Tinnitus

[Lanson11]

Anyone got any tips?

[Sqad]

Well, tell us a bit more eh!

Tinnitus is a symptom and we will need to know what investigations you have had and the conclusions that have formed a diagnosis.

[jennyjoan]

sorry - you have to learn to live with it.

However, stress, medication can exacerbate it. The good thing (for me anyway) it does go away time to time.

[Lanson11]

Sorry, Sqad. Only been to the doc and had the ear syringed. I can hear a lot better! But the sound of crickets is always there. I can live with it if it doesn't get any worse. When I'm talking in a crowd, or shopping, I can go for hours and not notice it. It's worse when there is no noise, but, as I say, I can cope if it doesn't get worse. I'm fearful it will.

[Sqad]

If you have developed tinnitus in one ear, with a degree of deafness, then it certainly needs investigation by an ENT surgeon.
I don't know anything about you, your age or if you are on any medication.
I would give it a month or so and if the tinnitus doesn't subside, then go back to you GP and ask for a Consultant referral.

As you say that you can cope, then do so and monitor the situation.

[pixie373]

My sister struggled for years with tinnitus. As a last resort, they put in grommets. Which cured it. (she now has a burst eardrum, but that's another story).

[Lanson11]

Thank you all. I shall ask for a referral. Grommits, eh? Never thought of that. I'm 67, by the way.

[Eve]

Distraction and trying not to focus on it. Difficult when it's quiet but you can use some background noise such as the TV or radio or music playing.

I had to learn to try to not let it annoy me so much but I have had it for many many years now though and know it won't go away, for me anyway.

[jennyjoan]

You can buy a little machine for under your pillow - mind you - I bought this a long time ago so it is probably more updated.

It is called "White Noise". See if you can get info by googling. JjCon

[masma]

I have had this for many years and the only thing that helps me is distraction. I have a radio in every room and turn them on and off wherever I go. Hospital offered me a white noise gadget but I thought I'd rather cope with the tinnitus whistle.

[mumscuppa]

You don't have to live with it. I am treating someone very successfully for it with reflexology . Have you thought of trying that?

[Lanson11]

No I haven't thought of Refexology yet, the Tinnitus has just come on. Thanks to all for the suggestions. Was feeling a bit down yesterday as two new noises came on top of the crickets singing! I downloaded an app onto my nexus called 'Rain' and set it to 'rain on tent' and let it drip quietly under my pillow for an hour. Went to sleep okay.

[megfitz]

My O.H. has had Tinnitus for years ,got to the stage of smacking his ears to try and stop it, then I found through the Deaf society (sorry can't remember the correct name) that our local Health Authority had a Audiology clinic run by an Audiologist with a special interest in Tinnitus.
Our G.P. didn't know about it but was happy to refer O.H. ,resulting in a VERY thorough hearing test , small hearing aids tuned by computer to a specific frequency and a happier man with much reduced noise and a lot of time noise free.
Hope you have similar result,it's been fantastic for him and me.!!

[Lanson11]

Thank you, Megfitz.