danny78: When my T started, I thought I would go crazy. I went to the ENT and through a whole battery of tests. When they eventually told me they couldn't do anything for me, I was devastated. I was sure I wouldn't survive it. I went on anti-depressants, which didn't help the T at all. It was horrible.

It wasn't easy getting to where I am. It wasn't fast, either. It took time. After the first time I was focused on something else and realized I hadn't thought about the T for a while, I knew that was the answer for me. I could still hear the T, but it wasn't driving me crazy.

I didn't want to be defeated by a noise. I started forcing myself to listen to other things -- the microwave, the computer, the radio, whatever. I kept myself really busy (and still do). The more I focus on something else, the less I notice what's going on in my head.(I have a lot more than just the T going on.)

My T is loud and clear everywhere -- inside, outside, at church with the organ going full blast, etc.

I am convinced that if I was focused on my T all the time, it would drive me crazy. I just don't want to do that to myself. I don't want the noise to win.

I still feel a brief panic when my T changes, worrying that it will get worse. I would still love to have it gone. But there's not a thing I can do to get rid of it or to even make it lower in volume. The only thing I can control is my reaction to it.

When this first started, if you had told me I would get to a point where I didn't notice it, I would have told you you were nuts. I didn't believe it was possible. But now I can assure you it is possible. I'm not saying it's easy. It takes time. I don't remember how long it took, but it took a while -- long enough for me to try everything I could find that claimed to cure it.

Good luck to you. I hope you get a break soon. I'll keep you in my prayers.

JustShoot--How do you know there is nothing you can do to lower your T? Have you tried many meds? Just wondering, because it seems like it would be hard to keep yourself distracted all day. :(

Hi, McMurdo: When my T first started, I tried everything! I searched the Internet daily (for hours) looking for answers/remedies. I spent a small fortune trying to fix it. Nothing worked. Distraction was the only thing that gave me any relief.

It isn't very hard for me to stay distracted. I work full time, and we are very busy at work. I have grandkids. I have lots of hobbies.

I've really come to terms with the T now, though, so when I'm not distracted, the T doesn't cause me any distress. There is nothing I can do about it. I think it will be a part of me for the rest of my life. We can learn to ignore it. How many moms do you know whose kids drive you crazy but she seems to completely tune them out?

I feel very blessed to be where I'm at today. My prayer is that everyone here will get to that place and provide encouragement for new sufferers.

I eat alot of whole wheat bread and my ears are so peaceful now love it.

JustShoot--You have an amazing story. Very inspiring. I'm so happy for you and that you come on here to share your story with others here. IDK if I could stay as distracted as you all the time. I'm busy, but not so busy that there wouldn't be times I'd notice my T, but if you come to the point that even when you hear it, it doesn't stress you, that is the key, you are right. I sometimes think if my T were more consistent--it varies from very quiet days to very loud screeching teakettles--it would be easier to adjust to, but you mention that there are varieties in your T and you have adjusted to them, so that's impressive!

That is very sweet of you to pray for us on here. I do, too, but I should more often! I have had some answer to prayer in the Mysoline generic I now take--no T and no side effects so far, thank the Lord. Hope it lasts.

Charles--What is the connection with wheat bread to make your ears quiet??

I haven't been here in awhile, but I came here today to offer hope and this thread is perfect for what I was going to post.

My T started back in January, in one ear, out of the blue, what the Dr. thought was due to minor hearing loss. I had a horrible ENT, who, after I had an MRI that came back fine, said there was nothing more he could do for me, was referred to a new one who is my savior as far as I'm concerned because he CARES! I started feeling better around the end of April, beginning of May. And by better, I mean that I was sleeping, and was beginning to control my T, not let it control me as it was slowly disappearing, along with the pressure in my head.

My new doctor was willing to try different things and work with me to help me. Luckily, what he suggested first worked! I've been using Flonase Nasal Spray (prescribed), and Lipoflavonoids (3 a day, after every meal). That's it. Now, I can sleep without the sound machine, and don't hear any T at all. Occasionally, I'll hear a distant high-pitched ringing, but the lower ringing that was driving me insane is completely gone, as is the intense pressure in my head, which was the real culprit of my problems, I think. I haven't changed my diet much; emotional eating has made me gain weight, which I'm very upset about as I'd lost over 60lbs before this happened. I'm working to lose it again, but it's been a struggle.

I did notice that after walking with my iPod one day (I use in-ear monitors because the outer ones are horrible) I heard a low ringing in my non-T ear. I was nervous, but it went away, and I figured maybe I was listening to my music too loud, so I lowered the volume and it hasn't happened again since. I don't listen to it really loud, but I think I didn't realize that it was louder than I need to have it, so I'm now lowering the volume to help my ears.

I realize that everyone's T is different. The Lipoflavonoids also might not work for everyone. I hear that all the time that they don't work, but they did for me. My doctor keeps them in his office for his patients that suffer from T. He says that they help more than just the ears. So, I'm going to keep taking them.

