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I've had pulsatile tinnitus for 4 years - found out only recently that it was likely brought on due to extreme stress. Over the years, I have learned to shut it out. Not easy, but there's no cure, so no choice.
I've also had some other stress/anxiety related issues in the same ear (left) earlier this year (tensor tympani myoclonus) which I had surgery for. The tinnitus did not go away. In fact, it is somewhat worse when I am under added extra stress.
My question is - for those who have this, how do you deal with it?
Any tips, tricks, advice on how to cope when it's especially awful?
I've had it for 10+ years. Mine is usually ringing but can be hissing or humming. Fortunately I can ignore it most of the time. Of course now that I'm typing this post I'm thinking about it so it's bothering me. UGH!!
Having background noise helps as does focusing intently on something. Usually if I read with the TV on I can't "hear" it. I also sleep with a white noise machine.
Hopefully you will find something that works for you when it gets bad.
Been sleeping with a fan first, then a white noise machine for years, even before the tinnitus started.
Any thoughts on the supplement Ginkgo Biloba? It is supposed to improve circulation. I have had tests and imaging to rule out dangerous things like tumors or artery blockage. But maybe it's circulatory?
I did a ton of reading years ago when mine first started (and also had several tests run to rule out tumors and meniers disease (spelled wrong I'm sure) and decided that I wasn't going to waste my money on Ginko (or any of the other "cures") because they probably wouldn't work. That's not to say it won't work for you or it would hurt for you to try it (I'd check with your doctor first). I think there are some concerns about taking Ginko long term so be sure to research thoroughly.
I've been "lucky" in that once I got "used" to it I really have been able to, for the vast majority of the time, tune it out. However mine is not so loud that I can hear it over most background noises. If yours is louder, it will be more difficult to ignore. For the couple of years though I had background noise going 24/7.
Have you considered talking to your doctor about something to take on an as-needed (short term) basis for your anxiety? I wonder if that would help when you're having a bad spell?
I KNOW this is much easier said than done but try not to focus on it. The more I think about mine the worse it gets.
I plan on bringing it up at my next appointment, not too long from now. The thing is, it's not necessarily the swooshing sound that I have a problem with - I have learned how to cope over the years. Since my surgery, my hearing went from really good to being ridiculously sensitive. I can't sleep w/a box fan anymore because the vibration sounds from the blades cutting through the air drives me crazy. I hear the faintest of sounds, especially low pitch. At this point, I'd rather be hard of hearing.
I plan on bringing it up at my next appointment, not too long from now. The thing is, it's not necessarily the swooshing sound that I have a problem with - I have learned how to cope over the years. Since my surgery, my hearing went from really good to being ridiculously sensitive. I can't sleep w/a box fan anymore because the vibration sounds from the blades cutting through the air drives me crazy. I hear the faintest of sounds, especially low pitch. At this point, I'd rather be hard of hearing.
Being hard of hearing does sound better. I hope you find a solution.
I have some hearing loss in certain ranges, but not all. I've lost all of the peaks, but not the plateaus. I've lost some middle range, too. Bass is all there. I can't sleep with a fan, either.
Being interested, absorbed in something causes my brain to stop hearing the noise. Everything was quiet--until I read this. Eeeeeeeee! Damn.
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