Is Tinnitus Forever?

[Nancy Drew]

I have just recently started having tinnitus in my AN ear.  It is constant.  Sometimes it is worse that others.  When I am in a noisy environment it usually isn't a problem.  However, when I am alone in a quiet environment, especially at bed time, it is louder and annoying.  Do you ever get a break from it?  Or is it a case of once it has started it will never go away?  Just curious how tinnitus affects your life.  I can tolerate it for now--just hope it doesn't get louder.  It sounds like cricket in my ear.  Maybe I should give him/her a name!

Nancy

[Jim Scott]

Nancy:

To the best of my non-physicians knowledge, tinnitus is a permanent condition, although there are myriad treatments and 'cures' available with varying effectiveness, including none at all.  Unless it is debilitating, most tinnitus sufferers (including this one) learn to live with it.  I wish I could offer you more encouraging news but unless there is something I've missed, this is the discordant reality of tinnitus.   

Jim

[Nancy Drew]

Jim, My husband has tinnitus (every day I assume), and he said he has gotten used to it.  I only have it in one ear.  Is that usual for ANers?  Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have it in both, but I am not wishing for it by any means!  I have heard some people here say that the sounds change.  One woman said hers sounded like a violin, and she was disappointed when that one was replaced with a really annoying sound.  Mine is still a "cricket".  I've heard about those treatments for tinnitus, and I hope I don't have to go in that direction one day.  I am really amazed that the tinnitus just came on so suddenly--out of nowhere.  Thanks for your reply.

Nancy

[Boppie]

Tinnitus has been with me since day one post op.  It is only unbearable when I admit it to be so.  It is here to stay, I believe.

[Nancy Drew]

Yes, the tinnitus stinks, but I guess it could be a lot worse.  I'm ready for the violin.  The cricket is getting old.  At least I'm not hearing voices, yet!!!

Nancy

[chocolatetruffle]

i had tinnitus for the longest time ever (before my surgery)  and after surgery, i still have tinnitus in my deaf ear - go figure!!  i have learned to live with it and don't really pay attention to it anymore.

[Nancy Drew]

I guess from what I am reading acceptance is key in dealing with a lot of the AN issues.  I'm getting there!  Nancy

[sgerrard]

I guess from what I am reading acceptance is key in dealing with a lot of the AN issues.  I'm getting there!

So does that mean you are starting to accept that acceptance is key? Are you ready to accept that accepting that acceptance is key is key? 

Steve
(crickets forever)

[tony]

The noises  thing is there and for real - and in one sense, forever
However its not really a "sound" you are hearing
in some way is is a reflection of nerve activity expressed as noise
- when some us close our eyes, the "noise" changes
Its also alot to do with the bloodsteam/nerve activity at any one time
So things like caffine/sugar even gen fatigue do seem to alter
the amount and strength of the noises
Its worth to experiment with diet/fluid/sugar levels and rest !
to moderate the effects ?
Best Regards
Tony

[sabuck]

Nancy,

I have had tinnitus since I was a child of five after I accidentally was hit in the head with a baseball bat in a sandlot game. When I kept telling my parents that I heard this high pitched ringing noise they took me to the family "quack". He looked into my ears and said "Nothing there. You are fine. It is all in your head." Yes Dr. Quack it IS in my head! Geez! So as a five year old until now (53), I have learned to live with it. Sorry to vent a little in your post but looking back, it just P*** me off.
Unfortunately the AN surgery mad it a little worse and new "cricket-like" sounds. At least it is a little different. 
Just try to ignore it. The more you think and focus on it, the worse it controls you. Don't let it! Ignore the little tinnitus beeotch! 
Can I say that or do I need to be sensored? 

[Mickey]

As I`ve said in previous posts have tinnitus for 30 years. I have tried everything to help and presently doing Neuromonics which has seemed to subdue the noise somewhat. It just becomes part of you and you get used to it. No harm to try and find something to relieve it.  This was may main symptom all these years I guess for an AN which I finally found out about a year ago? Good Luck Mickey

[Syl]

Hi Nancy,

My tinnitus and hearing loss ocurred suddenly after sneezing one time. Before surgery, my tinnitus had many forms/sound. Since my surgery on June 16 it has changed. It hasn't gone away and I feel that I need to get used to it all over again. What I have now are just the crickets--a bunch of them chirping far away.

Syl

[Nancy Drew]

Hi everyone,

Interesting that there are a lot of "crickets" in the ears.  Steve, I love your play on words.  They make me think, and they also give me a laugh, and I can use every laugh I can get.  I think I am getting to the acceptance stage.  Of course, I haven't had my treatment yet, and I know that with radiation I won't get rid of the tumor.  I will have to keep a close watch on it, and it is always possible that more symptoms will show up.  Acceptance is KEY, and it applies not only to the AN, but also to so many other things that come up in life.  On a side note, since my husband has nonAN tinnitus, we can at least have a common bond with our tinnitus!.  I'm gonna be OK.  Thanks for your support.  Chirp, Chirp.

Nancy 

[Esperanza]

It's strange because my mother has suffered with tinnitus for a number of years (diabetes and thyroid problems) and I remember having a conversation with my sister where we said it must be awful to have to live with a noise in your head all the time!  I used to so love silence and now here I am, also with the crickets and the hissy wooshiness!  I do ignore it and get on with my life day to day but I notice that when it is worse my balance is a little 'off', get earache/pain and my face can feel  a bit strange.   My otolo. guy continues to insist tinnitus is nothing to do with the AN???
I am still in wait and watch though so do wonder if the AN has 'moments' due to blood flow?  Can't see any pattern to it (diet, tirednes, etc.).
There is so little they seem to know about tinnitus but how can they say it's nothing to do with the AN pre-treatment??

[Sefra22]

It's funny, but I barely notice my tinnitus until I start thinking about it. In fact, just reading this thread caused it to act up! Usually though, I only have one or two episodes a day that last only a couple of minutes.
Lisa