ps i didn't become a complete druggie -just 2 mg a day instead of 1 mg a day like I am now - admittedly, I drank at night to pass out early for bed.

I quit doing that - months one two and three were shrill and hellish and they told me to brace myself and I guess I braced myself for impact -

Thank God none of you saw me then - -

But I am doing so much better - month four was some sort of crossover and the brain just let up and the tinnitus was being filtered and I started to think - yeah, thank God, yeah.

I think Mairi2 reported instant relief with just amplification - so not everyone will go through this hell - but many have and it's not unusual.

Mandi Grace - thanks for your valuable input. I had an extensive conversation with my audioligist this morning. She phoned the manufacturer and they said I shouldn't change a thing! Surprisingly enough, the ringing I had first thing this morning has decreased - that is a first! I guess I'll hang in there and hope for the best. She (audio person) is going to work with me on some TRT at no extra cost. What a journey! Pat

You are going to make it - perhaps w/o drugs and alcohol. I have learned so much and plan to type up a book about this journey so people after me - they kinda know what to expect. knowing what to expect helps so much because then, you know how to react - I had to come to this board and get phone numbers and get the 411 step by step - I just thank God for everyone who helped me - I didn't know I was still going to have hard days and that i had to hang in there. I mostly have good days now - TRT did give me back a lot - it was worth the money. I wish I could have taken a pill and still made it to where i am now.

Today I had my 1-week checkup with my new aids/maskers. BTW, the audiologist and I were told by the rep they are NOT maskers, they are sound generators! LOL Whatever. Anyway, she changed one program to "auto pilot" which means the device will automatically adjust to the surroundings. Haven't tested it yet. But, I am encouraged with the maskers program I was already using and she boosted. The ebb and flow sound was increased from mild to medium and it seems to be more effective. My brain is actually "listening" to it about 40% of the time. Today was a good day to test - Mr. T was about a 6 on a scale of 1 - 10. (Barometric pressure change.) So, for right now, I'm keeping the hearing aids, but have 3 more weeks to make a final decision for a refund. Because of the hearing loss, I need them anyway and am pleased with the maskers. I'll keep you posted! Pat

Piebaker--For what it is worth, the ATA rep in my area recommends Resound Live TS hearing aids with generators for T--said she loves them. I thought that must be the ones you have. : )

McMurdo - That's EXACTLY what I have! Pat

I am so gladyou are doing better, pie, how much were your instruments? I paid $6500 - it almost killed me to cash in one of my savings accounts - but my t is 40% lower than when i started - I am on month eight - I can only wish for another 20%. Some days, I forget I have T - don't even think about it - and at church and other surroundings where there was only a human voice at the front talking, my t used to rage - i could barely stand it - and often left services early - my husband used to get angry and say it was a spiritual problem - probably was - but now I can sit through those things - and my brain is usually filtering out the tinnitus- and listening to what is being said -

So the whole plan works - just like the Jastreboffs said -

I don't think I'll be like some of the ones on this board who have whole days with no T - yeah, but it going lower and lower- well, I needed that to happen - I was in hell.