I sympathize with those still suffering. I hope that you find what works for you. Number one is a caring doctor who wants to help you. I've been seeing my doctor every month or couple of months. I also had another hearing test that was the same, so my hearing didn't get any worse, thank God. I remember feeling like I was going deaf when it first started. I was in tears every day and sleep deprived and just miserable. I'm the opposite now thanks to my new doctor (who is now my new ENT.) I'm not going back to the other one.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is don't give up. There is hope. :)

Happy for you:)

With many people having different types of tinnitus it is very difficult to "wrestle it down". If this was possible we would have all done that by now. We each have different triggers, good days/bad days, some can habituate (Im one of them) and others cant. We can each share our experiences of what we do to help keeps our low and simply be willing to be open to different modes of treatment. I have found after 3 yrs. that the best way for me to habituate is acceptance and distraction. That lowers my significantly. When I change my attitude towards it it recedes more into the background. I have good days and more difficult days but it has gotten better with simple time. I dont chase too many different things to wrestle it down because that just keeps my focus on it. This is just what works for me. Im glad yours is to a minimum. Enjoy it!

Well said Sugaboog. I'd like to figure out what has helped me to live with mine. Even now, when it starts roaring, I don't get the anxiety and sense of doom I had before. I wish I could put my finger on it so I could help others. Was it time, SoundCure, TMJ treatment, rationalization? Really not sure and wish I knew.

Can tinnitus reduce significantly even after 2 years?

So I have to ask, what's the deal with chicken breast? What's wrong with other meats?

To danny78...I'm living proof that T can subside after two years...I am just entering my second full year...I developed it in the fall of 2010....that winter into the summer of 2011, I thought I would lose my mind....I tried it all...everything you have seen mentioned on here....and nothing really worked except time....now it is down to a mangageable level for me....I just make sure that I am not around loud noises without earplugs in, and I try to control stress as much as possible...I could never use sound machines to help me sleep as they really seemed to make it worse...I had to go on meds for the first year to sleep..but now, a melatonin will usually work...I've come a long way, but I promise it can get better in the space of two years...I am thrilled it did....I truly believed it wouldn't...good luck to all...

Only had my Tinn for a few days - first couple of days were miserable
I imagined a gun to my head.

Then I thought, people must have this, famous people too and sure enough, William "Tribbles" Shatner from Star Trek was amoung them.
I used my inability to sleep to blur my vision by googling Tinnitus in every imagnable format.

Voo Doo cures, herbs and spices (no KFC either) and hypnotherapy (bock like a chicken) were amoung the options.
I have found relief, be it temporary or diversionary, from my Tinn with things like my fridge when it kicks on to cool, the Wal-Mart Photoshop DO IT YOURELF (bec the employees SURE AS HELL cant help you) machines as they wirrrr their fans & interior cooling devices
and my dogs when they snore and mini yip in their sleep.
Open areas are best for me: Beach wind and ocean waves mask my Tinn to sheer pleasure...Illegal to sleep on the beach but Ive considered it.
Main thing Ive done is to sit still in my room and listen to the eeee of my Tinn then be able to HEAR a car or motorcycle outside and know I can still hear.
I consider that eeeee to be my baseline of NO AMBIENT NOISE at night then resign myself to saying WELCOME TINN, HAVE A SEAT BUT DONT BLOCK THE OTHER SOUNDS IN THE ROOM
The fact that I can still hear, bilaterally, is something that I focus on more than the annoyance of the Tinn.

Tinn's eeeeee is here to stay so Ive made it feel comfortable but not welcome - it's a growling dog that I refuse to let bite me.

MCM315--how long did it take for the Flonase (is that a nasal spray?) to kick in and help lower/get rid of the noise? My doctor prescribed my Nasonex (I think it's similar to Flonase) and Sudafed but I just started a day ago... I am hoping for a miracle and that it'll stop all of a sudden, or at least to the point where I can sleep easily. So far my ENT seems reasonable so I'll stick with him for now... I've heard of other people who said their doctor basically said "You have tinnitus, no cure, deal with it" without offering any form of treatment... It's a shame there are doctors like that.
Also thanks for sharing your story JustShoot and others as well... I'm at the anxiety/stressed phase since I just started dealing with this a month ago... hoping to find friends for support.

This thread is a good idea Neilster - in fact I've just joined this forum because of it!
I've had T since April 2012 & I've been through the months of not being able to cope (coped really badly).
It's now almost 7 months and I've read so many conflicting theories about the causes and also what to do to cope when it's bad.
I have found that tea makes mine go crazy (I used to drink a lot of tea before getting tinnitus) but apart from that I'm just not sure.
After purchasing 6 different types of pillow speaker I have found one that works to an extent - so if I'm having a bad night it helps.
I also play purple noise on the bad days.
But there are a lot of good days when mine is just a 'tinkle' and there are even days when it's gone altogether - and believe me I listen hard for it... it's gone completely on those days.
I think one of the cruellest aspects of tinnitus is that there is no normal recovery curve. I've been convinced so many times that it really is going - going to disappear permanently & then the following day it can come back with a vengeance. This also makes 'habituation' difficult.
I'm finding the tinnitus threads on this forum really interesting & will post again if I find something that helps me as it may help others.