kind of an emergency

Sounds like an anti-anxiety medication might be helpful for you. It obviously won't deal with the tinnitus directly, but it will help you cope with it. Cannabis would also be helpful in terms of the anxiety you are experiencing, just don't take too much, I've heard that can make certain kinds of anxiety worse. Not sure how that helps your studies. Perhaps if you know a certain part of your day will be free from these concerns, that might help you push through the rest? I'm so sorry you are going through this.

 

littlebird I am so sorry you are going through this. Have you tried any of the treatments we talk about on these forums?,
antivirals, JOH vit C, food triggers MAV,etc etc
lemon bioflavonoids are supposed to be good for tinnitus.
Don't get discouraged although it is very easy to, you will find something that gives you symptoms relief, but unfortunately it takes some time.

HUGS!! hang in there!

 

I'm there with you littlebird :'( Mine has been really extreme and it's hard to participate in life with it. Depressed and cannot imagine continuing to live like this for long. I take 1/4 of the lowest dose of Xanax up to twice a week and that settles my nervous system but that too is extremely ototoxic. Been on JOH and antivirals and a MAV diet with initial relief now worse than ever. Got my arms around you.

 

I feel for you Littlebird. It's very upsetting when you feel like no one and nothing can help you. But there is help and there is hope. Is there anyone who can work with you? My husband has Meniere's and he can't think straight enough to do all of the research and searching for the right Doc's that it takes to make progress. Is there someone willing to help? You are NOT alone. You are having a very, very bad day (week?), but it will get better. You need some help. You have our support.

 

How old is your hearing aid? Perhaps there is a new/improved/different model available that will help bring in different sounds that your current one is not able to?

I know that my aid is only 2 yrs old - but I tried three different ones, and tweeking the settings to get the significant improvement that I have today using it.

I know that hearing aids are not cheap by any means but perhaps that is a route to check. Most give you a 90 day trial so you could try out a few in the office, pick one that seems to work and then try it out for a few months. Still go in and have them continue to adjust them during that time to adjust/improve the sound.

Also, if you believe that a CI is an option, might be something to start exploring now. Even if it does take forever, at least you will have the ball rolling. Then that may in itself "help" you deal with the constant ringing if only because you are going towards a solution.

I really am sorry that you are having to deal with this. I am glad that you reached out here to share your challenge - here is a place that people do understand!

 

Littlebird - I've had tinnitus since my 20's and I'm now 83. I find if my mind is occupied I can usually ignore the noise in my head, which gives me some relief.

If you have access to the internet, go to https://us.hearing.siemens.com/
There is lots of info on tinnitus there as well as on other websites. Some of the following hints are taken from their siemens website:

Although tinnitus has a physical (e.g. neurophysiological) cause, the extent to which you suffer from it greatly depends on how your brain deals with the experience. A person’s perception often depends on their frame of mind.

Think positive
A positive attitude is very helpful. Relaxation techniques, an active social life, sports, and hobbies can assist you in taking control of your life. Here are a few practical tips developed by Siemens together with ENT doctors, psychologists, and audiologists.

Relearning how you hear. - Listen consciously to the world around you. Enjoy your favorite music or simply the sound of birds in the trees. Everything that provides your ears with varied sound impressions deflects attention away from tinnitus.

Tips for recuperative sleep. - The more active you are during the day, the easier it is to sleep at night. Avoid black tea, coffee, or heavy meals in the evening. Neither alcohol nor sleeping pills guarantee restful sleep—a warm bath before you go to bed is a better option.

Get active, stay on the move. - Relish life with family and friends, and organize your private life to include plenty of activity and variety. Keep an open mind. Everything that increases your personal sense of well-being and enjoyment of life decreases tinnitus’ hold over you.

Avoid silence. - Give yourself a break now and again. But, avoid complete silence—it’s an open invitation for tinnitus to take hold. Opt for enjoyable sounds, such as an audio book or relaxing music.

Promote your physical fitness. - People who participate in sports are healthier. This also applies to people with tinnitus. Everything you enjoy doing that promotes physical fitness is good for you. Even if your tinnitus seems louder when engaging in sports, don’t let it stop you from having fun while staying fit.

