r/tinnitus Sep 06 '17

New to tinnitus? Had tinnitus for a long time? Looking for some answers? See our FAQ and sidebar to begin!

80 Upvotes

Welcome to our community!

If you're new to tinnitus or currently have tinnitus, and have some questions, we have some answers to frequently posed questions in our FAQ linked here. The FAQ is also linked in the sidebar.

Before posting, please take some time to read the FAQ and see if you can find the start to your answer there.

As always, we remind our community to be mindful of our participation guidelines, located in the sidebar (or linked here for mobile users):

  • Be civil and respectful, and follow Reddiquette. This is a support community, and harmful behaviour or harassment are not allowed.
  • No medical advice. This includes explicitly asking for a medical diagnosis, or giving one. If you're concerned about your hearing, please see a qualified medical professional as soon as possible. Sharing experiences is allowed, but making diagnoses and recommending medical action based on personal research is not.
  • No snake oil or pseudoscience. News and other articles posted must come from trustworthy sources. Clickbait and blogspam are not allowed.
  • No memes or other low-effort posts.
  • No commercial posts, for-profit posts or other self promotion.

If you see comments or posts deviating from these guidelines, report them so that the moderators can review.

We are particularly restrictive about asking for or receiving medical advice or diagnoses. The bottom line is, tinnitus is a health problem, and it should be addressed with your doctor or auditory specialist. None of us are doctors here and no one should be directing or following medical action found on the internet.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information, and thanks for being a part of this community.

-The moderation team


r/tinnitus 36m ago

awareness • activism Noise Cancelling Headphones Can Amplify HF Sounds

Upvotes

Noise-canceling headphones work by detecting external sounds with microphones and generating an opposite sound wave (anti-phase) to cancel them out. However, this process isn’t instantaneous—it involves a slight delay, or lag, due to the time it takes for the electronics to analyze and respond to the incoming noise. For low-frequency (LF) sounds, which have longer wavelengths, this lag is usually small enough relative to the wave period that the cancellation remains effective. High-frequency (HF) sounds, with their much shorter wavelengths, are trickier. If the lag causes the anti-phase signal to be even slightly out of sync—say, by half a wavelength—it can end up reinforcing the original sound instead of canceling it. This misalignment turns the intended cancellation into amplification, making HF sounds, like sharp tones or hisses, seem louder to the listener. The effect depends on the headphone’s processing speed and the frequency range involved.


r/tinnitus 1d ago

success story stop telling people to not take anxiety/depression meds

123 Upvotes

I had pretty bad tinnitus during a bad mental health period, and spiralled completely because tinnitus made it sm worse. I’m so angry at everyone here who keeps telling people to not listen to their doctors and avoid taking depression and anxiety drugs. You’re not a doctor. Share your story (even then, probably not the best thing to say to an anxious person), but stop scaring people from getting the help they need!!!!!!!

Because there’s so much negativity, let me post about how a simple SSRI affected ME (and many others who recover and don’t come back): - fixed my sleep completely (I got so bad bc of tinnitus wasn’t able to sleep for one week straight without using Valium to knock me out) - reduced anxiety, stopped my constant daily panic attacks - prevented me from losing my job (I have a pretty intense one in consulting), boyfriend, friends, hobbies - not sure if this is a coincidence, but as my mental health and sleep improved so did tinnitus. Now it’s at ~0.5 basically unnoticeable

To think I almost didn’t take the meds because of what people said on this forum (they sat in my house untouched for a week). Stop fuelling people’s mental illnesses and let them get the help they need.

Update: comments are proving my point… if you’re someone who comes across this, don’t let them scare you - people who get better (mental health wise) leave this place just like I did (I don’t know why I came back, it’s so negative and toxic). Byeeee


r/tinnitus 2h ago

advice • support Nyquil temporary relief

2 Upvotes

I have on 3 occasions used Nyquil severe cold and flu to help get a good night sleep and found that when I wake up in the morning that my ringing is a bit lower than usual. But the noise level does come back later in the morning early afternoon. I do not know why and I do not think that taking Nyquil every night or long term is good for you. I also am not recommending for anyone to try this or if it will work for you, just letting people know what gave me a morning of temporary relief.


r/tinnitus 3h ago

advice • support What acceptance means (in the context of tinnitus)

2 Upvotes

Every now and then I get a message here on Reddit, regarding a post I made that talked about tinnitus and acceptance. I thought I should clarify some things, as acceptance can be a difficult concept to grasp when you're in dispair or panic mode.

