Tinnitus, or That Ringing That Just Doesn't Quit

[interrogat]

FAIL FOR MISSPELLING RINGING.

In 2009, our patrol took an RPG, and exploded on the opposite side of a qalat wall where I was standing. Since, I've had Tinnitus (ringing in the ears/head) at a very high, screeching pitch. Last week, after a few hours at the gym, I got back home, and while I was changing, I noticed the buzzing had become suddenly worse. My thoughts are that I had my earbuds at an excessively high volume. Stupid, stupid me.

I was wondering if others on this board were suffering from tinnitus, and if so, what kind of self-therapy or supplements they have been using, to keep themselves sane.

Rob

 

[MOTOMETO]

This might help http://www.naturalnews.com/032102_tinnitus_natural_remedies.html

 

[Teufel]

I have tinnitus but it's not bad. I find that a little white noise in the background takes care of mine.

 

[policemedic]

I have tinnitus but it's not bad. I find that a little white noise in the background takes care of mine.

I'm in the same boat. Mine is mild; I just deal with it.

 

[tova]

If it gets too severe and if medical doctors can't assist, look for a dentist who specializes in treating it - had a friend who had it so severe, nothing was helping until she was referred to see a dental specialist - it is now under control.

 

[interrogat]

MOTOMETO Thanks. I saw this earlier today, and decided to try the herbal route.

Teufel Mine was usually manageable like that. Just irritating now that I can hear it over music and The Americans.

tova I'm seeing the PA on Monday. I think he'll refer me to the ENT. I used to have ringing after I had wisdom teeth pulled, too. But my true tinnius I believe to be noise-induced and not TMJ-related.

I guess I'll let everyone know what happens on Monday, and if any of this wacko herbal business works. :whatever:

 

[amlove21]

Tinnitus- I'd love to help, but its just not ringing any bells.

 

[SkrewzLoose]

Sorry (not really) amlove21 , but some of you guys are just out of control with your awful word play.

 

[reed11b]

I only hated to stay within expectations.
Reed
To the OP , make sure you get seen at the VA if you are out, otherwise get it documented if you are in.

 

[RackMaster]

I second the getting seen by VA, even if it's just an annoyance now; get it documented. I have it but just deal with it.

 

[pardus]

My thoughts are that I had my earbuds at an excessively high volume. Stupid, stupid me.

I have it.

Exposing your ears to loud noises is the single worst thing you can do. You must be anal in protecting your hearing against any loud noises from now on.

Teufel is correct, white noise will help when you need to sleep etc...

 

[LibraryLady]

... I find that a little white noise in the background takes care of mine.

Most white noise makes mine worse, especially fans.

LL

 

[DA SWO]

I had foam ear plugs get loose on the range, and have had ringing in my ears since 1983.

I used a natural herb "Clear Tinnitus" for years, and believe it helped me.

I stopped using it when I retired because it's not cheap, and I am no longer worried about flight physicals.

 

[Gypsy]

Most white noise makes mine worse, especially fans.

LL

Oh, a fan at night definitely helps mine. I have one at work too, for those days when it is quiet. Guess it just depends on the person. I take mine with me if I travel.

 

[fox1371]

I have it, but mine seems to be intermittent. I'll be fine for awhile and then suddenly I'll get very loud ringing. Can't quite figure out what triggers it yet. I just jam my finger in my ear and yell at it haha.

 

[Marauder06]

Resurrecting and old thread for a new-to-me problem. Prefacing this with "yes, I'm going to see a doctor about this."

I've had intermittent tinnitus off and on over the years. It's usually just a couple of seconds of intense noise that quickly fades away, always in my left ear. Happened maybe once a month, occurrences always seemed kind of random.

Last week I started experiencing persistent, low-grade tinnitus, again centered in my left ear. It started off almost imperceptible (reminded me of sitting in the booth for a hearing exam--"am I really hearing something right now?") but it is now very noticeable, but still pretty low.

I don't know what caused it. I haven't had any head trauma recently, I do go shooting every week but I wear Peltors over foamies so I don't think it could be from that. I've also started going to the gym every day, and I wear headphones while I work out. I stopped doing that, thinking it may have something to do with the tinnitus, but it's still there.

