I have tinnitus

GingerSue · Jan 21, 2005

I don't have the answer, but I do hope the results are helpful and that you feel better. Do you have any vertigo, dizziness, or syncope?

z's playa · Jan 21, 2005

How did the MRI go?

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 21, 2005

I lost all the function in my right ear and developed tinnitus suddenly when I was 38 years old. That was almost 12 years ago. The whole inner inner died and I lost 100% of my hearing and 100% of my balance on that side and developed tinnitus -- all in the span of about 10 seconds.

While my balance has improved somewhat over the years, I am still totally deaf and I still have the tinnitus in that ear. However, the tinnitus is usually a bit softer than it used to be.

I hope yours is temporary -- but tinnitus is often permanent. If it is severe, it can take a real effort to learn to live with it. However, most people do learn to live with it successfully.

Start by getting all the information you can. Be sure you talk with a good ENT and/or otologist. Read articles, etc. There are also support groups for people with tinnitus. If your doctor can not recommend one, you can explore those on the Internet. Personnally, I belong to the SayWhatClub, an Internet group for people who are hard of hearing. Many of those people also have tinnitus and would welcome you as a member even if your hearing has not diminished. But a general Internet search would probably yield lots of information even if you don't join any particular group.

Research the topic as if you were writing a paper, writing a care plan, etc. You'll need to know all the various things you can do to minimize it and help yourself cope. Pay attention to what makes it better and what makes it worse. Most people find that stress and caffeine aggravate tinnitus. Rest and lowered stress (and sometimes biofeedback) are often helpful. Mine increases with any audio stimulation -- so, I avoid noisy places whenever possible. Lots of medications increase tinnitus (any NSAID), so you may want to avoid those.

Let me know how things turn out. While it is difficult to learn to live with tinnitus, you can learn to live with it if you are willing to make a few lifestyle changes and able to maintain a positive attitude.

Good luck,

llg

z's playa · Jan 21, 2005

Wow....{{{{{{{{ llg}}}}}}}}Sorry to hear about that.

Z

paraloco · Jan 22, 2005

Wow....{{{{{{{{ llg}}}}}}}}Sorry to hear about that.
Z

I can't remember a time when I didn't have a high-pitch whine in both ears. Even as a child. I try to tune it out. My hearing has definitely suffered after 17 years of sirens blaring.

brigaily2000 · Jan 22, 2005

How did the MRI go?

The MRI was normal, as the Dr. thought it would be.

I have no vertigo or loss of hearing...just this darned ringing. Am taking ginko biloba now and hope it helps. There is a clinic in Memphis called The Shea Clinic that helps people with it. It's about 6 hours away so I may drive it.

Thanks for your interest.

z's playa · Jan 22, 2005

You haven't been injesting large amounts of aspirin for any reason have you? Not an overdose.....just more than usual for a prolonged period of time.

Sorry...i've just never heard of this before .I'll do some research to learn more about it but I as always under the impression it was caused by aspirin and K+ "boluses". I received K+ in the hospitlal one time, and I got tinnitus as well.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 23, 2005

This is llg -- I am just using my home computer (and account) instead of using the one at work.

I am happy to hear the MRI was OK. Please let me know if I can be of any help. As I said in my earlier post (as llg), I have been living with loud tinnitus in my one ear for 12 years now. I also have a little in my other ear now and then, but it is not as bad.

It does get easier with time. I've "made friends" with my own private sounds in my head and try to keep a sense of humor about it. It does take a lot of energy out of me, though -- to be constantly trying to ignore an irritating sound.

Take care,

llg

brigaily2000 · Jan 23, 2005

You haven't been injesting large amounts of aspirin for any reason have you? Not an overdose.....just more than usual for a prolonged period of time.
Sorry...i've just never heard of this before .I'll do some research to learn more about it but I as always under the impression it was caused by aspirin and K+ "boluses". I received K+ in the hospitlal one time, and I got tinnitus as well.

I used to take Goody's powder for headaches. Don't any more. You have tinnitus? What have you tried. Thanks for your help!!

brigaily2000 · Jan 23, 2005

This is llg -- I am just using my home computer (and account) instead of using the one at work.
I am happy to hear the MRI was OK. Please let me know if I can be of any help. As I said in my earlier post (as llg), I have been living with loud tinnitus in my one ear for 12 years now. I also have a little in my other ear now and then, but it is not as bad.
It does get easier with time. I've "made friends" with my own private sounds in my head and try to keep a sense of humor about it. It does take a lot of energy out of me, though -- to be constantly trying to ignore an irritating sound.
Take care,
llg

Thanks so much for your reply. I have contacted the American Tinnitus Association and they have ideas although each person seems to respond to something different i.e. ginko biloba, zinc, pamelor, etc. What helps you?

allamericangirl · Jan 23, 2005

Thanks so much for your reply. I have contacted the American Tinnitus Association and they have ideas although each person seems to respond to something different i.e. ginko biloba, zinc, pamelor, etc. What helps you?

I'm so happy to see this thread. I have had ringing in my ears for the past 6 years. I have discussed it with 2 different doctors during that time. Both of them just kind of blew it off and didn't have any thing much to say to me about it. I just figured that there was nothing that could be done. I also have bad sinus problems and the pressure from my sinuses seem to make it worse sometimes. Some days it is not bad, other days the crickets in my ears drive me crazy. I am interested in anything that any of you can share about this. Thanks.