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Old 9 October 2022, 12:32 AM   #1
cajunron
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Does anyone here have Tinnitus

I started having a constant high pitched ringing in my ears about 25 years ago. I know exactly what caused it. It was from shooting my firearm inside of a large dirt pit without hearing protection. The ringing has never gone away since that day. Two days ago, a second, lower pitched frequency started in my left ear. But this time there was no obvious reason for it. Does anyone else suffer from tinnitus and do they have any recommendations or treatments that help alleviate the ringing?
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Old 9 October 2022, 01:41 AM   #2
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I have been dealing with it for about 10 years myself from too many punk rock concerts in the 80’s. Unfortunately it is incurable according to the ENTs I have consulted with. Treatment focuses on minimizing the symptoms through cognitive feedback training and/ or hearing aids that add a frequency cancelling noise. Some people have triggers that increase the volume and pitch. I am one as I do notice the volume is turned up when I have had too much to drink or am stressed out about something.

My ringing is not bothersome unless I am in a very quiet environment. It is frustrating when I stop in the middle of the woods on a long bike ride and hear the ringing instead of peace and quiet. I do have to have a white noise machine by my bed as the ringing can prevent me from falling asleep quickly. You start listening to the noise late at night dammitt.

My shooting range buddy had a dramatic onset of severe tinnitus despite using ear plugs under his muffs. It literally had him going into a major depressive episode after a couple of months. He got the hearing aids at a cost of $4,000 and it probably saved his life. People think it is just an annoyance but it can be severely disruptive. Neither one of us participate in the sport indoors anymore.
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Old 9 October 2022, 01:45 AM   #3
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Luckily mine isn’t incredibly debilitating. When it kicks up I put my finger in my ear for about a minute and it will usually go away. I can’t hear very well though anyways.


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Old 9 October 2022, 01:54 AM   #4
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Yes. As a former Navy Fighter Pilot, spending lots of times around jet engines, it was pretty much destined for me. The VA officially diagnosed me with it a couple years ago.

For me, it seems to be very much connected to the amount of stress in my life. When stressful things are going on, I seem to suffer from it more, almost every day. When things are looking good, I don’t seem to have it (maybe just don’t notice it). Thankfully, it is not too bad, but can definitely be annoying and sometimes keeps me awake at night. I wish I had a magic cure for you, but nothing I have tried really seems to help. Best of luck.
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Old 9 October 2022, 01:56 AM   #5
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Tinnitus in my left ear from an acquaintance going hot next to me without warning. Ruined the sport for me and the friendship.

It bothered me alot early on, having lived with it for 10 years or so now, its not something I think about much anymore. More or less is what it is, although somedays I do turn on comedians or music just to have noise in the air to overpower the monotonous tone
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Old 9 October 2022, 02:11 AM   #6
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Sorry about that, OP. I do also suffer from a shooter's ear which I discovered a decade ago during a pre-employment medical examination.
Although the dip in a particular frequency is really minor (could cheat the audiogram if I wanted), has remained so throughout and my hearing isn't impaired, I do get occasional episodes of tinnitus. Whether It will usually go away by itself or It's just that I stop noticing, I'm not sure.
As others have mentioned it does seem to come and go in connection with stress levels as it's particularly noticeable those times that I can't fall asleep because of whatever might be on my mind.
Wish I could be more helpful but these are my observations so far. I hope you find a way to manage it effectively...
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Old 9 October 2022, 02:31 AM   #7
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It was December 1992 when I first noticed it being persistent and permanent.

I was in the artillery in the Nam, which undoubtedly contributed, as my ears took a pounding day in and day out.

Certain societal events in the early 90s renewed my interest in regular, indoor sessions, which may have been what exacerbated the problem and made it permanent, even though I was careful about using ear protection for recreational purposes.

There are always those cases though, when things just don't go as planned.

I live with it. That's about all I can say.
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Old 9 October 2022, 02:31 AM   #8
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Ron
.My spouse had it. Despite several doctor appointments and questions about possible medications or supplements to alleviate, there were no suggestions or options other than 'you'll just have to live with it'.


This website might have info helpful to you. I personally don't have tinnitus so can't vouch for any particular aid.

https://www.audiologynow.org/tinnitus-remedies/

https://www.audiologynow.org/best-supplements-tinnitus/


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Old 9 October 2022, 02:39 AM   #9
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My tinnitus started while in serving in Vietnam. Along with the tinnitus I also suffered hearing loss. It wasn’t until years later that I was formally diagnosed, by the VA, with both conditions. A cure for hearing loss, hearing aids. There had been some optimism that the aids might alleviate some of the tinnitus. They didn’t. A lot of years have passed, and I have learned how to ignore the ringing in my ears.


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Old 9 October 2022, 02:44 AM   #10
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Yes. As a former Navy Fighter Pilot, spending lots of times around jet engines, it was pretty much destined for me. The VA officially diagnosed me with it a couple years ago.

