Do you or anyone you know suffer from tinnitus?

[AARPTeri]

Do you or anyone you know suffer from tinnitus?  What is your experience, discuss with others here!

[jw7911169]

I was a healthy 70 year old at my right weight, plant based, gym, etc and then last spring I got a bad bout of food poisoning.  This is when my tinnitus and vertigo began.  The vertigo is not so bad after going a few weeks to an upper cervical chiro.  Tinnitus has stayed and got louder with hearing aids?! I do sound therapy, etc  FYI warning-my ENT gave me a nasal steroid and it cause my left eye to spasm, so I still at base one.  There are some great tinnitus apps online!

[KevinA819163]

I've had tinnitus since 2003.  Serving in the US Army, deploying, and driving a large military truck with no hearing protection being provided all equated to my hearing damage.  It's not necessarily worsened overtime; however, it hasn't gotten any better either.  The VA only gave me 10% service connected disability, but I think it's affected my life quantifiably more than what they rated me at.  I feel they believe tinnitus can easily be lived with.

It never goes away and is only worsened with ear plugs. Now, it's starting to interfere with other sounds I try to discern and I end up simply hearing garbled words.

[CheriH342816]

Hi Kevin

So sorry to hear that. My father also has hearing issues from his time during the Korean war. They also had given him a 10% rating. He recently got that rating changed to a higher number so maybe that is something you could do as well? Breathing exercises help me and staying away from alcohol and caffeine. I understand it can be very invasive. Don't know if you've tried it, but there is also a group on Facebook that is specific to tinnitus suffers. Could be a good support system and provide some ideas for coping.

[CheriH342816]

I have had tinnitus for 12 years. It started after a bad cold virus I had in 2011. Vertigo also began at the same time. They told me it was because of displaced crystals in my ears. I saw several specialists to try the epley maneuvers and whatnot and nothing would fix the vertigo completely and the tinnitus remained. I am now 54 years old. I'm having problems with extreme vertigo and the tinnitus has gotten much louder. I had my right ear drum partially rupture for no reason whatsoever. I've had two brain MRIs as well as an auditory canal scan and all negative. Next week I'm going to see a neuro-otologist. Previously saw an ENT recently who thinks it could be Menieres. The ENT wants me to use these nasal sprays as well as hydrochlorothiazide and all do not make me feel well. I'm currently on a low dose beta blocker for hypertension. Honestly I don't know if it is a cause but when I got on blood pressure medication for the first time that is when the vertigo and the tinnitus got a lot worse, and when my right eardrum partially ruptured. Anybody had anything similar happen?

Thanks,

Cheri H

[Anitasmolik]

Cheri,

 I do have Meniere's Disease, diagnosed when I was in my 50's. I am now 76. I take the diuretic HCTZ for it, as well as Losartan for high blood pressure, stay on a low sodium diet, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. I have not had a vertigo attack in many years, but I still get tinnitus temporarily when I eat something with too much sodium. I also wear hearing aids in both ears because I lost hearing in both ears (but mostly in one ear) due to the Meniere's Disease, and that lessens the tinnitus also.

[CheriH342816]

Hi Anita

Thank you for your response. Saw the neuro-otologist. Not Menieres. Said it might be vestibular migraine but most likely misfiring of nerves between my brain, occipital and auditoral systems. Recommended neurologist. I have avoided salt, alcohol, and caffeine with no improvement. Still at a loss for a diagnosis.

[Kath1948]

YES, since an accident in 2011. I have it 24/7, at times louder and various sounds. It's ok during the day, because I'm busy and other sounds masks the noise in my head. I can't hear rain, birds, or high pitched sounds. Even going deaf doesn't quiet it.  Hearing aids mask it a bit but it's still there.

I don't think science hold this problem as a high priority.

SO, id est quo id est!

BTW, I'm now 75 yrs. Old

[CarryAnne]

I've previously written about fluoride, whether in drinking water or toothpaste, being able to trigger tinnitus. I've also mentioned that tinnitus seems to be an adverse reaction to the Covid vaccine (10,000 reports). 

Apparently, a scientist without any history of tinnitus had it begin when he got jabbed. He dug into the evidence and not only found lots of reports like his, he found seven (7) couples in the same household who both developed tinnitus for the first time within a few days of getting the shot. Both of them. 

This is very, very important because six were married couples unrelated by blood and had the onset at the same time, which points to an exposure causing the condition. That one person doing an informal search found documented cases like this is a "black swan" event times seven. It's a smoking gun. 

Now the good part: when he provided the evidence and his scientific assessment through appropriate channels, the top guy at the CDC advised his underlings to thank him and "cut him off." No questioning, no investigation and no further contact. The scientist got proof of this through a FOIA request - he has the email. 

Almost sounds like the CDC and friends do NOT want to discover the harm caused by their policies or do anything to protect people, doesn't it? See attached. 

https://stevekirsch.substack.com/p/dont-bother-to-let-the-cdc-know-about

[hairdressermx]

I have tinnitus also but did not receive the covid vaccine. It could be a coincidence. My sister was diagnosed with diabetes after we both started taking chromium picolinate, which regulates blood sugar, and it was brought up that maybe that caused her diabetes. I think not. It was just a coincidence. 

