like you say, don’t google too much!
Post edited at 13:11
5
In reply to airborne:
It seems to be an area that medical science has either no interest in investigating, or is unable to find a solution to. The number of people who suffer from tinnitus is enormous.
And, no, I don't think it's just in my brain; my onset was associated with an ear infection. There are physical symptoms that they cannot diagnose, because they don't have the necessary imaging or investigation techniques.
I've had mine for about 25 years. When I first had it investigated, I did a test myself, to find out what frequency it was (a self-quieting or nulling test, using a audio frequency oscillator and a speaker). When I saw the 'consultant', I said "I've got a 12.8k tone in both ears". He looked at me blankly. "12.8kHz" I said. "oh, we use cycles per second". I decided I was probably on a hiding to nothing at that point. The best investigation they could do was an gadolinium enhanced MRI to eliminate a tumour as the cause; that's probably what they meant when you were told there were no physical symptoms.
It seems to be an area that medical science has either no interest in investigating, or is unable to find a solution to. The number of people who suffer from tinnitus is enormous.
And, no, I don't think it's just in my brain; my onset was associated with an ear infection. There are physical symptoms that they cannot diagnose, because they don't have the necessary imaging or investigation techniques.
I've had mine for about 25 years. When I first had it investigated, I did a test myself, to find out what frequency it was (a self-quieting or nulling test, using a audio frequency oscillator and a speaker). When I saw the 'consultant', I said "I've got a 12.8k tone in both ears". He looked at me blankly. "12.8kHz" I said. "oh, we use cycles per second". I decided I was probably on a hiding to nothing at that point. The best investigation they could do was an gadolinium enhanced MRI to eliminate a tumour as the cause; that's probably what they meant when you were told there were no physical symptoms.
8
In reply to airborne:
I've had it for about 8 years now, accompanied by slight/moderate hearing loss, a permanent slight headache and a feeling of constantly wanting to pop my ears (a condition called bilateral sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss).
If you've ever been up in a plane & can't get your ears to pop - that's what I have 24/7.
You slowly get used to it, like living next to a noisy road. There are many coping strategies, like always having a bit of background noise, it can be a case of mucking around & seeing what works best for you.
I've had it for about 8 years now, accompanied by slight/moderate hearing loss, a permanent slight headache and a feeling of constantly wanting to pop my ears (a condition called bilateral sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss).
If you've ever been up in a plane & can't get your ears to pop - that's what I have 24/7.
You slowly get used to it, like living next to a noisy road. There are many coping strategies, like always having a bit of background noise, it can be a case of mucking around & seeing what works best for you.
1
In reply to Chris Harris:
This is good advice and it works, I hate it when I cant hear the birds when on a walk, although you can if you get an hearing aid. I can relax with headphones on listening to music etc.
Make sure people know that you have trouble if you cant hear what they say at all times.
> You slowly get used to it, like living next to a noisy road. There are many coping strategies, like always having a bit of background noise, it can be a case of mucking around & seeing what works best for you.
This is good advice and it works, I hate it when I cant hear the birds when on a walk, although you can if you get an hearing aid. I can relax with headphones on listening to music etc.
Make sure people know that you have trouble if you cant hear what they say at all times.
3
In reply to airborne:
Like everyone else has said, I'm afraid you have to live with it.
I went to see Judas Priest in 1978 and the sound mix was terrible, the cymbals were far too loud. I still have them ringing in my ears. However, most of the time I'm not conscious of them unless I think about it but it does bugger up your hearing. Especially listening to women whose voices are higher and especially discriminating consonants which tend to be spoken at a higher frequency.
As I became more decrepit my hearing degraded further and I now have hearing aids which has improved this very significantly. On the first day I got them I walked back to my flat and pulled my keys out of my pocket to open the front door. I realized then that I hadn't heard keys jangling in over thirty years.
Hearing aids may improve your ability to hear conversation but they won't cure the problem I'm afraid.
Like everyone else has said, I'm afraid you have to live with it.
I went to see Judas Priest in 1978 and the sound mix was terrible, the cymbals were far too loud. I still have them ringing in my ears. However, most of the time I'm not conscious of them unless I think about it but it does bugger up your hearing. Especially listening to women whose voices are higher and especially discriminating consonants which tend to be spoken at a higher frequency.
As I became more decrepit my hearing degraded further and I now have hearing aids which has improved this very significantly. On the first day I got them I walked back to my flat and pulled my keys out of my pocket to open the front door. I realized then that I hadn't heard keys jangling in over thirty years.
Hearing aids may improve your ability to hear conversation but they won't cure the problem I'm afraid.
8
In reply to captain paranoia:
Agree that it’s surprising how little medical progress has been made with tinnitus.
I also think there’s more work to be done to educate people around the damage loud noise can do to our hearing.
I’m always astonished that you’re not expected to undertake anything vaguely noisy in the workplace without having to wear ear defenders, yet you can pay good money for the Foo Fighters (in my case) to blow your ears off.
I sound like my father, but it’s not until it’s too late that people, myself included, realise that hearing damage is pretty irreversible.
Agree that it’s surprising how little medical progress has been made with tinnitus.
I also think there’s more work to be done to educate people around the damage loud noise can do to our hearing.
