Tinnitus Support Group

I just thought I'd pop back and give you all an update seen as I havent really been on here for a while, I keep checking back every now and then though.

Basically I got tinnitus round December/January due to an ear infection in both ears, I'm only 18 and like everyone else I thought my life was over. I went through obsessing over the noise everyday, panic attacks, researching constantly on google, a lot of crying and being angry at myself, I use to find myself on purposely finding silence just so I could moniter it and thought I'd be this way forever unless it went.

My ear infections have been clear for about 3months in one ear and nearly 2months in the other, so I'm trying to give myself atleast 6months of healthy ears before I believe its permenant, as its taking a long time for them to start feeling 'normal' still. The tinnitus is infact still there, but Im SURE its dropped down a level.

The only time I really hear it now is in the morning when I wake up, but not always, sometimes I wont hear it until afternoon. And even when I do hear it I notice myself hours later realising I completely forgot about it. The only time I ever hear it over the tv anymore is when Im very tired and stressed and usually only on a night time. Basically the only time I now hear it is in silence. I still have my bad days, the past 3days i've been abit upset about it again, but I've been quite stressed.

I still live in hope that it might go away, and need reassurance from people at times, I have 100% hearing which is also a positive. But I just thought I'd post this also for any newbies, as I no what a mess I was at the beginning. It CAN go away, and even if it doesnt, it really is true that you can adapt to it. Everytime people use to say that to me i'd get so angry, but it really is true. Its taken me months to get my head around, but i've managed to do it without any kind of therapy/tablets and to be honest I''ve never really used any sound enrichment, I like to keep background noise on though during the day like music/tv. And I never hear it when I'm out again unless its quiet.

I just wondered if anyone else had experiences of T from an ear infection or know of anybody? And also if it went away? I'm learning to adapt to it now, although the thought of it being permenant does still scare me.
Posted on 06/29/09, 07:06 am