[JBMc47]

I have tinnitus since l returned from RVN in 1969. My 1st assignment was as a combat medic to a rifle company in the Central Highlands, we moved frequently to different AOs in suppore of other units as well as our own missions! I 1st noticed the sound/feeling variations in my ear canal/tympanic membrane, tongue or my brain as there is so much contention as to the source of the sounds/feelings as they change from tree frogs, cicadas, crickets or oscilloscope as they (?) wish! I have been to VA several times & have been given hearing aids as a benefit which has accomplished absolutely nothing!! So do l continue asking ppl to speak louder, say Huh the rest of my life ir just give up and retreat into my Own lil’ world of continuous and changing noises in my ears/head/brean or “Just my Imagination”?? Can anyone offer a cure or at least a volume control method that works?? Anything that works!!!

[st2450]

I hear you loud and clear...... well, forget that common phrase because I don't. In my case I went over 2 years later than you and my job was the same but in my case Corpsman Up! Much respect for anybody who served in the late 60's because those were the worse years. It all sucked but you guys had it the worse. The ringing began there and when I got sent stateside they assigned me to an aircraft carrier as my last duty station. That totally finished my ears off and increased the ringing to a crazy level. Now going on 50+ years of continuous ringing and anxiety is sky high all the time. I stay inside away from the world most of the time now. Very frustrating with 2 hearing aids that people can visibly see but they still become very agitated and annoyed when I can't hear everything they say to me. It basically has crippled me socially. I don't answer my phone usually and don't even care at this point to speak to people and often family. People just don't get it when you try to tell them what the world is like on your end because of the ringing. I've tried all kinds of things with my hearing aids but nothing really helps. Sleep is really disturbed and I my sleep is decreasing lately. I usually put a fan on high just a few feet from my head. It masks the sound somewhat. Wish I could offer some advise but I've spent 50+ years trying to get some relief. You probably never heard it much except recently when it became a social thing for recognition but welcome home! Thank you for your service in one of the most dangerous job functions in the military. Wish I could help in this situation but I am still clueless after 5 decades of trying to get relief.

[june1951]

There is no cure for tinnitus. Anyone who says there is doesn't know what they are talking about. Hearing aids do help some people by simply making it easier to hear regular sounds if you have a hearing loss. The tinnitus sounds are simply masked. I have had it in one ear for a few years. I'm lucky that most of the time I can ignore the ringing. Though it has gotten worse over time. 

I take 5mg of Ambien at night. I have a fan on in the bedroom when I go to bed and I listen to podcasts or other things on my phone as the Ambien kicks in. That makes a HUGE difference in being able to go to sleep. And getting to sleep makes a huge difference in everything. That's the only advice I can offer. I don't care if I'm addicted to the medication. I just want to go to sleep. 

Good luck. 

Hummm.....first I was a newbie then AARP made me an info seeker? lol Some of this stuff is so lame. 

[rosemary99]

Yes, I believe a good night's sleep helps with coping with the noise during the day. I take a prescription at night. When I first got tinnitus, I went 2 1/2 weeks without sleep and wound up in the hospital, this was 3 years ago. Still watching for any trials or updates on medication, but not much progress.

[Kath1948]

Unless you experience 24/7 tinnitus, you just don't know anything.

Medical practitioners just give you, " here, try this" type things. You're right, there is no relief. Those new extra sounds do come in every once in a while for me; especially if I'm taking some new medication, or I have a cold, or the wind is blowing into my direction. I have to be in a place that masks the sounds and then I don't Think about it, but it definitely ALWAYS there, never ever silent. Apparently, tinnitus is not a high priority on the researchers' minds. 

[CarryAnne]

Posting because it mentions tinnitus as a common symptom, along with other neurological effects like dizziness. Digestive problems and chronic pain syndromes also are common....

https://brownstone.org/articles/adverse-effects-of-the-pfizer-vaccine-covered-up-by-the-israeli-mini... 

[KCN22999]

I find wifi and my cellphone make mine far worse.

[Kath1948]

I've had tinnitus since 2011. It is nonstop/24-7. It gets louder when I take certain meds. or whenever it wants to. I was blaming it on my chemo, but I haven't been on that for almost a year. Is there anything that can lessen the noise? I think it's in both ears but I don't know for sure and I think it's interfering with my hearing. Hearing aids aren't that helpful and when I remove them the tinnitus seems louder

[maryk528966]

My tinnitus  is a side effect from my chemo. And that was 30 years ago. I have since lost full hearing in one ear. I guess sometimes  the bad goes with the good. 

[Anitasmolik]

Have you tried lowering your sodium, and eliminating your caffeine and alcohol intake? That is what I had to do.

[Kath1948]

I haven't tried to eliminate anything. I don't drink, and my sodium level is not bad ( says my monthly blood tests ). I think most people would baulk at giving up their daily caffeine; including me. It's strange how it started in 2011, after an accident. I've never had a brain scan so I don't know what's going on up there.......never mind lol.