I’m always astonished that you’re not expected to undertake anything vaguely noisy in the workplace without having to wear ear defenders, yet you can pay good money for the Foo Fighters (in my case) to blow your ears off.
I sound like my father, but it’s not until it’s too late that people, myself included, realise that hearing damage is pretty irreversible.
1
In reply to airborne:
My advice - If at all possible just ignore it, don’t dwell on it, avoid making associations (this or that makes it worse etc) and don’t talk about it. Accept it as it is normal for you (which if it’s permanent it will be). Hopefully you will find you can de-sensitise easily and train your brain to ignore it, and if it comes to your attention, you can quickly forget it and move on.
Mine, 40yrs+, mainly is only noticeable when the frequency changes, when certain external frequencies stir it up, volume of tv radio or whatever too high (mine increases in volume and pitch in a form of competition!) or if I’m in a silent place. Sometimes changes are needed - use background noise, leave environments which make it worse, etc.
Learn to love your tinnitus! It’s part of you. Seriously try not to let it bother you or that could build and build and cause mental health issues. For what it’s worth mine has not got that much worse over the years though hearing folk has. Group conversations are nigh on impossible to make out an individual talking within unless they are talking directly at me. Any angle away and I miss out lots of words. If you can’t hear folk, I just say I can’t make them out and avoid saying it’s due to tinnitus. With me it always seems to stir it up when I specifically say it!
My advice - If at all possible just ignore it, don’t dwell on it, avoid making associations (this or that makes it worse etc) and don’t talk about it. Accept it as it is normal for you (which if it’s permanent it will be). Hopefully you will find you can de-sensitise easily and train your brain to ignore it, and if it comes to your attention, you can quickly forget it and move on.
Mine, 40yrs+, mainly is only noticeable when the frequency changes, when certain external frequencies stir it up, volume of tv radio or whatever too high (mine increases in volume and pitch in a form of competition!) or if I’m in a silent place. Sometimes changes are needed - use background noise, leave environments which make it worse, etc.
Learn to love your tinnitus! It’s part of you. Seriously try not to let it bother you or that could build and build and cause mental health issues. For what it’s worth mine has not got that much worse over the years though hearing folk has. Group conversations are nigh on impossible to make out an individual talking within unless they are talking directly at me. Any angle away and I miss out lots of words. If you can’t hear folk, I just say I can’t make them out and avoid saying it’s due to tinnitus. With me it always seems to stir it up when I specifically say it!
4
In reply to plyometrics:
If you go to loud gigs, take a look at the ears of the musicians: they will *always* be wearing earplugs. If it's good enough for them ...
I often wear earplugs at gigs now: I am way over any 'embarrassment' factor. Good ones (with a flat frequency response - i.e. they take 20dB off, equally across all frequencies) are made by 'Etymotic Research'. (That company also makes the individually-tailored 'professional' ones, which the musos you're listening to might well be wearing ....)
> I’m always astonished that you’re not expected to undertake anything vaguely noisy in the workplace without having to wear ear defenders, yet you can pay good money for the Foo Fighters (in my case) to blow your ears off.
If you go to loud gigs, take a look at the ears of the musicians: they will *always* be wearing earplugs. If it's good enough for them ...
I often wear earplugs at gigs now: I am way over any 'embarrassment' factor. Good ones (with a flat frequency response - i.e. they take 20dB off, equally across all frequencies) are made by 'Etymotic Research'. (That company also makes the individually-tailored 'professional' ones, which the musos you're listening to might well be wearing ....)
1
In reply to Rob Parsons:
Agree and generally most musicians know the danger. Infrequent concert goes don’t, necessarily.
I had some fitted ear plugs made by Boots, they’re superb and use them for the theatre and cinema etc. Best £160 I’ve ever spent. Unfortunately you won’t ever see me at a concert now, irrespective of how good they are!
Agree and generally most musicians know the danger. Infrequent concert goes don’t, necessarily.
I had some fitted ear plugs made by Boots, they’re superb and use them for the theatre and cinema etc. Best £160 I’ve ever spent. Unfortunately you won’t ever see me at a concert now, irrespective of how good they are!
Post edited at 15:58
1
In reply to Chris Harris:
That was one of the other 'theories' offered by the consultant I saw. A hearing test showed a roll-off in my hearing; pretty dramatic above about 5k. He said that because of this, I was hearing internal noises that would otherwise have been masked by my good hearing. This didn't make sense to me, and was the wrong way round; the new tinnitus tone in my ears was masking the external sounds, causing an effective loss of hearing performance as the external sounds approached the tone frequency. A phenomenon known as self-quieting in a radio receiver, and a known psychoacoustic phenomenon exploited in various audio compression algorithms. Just before my problem started, I had been working on a voice-coding radio, and we had been performing DRT & DAM tests. Out of the entire project group, I consistently recorded the highest scores, suggesting my hearing up to that point was pretty good.
"http://www.dynastat.com/Listening%20Crews.htm"
> accompanied by slight/moderate hearing loss,
That was one of the other 'theories' offered by the consultant I saw. A hearing test showed a roll-off in my hearing; pretty dramatic above about 5k. He said that because of this, I was hearing internal noises that would otherwise have been masked by my good hearing. This didn't make sense to me, and was the wrong way round; the new tinnitus tone in my ears was masking the external sounds, causing an effective loss of hearing performance as the external sounds approached the tone frequency. A phenomenon known as self-quieting in a radio receiver, and a known psychoacoustic phenomenon exploited in various audio compression algorithms. Just before my problem started, I had been working on a voice-coding radio, and we had been performing DRT & DAM tests. Out of the entire project group, I consistently recorded the highest scores, suggesting my hearing up to that point was pretty good.
