Tinnitus, Deafness and Ear Problems Support Group
This group is for those coping with Tinnitus (ringing ears or ear noise), hearing loss, and all ear issues. Join to find support and get advice from others.
I could stand naked with my feet in the undertow of the crashing waves of the mighty Atlantic Ocean on the Fourth of July, feeling absolutely awkward and bashfully consumed in thought about my lack of clothing and my pale skin. I'd apologize to the children first and then to the ladies. If I had a good reputation, it's gone. I don't think I'd need to apologize to the adult men because most them are sculpted like me. The strange thing as while I'm attempting to cover my privates, I see Norman Rockwell painting me. I'm ashamed and laughing.
The point is that while all this beach time distraction is happening I can clearly hear this damned 'eeeeeeeeeeeee' over all external sound and all internal thought. My problem is that it doesn't bother me so much anymore. Please help. It's taken me 4+ years to come to this. Year #1 was a nightmare (for the first 3 months I'm glad I owned no fire arms). Year #2 was a bad dream but the appetite returned (still no extra ambition, only doing what I had to do). Year #3 I still thought way too much on 'why oh why oh why me" (as I tried to explain self-pity to a still born baby). Year #4 I tried to convince myself I was better but I wasn't always convincing to the listener who was me (though I went beyond my new normal routine and ambition). Year #5 which I just entered this early March, I can sincerely say SILENCE is OVERRATED. I never really appreciated silence while it was here so while struggle against constant sound. All days are good days or "lessons for good days" and I'm too ignorant to know this. Severe tinnitus hardly bothers me anymore.
We're not all quick learners or continue to be quick learners. My first bout with tinnitus was 30 years ago and then (youthful lust, hiding it from parents, social circumstance...'whatever'...) I learned to ignore it more quickly. Lack of hearing protection in an extreme loud environment brought on round two of this for me 5 years ago. It's a newer, louder sound now but it can be dismissed. It is dismissed. Hopefully you learn faster than me...
For the new folks here, in the mirror five years are like five months gone by and it's time well spent, believe it or not it is...(I vow on all all I hold sacred). With ear plugs in my pocket, tinnitus is a non-issue for me today. There's a reason why so many contributors here from years ago no longer contribute often...(I occasionally get private messages from them and they're getting on well)...
The point is that while all this beach time distraction is happening I can clearly hear this damned 'eeeeeeeeeeeee' over all external sound and all internal thought. My problem is that it doesn't bother me so much anymore. Please help. It's taken me 4+ years to come to this. Year #1 was a nightmare (for the first 3 months I'm glad I owned no fire arms). Year #2 was a bad dream but the appetite returned (still no extra ambition, only doing what I had to do). Year #3 I still thought way too much on 'why oh why oh why me" (as I tried to explain self-pity to a still born baby). Year #4 I tried to convince myself I was better but I wasn't always convincing to the listener who was me (though I went beyond my new normal routine and ambition). Year #5 which I just entered this early March, I can sincerely say SILENCE is OVERRATED. I never really appreciated silence while it was here so while struggle against constant sound. All days are good days or "lessons for good days" and I'm too ignorant to know this. Severe tinnitus hardly bothers me anymore.
We're not all quick learners or continue to be quick learners. My first bout with tinnitus was 30 years ago and then (youthful lust, hiding it from parents, social circumstance...'whatever'...) I learned to ignore it more quickly. Lack of hearing protection in an extreme loud environment brought on round two of this for me 5 years ago. It's a newer, louder sound now but it can be dismissed. It is dismissed. Hopefully you learn faster than me...
For the new folks here, in the mirror five years are like five months gone by and it's time well spent, believe it or not it is...(I vow on all all I hold sacred). With ear plugs in my pocket, tinnitus is a non-issue for me today. There's a reason why so many contributors here from years ago no longer contribute often...(I occasionally get private messages from them and they're getting on well)...
Sue
May life continue to improve for you and all of us.
Is there a difference between good t day and just a good day?
Is there a difference between a bad day and a bad t day?
... though we blame all on our affliction(s) too much...
Are we all too immature in affliction?
(all others are either afflicted by something or oblivious to being afflicted some day)
I believe we are the same person before and after (t).
Please argue...
We all have heard 'mind over matter' and really believe it in common circumstance. What about 'mind over invisible sound' and believe it even though the door bells ringing and no one is there? ...simple answer "don't answer the door" .... hard answer "but what if it's an important messenger or a friend?"
It may be t bothers you over what else would be bothering you if you didn't have t, real or imagined. Something would be bothering me otherwise.
It's only a burden to bear, a cross to carry, a hundred years from now, a privilege? Persevere today and yesterday, tomorrow is easier even it it seems too difficult.
When t becomes the 'normal' than other things take priority and then you're you again even though you never weren't you and me.
Sorry for pretending to be Plato...
Any specific day either begins anything from intrusive to quiet. This marks one behavior of something referred to as good or bad. Am I also tired or well rested, did I have a happy dream of hitting something big, or getting hit by something big, then does this actually happen during the day.
At this time and juncture, much more then t plays into life as to the success or lack of, of any good and bad day.
On a good day, I think we negate the t, or overcome it, or are able to ignore it. I find that when I am working hard on something I enjoy, I don't notice it at all. When I'm upset, I notice it a LOT. So, perception is part of it. I think that's the same with any ailing part of the body. Pain rules when it can. Which isn't to say that a migraine, for example, can be overcome through force of will, or t either, for that matter. Just that where we are able to put our focus makes some difference, even if slight.
Sorry for this short response...
In month 8 I went to a extravagant seafood buffet and forced myself to eat a shrimp (I normally drool over seafood). I went to a seafood buffet two weeks ago and ate so much that I couldn't make it home without a restroom stop. I just found a crab shell in my jacket pocket.
In that same month I couldn't stand the sound of dishes clanging or the sound of my footsteps walking through dry leaves. That 'hyperacusis' resolved in less than a year but the t remains.
I also have neuropathy (constant burning sensation) in both hands and one leg from a neck injury in 2001. Many people here and everywhere have multiple afflictions. This is not meant to minimize any suffering.
There is so much research being done right now I believe that if not a cure is found, at least a therapy or medicine will reduce the volume... Force yourself to smile often, regardless... If your a Christian, research the suffering of the saints (sorry to offend anyone with that last sentence)...