I manage and generally have gotten used to it, I guess. I would like to find out why. Actually, I have bigger fish to fry when it comes to my health.....still would like to know though. Thank you Anita; I hope you are well!!

[70sClassic]

Hi @Anitasmolik   Yes I do all of those things. In March I had a few 2+ days of no tinnitus, really had my hopes up but no more breaks since then.  I'm trying to accept it & live my life and that's going well.
I joined an online

support group over 100,000 people worldwide called tinnitus talk. Research is posted but a lot of it is old and so far nothing jumps out as a breakthrough.
I'm not even wearing my one hearing aid lately but after re-reading the posts today I realize I should take the time to put it in. It never seemed to help much...looking at the newer rechargeable hearing aids...they're so expensive ...just kind of quit focusing on it and do the best I can. 
thank you.  

[AnnD4608]

I bought the very expensive rechargeable hearing aids.  Not only did they not help my hearing, they did nothing to lessen the tinnitus either.  The hearing aids only increased the volume of the annoying noises--dishwasher beeping, footfalls on laminate floors, high-pitched anything--they did not help me hear conversations.  And in a crowded room, they were useless.  

Sometimes my tinnitus is not bad, while at other times--like now--it is louder than usual.  And to echo all others, no, there is no cure.  

[CarryAnne]

Obviously, there are many causes for tinnitus, and sadly no universal cure. However, the widespread emergence of tinnitus as an adverse effect of the Covid vaccine is getting mainstream press: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/investigations/patients-urge-cdc-to-recognize-ringing-in-ears-... 

[hairdressermx]

I did not get the covid vaccine but I have tinnitus.  

[CarryAnne]

This isn't actually the first scientific study finding harm from wireless radiation in general and 5G in particular, but it is more robust and equates the EHS syndrome with the microwave illness which has been known to affect radiomen since at least WWII. This 2022 item specifically mentions tinnitus in a case study of a 63- and 62-years-old couple who were exposed to 5G from antennae installed on the roof of their apartment apartment building in November 2021. 

Article: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/5g-radiation-microwave-syndrome-symptoms/ 

Study: Miller AB, Sears ME, Morgan LL, Davis DL, Hardell L, Oremus M, Soskolne CL. Risks to Health and Well-Being From Radio-Frequency Radiation Emitted by Cell Phones and Other Wirel.... Front Public Health. 2019 Aug 13;7:223. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00223. PMID: 31457001; PMCID: PMC6701402.

[CarryAnne]

Vaccine Researcher Who Developed Tinnitus After COVID Shot Calls for Further Study

— Gregory Poland, MD, advocates both vaccination and better understanding of possible side effect

by Jennifer Henderson, Enterprise & Investigative Writer
MedPage Today, March 9, 2022

Gregory Poland, MD, director of the Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group in Rochester, Minnesota, remains a steadfast vaccination advocate -- even though he developed tinnitus soon after receiving his second dose of COVID vaccine.

A little more than a year ago, Poland was driving back from the hospital after receiving his second shot when he nearly veered out of his lane.

"It was like someone suddenly blew a dog whistle in my ear," Poland told MedPage Today. "It has been pretty much unrelenting."

Since then, Poland said he has been experiencing what he describes as life-altering tinnitus, or ringing in the ear. It occurs in both ears, but is worse in the left than in the right...

https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/97592 

IMHO: Dr. Poland continued support of the vax is based on obstinacy and hubris  rather than cost:benefit or honest risk assessment.  

[EricF808222]

I realized I had tinnitus in my 8th grade health class.  My ears have been ringing non-stop since then, and I am now 69.  I just got used to it and don't normally notice it unless I think about it, and it's right there.

You might try some of the binaural beats thru headphones.

https://www.binauralbeatsmeditation.com/ has some specific tracks for tinnitus: TinnitusRelief.mp3 (30 minutes) and a one-hour version.

Another one is MisophoniaRelief.mp3, both 30 minutes and one hour.

When I am in a quiet time and the tinnitus is present, I found these and many other of these are helpful.  There are several for nap and deep sleep, and they can put you to sleep in spite of the tinnitus

I have tried OTC drops and such, and I've never found anything taken does any good. Oh, well.

Best of luck on this.

[70sClassic]

Thank you so much for your informative reply. 
I will ck them out.  I also have hyprercusis & pretty much deaf in right ear. So it’s a weird combination. Lately I got the idea to find an ear plug that allows me to control how loud I hear because as of now I can’t go to theatre I tried & had to leave. Yes the tinnitus is there in the background too. Thankfully does not affect my sleep. I’m always healthy in my dreams. I use a little Valium on occasion it sort of helps maybe. The weather is an obvious trigger for me just haven’t figured out how to control that. I get a day or 2 without tinnitus esp after a maxed out day of extreme loudness. 
thank you again. 

[kywritergirl]

I’ve had tinnitus my whole life. But now that I’m in my 60s it is getting worse. The doctor told me it is the brain‘s way of filling in the space of pieces of noise it misses at certain frequencies. I’m very frustrated by it. Sometimes it wakes me up at night. Mostly I do my best to ignore it. At night I use brown noise. White noise is too high. I wish they could come up with a cure for that horrible ringing and cricket sounds.