"http://www.dynastat.com/Listening%20Crews.htm"
In reply to BnB:
Much like the eyes, the ear’s signal transduction layers are an extension of the brain. Talking with someone who studies calcium signalling in the ear’s sensory layers they said that one some forms of tinnitus, sometimes nerve hairs around the tinnitus’ frequency vibrate more in an affected ear.
To the OP: Neurons are ‘plastic’ and can reconfigure their architecture. It’s likely that one day enough will be known to help do this to alleviate tinnitus. So keep the faith. I’m afraid I don’t have anything immediatly useful to add.
> As the doctor said, it's in your brain not your ear.
Much like the eyes, the ear’s signal transduction layers are an extension of the brain. Talking with someone who studies calcium signalling in the ear’s sensory layers they said that one some forms of tinnitus, sometimes nerve hairs around the tinnitus’ frequency vibrate more in an affected ear.
To the OP: Neurons are ‘plastic’ and can reconfigure their architecture. It’s likely that one day enough will be known to help do this to alleviate tinnitus. So keep the faith. I’m afraid I don’t have anything immediatly useful to add.
Post edited at 20:37
In reply to airborne:
I'm a sufferer - mostly with whistling in L ear. Allegedley gingko is supposed to help - so I've made tinctures with the yellowing autumn leaves BUT though this has been amusing to sip upon I can't report any direct benefits
I'm a sufferer - mostly with whistling in L ear. Allegedley gingko is supposed to help - so I've made tinctures with the yellowing autumn leaves BUT though this has been amusing to sip upon I can't report any direct benefits
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
A lot of good advice there. Your tinnitus sounds(!) very much like mine. Mine started in 1978, at first as a high pitched hiss. Extremely distressing for the first 3 months or so. During hearing tests I was incapable of detecting very high frequencies played through the head phones until they got to almost the highest volume. Lower frequencies were unaffected. Since then I've had a few increases in apparent volume but mainly the changes have been the addition of new tones, some of which have become permanent but some temporary and which have stopped after a few months.
So at present I have the original , though now louder, hissing, a sort of rhythmical cymbal 'tse' noise and a third which I can only describe as like cicadas. I tend to switch off in noisy crowded rooms and like you can only hold a conversation in those circumstances if I'm looking directly at the person. Watching films on the telly I have to have subtitles on. Lower frequencies are still largely unaffected - I can hear male voices easier than female. I tend not to be able to distinguish between an 'f' and an 's' which can be amusing at times. Annoyingly I do tend to hear incredibly quiet noises at night that my wife doesn't hear at all...
To the OP: Pieman's advice of trying to ignore it is spot on even though it might sound a bit flippant. It's possible to go for long periods without being aware of it though that won't happen immediately, I think your brain has to sort of normalize it first. Try not to get angry with people who say 'oh, I get that sometimes...' - chances are they don't. Stuff like noise cancelling head phones don't work - precisely because, as folk have said, the noises are internal, not external. I found/find it encouraging to hear other people talk about their tinnitus - not because I think I might stumble on a magical cure - but because it's nice to know I'm not alone and that others learn to cope as I do.
A lot of good advice there. Your tinnitus sounds(!) very much like mine. Mine started in 1978, at first as a high pitched hiss. Extremely distressing for the first 3 months or so. During hearing tests I was incapable of detecting very high frequencies played through the head phones until they got to almost the highest volume. Lower frequencies were unaffected. Since then I've had a few increases in apparent volume but mainly the changes have been the addition of new tones, some of which have become permanent but some temporary and which have stopped after a few months.
So at present I have the original , though now louder, hissing, a sort of rhythmical cymbal 'tse' noise and a third which I can only describe as like cicadas. I tend to switch off in noisy crowded rooms and like you can only hold a conversation in those circumstances if I'm looking directly at the person. Watching films on the telly I have to have subtitles on. Lower frequencies are still largely unaffected - I can hear male voices easier than female. I tend not to be able to distinguish between an 'f' and an 's' which can be amusing at times. Annoyingly I do tend to hear incredibly quiet noises at night that my wife doesn't hear at all...
To the OP: Pieman's advice of trying to ignore it is spot on even though it might sound a bit flippant. It's possible to go for long periods without being aware of it though that won't happen immediately, I think your brain has to sort of normalize it first. Try not to get angry with people who say 'oh, I get that sometimes...' - chances are they don't. Stuff like noise cancelling head phones don't work - precisely because, as folk have said, the noises are internal, not external. I found/find it encouraging to hear other people talk about their tinnitus - not because I think I might stumble on a magical cure - but because it's nice to know I'm not alone and that others learn to cope as I do.
5
In reply to airborne:
Contrary to others' experiences on here, my tinnitus was entirely cured by hearing aids (while I am wearing them).
