Tinnitus

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Just starting up a dedicated thread for this after a fair few posts and experiences from sufferers on the other thread. It seems a more common issue than most people think or release. I've seen figures of 15%-20% of the population can experience symptoms at varying levels.

I never really knew I had it and similar to Wanderer thought it was normal so just the sound of silence! It was only until I found a thread on the MBClubUK forum discussing it that I realised it wasn't normal or the sound of silence. This was about 2 years ago I think. I started to research it a bit when I could. There are many different reasons and causes but I am determined to see if there is something that can be done. Over the last year it has either got worse or I have noticed much more. To the point now that it is really affecting quality of life.

There are several things I am not happy with that need addressing but I'm unsure if these are the domino affects of the Tinnitus. Or maybe the reverse in that other issue are causing the Tinnitus. Or that none are linked and the Tinnitus will be untreatable and I will need to learnt to cope with it. This seems a common state in that people accept it exists and are somehow learning to deal with it.

I have paid for a family Bupa policy for many years and it has been very useful at time. Not so much for me so far but now is my turn! I had a video conference consultation with a GP on Saturday. After a brief consultation they have issued a referral letter to Bupa to see a specialist. Just waiting to hear back to arrange an appointment. I am guessing the first point will be to do the basics so checking hearing levels. Also some basic fundamental checks such as blockages, ear wax and all those kinds of elementary but possible issues or contributing factors.

I don't feel my Tinnitus is down to permanent hearing damage from loud noise exposure which I guess will be a common form. Many will know but for some that don't the loud noise exposure can damage the tiny sensory hair cells in your ear that transmit sound to your brain. People who work in noisy environments - such as factory and construction workers, musicians, and soldiers - are particularly at risk. These never grow back and are permanently damaged. It would make sense that in these cases that treatments to eradicate the condition is unlikely but it would more be about increasing relief to lessen the impact.

It seems that some suffers can be feeling the effects due to an underlying injury (head or neck) often common in one ear only. Possibly due to damage to the ear or related area. Or pressure on a nerve causing the Tinnitus. Sometimes tumours can cause pressure to nerves or the brain which can cause the issues. Then there are various issues that could all contribute. Such as lack of sleep, stress, poor blood flow, diet and I guess general lack of well being for some, many or all of these contributory issues.

I have had constant regular back and neck issues for about 25 years after an old football injury as a goalkeeper tearing my shoulder ligaments. After the arm in a sling for 6 months, not able to use it to even lift a light weight for 6 months it meant 6 months of almost no use of my left side, then 3 months of gradual light use with another 3 months of gradually increasing use so 12 months from start to finish. This meant 90% depletion of muscles in the left side of my upper body. With a stupid lack of building these muscles up again over the next 12 months as strenuously recommended by the physio meaning I still have issues. This could be the route cause or a contributor factor.

Other issues I have that could be contributing to the issues are not getting enough sleep, diet that could be better, exercise could be better and stress levels have been immense at times but high levels have been pretty constant.

So regardless of any diagnosis I am going to give it my best shot to improve my chances of irradiating the Tinnitus. All of the improvements will help to improve my fitness also general health and well being so won't be wasted regardless.

Luckily I have a very patient nature so absorb high levels of pressure and stress quite well without it showing a real obvious way. However even then my shortness has increased immensely. Also all the possible contributing factors have all increased so these are all noticeable issues now. These include fatigue, stress, sleep problems, trouble concentrating, memory problems, depression, anxiety and irritability. Don't worry I'm not about to jump off a cliff as all these issues are not major but they are noticeable to the point that they combine to reduce quality of life significantly.

My personal experience of Tinnitus is constant 24/7 and although difficult to be exact seems to be more noticeable in the left ear/side. There seems to be two different pitches. A lower pitch towards the centre/right side then a much higher more noticeable pitch in the left side.

Occasionally I have some short periods of transparent circles in my vision often when I have been sitting at a desk in front of a screen for a while. Occasionally I have some speech issues in which words can come out in the wrong order or simple words in a sentence aren't quite there and it can take a few seconds for these to be available. You tend to manage this when you feel it and slow down your sentences to allow the words to flow without it being obvious. However on occasion there can be pause of a few seconds while I wait for the word. This is also evident sometimes when reading a story to my son/daughter at night in which the words are ready in the wrong order. I would say this is all slight and may be common but it will be mentioned to the specialists as it might all feed in to help. I do have a very small are on the top of my head to the right of my crown that feels a little like it is lightly bruised. It is small and slight but constant. Again it will be mentioned.

I will feed back into the thread with the results of any tests, any information I found out from specialists and any useful facts or potential help I can feed into the pot that may help others. I not expecting a 5 minute fix and committed to small, progress and long lasting improvements. I am also positive at this stage that a fix or an improvement can be made.

If anyone has any thoughts they want to share please feel free to fire it all into this thread. If we can help each other in any ways to improve anything it has to be a good thing.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
Get a hearing test as it can highlight if you have real damage or if there are other issues. Men are dreadful at not having things checked out soon.

Anything else is speculation and Google is not your friend at all when it comes to medicine.
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
Just read the third to last paragraph, and thought a very mild stroke!