Learn to relax effectively. - Because tinnitus causes tension, it is important to learn relaxation methods and use them regularly. Some recommended relaxation methods are yoga, tai chi, qi gong, and the Feldenkrais Method®.

 

So sorry to hear this, littlebird. I recently went through a time when my ears were screaming. That is exactly the word I use to explain it to my husband. Screaming. My doctor added an anti viral to my beta and that seemed to help. While waiting for the meds to kick in, I "lived quietly." I did my best to avoid loud noises, especially anything sustained (no restaurants, tried to avoid meetings, conference calls, etc). Although that is not always practical, I tried to protect my ears as much as possible. I did find that watching TV at a low volume helped. I kept the volume as low as I could, almost to the point where I had to strain to hear it. I found that really trying to hear the TV distracted me from the noise in my ears. Not a long term solution, but maybe something that will give you the break that you need. It's brutal. Hang in there.

 

This may sound stupid, but when my tinnitus is raging such that I cannot even think it has truly helped me to go out into my back yard, get on my knees and pull weeds from the garden. It takes my mind off of the immediate problem, and it helps me relax. The little weed plants are insidious and tenacious, and it takes concentration to get them out without harming the other plants.

I am nearly useless when the tinnitus gets this bad - I can only say I know how you feel, I hope you will find some relief... Find something else to occupy your thoughts is the best I can offer...

Best wishes,

JMC

 

I've had tinnitus for 51 years. When it first hit I was in my second year in law school. I thought I was going to go insane. I wanted to take a knife and plunge it into my left ear and twist. Anything to make it stop.

After about four months of hell and some less than stellar grades, I sort of got used to it. To where, for the next few decades, I could kind of ignore it. Because it was the dark spirit that was always with me, but I refused to let it rule. Sometimes I drowned it out with music. Sometimes with the gym. Sometimes with the intense focus my legal work required. But I had a normal life for many years. Went to concerts and enjoyed them. Classes, courtroom appearances, courting my wives. Yes, two.

Then, May 11, 2002. An enormous attack. Catatonic for almost an hour. My family was able to help me home to my bed. Collapsed and passed out for 11 hours. Awoke deaf in my left ear, mostly so in my right, totally dizzy and disoriented, raging tinnitus all over my head.

Often, since then, despite the horror of my other symptoms, the tinnitus has been the worst. At one point I could count 12 different, and variable, sounds playing 24/7. In the end, it was nothing more than an exercise of will. I had to decide if tinnitus would control me, or I would become inured to it, like having an amputated limb, or losing the sight in one eye. I decided I had a choice. Let tinnitus rule me, or learn to dismiss it as a normal part of my new life. I will not pretend it is easy. But I know you can do it. If I can, frankly, anyone can. Because, as I type this, if I allow myself to "hear" it, I have 7 sounds assaulting me, from a low, steady hum, to hisses, shrieks, spikes, organ crescendos, the sound of a hammer on a brass tympani, the occasional startling whistle or a run of firecrackers popping. Maybe 8 then. But I choose not to acknowledge them. Instead, I type this message, and then return to the captioned, silent TV show I was watching. Because I can. Because I have the will. And so do you. If you need to see someone about meditation, do. Or try yoga. I found both somewhat helpful. But know you can beat this. If you want to do it.

I am so sorry this is afflicting you in college, which should be your best time. But at your age, you also have resilience in your corner. Use it and own it and take back your life.

My best wishes and warmest regards.

 

“Tinnitus can have a negative impact on primary functions. It affects the ability to hear, interact, socialize, and communicate. Many tinnitus sufferers have great trouble sleeping. They grow anxious. Their emotions become affected.”

 

Congratulations! What an awesome accomplishment.

 

Congrats littlebird!

 

Congratulations--So happy for you!

 

wooooooooooooooot! congrats! we are so proud of you! HUGS!

 

Major accomplishment for you!! So proud!!

Shows what determination can do!

 

Congratulations littlebird !!! I hope your
Feeling better I just read your post
And thought about
Suggesting cammomile tea it may help
You relax and settle things down God
Willing something will
Be available soon for tinitus I read they ate
Are working hard for a cure