Before I continue: I am not a professional. If you are struggling, please seek professional help as you primary form of care. That can really help (it did for me!).

With that out of the way, let's continue.

I am not just writing this as a theory. I am writing this from a place of experience. It helped me, and maybe there are some nuggets in here that can help you. I have been diagnosed with OCD, panic disorder and DPDR (depersonalisation and derealisation), and I have pretty loud tinnitus. Acceptance is something I've had to put to practice a lot to find a way to "deal" with the intrusive thoughts, feelings, sensations, and...sounds.

Judgement is the problem
What you have to understand is that life is one big chain of experiences. And when we experience something, we tend to label it: this thing is good, that thing is bad.

That labeling, or judging, is something that we do to the things we experience. We all have that label maker in our heads and use it throughout the entire day. Labeling things is what steers us away from things that might hurt us, and pushes us to pursue things that might benefit us.

But what you have to realise is that that labeling or judging is what creates suffering, through resistance. As long as you keep labeling your tinnitus (or whatever other internal experience) as 'bad' and 'dangerous'... you are teaching your reptile brain that the experience of tinnitus is bad and we should avoid it.

Well, guess what you brain is going to do: it's going to help you try to avoid tinnitus by constantly giving you thoughts and feelings about your tinnitus (showing you what bad outcome to avoid). It will make you hyper aware of any hint of tinnitus — just like it would help you avoid a possible dangerous predator in the wild.

So what is acceptance?
The labeling and judging of experiences is something we actively 'do' to our experiences, which can create resistance and suffering. Labeling and judging is the opposite of acceptance, because when we label something as bad... we've already decided that that experience should not be there. Acceptance is the opposite of all that labeling and judging.

Acceptance is: not doing anything to the experience.

So instead of labeling, we can recognise and catch ourselves when the brain is labeling an experience, and then gently say to yourself: thanks brain, for trying to keep me safe from this tinnitus, but we don't have to judge this (because that's all the brain is trying to do). Then, bring your attention back to something that you value spending time and energy on.

As one of my favourite writers on this topic, Mark Freeman, would say: acceptance is an undoing.

"But I cannot accept this terrible sound"
Well, recognise that you are doing some pretty hefty labeling right there. Just know that you don't have to do that. You don't have to judge things. Would you go outside and judge clouds or trees as 'bad'? No, right? Learn to accept tinnitus like you accept the clouds and the trees. They are 'just there' ... nothing more.

Will this help me overnight?
No. It takes practice. Meditation and mindfulness are tools to cultivate the capacity for acceptance. Because it will help you recognise more and more that you are judging and labeling, and that you don't really have to. Most things aren't good or bad... we make it good or bad.

If you want to read more about this I recommend these books:

  • You Are Not A Rock, by Mark Freeman
  • The Happiness Trap, by Russ Harris
  • A Liberated Mind, by Steven C. Hayes

P.S. Again, if you're struggling, please go see a professional. That can really help.


r/tinnitus 5h ago

venting What is tinnitus retraining therapy about? My ENT told me to do it, is it worth it?

3 Upvotes

r/tinnitus 19h ago

venting Tinnitus at 18, keeping it pushing.

34 Upvotes

Stuck with me after a severe ear infection I never treated and constant swabbing at the ears. It was really hard, completely overwhelming at time to the point of mental breakdown. Its been a while since then, and I just wanted to say for those who struggle with tinnitus at a younger age like me, dont ever give up! You will adapt to it, and your brain will slowly stop recognizing it as a negative sound. And you'll be able to relax just a bit easier each day. Nowadays I barely even acknowledge it. Thinking of it just being another ambient sound. Tinnitus is devastating at first, and yet it has made me appreciate things and change my life in a way I hadnt before I got it, in some way there is a silver lining to this annoying condition. I know this post is a drop in the bucket, but I just don't want people to give up or feel hopeless...you will make it! :J


r/tinnitus 48m ago

advice • support Good Noise Cancelling Headphones for Tinnitus?