I suffer from high tone deafness (too many machine guns in my youth) and have had some hearing loss and irritating tinnitus for many years. I finally succumbed and went to the GP about 18 months ago, who referred my to spec savers for a hearing test. One hour later, I'm officially mutton Jeff, have some natty NHS hearing aids and have been told that there is a good chance that my tinnitus will go away now that my ears are dealing with more information than before.
Turns out to be correct: my tinnitus has effectively gone day to day. I am only conscious of it when I take the hearing aids out at night. A huge improvement!
Contrary to others' experiences on here, my tinnitus was entirely cured by hearing aids (while I am wearing them).
I suffer from high tone deafness (too many machine guns in my youth) and have had some hearing loss and irritating tinnitus for many years. I finally succumbed and went to the GP about 18 months ago, who referred my to spec savers for a hearing test. One hour later, I'm officially mutton Jeff, have some natty NHS hearing aids and have been told that there is a good chance that my tinnitus will go away now that my ears are dealing with more information than before.
Turns out to be correct: my tinnitus has effectively gone day to day. I am only conscious of it when I take the hearing aids out at night. A huge improvement!
1
In reply to angry pirate:
Interesting. No-one has ever suggested hearing aids would help, having been back and forth a few times over the last 25 years...
Interesting. No-one has ever suggested hearing aids would help, having been back and forth a few times over the last 25 years...
2
In reply to angry pirate:
I suffer a high pitched whistling tone and have suffered hearing damage over the years through various things. I have NHS aids and tinnitus has virtually gone now, it returns if I don't wear my aids for a few days. They emit a barely audible white noise and this stimulates the parts of the brain causing the problem. It takes a few visits to get the level and tone of the white noise just right but they have been a revelation.
I suffer a high pitched whistling tone and have suffered hearing damage over the years through various things. I have NHS aids and tinnitus has virtually gone now, it returns if I don't wear my aids for a few days. They emit a barely audible white noise and this stimulates the parts of the brain causing the problem. It takes a few visits to get the level and tone of the white noise just right but they have been a revelation.
5
In reply to airborne:
Working in an iron foundry did for me, no ear shields back then . Moderate hearing loss in both ears, and, sometimes extreme, tinnitus.
Sometimes, rarely, but sometimes, my tinnitus takes the sound of rolling waves, and high wind. If this happens while I'm in bed it can actually help get me off to sleep.
Nothing else to add to the good advice which has already been offered.
Working in an iron foundry did for me, no ear shields back then . Moderate hearing loss in both ears, and, sometimes extreme, tinnitus.
Sometimes, rarely, but sometimes, my tinnitus takes the sound of rolling waves, and high wind. If this happens while I'm in bed it can actually help get me off to sleep.
Nothing else to add to the good advice which has already been offered.
2
In reply to captain paranoia:
Funnily, I had a conversation with a guy recently about this as I'd mentioned to his son that my tinnitus had gone since wearing hearing aids. I suspect it's a matter of severity. Mine isn't terrible by comparison to the tales some folk have to tell.
Funnily, I had a conversation with a guy recently about this as I'd mentioned to his son that my tinnitus had gone since wearing hearing aids. I suspect it's a matter of severity. Mine isn't terrible by comparison to the tales some folk have to tell.
In reply to wilkie14c:
Great isn't it! I actually cried the first time I realised the whistling was gone.
Great isn't it! I actually cried the first time I realised the whistling was gone.
2
In reply to airborne:
on youtube there are 'white noise' videos which i find helpful to block out background noise. they could be enough to distract you from the tinnitus and break the cycle of paying attention to it for a while.
on youtube there are 'white noise' videos which i find helpful to block out background noise. they could be enough to distract you from the tinnitus and break the cycle of paying attention to it for a while.
In reply to airborne:
Steady whine for me - probably always there but I manage to tune it out a lot of the time I think. Guns and armoured vehicle engines did it for me. I have hearing loss at a certain frequency and could have hearing aids if I want. My wife tells me I'm deaf. I say "What?". On the strength of this thread I might go and do something about it.
One thing no-one has mentioned is that a good single malt at bedtime helps a great deal. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it, and I don't hear anyone saying it's nonsense.
Steady whine for me - probably always there but I manage to tune it out a lot of the time I think. Guns and armoured vehicle engines did it for me. I have hearing loss at a certain frequency and could have hearing aids if I want. My wife tells me I'm deaf. I say "What?". On the strength of this thread I might go and do something about it.
One thing no-one has mentioned is that a good single malt at bedtime helps a great deal. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it, and I don't hear anyone saying it's nonsense.
4
In reply to airborne:
My sympathies to all the sufferers who've posted and respect to all those who've found ways of tuning it out. I have a self-interested question: did anyone get any warning signs before the tinnitus became permanent? I ask because I recently attended a very loud Walter Trout gig at a small local club and when I got back I had a ringing/buzzing in my ears for a good few hours. Still there when I woke up in the middle of the night, but gone by morning. (The effects of the Shipyard IPA were still present however!) During a lifetime of attending a lot of gigs this is the worst I've experienced it and the first since I was young and foolish. I'm now in my 60's and my hearing isn't quite what it was. Does this ring any bells (sorry) with anyone?
I think I may well be trying out earplugs at the next gig. Since it's the farewell tour of what's left of Beefheart's Magic Band I don't really think it matters if I look a bit weird!