The only other thing that is different in my life is that the doc put me on blood thinners after some minor surgery on my leg. I checked the meds and tinnitus does not appear to be a known side effect.

My local military hospital can't see me about this for the rest of FEB so I'm going to make an appointment to see a local doc. Wanted to check in here first to see if anyone has suggestions on mitigation or possible causes. I don't want to be ignoring something potentially more serious than a constant, low-level fluorescent-light-sounding noise in one ear.

 

[Devildoc]

Resurrecting and old thread for a new-to-me problem. Prefacing this with "yes, I'm going to see a doctor about this."

I've had intermittent tinnitus off and on over the years. It's usually just a couple of seconds of intense noise that quickly fades away, always in my left ear. Happened maybe once a month, occurrences always seemed kind of random.

Last week I started experiencing persistent, low-grade tinnitus, again centered in my left ear. It started off almost imperceptible (reminded me of sitting in the booth for a hearing exam--"am I really hearing something right now?") but it is now very noticeable, but still pretty low.

I don't know what caused it. I haven't had any head trauma recently, I do go shooting every week but I wear Peltors over foamies so I don't think it could be from that. I've also started going to the gym every day, and I wear headphones while I work out. I stopped doing that, thinking it may have something to do with the tinnitus, but it's still there.

The only other thing that is different in my life is that the doc put me on blood thinners after some minor surgery on my leg. I checked the meds and tinnitus does not appear to be a known side effect.

My local military hospital can't see me about this for the rest of FEB so I'm going to make an appointment to see a local doc. Wanted to check in here first to see if anyone has suggestions on mitigation or possible causes. I don't want to be ignoring something potentially more serious than a constant, low-level fluorescent-light-sounding noise in one ear.

The challenge is, it's hard to know if it's aural (ear related) or neurological. Definitely need the eval/work-up. Definitely not related to blood thinners.

Is there anything you do that makes it better, worse? Is it positional? Time of day better/worse than others?

 

[compforce]

BLUF: I suspect, but only have personal anecdotes to support, that tinnitus gets worse over time without additional aggravation.

Resurrecting and old thread for a new-to-me problem. Prefacing this with "yes, I'm going to see a doctor about this."

I've had intermittent tinnitus off and on over the years. It's usually just a couple of seconds of intense noise that quickly fades away, always in my left ear. Happened maybe once a month, occurrences always seemed kind of random.

Mine developed over time. We used to, in the 80's, regularly get surprised by range days. The training schedule would say something like "platoon training" and we'd end up on the range. When that happened, there were always about half the people with no ear plugs (which is hilarious since the ear plug case was a part of the BDU uniform at the time). We used all sorts of field expedient ear plugs...cigarette butts, toilet paper, etc. Many times we'd just go without. You'd be half deaf for the day, but fine the next morning so noone thought anything of it.

I had some hearing loss from it, but never had tinnitus. Then it started happening in about 2003-2004. A slight ringing in the ear occasionally. It definitely got worse during my second period of service, becoming a constant low level ringing by the time I left. Today it's a constant whining in my ear that will suddenly get louder without warning for a while (hours) and then go back to the normal level. The normal level sounds like one of the high pitched hearing test tones, not the highest just inside hearing range, but the highest mid-range tone.

 

[Marauder06]

The challenge is, it's hard to know if it's aural (ear related) or neurological. Definitely need the eval/work-up. Definitely not related to blood thinners.

Is there anything you do that makes it better, worse? Is it positional? Time of day better/worse than others?

It seems pretty consistent all day long. I notice it immediately when I wake up, and all through the day. Other than the initial increase, it has stayed the same level (i.e. no modulation, like what used to happen) since. I don't notice any change when my heartbeat elevated (e.g. on the range or in the gym) or when I change positions. It does not keep me from sleeping.

 

[Marauder06]

I had some hearing loss from it, but never had tinnitus. Then it started happening in about 2003-2004. A slight ringing in the ear occasionally. It definitely got worse during my second period of service, becoming a constant low level ringing by the time I left. Today it's a constant whining in my ear that will suddenly get louder without warning for a while (hours) and then go back to the normal level. The normal level sounds like one of the high pitched hearing test tones, not the highest just inside hearing range, but the highest mid-range tone.

That's exactly what it sounds like for me. And only in my left ear.