Should I Be Pushing For More Tests (Tinnitus) ?

[CW1]

Had a l-o-n-g appointment at Audiology last week where they gave me hearing aids for tinnitus relief, & a relaxation sound box for night (which is absolutely no use at all, it actually stresses me more as I'm hearing that alongside the tinnitus & can't wait for it to turn off).

 

They also did what I think was an eardrum vibration test (box, like a laptop, & an ear probe). Was told should be about 50 but was actually minus 200. Was asked if I'd had a cold recently - "no" - & GP had been harping on about congestion & told me to use Beconase, which I did for over 7 weeks in total. Made no difference so I stopped. 

 

The hearing aids have little to no affect, get maybe an hour or 2's relief in the evening after wearing them virtually all day, then tinnitus returns just as quickly as it might go, for no apparent reason. Getting some pain in my left ear, & a sore throat too.

 

Have only had a hearing test & this probe, no one is referring me for any further tests, ENT seem to have washed their hands of me since finding *some* hearing loss at higher frequencies in 1 ear (I can hear perfectly fine). I'm convinced there's more to this. Originally the tinnitus was just 1 ear, now it shifts between them & is usually both, & the sound changes from day to day, sometimes more frequently.

 

Can't sleep, had to start taking sleeping tablets just to get a couple hours sleep, am at my wit's end, & really having thoughts I shouldn't have (mentioned to GP but he's not interested). I do have another Audiology appointment in a few weeks. Is there anything I should - could - be pushing for ? 

[-SharonA-]

As you are aware, there is no cure. Have you tried listening to music/white noise at night to help you sleep at a low volume. 

[CW1]

I know there's no cure per say, but I can't help thinking that without knowing what triggered it, it can't be quietened right down. For instance, I just used the microwave, for 20 secs. It's quietened right down ! But I know it'll start up again, just as quickly, at any moment. If it can "go", why can't it stay gone ! :((

 

White noise is a terrible noise - audiologist said some love it, some hate it. I listened to a "woodland" supposedly relaxation sound for 10mins. Had to turn it off. Tried "crickets" on Youtube. 10mins was again enough as I can hear it alongside the tinnitus, nothing "masks" it, just becomes a secondary noise. 

[Hazlinny]

Fairly recently, I posted about how tinnitus was affecting me (in left ear) with continuous loudish noise .. saw GP who made an appt. with Audio Clinic (8 months' wait) even though I have no problems hearing.  Some weeks later, I felt dizzy and GP then found blood pressure was on the high side .. medication prescribed.  Suddenly the tinnitus disappeared and, so far, has not returned!  I believe high blood pressure can cause tinnitus and it might be worth having your BP checked, if not already done so.

[CW1]

Have never had a problem with blood pressure Hazlinny, but it could be elevated due to the stress & sleepness nights. My neighbour has a blood pressure machine, I'll try that when I see him tomorrow, thanks. But these noises - that change all the time, & might be just either ear, might be both (has returned in right ear now, after going when microwave was on) do go occasionally. The hearing aids are s'posed to be programmed to take account of the so called loss so *should* keep it quiet all the time. They don't, which I'll obviously be telling Audiology at my next appointment.

[CW1]

What's prompted me to ask here is after the ear drum vibration test being negative.

 

GP & Audiologist both asked about congestion. If I'd said "yes, I had a cold" or something, there'd probably been a "oh, that'll be it". But I haven't.

 

Googling it says "often consistent with sinus or allergy congestion, or the end stages of a cold or ear infection".

I've had none of those. Google suggests "fluid in the middle ear" (could that be why my ears ring totally separately to the tinnitus when I move my head ?) & a long list of other potential causes. Shouldn't somebody be doing something to find out what - if anything - has actually caused the negative result (& therefore possibly the tinnitus) ? 

 

[-SharonA-]

I was told, whether it is true or not, you only hear the 'noise' because your ears are straining to hear something. If that makes sense. So if it is dead quiet, your tinnitus will seem worse as the ear is listening for something that is not there.

[PsalmEquipt]

When searching for relaxing sounds, I find the ones closer to what you would hear in a natural location to be better. Besides asking Google to play ocean sounds, I find woodland birds realistic.

[CW1]

I get what you mean SharonA, tho' haven't been told that myself. 

I thought it was worse at night because there are no other distractions. Apart from the tick tock of my clock, it's deadly quiet. Only I don't know if it IS worse at night now, I've had the frustration tears during the day more regularly now, even in Tescos.