My sympathies to all the sufferers who've posted and respect to all those who've found ways of tuning it out. I have a self-interested question: did anyone get any warning signs before the tinnitus became permanent? I ask because I recently attended a very loud Walter Trout gig at a small local club and when I got back I had a ringing/buzzing in my ears for a good few hours. Still there when I woke up in the middle of the night, but gone by morning. (The effects of the Shipyard IPA were still present however!) During a lifetime of attending a lot of gigs this is the worst I've experienced it and the first since I was young and foolish. I'm now in my 60's and my hearing isn't quite what it was. Does this ring any bells (sorry) with anyone?
I think I may well be trying out earplugs at the next gig. Since it's the farewell tour of what's left of Beefheart's Magic Band I don't really think it matters if I look a bit weird!
2
In reply to Andy Clarke:
No, absolutely no warning at all. Mine started one day driving home from work and never stopped.
No, absolutely no warning at all. Mine started one day driving home from work and never stopped.
2
In reply to jon:
Same here. Started one day, with no obvious exposure to loud noises. Hasn't stopped since then.
After a few days, I went to the doc, and he could see some redness in my ears, indicating an infection. Antibiotics cleared that up, but not the noise.
I did wonder whether the infection made me more susceptible to noise-related damage; I'd spent the day helping a mate to shovel a load of earth around in his garden, so had been the regular sounds of shovel on concrete; not loud, but probably containing a fair bit of energy at the top end of the audio spectrum.
I'd had the usual ringing ears after going to loud concerts in my youth, but that rarely lasted more than a day. I can no longer risk going to concerts; too painful, and don't want to risk further damage.
It horrifies me when I see people working with power tools, etc, without ear protection. The worst thing I see is guys operating high pressure washers to clean chewing gum off the streets; a lot of energy at the top end (very 'hissy'). It hurts my ears just to walk past.
As for the maskers: I created a 'rain on a tent' model using PureData a few years ago. I used it to create a 45 minute MP3 that I could play at night, but then I found the MobMuPlat app that will run PureData scripts to generate the noise in real time. Recently, I have found the Atmosphere app that has a whole raft of noises you can play, and mix together.
For a few years, I've also been using radio plays and In Our Time podcasts to mask the tinnitus and internal thoughts that keep me awake.
> No, absolutely no warning at all. Mine started one day driving home from work and never stopped.
Same here. Started one day, with no obvious exposure to loud noises. Hasn't stopped since then.
After a few days, I went to the doc, and he could see some redness in my ears, indicating an infection. Antibiotics cleared that up, but not the noise.
I did wonder whether the infection made me more susceptible to noise-related damage; I'd spent the day helping a mate to shovel a load of earth around in his garden, so had been the regular sounds of shovel on concrete; not loud, but probably containing a fair bit of energy at the top end of the audio spectrum.
I'd had the usual ringing ears after going to loud concerts in my youth, but that rarely lasted more than a day. I can no longer risk going to concerts; too painful, and don't want to risk further damage.
It horrifies me when I see people working with power tools, etc, without ear protection. The worst thing I see is guys operating high pressure washers to clean chewing gum off the streets; a lot of energy at the top end (very 'hissy'). It hurts my ears just to walk past.
As for the maskers: I created a 'rain on a tent' model using PureData a few years ago. I used it to create a 45 minute MP3 that I could play at night, but then I found the MobMuPlat app that will run PureData scripts to generate the noise in real time. Recently, I have found the Atmosphere app that has a whole raft of noises you can play, and mix together.
For a few years, I've also been using radio plays and In Our Time podcasts to mask the tinnitus and internal thoughts that keep me awake.
2
In reply to airborne:
I have had it for about 10 years, a steady distant hiss that thankfully hasn't got any worse. I can ignore it much of the time, but when I think about it (like when reading this thread) it is always there. My hearing seems fine - for my age anyway.
Loud music and especially headphones makes it worse - which is a pity as I do like my tunes.
I always thought it was started when I went on some new medication (for blood pressure, or stress maybe?) but it is possible that's complete tripe.
Good luck with it,
Chris
I have had it for about 10 years, a steady distant hiss that thankfully hasn't got any worse. I can ignore it much of the time, but when I think about it (like when reading this thread) it is always there. My hearing seems fine - for my age anyway.
Loud music and especially headphones makes it worse - which is a pity as I do like my tunes.
I always thought it was started when I went on some new medication (for blood pressure, or stress maybe?) but it is possible that's complete tripe.
Good luck with it,
Chris
Post edited at 16:05
3
In reply to captain paranoia:
Patrick O'Brian has put me back to sleep many times in the middle of the night, very enjoyably
Patrick O'Brian has put me back to sleep many times in the middle of the night, very enjoyably
In reply to Chris Craggs:
Don't know if it's still the case but when mine started that was a popular theory and often linked to aspirin.
I use headphones at home and have also been to some very loud concerts lately and they don't seem to affect it at all! It just continues as before - maybe of course, that means it's reached its zenith... which would be a coincidence as the last concert was Bonamassa at the Zenith in Dijon
> I always thought it was started when I went on some new medication (for blood pressure, or stress maybe?) but it is possible that's complete tripe.
Don't know if it's still the case but when mine started that was a popular theory and often linked to aspirin.