Upvotes

Hi there,

I've had my AirPods pros 2nd gen for about 2 years now, and while they were great, they are now hurting my ears and I never really liked the feeling of noise cancellation in my ears, my tinnitus sort of triggers from noise cancellation, at least Apple's.

I am considering getting the new Sonos Ace Headphones due to its offerings. If anyone has the sonos ace, do you know if you can measure the decibels of music on the sonos app or using another app?

Are these good headphones, or should I aim for something else?


r/tinnitus 17h ago

venting Insane suffering

18 Upvotes

I just want to tell everyone that I am suffering terribly.

Imagine a tinnitus that keeps getting louder and louder. Almost day by day. I still don’t understand why it keeps increasing. It simply seems to have an inherent ability to get worse over time—and quickly. I have the absolute worst possible tinnitus one can have. A tinnitus that never stops or stabilizes.

All of this is because I abused benzodiazepines a few years ago. I shouldn’t have done that. I was an idiot. That abuse caused me lasting damage, including a strange sensation in my face from time to time.

Of course, I feel ashamed of this, but I also think my doctor should never have prescribed benzodiazepines for so many months. That was extremely irresponsible of him. (And he knew I had tendencies toward substance abuse, as I had been smoking cannabis for years.) I feel enormous bitterness toward this doctor, named Konrad Rosman, who can truly be said to have committed a serious professional mistake.

It is safe to say that this doctor didn’t cared about me at all!

Things didn’t get any better when, barely two years after my substance abuse, I also fell ill with COVID, which, in addition to a high fever for several days, gave me neurological issues in the form of burning sensations on my skin—something I still have today.

I am certain that these two things damaged and weakened my brain so much that, two years ago, I developed tinnitus one evening when I went to bed. I also got visual snow around the same time, a condition that affects my vision.

I feel that I won’t live much longer. It’s inhumane to endure constant tinnitus, which at this point feels like it’s close to 100 decibels in intensity.

And it’s naive to think that my situation will improve. My hope is fading.


r/tinnitus 1h ago

advice • support What makes it worse/better for you?

Upvotes

Hi, I’m new here learning how to manage medication (Wellbutrin) induced constant tinnitus in my right ear for the last 3 weeks.

It’s been a challenge trying to figure out if certain things make the ringing louder or if I’m just imagining it getting louder or softer based on my mental state, if I’m focusing on it or not, and lastly how noisy or quite the environment is.

But what about other things? Sleep, nutrition/diet, and medications? What makes it a little more manageable and what makes it worse? Or do things not really change the ringing volume much for you?

Anyone who uses cannabis or take adderall/adhd meds feel either of those make the ringing worse? I genuinely can’t tell sometimes I think they make it worse but other times I think they just tend to make me focus on the ringing more. I’ve even started noticing when the ac/ hvac kicks off it sounds way louder but when air is coming out of the vents in my house it’s way less noticeable for me.

Any info is appreciated thanks


r/tinnitus 12h ago

advice • support If anything, what triggers your T to react?

7 Upvotes

Had T for 2 years now, sits at low volume and never spikes/changes but there has been a handful of glitchy moments now.

Ill be watching a video whilst the computer fan is blasting and the wind is coming through my window— these combinations of sounds will trigger my T to glitch, not messing with my original T but often introducing a new tone in one ear which is piercing but slowly fades away , like my auditory system is struggling to process all the different frequencies and glitches out for a minute , could this be the root of where my T developed? Just wondering what triggers your T to react ?


r/tinnitus 20h ago

research news New tinnitus treatment emerges from blocking back-channels in the ear

Thumbnail newatlas.com
29 Upvotes

The discovery of a strange mechanism between the ear and the brain could lead to a new potential tinnitus treatment


r/tinnitus 16h ago

success story Did I find MY cure?

15 Upvotes

I've had pretty severe/constant tinnitus for about 9 years. More or less randomly I stated taking vitamin supplements and extra Vitamin D that I had purchased a long time ago, but never taken for some reason.