I don't want to be alarmist but isn't slurred speech poor vision symptoms of a stroke? I'm no doctor. Its certainly brain / blood circulation related.

Maybe you just need to take breaks more regularly, get away from the monitor and walk about then get back to it. My Samsung watch tells me every half hour to move. I find that it helps concentration and productivity.
Edit
Could also be low blood sugar levels!
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
A friend of mine sufferers from tinnitus, they eventually went for a hearing test which showed a complete drop off at a certain frequency. They were told it could be this or that but for additional certainty they took a MRI.

Turned out to be a acoustic neuroma, which is very rare. They grow slow over decades and can be operated on... but for them it is too large and the risk too great...so they intend to live with it as it may stay as it is for ever now.

Also a hearing aid can be good to reduce tinnitus and like sight or hearing deteriorates over time but we do not notice it as it is so gradual.
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
would be very interested to hear further on this, I've had it for about 3/4 years and at first it was annoying, I seem to have got used to it now, remember seeing a doctor who simply said there is no cure and didn't bother taking it further, I think my problem is lack of ear muff use from many years of using loud and high pitched tools/machines, don't think about your health when your young and care free
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Thanks both. Sorry for the initial post.....didn't realise how long it was. Looks smaller on the laptop but massive on the mobile!!

I will get the initial tests done asap and see what they say.

I don't feel any of the individual issues or considerable or major but combined create a much bigger impact.

One other aspect that happens sometimes is a kind of audible sensory input overload. If you in a room with people with two or more conversations going on at the same time or lots of different noises all competing it becomes too much. Busy places or anything similar achieve the same. I guess that is common anyway though. It is just like something has boiled over and I can't take any more so noise levels seem very loud at that point
I don't think there is so much wrong with my hearing but a simple hearing test will reveal for sure.

Hopefully I'll get an appt within a few days as going to call and chase Bupa in the morning.

Going to bed now.....the start of the improved regime
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Just to add....

I can live with this if it is tinnitus, like I said I've filtered it out somehow. I'm more inclined to think what caused it if I do have it.

Well, when I was 12/13 or so I got terrible aches in my shoulders, more on right, like burning. So much so I was referred to Bolton Royal Infirmary where I was routinely encouraged to swim in a small pool and bend my neck and shoulders. I 've no idea if this is related but I could be given above.

I don't recall any even that might have caused the aches, other than I was a 'fast' grower, over 6 foot at 12 yo and thin as a lat.

I also get strange visual effects, some like flashes, but mostly like those blobs in Lava lamps, to the extreme outer edges of vision. I've had my hearing checked and checked for detached retina, all clear...

The pitch is what I hear if it is tinnitus is more like a constant scream, sounds horrible but Like I said, I can filter it out.

The only other odd thing I used to get is 'aura', like epileptics get before a Grand Mal Seizure, it's like a feeling of total rapture and detachment, starts in tummy and seems to want to expand but doesn't last long enough, I used to enjoy them, had then when I was driving and never effected my ability, bit felt like I'd lost 30/60 secs to a dream state. I could feel one coming on and tried to encourage it bit as I've got older, they've never happened. I do wonder if there's some brain wire thing with the noise I hear....

Google it - Aura, epilepsy.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Out of interest, have you checked your blood pressure?
Yes, had a general health check last year and all pretty good. Blood pressure very good (low but not low), cholesterol all good and although it was a basic check no obvious concerns.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
Hallo, Dean. What you've said, sounds more or less the same for me in some ways. Worse when I'm tired. Sleep more, brother. Mediate, as well. An empty mind is a beautiful thing.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,549
Occasionally I have some short periods of transparent circles in my vision often when I have been sitting at a desk in front of a screen for a while. Occasionally I have some speech issues in which words can come out in the wrong order or simple words in a sentence aren't quite there and it can take a few seconds for these to be available. You tend to manage this when you feel it and slow down your sentences to allow the words to flow without it being obvious. However on occasion there can be pause of a few seconds while I wait for the word.

Totally worth getting this checked. I know as I was there.

For me wasn't / isn't stroke at all, but migraine for the visual disturbance (I also get the ones with the pain, but nothing like some people do and that rarely)
The words thing happens to most people on and off. Again, I know exactly what you mean and I have exactly the same coping mechanism. Which is generally recommended for anyone trying to be persuasive anyway. Speaking fast is often interpreted as having something to hide!

C
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Working in engineering for over 30 years my exposure has been high, although being in design/management not exposed 8 or so hours everyday and I have always worn hearing protection.
I do however still suffer from mild tinnitus especially in my left ear. I'm only really conscious of it in a quiet environment and it doesn't effect getting to sleep etc.
Recently when attending a H&S course they played a range of tones to see who had hearing damage. I had no problem hearing all the tones but the majority, also all over 50 years age, could not hear certain tones at all, and they all said they suffered from tinnitus.
I hate attending live gigs the noise levels are way too high and I end up standing right at the back, those at the front in front of speakers are destroying their hearing, end of.
A friend is now suffering from tinnitus from attending a fitness class where the music was too loud.
 
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rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Thanks all. All interesting stuff.