> Loud music and especially headphones makes it worse
I use headphones at home and have also been to some very loud concerts lately and they don't seem to affect it at all! It just continues as before - maybe of course, that means it's reached its zenith... which would be a coincidence as the last concert was Bonamassa at the Zenith in Dijon
1
In reply to Chris Craggs:
Well that's the problem with it - no one else can hear yours so they've no idea you've got it! And probably one reason that so little research is done about it?
Well that's the problem with it - no one else can hear yours so they've no idea you've got it! And probably one reason that so little research is done about it?
Post edited at 16:38
In reply to Andy Clarke:
Warning signs. Yes with me as I used to work with and besides large noisy machines for many hours in a shift. Frequently had the ringing after a shift but in the beginning it disappeared after a day or two. Initially just thought it was my brain remembering the various frequencies that I had experienced through the day. Then one day after another shift it was particularly bad. It was after that when I discovered it did not stop even when away from work for days in peace and quiet.
Warning signs. Yes with me as I used to work with and besides large noisy machines for many hours in a shift. Frequently had the ringing after a shift but in the beginning it disappeared after a day or two. Initially just thought it was my brain remembering the various frequencies that I had experienced through the day. Then one day after another shift it was particularly bad. It was after that when I discovered it did not stop even when away from work for days in peace and quiet.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Mine has been up to ‘eleven’ for a long time, then last week I had an attack of what I now know was vertigo. This prompted a trip to my GP who suspects meniere’s. She has prescribed Betahistine Dihydrochoride. Slightly better after a week but still getting dizzy spells if I move my head suddenly. Really horrible sensation.
Did Don Whillans suffer from Vertigo or something similar? Must have been really grim to get an attack whilst climbing!
Mine has been up to ‘eleven’ for a long time, then last week I had an attack of what I now know was vertigo. This prompted a trip to my GP who suspects meniere’s. She has prescribed Betahistine Dihydrochoride. Slightly better after a week but still getting dizzy spells if I move my head suddenly. Really horrible sensation.
Did Don Whillans suffer from Vertigo or something similar? Must have been really grim to get an attack whilst climbing!
In reply to jon:
Ha ha, yes I also can hear some very quiet noises even without concentrating. It must be to do with certain frequencies. I surprise myself esp when I can struggle to hear all words when folk speak to me if it’s not direct to me. For that I have to concentrate and try and listen through the normal ringing.
Nights are never “quiet”. I use radio/cd usually every night to distract to get to sleep initially and sometimes during the night. Still I count myself lucky I learnt very quickly to just accept it and get on with life such that it has never got to me fortunately.
> Annoyingly I do tend to hear incredibly quiet noises at night that my wife doesn't hear at all...
Ha ha, yes I also can hear some very quiet noises even without concentrating. It must be to do with certain frequencies. I surprise myself esp when I can struggle to hear all words when folk speak to me if it’s not direct to me. For that I have to concentrate and try and listen through the normal ringing.
Nights are never “quiet”. I use radio/cd usually every night to distract to get to sleep initially and sometimes during the night. Still I count myself lucky I learnt very quickly to just accept it and get on with life such that it has never got to me fortunately.
In reply to Nick Alcock:
Never had vertigo. My then GP just diagnosed tinnitus and said promptly nothing could be done. Those were the days when doctor knew best and you just accepted.
Interesting to read others talking about hearing aids for tinnitus and I may make enquiries. That said it’s been so long now I’m not sure I would bother even it was suitable for me. I’m long past the stage of thinking for example, what was silence really like when I was young, and what would it be like if this ringing suddenly stopped!
Never had vertigo. My then GP just diagnosed tinnitus and said promptly nothing could be done. Those were the days when doctor knew best and you just accepted.
Interesting to read others talking about hearing aids for tinnitus and I may make enquiries. That said it’s been so long now I’m not sure I would bother even it was suitable for me. I’m long past the stage of thinking for example, what was silence really like when I was young, and what would it be like if this ringing suddenly stopped!
1
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
I actually don’t think my hearing is too bad at the moment.
Strangely it’s only my wife that I find difficult to hear.
I actually don’t think my hearing is too bad at the moment.
Strangely it’s only my wife that I find difficult to hear.
2
In reply to wercat:
What you and your partner get up to is your own business...
> Patrick O'Brian has put me back to sleep many times in the middle of the night, very enjoyably
What you and your partner get up to is your own business...
3
In reply to Nick Alcock:
My wife's voice is now all to hearable since I had the wheel bearings fixed on the car. Disaster!
> I actually don’t think my hearing is too bad at the moment.
> Strangely it’s only my wife that I find difficult to hear.
My wife's voice is now all to hearable since I had the wheel bearings fixed on the car. Disaster!
2
In reply to Andy Clarke:
Andy, I’d strongly advise the ear plugs. ‘Looking wierd’ is no price to pay when you consider the potential consequences.
You’re lucky having been issued a warning shot. Take heed and look after your ears.
Whilst I’m fortunate my tinnitus is low level, it was the result of a loud concert and the first few weeks of living with it was absolute hell.
If the collective advice on here can prevent someone from experiencing potentially life changing problems by wearing something as simple as ear plugs then that would be superb!
Andy, I’d strongly advise the ear plugs. ‘Looking wierd’ is no price to pay when you consider the potential consequences.