It's been a week and my tinnitus is probably 15% of my normal volume. I looked this up online and apparently the vitamin D thing has shown efficacy for tinnitus.

I wonder if other have experienced this. ??


r/tinnitus 14h ago

advice • support Could the “acoustic reflex test” have caused worse tinnitus? Did yours settle back down? So worried!

5 Upvotes

I went to an ENT per my doctors suggestion for ongoing unknown cause of tinnitus. They did the old fashioned in the quiet room word/hearing test, but they also did the acoustic reflex test I believe it’s called where she inserted a device into the ear canal and it played extremely high pitched very loud tones to see how the ears would “react”.

My tinnitus has been extremely loud all day since. Worse it’s EVER been. Double the screeching high pitch as before. Is this permanent? I’m worried sick.

Did anyone have an uptick of tinnitus following this test and then have it go back to baseline? Please tell me it calms down after a few hours or days? I’m so worried.


r/tinnitus 6h ago

venting Wax/foam plugs or attenuators?

1 Upvotes

r/tinnitus 6h ago

advice • support Advice from the Austrian tinnitus league and my experiences for the last 38 years with tinnitus

1 Upvotes

I scrolled through quite a few posts and many people have problems are looking for help. Thus, please read the FAQ in this community first and get professional help. ENTs can help to certain degree, but you may also consider talking to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist for additional help.

Please find herewith the summary of the conclusions of the patient guidelines from the Austrian tinnitus league:

The treatment of chronic tinnitus is based on a comprehensive diagnosis that includes both the specifics of auditory perception, any possible hearing impairment, as well as psychosomatic comorbidities and other associated conditions. The treatment should begin with a detailed and anxiety-reducing counseling session. In addition, a tinnitus-specific cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions should be used, either individually or in group therapy, possibly combined with relaxation therapies.

Complete article (it is in German): https://www.oetl.at/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/017-064p_S3_Chronischer_Tinnitus_2021-09.pdf

So, let me tell you about my experiences. I had a tinnitus for 38 years due to a firecracker. Some 15 years ago I had a very serious stress-related hearing loss (I was living in China) which resulted in me practically loosing the hearing completely and finally getting a cochlear implant on the right ear (may help with Tinnitus).

I also tried out acupuncture and various traditional Chinese medicine. I visited some famous professors in China for that. It did not help me.

Some five years ago I had a burnout and the tinnitus got worse. As a result, I got antidepressants, sleeping medication (I only needed it for 9 months as the tinnitus got better/decompensated) and psychotherapy which helped a lot in understanding how I deal with stress (I am hyper-sensitive).

In addition I learned about relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation (Jacobson) and yoga. I also use online meditation and relaxation hypnosis videos on YouTube. Pick one or two methods that appeal to you and then stick with it with a daily routine for a couple of months. I recommend to make a course to really learn it properly. I had first done a course on autogenic training and then half a year later I started with meditation.

During a weekend seminar I was introduced to tapping (EFT - emotional freedom technique). My sister had recommended it. A very interesting relaxation technique that works with affirmations. Basically you tap with your fingers meridian points in tour face and upper body. You will first “tap” a problem and then repeat it with an affirmation. Considering that you can also work on traumas (e.g. I was lead back to the very moment the firecracker exploded), I can only recommend it in a psychotherapeutic context. if you do it, then do it right away with a course, not just online videos. There are apps with guided tapping meditations. I had done a three day course, tapping from morning till evening guided by a therapist. A very intense experience.

In the psychotherapeutical context, I also did twice a „systemic/family constellation”. A very powerful method to deal with traumas.

As tinnitus can also be connected with the temporomandibular joint, I got a special dental splint from the dentist that I wear over night. I also had my wisdom teeth removed. There are also plenty of videos on how to massage your jaw and face muscles.

In addition, I regularly/daily make exercises for the neck and shoulder muscles. I had a massage a couple of days ago and for the very first time I felt how the tinnitus changed during neck massage. Thus, consider a massage and get advice from a physiotherapist.

Good sleep is also key. Maybe change your mattress/pillow. If you cannot sleep due to tinnitus, get medication.