There is a condition called Aphasia that seems very relevant as well. I am not sure it is relevant for me as I don't feel I've had a stroke or would be so susceptible to one. It may be useful for others though.

I have had a fair few head/neck/back injuries and concussions when playing as a goalkeeper which although I don't think is a cause it would be prudent to check if it could be an underlying issue or cuase.

I do a fair bit of computer work and typing and have very minor issues with some words with lettings always being typed in the same incorrect order. However the autocorrect feature is nice and resolves this once you have those words setup. Annoyingly it seems to be words like Exchnage (that did happen naturally :D) and Administrator amongst others. It is amplified I guess as I type fairly fast so gives my brian less chance to keep up. I always spend a bit of time proof reading and tidying/correcting my e-mails before they are sent. I think that is the modern way often though so no real difference to most here.

I am sure much of the these little symptoms are common and possibly unrelated. Also perfectly liveable and not massive issues. Just worth me documenting them and feeding it all back to the specialists. Much of this does seem quite related though and could indicate sometimes a stroke or head/injury trauma. Or even indications of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. I personally think any impact is minimal and not much of an issue. However each one little issue all feeds in to create a bigger picture or impact.

I think half the battle is diagnoses, treatment and acceptance. If you have known issues, have accepted them and know how best to deal with them they become less of an issue. Of course if there is an underlying issue it might be really small and treatable but could have such a big impact to many finding resolutions.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Working in engineering for over 30 years my exposure has been high, although being in design/management not exposed 8 or so hours everyday and I have always worn hearing protection.
I do however still suffer from mild tinnitus especially in my left ear. I'm only really conscious of it in a quiet environment and it doesn't effect getting to sleep etc.
Recently when attending a H&S course they played a range of tones to see who had hearing damage. I had no problem hearing all the tones but the majority, also all over 50 years age, could not hear certain tones at all, and they all said they suffered from tinnitus.
I hate attending live gigs the noise levels are way too high and I end up standing right at the back, those at the front in front of speakers are destroying their hearing, end of.
A friend is now suffering from tinnitus from attending a fitness class where the music was too loud.

Sorry to hear that Mike. I think this is all too common from some typical machismo male characters in engineering and construction. Not you of course ;) My dad was a plasterer by trade but also having the joinery business later in life had lots of noisy machines. Hardly any of them wore ear defenders. Idiots really but the knowledge was not so wide spread at the time. Now we know much more it has to be a good thing. I wear ear defender on the mower and often when using power tools. My dad is almost deaf in one ear and the other side is reduced. Although he either doesn't have Tinnitus or it is mild. Mainly reduced hear capacity damage.

I don't find going to a cinema enthralling for me with too much hustle, bustle, people and noise. Also finding the film noise levels ways too high to the point it almost hurts. I have been maybe 10 times in 30 years. More than happy to watch a film at home. I have also found that I have to move volume levels up during speech sections and down when music or effects. However I bought a fairly decent set of Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Bluetooth headphones with noise cancellation also closed headphones. This transforms it as I can watch something in bed at a low volume and hear it perfectly. Also my wife doesn't hear a thing either.

I think noise levels in a cinema film could be reduced by 25% maybe up to 50% and all could still hear it fine. Not sure why it is so loud. Or is that just me thinking this?
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796
....finding the film noise levels ways too high ....
...I have also found that I have to move volume levels up during speech sections and down when music or effects. ....

I think most people over about 25-35 finds this to be the case. Also music at sports venues, which many people under 30 tell me they don't really notice, and many people over 35 find intolerable.

64547
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
I have bouts of being aware of tinnitus but generally I'm good at dialling it out at the moment. It is something I fear in the long term that it will worsen to the point of being unbearable. It is I feel a luck of the draw/old age condition probably not helped by workplace noise over the years, percussion noises like shotgun fire at close range and no doubt the gazillion uses of power tools in my lifetime. I have had hearing tests and generally I'm above average for my age. In the time I've read and responded to this thread however I've become aware of it again :as001 (2):
 
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MarkMas

Chief pedant
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8,796
....have very minor issues with some words with lettings always being typed in the same incorrect order. However the autocorrect feature is nice and resolves this once you have those words setup. .... It is amplified I guess as I type fairly fast so gives my brian less chance to keep up....

I think this is quite common - I work in the higher education academia field, and of the 5-6 words I can't type, Univerity and Reserach are the most annoying. Along with brian.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796
...There is a condition called Aphasia that seems very relevant as well...

Sorry to drift, but there is also a fascinating condition (spectrum) called Aphantasia where people lack the ability to form internal visual images.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphantasia

My youngest son and I have it. The common tests are, IMHO, useless, as they rely on self-assessment of image quality. I have invented my own:
  • Step one: In a moment, close your eyes and visualise a seagull standing on a sea wall. Take a moment to really fix the picture.
  • Step two: Don't read ahead to step three, just do it now.


  • Step three: OK, now which way was the seagull facing? Left, right, toward you, or what?
At this point about 90% of people will easily be able to answer the question, and 10% will realise that whenever they said in the past that they were visualising something, they were just lying to make people happy and to fit in!