For me, it seems to be very much connected to the amount of stress in my life. When stressful things are going on, I seem to suffer from it more, almost every day. When things are looking good, I don’t seem to have it (maybe just don’t notice it). Thankfully, it is not too bad, but can definitely be annoying and sometimes keeps me awake at night. I wish I had a magic cure for you, but nothing I have tried really seems to help. Best of luck.
I have a buddy that worked around Harrier jets in the Marines and his tinnitus is severe. I guess I'm lucky that it's not as bad as some others have experienced. Thanks for your service.
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Old 9 October 2022, 02:46 AM   #11
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Thanks to everyone who replied to my thread. I guess this is something I'll have to live with for the rest of my life. I wish you all the best.
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Old 9 October 2022, 03:34 AM   #12
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I don’t have, but know those that do. Certain events such as explosions or inner ear/systemic infections seem to contribute. Similar to essentially killing off a portion of the frequencies a normal ear can hear/process. That range becomes more restricted with triggering events depending on frequency and severity. As for options, not really a whole lot you can do to treat it. From what I’ve been told it may be helpful to avoid triggering frequencies/pitches i.e. those that your ears can no longer process normally. Kind of like how a dog whistle will not be pleasant for dogs, frequencies will impact/aggravate some while those same may not impact others without damage. Try to avoid those triggers. Also, absolutely avoid indoor activities you mention and limit to outdoors only. For those that do often there is a lot that goes into the training houses beyond what you would see as precautions at a local business. If you’re anything more than an occasional hobbyist, you really need to take precautions against long term damage.
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Old 9 October 2022, 03:51 AM   #13
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I don’t have, but know those that do. Certain events such as explosions or inner ear/systemic infections seem to contribute. Similar to essentially killing off a portion of the frequencies a normal ear can hear/process. That range becomes more restricted with triggering events depending on frequency and severity. As for options, not really a whole lot you can do to treat it. From what I’ve been told it may be helpful to avoid triggering frequencies/pitches i.e. those that your ears can no longer process normally. Kind of like how a dog whistle will not be pleasant for dogs, frequencies will impact/aggravate some while those same may not impact others without damage. Try to avoid those triggers. Also, absolutely avoid indoor activities you mention and limit to outdoors only. For those that do often there is a lot that goes into the training houses beyond what you would see as precautions at a local business. If you’re anything more than an occasional hobbyist, you really need to take precautions against long term damage.
Investing in a high quality pair of electronic ear plugs seems like a good idea. Even for outdoors activities. (Also a note to self)
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Old 9 October 2022, 04:25 AM   #14
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I have the tv fuzzy kind. Sucks. But usually only gets really loud if I focus on it. Stem cells are in the eval phase for restoration of the “broken” cells. That said, a ton of stuff can cause it. Not just loud sounds. I’ve had it for years yet my hearing test at far above average. Beyond sound…genetics, medications (esp Viagra and the like), and physical trauma can cause it.
These days I wear earplugs/earmuffs anywhere there’s a loud sound. Concerts, mowing grass, on a plane, etc and always use noise cancelling headphones/buds to eliminate the need to crank up any volume.


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Old 9 October 2022, 04:47 AM   #15
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Investing in a high quality pair of electronic ear plugs seems like a good idea. Even for outdoors activities. (Also a note to self)
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Old 9 October 2022, 05:20 AM   #16
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Yes mostly in my left ear. Using select fire weapons w/o proper hearing protection while in military will do it.
At night when it’s quiet it sounds like constant bug sounds in my ears.
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Old 9 October 2022, 05:42 AM   #17
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Yep, same as Paul, have it in both ears due to decades of exposure to jet engine noise despite double hearing protection. Left ear is really bad because we didn't have combat hearing protection back in 2003, not sure it would have helped against a .50 cal less than an arms distance away anyway.

I used to have to take my hearing tests several times to pass after that, but a few years ago they re-baselined me and no issues now! I don't have any tips to lessen the ringing, honestly I have just gotten used to it and deal with it. Really bothers me when I'm in a room with a lot of background noise like a bar or restaurant- I have trouble hearing conversational tones a few feet away. Have gotten good at reading lips in that scenario. My ears ring worse for a few hours after being in that environment.
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Old 9 October 2022, 06:06 AM   #18
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Yes for sure. I’ve treated my ears like an amusement park. Not bright but it is what it is. I always need some background noise.
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Old 10 October 2022, 08:07 AM   #19
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I had minor tinnitus most of my adult life. Lots of gunfire, explosions, loud heavy metal concerts and many ear infections from scuba diving so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It was not that big of a deal until 2 1/2 years ago when my right ear all of a sudden went to a whole other level and it was quite alarming at the time. I couldn't concentrate, read, trouble sleeping etc. It is a constant loud hissing and at times I can hear my heartbeat which is very annoying. I also have some reactive clicking in response minor noises such as turning on a light switch or setting down a mug.

Some days are better than others and I am always trying to correlate bad days with some kind of trigger but they seem relatively random. Alcohol and caffeine do seem to be a trigger so I keep them to a minimum.