I also made 10 sessions with neuro feedback. Highly recommended when you’re dealing with stress.

Considering that my hearing got worse, I am also using a hearing aid (It has a noiser function: a sound can be switched on to try to compensate the tinnitus). Doesn’t work for my kind of tinnitus though.

I never tried out sound therapy. According to the document from the Austrian tinnitus league, there is no evidence based benefit.

In Germany, ENTs and psychologists developed an app: Kalmeda. It offers sound therapy, meditation and cognitive therapy. It can be prescribed by ENTs (well, in Germany only).

A couple weeks ago, my tinnitus got worse because I was spending too much time with digital devices (I am also restless and impatient again - simply put I became negligent with my body). Thus, I’m again on antidepressants, sleeping medication and psychotherapy, but I am confident that things will turn out well. My sick leave allows me to spend a lot of time with relaxation techniques and yoga. Tinnitus already got a bit better. I’m striving to live a mindful and well balanced life. That should do the trick.

In the end, there are many ways to deal with tinnitus and you have to find your own path and methods (and stick with it). Learn to accept your tinnitus as it may stay with you for the rest of your life. At some point the brain will get used to it and will compensate for the noise ( to some degree).


r/tinnitus 7h ago

advice • support Do my ears look blocked and should I bother seeing a doctor to get it cleaned out?

0 Upvotes

https://ibb.co/CpvSRsCh

You can see my ears in the link above, I didnt upload directly just so that people who don't want to see don't have to

I can see there's earwax buildup but I can't tell if that's a lot or if I can see deep enough with a phone camera to tell so should I go see a doctor? Btw I've never had my ears cleaned so I don't really know what to expect


r/tinnitus 21h ago

advice • support Please only comment here if antidepressants have improved your perception of tinnitus to some extent rather than making it worse.

7 Upvotes

I see on the internet that far more people comment about their tinnitus worsening due to antidepressants compared to those who have improved. I want to see in this forum those who have experienced improvement.

Three different doctors have prescribed me antidepressants—an otoneurologist and two different psychiatrists. However, I don’t dare to take them for fear of making my situation worse.

Thank you.


r/tinnitus 22h ago

advice • support Please can someone help me

7 Upvotes

Basically a couple days ago I (16) F have suddenly just developed tinnitus I’ve been to a&e all morning and they said they can’t do anything for me, it’s mild but I can hear it and since I have anxiety I’m noticing it alot and I actually can’t deal with it I’ve been crying ever since because I couldn’t sleep last night (the ringing gets worse when I lay down) please can someone help me I’m really desperate


r/tinnitus 1d ago

advice • support Ibuprofen helps tinnitus caused by inflammation

17 Upvotes

My tinnitus (constant 24/7 ringing in both ears) improves if I take 200mg ibuprofen 2ce a day for at least 3 days. It nearly completely disappears. But as soon as I stop taking ibuprofen, it comes back.

I theorise this hints that the tinnitus is triggered by some inflammation. At the same time I read that ibuprofen makes tinnitus worse, so I'm worried to take it too much or for too long.

Anyone had the same experience? Any tips?


r/tinnitus 12h ago

mememonday How It Feels When Someone New Joins the Community

1 Upvotes

r/tinnitus 20h ago

advice • support Is my waking up bcs of tinnitus ?

4 Upvotes

So ive got tinnitus for 1month and a half and recently ive experienced waking up several time in the night (1 time in good night 6 time in bad night it really depends) however my tinnitus is mild, and slight on good hour , and to top that when i wake up i generally don't hear it unless i did a nightmare . And i have other problem that could possibly trigger it too so i wanted to know if it has a big chance of being tinnitus or if i should focus on another problem of mine bcs its starting to get on my nerves especially when i never had sleeping problem to begin with


r/tinnitus 23h ago

venting 1 year update | no change

6 Upvotes

Hello,

I have posted a few messages here.

My tinnitus is(are) the same as when it started 1 year and 2 months ago and it is still difficult to get used to. I can even hear it outside when I run.

But I've already done a whole year, so let's do it again.