You’re lucky having been issued a warning shot. Take heed and look after your ears.
Whilst I’m fortunate my tinnitus is low level, it was the result of a loud concert and the first few weeks of living with it was absolute hell.
If the collective advice on here can prevent someone from experiencing potentially life changing problems by wearing something as simple as ear plugs then that would be superb!
Post edited at 20:09
2
In reply to all:
Managed to dig this out, which is definitely worth listening to.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0532llh
Heard it when it was broadcast earlier in the year and found it incredibly interesting and insightful.
Managed to dig this out, which is definitely worth listening to.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0532llh
Heard it when it was broadcast earlier in the year and found it incredibly interesting and insightful.
2
In reply to plyometrics:
Thanks to you and everyone else who responded about warning signs. I’ll take the advice and invest in the plugs. Of course, if I still had the hairstyle I sported back in the late 60’s/early 70’s any ear accessories would remain completely hidden from view!
Thanks to you and everyone else who responded about warning signs. I’ll take the advice and invest in the plugs. Of course, if I still had the hairstyle I sported back in the late 60’s/early 70’s any ear accessories would remain completely hidden from view!
1
In reply to jon:
Woke up with mine. Assumed it was wax (have been syringed a few times over the years) & spent a couple of weeks slinging olive oil in, prior to going to the doc's to get blasted out, only to be told they were completely clear.
Best guess, based on elimination of other causes, is that I had a micro stroke in the bit of the brain that deals with hearing. That's the odd bit - there's nothing whatsoever wrong with my ears.
A couple of people have mentioned medication. It is recognised that some drugs can have ototoxic effects. A friend's wife has now to wear hearing aids following a course of chemotherapy.
> No, absolutely no warning at all. Mine started one day driving home from work and never stopped.
Woke up with mine. Assumed it was wax (have been syringed a few times over the years) & spent a couple of weeks slinging olive oil in, prior to going to the doc's to get blasted out, only to be told they were completely clear.
Best guess, based on elimination of other causes, is that I had a micro stroke in the bit of the brain that deals with hearing. That's the odd bit - there's nothing whatsoever wrong with my ears.
A couple of people have mentioned medication. It is recognised that some drugs can have ototoxic effects. A friend's wife has now to wear hearing aids following a course of chemotherapy.
In reply to Chris Harris:
there's nothing visibly wrong with your ears.
There are no diagnostic imaging techniques for the cilia that perform your sense of hearing.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10867/
http://www.cochlea.eu/en/hair-cells
> That's the odd bit - there's nothing whatsoever wrong with my ears.
there's nothing visibly wrong with your ears.
There are no diagnostic imaging techniques for the cilia that perform your sense of hearing.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10867/
http://www.cochlea.eu/en/hair-cells
In reply to Andy Clarke:
To be honest I cannot remember ever not having it.
> I have a self-interested question: did anyone get any warning signs before the tinnitus became permanent?
To be honest I cannot remember ever not having it.
1
In reply to airborne:
I've had it for as long as I can remember (21 now), I first mentioned to a parent when I was 8 but probably had it earlier than that. I blame being near the front row of a Deep Purple concert while in utero but that's probably not true.
It only really affects me noticeably at night, and it's not particularly regularly that I notice it. It gets worse when I'm trying harder to fall asleep, and sometimes changes pitch a tiny bit. Saying that, in busy rooms/across bars etc I really struggle to hear people so maybe there's something there. But I've passed a few recent hearing tests with flying colours..
Also no useful advice, but you'll get used to it. Background noise can help, I went through a stage of falling asleep to a playlist of metal bands for a while somehow. Currently very gentle acoustic guitar works wonders.
I've had it for as long as I can remember (21 now), I first mentioned to a parent when I was 8 but probably had it earlier than that. I blame being near the front row of a Deep Purple concert while in utero but that's probably not true.
It only really affects me noticeably at night, and it's not particularly regularly that I notice it. It gets worse when I'm trying harder to fall asleep, and sometimes changes pitch a tiny bit. Saying that, in busy rooms/across bars etc I really struggle to hear people so maybe there's something there. But I've passed a few recent hearing tests with flying colours..
Also no useful advice, but you'll get used to it. Background noise can help, I went through a stage of falling asleep to a playlist of metal bands for a while somehow. Currently very gentle acoustic guitar works wonders.
Post edited at 23:22
In reply to airborne:
From reading the responses to this thread you are very obviously not alone.
FWIW another tinnitus sufferer here and I'm pretty sure that mine is a result of being exposed to continuous loud noise in my work environment (I drive freight trains). I also have some hearing loss at higher frequencies although I suspect that this is not unusual when one gets to middle age. I've never sought medical help as it's only really noticeable when I go to bed or when I'm in an unusually quiet environment: I just tend to tune it out.
From reading the responses to this thread you are very obviously not alone.
FWIW another tinnitus sufferer here and I'm pretty sure that mine is a result of being exposed to continuous loud noise in my work environment (I drive freight trains). I also have some hearing loss at higher frequencies although I suspect that this is not unusual when one gets to middle age. I've never sought medical help as it's only really noticeable when I go to bed or when I'm in an unusually quiet environment: I just tend to tune it out.
