Welcome, Bay City Dave. You're among friends here. Many of us find out by experimenting with little lifestyle or diet changes to see what helps us. Staying active physically helps most of us. I have such a packed week that I usually notice T more on the weekends, because I have more time to notice it.

What works best for me is to stay relaxed, stay busy and active, and eat the best diet I can eat. For my type, cutting back on sugar seems to help, and decreasing sodium and caffeine may help too. For others, changes in diet has no noticeable effect.

Outside my window, the rain is falling, and draining out of the gutters in such a way that I don't hear the t unless I listen for it on purpose.

I hope you enjoy coming back to this site, and please feel free to ask lots more questions.

The first ENT visit seems to be depressing for most people. It was for me. Doctors don't like it when they don't have answers and most ENTs don't have answers for tinnitus. Did you do a hearing test?

Types of T seem to be loosely categorized an unofficial. I don't think labeling it will be of much use since it doesn't really change how it affects you or how you will want to deal with it. Perhaps that will change in the future as new treatments develop.

Lifestyle changes seem to help a lot people. Many people will agree that sugar can be a consistent factor in setting off T spikes. You'll find many tips by browsing through the forum and looking into members journals. I usually surround myself with sound. I have sound generators in the house, headphones at work, and even pillow speakers for when I sleep. Don't be afraid to visit a doctor if you feel that you need help dealing with the T. I know there are several people on this forum including myself that have had to deal with extreme anxiety and sleep issues. There are also specialist out there who offer treatments like TRT (tinnitus retraining therapy). You might want to do some reading on that.

Time seems to be the biggest healing factor. It's possible your T might just disappear after a few months or you might stop noticing it.

ENT are of no value to most of us. I got the most help from my GP.
Sue

Thanks for the reply's and support. I heard a lot about masking. So far, the quieter it is for me at night, the better I wake up. I haven't had trouble sleeping so far.

I was having a good week until today. last night I went out for dinner and had a couple beers. Woke up this morning with the 'T'. Looks like I'm going to have to stay completely away from alcohol.

I'm not looking at this as a good thing by an means, but I am sure getting a lot healthier as a result. Honestly, I am also more appreciative of my family and friends. They have been very supportive and understanding. I am not an outwardly emotional person, but I find myself expressing my feelings to them more since acquiring this thing. I guess I just see more now how important they are.

It's really good that you are trying to look on the bright side. I think it's hard for some friends/family to be supportive as they don't see T. Good you have that support. I've had a hard time finding any bright side....except now when I see a "crazy" person with tinfoil on their head living under a bridge.....I'm much more sympathetic than I used to be as I figure they have T and it's only by the grace of God that I'm not living there too.

I've had a hard time finding any bright side....except now when I see a "crazy" person with tinfoil on their head living under a bridge.....I'm much more sympathetic than I used to be as I figure they have T and it's only by the grace of God that I'm not living there too.

Suera, thats a great point. Many homeless people live with invisible demons. When I see a homeless person I often wonder if they are a vet with tinnitus. We are lucky that the age of the Internet has provided us with information and a support system. If I had gotten T ten years ago I might be living under a bridge now.

I agree with you that staying active helps. Sometimes I just don't feel like it. I have hyperacusis which is very hard to deal with as I don't know what will affect my hearing and what won't. Just trial and error, I guess. A positive outlook is a must but very hard to maintain. Cudos to those who can. This website has been an absolute blessing for me. So welcome and stay with us.

Dave, Click on "My Photos" and research masking tinnitus and also buy the book. I have come to the conclusion that ENT's is a waste of money. It might be good to go for the visit but forget the rest. The book and masking tinnitus I can promise you will help a great deal. I admire you for what you have already done. Keep it up. John (deltadart)

I just got another bill from my ENT, One visit, and I have been paying bills ever since. All for a bunch of tests that provided me with nothing. Thanks John, I'll check into the book. I bought "Tinnitus Questions and Answers" by Jack Vernon. Seems like a real good purchase.

Whats the deal with all these other e-book adds. They all look the same, all cost about 30 bucks, claim to end tinnitus in 7 steps. They look like scams. Even reviews of them on the internet seem to be written by themselves. I'm guessing scams.

Hard to believe companies would scam on others suffering.

Lots of scams out there with drops or supplements like Quietuss that takes advantage of people that are desperate. Before you buy anything type it into the search and see what people here might have to say about it.

As far as doctor bills. ugh!!!! I went to a guy last week who told me to take melatonin. I said I have an autoimmune disease so I cannot take melatonin. He said ridiculous. Came home and researched and there are reports all over the internet about not taking melatonin if you have RA.....and I have to pay HIM for this bad advice!!

Going to the ENT was probably the worst thing I ever did for this. He was quick to tell me that because of some high frequency hearing loss, I have developed Tinnitus. I told him, thanks, but I know that. I told him that I had been reading about ways to control Tinnitus. I ask if he had any suggestion. His response. "I could make suggestions, but they wont work". I ask about dropping caffeine or alcohol. His response "you can try, but it wont work". I ask him about possible supplements like Gieko or Flavanoid. His response, you guessed it "you can try, but they won't work". He basically killed any hope I had. Two months later, I feel I know what makes it worse, I have silent times and I am learning to accept it.

By the way, the only question he could answer was who to pay for his worthless service.

Thanks for talking. I pray for all of you.

"Worthless Service". Please save your money. The book that I bought was a huge help. Answered just about every question that I had. The person that will help you the most is you. Have never tried the high $$$$ treatments. MP3 player with music and tracks from the Moses/Lang Masking CD along with the drug Amitriptyline have been the biggest help. That was true 10 years ago and still it's what works for me today. Forget doctors.

Another thing that should be mentioned is that you will want to protect your hearing now. You should try to keep a pair of earplugs on you all the times and wear them when needed.

I keep ear plugs in the car and in my coat pocket. When I wake up silent, if I wear earplugs when I drive to work the rings is low by the time I get there. Drive noise seems to aggravate. I love it when you guys make suggestions and I am already on top of it. I really feel that I am going to get the piece of advice from this group that puts me in complete control of this evil thing. Not sure when, but it will happen.

Sorry about the difficult time that you are currently having. The t affliction is a curse that one actually has the power to overcome if they keep careful attention as to how it operates for you. The method to a personal cure is to be your own best advocate.

It is so very important to understand your triggers, such as diet restrictions and aggravating noises. It is also important to understand how you can find relief, which consist of masking devices, some diets can lower it or cause more good days and always protect the ears from any loud noises as well as getting adequate sleep.

Another consideration is the mentality behind it. If one is upset and panic stricken, the t is worst and you will occur many more upsetting days. If one takes control, does not at all make t important in their life because of enjoyable distractions(ie. exercise or simply giving in to smell the flowers on occasion) , the t begins to fade and the number of good days increase. It really is a mental attitude thing and a personal decision as to be positive or negative going forward. Any positive attitude will reward you here, as it does in any other endeavor. This feel good and positive feelings will also keep your stress levels down, which also is a key contributor for t for many. This choice is entirely up to you,

When the ENT tosses you out of their office and tells you to "learn to live with it". That is actually pretty good advise, but for most, counseling from one who has t would be most prudent.

This is where this wonderful group can help. We are all here for you and some stick around such as myself to encourage hope for one that is still suffering.

I wish you to be feeling better in your quest to ignore the curse.