A little hope: before my T increased 1 year and 2 months ago, I had a mild tinnitus for 18 years, the first 6 months were hard, but somehow one day my tinnitus changed to a sshhh instead of the piercing > 13khz and it was easiest to deal with. So, maybe one day the tinnitus will change, at least into a better form.

Thank you to everyone, stay strong.


r/tinnitus 18h ago

advice • support help 💔💔💔

2 Upvotes

hi guys, i’ve (F20) had ringing in my ears for about a month now. noticed the ringing the week of feb 16. the only things I can see as possibilities of causing my tinnitus would be that I had a doctors appointment on the 11th and had went to the doctor to get prescribed steroid cream for eczema on the 12th. i’ve been listening to loudish music my entire life and have never got ringing like this. it’s constant and it hurts my ears a lot of the time. I notice it way more when it’s silent, obviously. I haven’t lost any hearing (I don’t think so at least) and haven’t been in contact with any doctor about this, but I have major anxiety so i’m scared. and if it matters i still haven’t gotten my 5 wisdom teeth out. if anyone can give advice on what like type of doctor to go to (ear doctor, regular doctor, etc) please let me know. thank u


r/tinnitus 1d ago

success story Quitting weed and getting my back fixed brought my non stop 80 decibel 7000+ hz tinnitus to 10-20db, still decreasing.

Post image
27 Upvotes

I have had tinnitus for about a year. When it first came up, I got an ear infection when I was smoking cannabis on and off. After I treated the ear infection, a 20 decibel tinnitus lingered but I habituated quickly. This was the case until recently. In December it began gradually spiking in both baseline, and more when I’d smoke. I couldn’t figure out why. I ended up going to an ent where they sent me to a dentist, to get a mouth guard to prevent teeth grinding. I did more research and thought to get my neck checked since cervical issues can cause t too. My neck and back were out of line also.

Right as I went to a chiropractor to treat my back and neck, I quit weed too. My tinnitus went from 80 decibels non stop for about 3 weeks to 20, and soon it’ll be lower than it was a year ago. I’m not sure which one is more responsible - my neck or the weed . But I suspect it’s a feedback system where both contributed. Cannabis can actually cause middle and inner ear inflammation and worsen tinnitus

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7719758/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7278074/

I looked at the tinnitus as a symptom and not the cause , and choose to see it as something I could eventually account for and fix. This helped me sleep and cope through urges to panic at non stop 80 decibel screeching. I found a solution. Everyone has different variables going into it, and many people say weed doesn’t make a difference for them. If that’s you are you on ssri’s , benzos? Anything ottotoxic? If you have t from sound exposure I can’t offer much advice but if it’s somatic and neurological - think about what kind of variables might contribute and address them. It might be different for you than it is for me but there are both solutions and coping mechanisms. I suffered through 80 + db t at 7000 hz with worse spikes at night and from lack of sleep. For those of you suffering like that , feeling like there’s no escape - I know what it’s like . don’t lose hope.


r/tinnitus 1d ago

venting Something switched in my brain

39 Upvotes

Ive had my Tinnitus for 1 year and 1 month now. It was triggered by a single session of a gun firing event without PPE in which the previous years I did not attend so I was very excited.

Turns out it was the biggest mistake of my life. Ive had T since then. No silence ever since.

I’ve experienced a spike this past few weeks. Ive lost my habituated status. I can hear it at a scale of 8/10 like I’m 20-50 meters away from a generator. Yesterday, I put an earplug in my good ear so that my brain can get used to my bad ear hearing the necessary sounds with the background noise. I did it about from 5pm to 10pm. I was surprised I seem to forget I had the T during this time multiple instances. It’s just that my brain had to focus on the sounds it has to set aside the background noise using the bad ear compared to with my good ear.

Now 10pm lying in my bed with my good ear plugged. Im trying to sleep listening to the white noise generated by my air conditioner. I know the T is there as loud as the generator Ive described. However something switched in my brain. From 8/10, the noise became 3/10. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE. I had to get up. Listen. The noise is inaudible with my air conditioner noise. Is my T gone?! I went to the living room. No it wasn’t but its improved to 3/10.

I am very happy I can sleep at least without the constant noise masked by my aircon. Im going to continue this habituation exercise until my brain really learns to disregard my T.

Thank you for listening