In reply to DamonRoberts: I had tinnitus but found that when I eventually needed hearing aids it all but vanished and I've had no problems with it for some years.
In reply to Tony Jones:
Hi Tony
mine was a combination of 80's walkman headphones and 90's as a trainman D for BR, worked a lot of ballast jobs and walking through the engine rooms cab to cab of a 47 was the done thing then!
Hi Tony
mine was a combination of 80's walkman headphones and 90's as a trainman D for BR, worked a lot of ballast jobs and walking through the engine rooms cab to cab of a 47 was the done thing then!
1
In reply to wilkie14c:
Yeah, but on reflection, and despite the tinnitus, it does still beat working for a living!
Yeah, but on reflection, and despite the tinnitus, it does still beat working for a living!
In reply to airborne:
Mine started after I got an ear infection in 1997, this infection also rendered me completely deaf in the ear with tinnitus. No remedies from me unfortunately, just have to live with it.
Mine started after I got an ear infection in 1997, this infection also rendered me completely deaf in the ear with tinnitus. No remedies from me unfortunately, just have to live with it.
In reply to airborne:
Mine is exacerbated by wind noise experienced while cycling. Does anyone know of a product that might reduce wind noise while still allowing the wearer to hear traffic?
Mine is exacerbated by wind noise experienced while cycling. Does anyone know of a product that might reduce wind noise while still allowing the wearer to hear traffic?
In reply to Tony Jones:
Hat?
> Mine is exacerbated by wind noise experienced while cycling. Does anyone know of a product that might reduce wind noise while still allowing the wearer to hear traffic?
Hat?
3
In reply to Co1in H:
Interesting, but I've no idea how I could aquire some to try see if they help.
Having thought harder about it, I had an ear infection when I was a year or two old, and after that I'd only fall asleep in the car or with the vacuum cleaner running. So it must have started then.
Interesting, but I've no idea how I could aquire some to try see if they help.
Having thought harder about it, I had an ear infection when I was a year or two old, and after that I'd only fall asleep in the car or with the vacuum cleaner running. So it must have started then.
In reply to airborne:
I’ve had it for about a year now. I was prescribed some drugs to improve minor capillary bloodflow (tremtal and bilobil) but these have had no effect at all.
It seems equal in both ears at about 7.8khz and is louder when stressed or after exercise. The doctor out here in Saudi suggested an MRI to see if there’s anything sinister causing it. Sadly the hospital system here shite, so I’ve not had the scan. As I’m typing it seems really loud, but I suspect it’s because I’m thinking about it.
I can’t remember anything that could have caused it. My hearing has always been poor, but hasn’t worsened since having tinnitus (except high frequencies, of course).
When I return to the U.K. I’ll look into hearing aids as that might fix two problems at once. Until then I’ll just have to put up with it - but it’s pretty invasive at times
To the OP - hope other people’s stories have helped you go out and look for a solution - they’ve given me a light at the end of the tunnel!
I’ve had it for about a year now. I was prescribed some drugs to improve minor capillary bloodflow (tremtal and bilobil) but these have had no effect at all.
It seems equal in both ears at about 7.8khz and is louder when stressed or after exercise. The doctor out here in Saudi suggested an MRI to see if there’s anything sinister causing it. Sadly the hospital system here shite, so I’ve not had the scan. As I’m typing it seems really loud, but I suspect it’s because I’m thinking about it.
I can’t remember anything that could have caused it. My hearing has always been poor, but hasn’t worsened since having tinnitus (except high frequencies, of course).
When I return to the U.K. I’ll look into hearing aids as that might fix two problems at once. Until then I’ll just have to put up with it - but it’s pretty invasive at times
To the OP - hope other people’s stories have helped you go out and look for a solution - they’ve given me a light at the end of the tunnel!
1
In reply to airborne:
An increase in your magnesium levels may be of use if your tinnitus is related to central (brain) activity rather than peripheral damage to the sensory cells by loud noise etc.
An increase in your magnesium levels may be of use if your tinnitus is related to central (brain) activity rather than peripheral damage to the sensory cells by loud noise etc.
In reply to airborne: As most on this thread seem to be male, how many are female?
Is it a male thing?
Is it a male thing?
In reply to airborne:
I acquired tinnitus in my early twenties, possibly due to stress, or playing my bass guitar or something else, and in the end I've got used to it.
The mix of tinnitus and being borderline in needing a hearing aid due to a dip in the middle frequencies to do with what I can hear, is making hearing people trickier now I'm in my late 30's.
Will be interesting to see if getting/trying hearing aids affects my tinnitus at all.
I acquired tinnitus in my early twenties, possibly due to stress, or playing my bass guitar or something else, and in the end I've got used to it.
The mix of tinnitus and being borderline in needing a hearing aid due to a dip in the middle frequencies to do with what I can hear, is making hearing people trickier now I'm in my late 30's.
Will be interesting to see if getting/trying hearing aids affects my tinnitus at all.
Post edited at 12:12
In reply to Chris Harris:
Hat?
I find that a hat or headband makes wind noise worse on a bike....
> Mine is exacerbated by wind noise experienced while cycling. Does anyone know of a product that might reduce wind noise while still allowing the wearer to hear traffic?
Hat?
I find that a hat or headband makes wind noise worse on a bike....
1
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