 

Never understand either, why on the 2 or 3 times it's actually been quiet when I've gone to bed, 100% guaranteed it'll be back when I wake up & I'm just "here we go again !" What have I been straining to hear while I'm asleep ?

 

I firmly believe there *has* to be more to this than a bit of high frequency hearing loss, in 1 ear (that the hearing aids are s'posed to have "fixed", but they're making virtually no difference. Not comfortable to wear & making EVERYthing sound just tinny & - weird) when I keep being quizzed about being congested when I'm not. And I keep being told by my other 'alf (who came with me to last GP appointment & told him I was suicidal ! GP wasn't interested !), "you've got to keep on at them !!!" On at them for what !? What can I do ? Getting desperate :(

[CW1]

I've tried allsorts PsalmEquipt - similar to your's, crickets, woodland noises - but because I can still hear the tinnitus however loud I play it or not, it just becomes a secondary noise & so irritating I can't listen to them for more than 10mins.

 

[wolf63]

I have had Tinnitus for over thirty years.  As you know there is no known medical method of getting rid of it.

The best way is to stop focusing on the noise.  It seems simple but after a time you will no longer hear it unless you remember that you have it.  Mine has now started annoying me after reading this post😄

I find that caffeine (I am a Pepsi Max addict) and artificial sweeteners seem to make it worse. 

It won't go away but you will get used to it and not be so frustrated with the constant noise.

 

[barry1010]

Have you tried true white noise instead of identiable sounds?

[CW1]

Sorry wolf63 😣

I have no idea what triggers it, it's so random, but I just feel there HAS to be more to this than just "some" hearing loss that the hearing aids should be helping if not fixing. With the GP's, & Audiology's, persistence about congestion I'm not aware I have, the poor result of the vibration test (that points to congestion, a tonne of things that can be caused by that result in T !) why are they not following that up with more tests ?

[pastafreak]

If you look online, there's various bits of research connecting diet and or lack of nutrients with tinnitus. Might be worth considering keeping a food diary...after noting the possible culprits suggested. Such as caffeine or sugar. I've had tinnitus for years. It’s mostly a dull fizz. But it seems to increase when I've had a lot of sugar...something I try to avoid. Maybe inflammatory foods are the culprit. 

[CW1]

Never used sugar pastafreak, rarely have caffeine either.

I'll have a look at that but tbh it's all so random I don't think it's diet - no one's asked me about that, just keep on about this congestion ! 😠

 

[CW1]

barry1010, the "relaxation" box Audiology gave me (& is going back, doesn't work for me) has a white noise option. It's awful ! Audiologist did say people either love it, or they hate it. I know which camp I'm in !

[gingejbee]

The idea of these tinnitus-relaxer machines is NOT to have them loud to drown out the tinnitus- you adjust the volume to a similar level to the tinnitus. It gives your brain something else to focus on. I find that a fan noise is my best bet...in fact, I can't sleep unless it's on all night!

[Khandro]

No help, but I've had it for years - a dull humming sound.

[CW1]

gingejbee, believe me, I've tried all different volumes, just seems to confuse my brain. I find my eyes actually move about, even when they're closed, I can't stand it for more than 10mins, certainly couldn't have anything playing all night. I did set a 30min timer one night, all I could think about was how much longer before it stops !

Khandro, I feel for you, I really do, but mine is never the same noises - or volume - 2 days running. I know several people who have it, & they know why (I don't !) & they've adjusted. I just can't 😖

My question was about what tests I can ask for given the "professionals" obsession with congestion when I don't have any. If I'm answering no, but they insist I do, surely they should be following up with some tests. No ?

[ladybirder]

Wolf63, you are wrong saying it will not go away.  It might go away as mine did.  Just stopped one day many moons ago and never had it since.  I wish I knew how CW1 so that I could help you. My doctor was as puzzled as me. It's a nightmare and I'm so sorry you're suffering with it. 

One thing I seem to remember that did help a little bit was making sure my ear was lying flat on the pillow and not scrunched up.  I always sleep on my side.

I hope yours disappers soon. xx

[barry1010]

I also had tinnitus for a number of years, a vibrating hum that got me out of bed many nights trying to find the cause. I agree it is tiring, it can send you demented and it interferes with everything - sleep, concentration, conversation.

It went as suddenly as it started. Many tests found no cause.