I have learned to live with it for the most part. Kind of like someone who gets accustomed to living next to a freight train crossing I suppose. Very unpleasant but I mostly have myself to blame being a former invincible youngster and all that.
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Old 10 October 2022, 08:11 AM   #20
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I have Tinnitus and its gotten worse in the last 6 years. The Doc said that eventually I would need a hearing aide. It's interesting that with so much advancement in medical technology, they haven't been able to cure this.
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Old 10 October 2022, 09:46 AM   #21
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As a teen and all the rock concerts I went to up close to monster amps and plenty of shooting most of the time with no ears used I’ve gotten ringing in the ears that would subside usually the next day. Wasn’t until I got in a serious accident about 20 years ago and fractured my skull and messed up my right inner ear with persistent tinnitus the only remaining issue.

Docs pretty much said nothing can be done so I live with it. The brain is very good at tuning it out most of the time until it’s brought up for one reason or another but I’m able to put it way in the background most of the time. I do run a fan at night while sleeping. The white noise keeps it in forgotten zone very well.

Ron I would definitely get your left ear checked out just to eliminate anything else besides tinnitus that it might be.
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Old 10 October 2022, 10:11 PM   #22
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I was a SWAT physician for 13 years. Monthly live fire training without hearing protection (we had to be able to communicate with each other throughout) left my ears ringing for days. Then in 2011, I sustained a head injury in the ER and the tinnitus became constant. These factors as well as hereditary presbycusis also contributed to hearing loss.

The good news is that hearing aids have markedly reduced the tinnitus and I can hear very well. I wasn’t excited about getting aids, but now I cannot imagine daily life without them.
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Old 10 October 2022, 11:31 PM   #23
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I have Tinnitus and its gotten worse in the last 6 years. The Doc said that eventually I would need a hearing aide. It's interesting that with so much advancement in medical technology, they haven't been able to cure this.
Same. I also wonder why more hasn’t been done.

I’m not sure of the cause of mine, but most likely for me it was loud music in my car.

I cringe now when I’m out walking, and I hear bass pounding from a car stopped at a traffic light. It literally makes me want to turn in the other direction.

Loud noisy environments are really tough for me to handle now. It could be why I don’t like crowds … although I generally don’t like people much, other than my family and close friends
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Old 11 October 2022, 12:46 AM   #24
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Same. I also wonder why more hasn’t been done.
Tinnitus involves nerves and brain tissue, none of which are amenable to repair, replacement or reversal at this time in history. I'm not holding my breath either.
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Old 11 October 2022, 04:20 AM   #25
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Tinnitus involves nerves and brain tissue, none of which are amenable to repair, replacement or reversal at this time in history. I'm not holding my breath either.
Is Tinnitus almost always associated with hearing loss?
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Old 11 October 2022, 05:38 AM   #26
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Is Tinnitus almost always associated with hearing loss?
The number most often quoted is that 90% of those with tinnitus also have some degree of noticeable hearing loss.
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Old 11 October 2022, 09:36 AM   #27
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I was a SWAT physician for 13 years. Monthly live fire training without hearing protection (we had to be able to communicate with each other throughout) left my ears ringing for days. Then in 2011, I sustained a head injury in the ER and the tinnitus became constant. These factors as well as hereditary presbycusis also contributed to hearing loss.

The good news is that hearing aids have markedly reduced the tinnitus and I can hear very well. I wasn’t excited about getting aids, but now I cannot imagine daily life without them.
Do the hearing aids mask the tinnitus or somehow correlate to the frequency and cancel it out? Is it replacing one sound for another? Does anyone know?
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Old 11 October 2022, 10:40 AM   #28
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Do the hearing aids mask the tinnitus or somehow correlate to the frequency and cancel it out? Is it replacing one sound for another? Does anyone know?
This is a simplistic explanation. Though this is not the case in every instance, hearing loss causes a decrease in auditory nerve stimulation to the brain. The brain replaces the missing stimulation with tinnitus. When auditory frequencies are replaced or amplified by hearing aids, it’s thought that the brain decreases the self-stimulation in the form of tinnitus.

Nerve impulses to the brain or brain-generated stimulation do not have “phase” characteristics, so noise-canceling technology doesn’t work for tinnitus.
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Old 11 October 2022, 12:56 PM   #29
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This is a simplistic explanation. Though this is not the case in every instance, hearing loss causes a decrease in auditory nerve stimulation to the brain. The brain replaces the missing stimulation with tinnitus. When auditory frequencies are replaced or amplified by hearing aids, it’s thought that the brain decreases the self-stimulation in the form of tinnitus.

Nerve impulses to the brain or brain-generated stimulation do not have “phase” characteristics, so noise-canceling technology doesn’t work for tinnitus.
Thank you.
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Old 11 October 2022, 02:34 PM   #30
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I suffer with it and it's miserable for me. Very rarely is the ringing low enough that I forget about it, but often it seems louder than the TV or surrounding conversations. According to tests (not my wife's opinion) my hearing is actually very good. I am unaware of anything that can really help; I just live with it and often wonder what quiet actually feels like.
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