JohnK, you are so right, but the problem is that if it doesn't bother you, you tend to overlook it. (Heck, why research T if it isn't impacting your life, right?)
Then, when you do something stupid, like I did, you start to read and find out that you never should have taken mild T for granted.
I wake up every morning and curse myself for those three days in Oct 07 when I did not use my earplugs. Seven years of being careful ruined by a few hours of complete stupidity.
That alone drives me to depression.
I have touched on this subject in some car chatboxes, and have been pleased that some folks with mild T have taken my warning to heart and will protect their ears more.
I can't help my situation, but maybe I saved one or two others from this nightmare.

I was one of those who was extremely cautious with my mild tinnitus and a sinus infection set off a new, bilateral, louder level last year.

Needless to say, you can absolutely take every last precaution and still be adversely affected.

So take it from me, Jerry. Don't worry about that 3 hours of stupidity. I spent four years taking every single last precaution and my volume increased literally over night -- as I slept in complete silence. We far less control that we think.

I hear you, snowrider, and yes, it may have gotten worse no matter what I did.

But, maybe it wouldn't have.

All I know is that I caused it to get worse, and even on the good days, like today, I'm emotional because I know that tomorrow will be a bad day. That alone makes me want to stay in bed all day.

And, the more I read, the more depressed I become.

I thought that I was a strong person, but this, losing my job, and the sagging economy is taking it's toll on me.

I have to see my family doctor tomorrow. He may give me a hard time regarding Xanax (I hope not), although I only use .5 at night just to get 6 hours of sleep.

Funny, they say stay away from alcohol, but I had one martini last night and today is a relatively good day. Looks like alcohol (for me, anyway) is not a factor.

Well, so much for a good day. Took a short 15 minute nap, and woke up with screeching.

This is too much.

I think Tinnitus can get mu7ch worst if you carry on eating the wrong stuff and drinking achole can make it much worst too.
If you try and relax you wont notice it as much but it doesn't make any difference to me what i eat or drink???

I understand, Jerry. And it's acceptance and the understanding that knowledge about your condition will improve your quality of life that might make it easier to read about your condition in time.

tinnitus, like so many other issues is a 100% personal journey. There's treatments, doctors and audiologists but it's we who decide how our lives are affected. It takes strength, no doubt. It's entirely up to us, no one else.

Today was a relatively good day.
If today was the norm, I could learn to accept this condition.

But, I know, tomorrow could bring a complete reversal.

Good news is that my doctor, after hearing that I only take Xanax at bedtime, OKed my prescription, so at least I'll be able to continue sleeping.

Yep..lol My hubby always asks if my ears are ringing louder than normal because Im yelling when I talk. But still, the white noise,,(fan, tv, radio) still help when I try to sleep.

I have taken care of my ears, but it doesn't matter. They don't really know what causes tinnitus. You may not have done anything to cause this.
Everything sounds confusing and it doesn't matter if I have my hearing aids in or not, the humming is always there. It always interferes with conversation
and I too am sick of it. I have resigned myself to the fact this is how it will always be. I try to spend my energy other ways. I can hear well enough to get by, and I seem to get enough sleep. I am not completely miserable and still enjoy many other things. I just stay away from situations where there will be alot of background noise. I just had to change some of my intersts. Musicians earplugs help because of my hearing hypersenstivity.
My tinnitus of 15 years has recently taken a back seat to my breast cancer.
Don't blame yourself for tinnitus. Talk with other people and see what works for them.
Don't

I am having a really, really bad ringing day. I am at the point of tears. Since I caught a virus on Christmas Eve, it has been progressively worse. Saw doc Monday - hopefully blood results will show something as I am having multiple symptoms. But the truth is that if only I could stop feeling as if I have my head stuck in a tin can than someone is running their fingers along the top of a wet crystal glass, I would feel optimal. The rest of the issues are moot to this. This is destroying my quality of life and my career. My husband has no clue how to walk in my shoes and though he is sympathetic, he cannot be empathetic. I am glad he does not have to suffer with this.

The doctor gave me an RX for some nasal spray that I have not filled. He said I had a slight deviated septum and that could be the culprit. Has anyone tried nasal spray for this? If so, did it work? It isn't the money... it is the fact that I don't want to put the drug in my system.

Thanks!

DeannaLynn mentioned something that I wanted to ask everyone else... I had hearing tests for this about 4 years ago and was told that I had hearing loss in both ears. Yet - I find this odd because my hearing is hypersensitive! I no longer go to movie theatres as last time I did, I had to wedge napkins from the concession stand in my ears because of the pain. How can I have hearing loss and yet everything is so loud??

buzzybeez
I've had tinnitus for over 26 years. Sometimes when I get a head cold, my T will get worse. It may take a few weeks, but it then returns to its normal level. I don't know how nasal spray will help other than opening up the sinuses. Hopefully that's a big part of what may be causing your T.

deanne, I'm really sorry to read that you have T and breast cancer. You must be a very strong person. I can only imagine what you must be going through.

I've decided to visit a doctor next week in Hopewell, NJ, that is certified for Neuromonics. Maybe I'm wasting my time (got plenty of time) and money, but if there's a chance, I've got to take it. I'll report diligently on my experience once I start the treatment. I hope that, for all of us, the results will be good.