I've had it since I was a kid, I had a burst ear abscess and it is probably linked to the damage I sustained from that.
I remember it driving me nuts as a kid trying to sleep with the ringing in my ears. It doesn't really bother me overly much any more, which is surprising considering it had the potential to have a profound impact on my career (I was a musician and audio engineer - a career which I probably would not be able to do now. Although it is interesting how many 'old-timers' in the industry have very bad hearing, especially if they have worked in live sound). But I think because I sustained auditory system damage quite young, I have always compensated for my altered hearing range - last time I had my hearing tested (about 8 years ago) I had lost about 50% of my hearing from 7kHz with it reducing to about 95% loss at 19kHz. I am about to get my hearing tested again, because it has worsened over the years to a point where my perception of speech frequencies is impacted and I will probably require hearing assistance within a few years. So probably for me the hearing loss has a greater impact than the tinnitus, although the tinnitus is a symptom of the hearing loss.
Here's a link to the Aust. Tinnitus Association - it may have some info that will help!
I have it too. In my late teens, I spent the weekends going to watch bands in noisy pubs. In fact, even if there wasn't a band, there'd be a noisy jukebox. I also used my walkman daily for 3 or 4 years in my early 20's. Probably had it too loud.
It really started to bother me after the birth of my first child. The house would be so quiet when it was just her and I, and I was breastfeeding her. That's when it really bothered me. But, unless I really focus on the ringing, it rarely bothers me these days. Does anyone get an occasional high-pitched sound that only lasts a few seconds (that is louder than the usual ringing)? I find that a little disconcerting.
I feel sad that I damaged my ears just by going out with friends and having innocent fun! I won't use an ipod because I fear that it will exacerbate the problem. I am sad that it will never go away. I am very protective of my hearing, and feel that I can't go to places where there is loud music. I am worried it will worsen as I grow older.
Oh, when I think of all the parts of me that are no longer 'as good as new' (eyes, skin, ears, etc.) I feel a little sad....
its good to hear its not just me , and yes ali sometimes mine gets really loud for a few mins and can barely hear whats going on , i think i got it from and tramatic stressful episode a few years back ( the loss of my 1st babe) and along with loud music ( BIL was in a band and i got dragged to all the shows )
a friend of mine ( a drummer) has is bad aswelll , i remember him telling me about it and then i was dicissuing it with DH ( bf back then )about how bad it would be to have that and then a yr or so later i had it too !!
thanks for the link suse , i must get my hearing tested soon .
ETA - found this on the site
4. Try easing off caffeine (tea, coffee, coca-cola, chocolate), and alcohol as they can temporarily worsen tinnitus for some people. Avoid quinine - as in tonic water. Nicotine and marijuana too. Smoking narrows your blood vessels which supply vital oxygen to your ears and their sensory cells. PLEASE - quit smoking!
i have been on a choclate binge recently and have been having every day no wonder it has worsend over the past week !
i was diagnosed with menieres disease at 16, ive also had ringing ears for as long as i can remember!!
with menieres i was told to avoid the foods/alcohol/smokes listed above too! i suffered dizziness from the menieres and always had more attacks after too much salt!
AJP , after reading the link from suse i googled the meineres disease and alot of things stood out to me , many of the symptoms on the list i have experienced / still get . how did you get tested for it ?
alot of the time i am walking and it feels like im walking on a wobbly board and if i stand still if feels like im floating on a jetty kwim. and if i get dizzy the ringing in my ears gets very loud. and i rarely drink alcohol but when i do i get worsening of the ringing ...
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no wonder it has worsend over the past week !
i wont tell you because it would put you off been tested!
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