Coping strategies - Tinnitus

[Marijn]

My friend is feeling really down due to her tinnitus. Have any of you got any good ideas on coping with it? Thank you

[Sqad]

Many people will send their particular favourites, but ask to be referred back to the ENT dept for a tinnitus masker.

[treetops1]

I was given hearing aids and they are wonderful. The worst part is when you take them out to go to sleep. Ihave tried music and white noise but it didn`t work. Has she been referred to a tinnitus clinic.

[Marijn]

Thank you Sqad and Treetops, I will pass on the info. I was hoping that MANY people would send their particular favourites :-)

[Zabadak]

It's a tough one: I never notice my tinnitus now unless someone mentions it, like right now! I was (brilliantly) treated for related balance issues a few years back by Jonathan Hazell, who was then working on a theory that we can learn to screen out the tinnitus sounds - effectively decide not to notice them. This is serious stuff, and the evidence is mounting that is works. Have a look at http://www.tinnitus.org/home/frame/THC1.htm for a lot more info than I can give here.
Tinnitus is horrible - I do know! - but it's not a disease, and not a life sentence. I wish your friend well - and some blessed silence soon!

[Marijn]

Thank you Zabadak, I'll email that info to her.

[JonnyBoy12]

Commit suicide, perhaps? That is some people's answer to this. Seriously though, I do not know. I have had this, as well, for over 2 years now, and do not really notice it until I go to bed, or someone mentions it. Think we should all organise an AB tinnitus party, and keep the music loud, so none of us will notice it at all.

Where do you get tinnitus maskers, by the way? I have never ever heard of them.

[Sqad]

jonnyboy.....tinnitus maskers should be provided on the NHS and supplied at your local ENT dept at the request of the ENT Surgeon.

[gingejbee]

Also available to buy from RNID - invaluable for night-time use; I take mine on holiday (also called tinnitus relaxers).

[gingejbee]

.....http://www.rnid.org.uk/shop/products/tin
nitus/tinnitus_relaxer_with_aromatherapy.htm

[Marijn]

Thank you everyone. I tried to cut and paste all this so I could email it to her, but it went wrong, not sure why. Anyway, I've printed it out, it came out in tiny print, she should be able to read it with her glasses on :-)

[Marijn]

Is there anyone there who has any more tips for her? I'm seeing her tomorrrow. Thanks

[ttfn]

Don't wish to be the voice of doom on this one notafish but not every one can overcome tinnitus to a level where they cease to notice the problem. I have hearing aids which do help to an extent. However they do not reduce the tinnitus to what i call an acceptable level. I also have a masker supplied by my local audiology clinic with which I have had no level of success. I have purchased a relaxer from the RNID which is quite calming. I have had tinnitus for many years now and I find that the level has actually increased over this time. I have this as a 24/7 issue and it has affected my sleep pattern almost beyond belief. Hearing aids are removed for bedtime and that increases the noise to a point which keeps me awake. I spend hours trying to get to sleep. I have found that no masker/white noise generator/radio/music can overcome this problem. The only t.v. I have is in the bedroom and I watch this at night with very loud volume - if I can occupy my sight, hearing and mind then that is the only chance I have to sleep. When I do eventually nod off I only get probably 2 hrs sleep before the tinnitus awakes me. It is the first thing I become aware of as soon as I wake. I have seen a tinnitus counsellor who was very sympathetic to my problem but was unable to offer me any further relief from the noise. Tinnitus has affected my life considerably - I no longer enjoy reading books as my concentration wanders from the printed page to the noise I hear. In spite of my experiences I do hope your friend explores all avenues. It may help her to join any local or national tinnitus association.

[Marijn]

Thank you very much ttfn. I'm sorry that you have it so severely. I hope you can find a way of gettting some quality sleep. I think my friend will feel relieved that hers isn't that severe. Is there a way of preventing it worsening?

[ttfn]

Not to my knowledge notafish. What I have learned is that, wherever possible, one has to accept having tinnitus and cope as well as one can. There are support groups which do a good job for many. If one is very unlucky the level of disturbance can increase and it is just one of those things. I just spend so many hours on my pc - with my favourite music blaring away in the background, I am also partially deaf, so it is as well that I live on my own ;o). The more of my senses/mind I can concentrate on a specific task/project helps me enormously. Silence is not golden in my case!

[Marijn]

Thank you ttfn, I'm sure she will appreciate your input, I will copy the info and she'll maybe consider joining a support group.

[mandie1959]

Tinnitus can be helped if not cured, a close member of my family was suffering from tinnitus.
So I decided to look for a cure after many months of trail and error, we found help for tinnitus, a natural cure, yes I did say natural, with the right foods and diet that will relief the ringing or thumping sounds and with a few minor changes in lifestyle they will be on there way to recovery.
Here is where to go, http://www.tinnitushelpear.com
P.S I know this works. Good luck

[Marijn]

Ah