Wellness

[halfpint1]

I have been trying to find about tinitud written here but to no avail. I read there is no cure. Also I would like to know exactly what it it is. I am up at 2 this morning. I hear something going in the attic and the ac system is off. I have called places and when the worker comes he doesn't hear anything so doesn't even do anything. I think he thinks I am loco. Right now it has turned into like a white noise. And what I hear I fear the system could start a fire or? So I want to know if I am going crazy. If any of you went to a doctor and what did he test? Sometimes I have walked over to my sons in the middle of the night to sleep. So how are you handling this? Also is there fans, one was found to not work any more or is it mechanical. It is hard to take.

[Suz614]

Tinnitus can stem from many reasons - hearing loss, medication usage, underlying medical condition, such as blood pressure, etc.   You should have a complete audiologic evaluation with an audiologist and seek medical consultation.  These sounds in your ears/head will be more prevalent in quiet environments.  They seem to "disappear" during the day as ambient environmental sounds mask it. 

[Imaoldhippie]

I have had tinnitus since I was about 13, with hearing loss due to chronic ear infections as a kid.  You can go see an otologist.  Also if you have a foreign object in your ear, like a hair it will also cause tinnitus, which can be removed and the tinnitus should go away.  I have learned to live with it, I just dont ever have any quiet around me.  I have the TV, or music on at all times even in the night.  Its very annoying but you "cope".

[dooBdoo]

            @halfpint1,  I'm so sorry you're continuing to deal with these issues.   It's impossible for any of us to know how to troubleshoot this -- whether a mechanical problem with your air conditioning or a medical problem, such as the tinnitus several of us mentioned in your earlier threads.   I have mild tinnitus, and I was evaluated by an otolaryngologist.   Only a physician can provide the proper diagnosis and the best options for you if you do have this condition.    However, here's some reliable, basic info from Johns Hopkins you can start with.    Please remember the internet can be a helpful educational tool but not a substitute for individualized, personal care by your physician(s).

"What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the sound of ringing in the ears. It may also described as roaring, buzzing, hissing, or clicking inside the head. The sounds may come and go. Or they may be ongoing. The sound may occur in one or both ears, and vary in pitch.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus may result from a variety of causes, including:

• Damage to the nerve endings in the inner ear

• Stiffening of bones in the middle ear

• Advancing age

• Exposure to loud noises

• Allergy

• High or low blood pressure

• Tumor

• Diabetes

• Thyroid problems

• Head or neck injury

• Reaction to certain medications

• Wax buildup

• Jaw misalignment

• Certain medications  

What are the symptoms of tinnitus?

People with tinnitus will often complain of hearing these sounds in their head:

• Ringing

• Roaring

• Buzzing

• Hissing

• Clicking

They may complain that it interferes with their sleep.

How is tinnitus diagnosed?

The diagnosis of tinnitus includes a complete history and physical exam. Your health care provider may request an audiological evaluation. Depending on the suspected cause of the tinnitus, other tests may be needed.

How is tinnitus treated?

Your health care provider will figure out the best treatment based on:

• How old you are

• Your overall health and medical history

• How sick you are

• How well you can handle specific medications, procedures, or therapies

• How long the condition is expected to last

• Your opinion or preference

Currently, there is no known cure for tinnitus. However, experts suggest trying one of the following to find relief:

• Hearing aids. These may benefit some people with tinnitus who have hearing loss. Using a hearing aid may make some sounds louder.

• Cochlear implants. This option is for those who have tinnitus along with severe hearing loss. 

• Maskers. These provide help for some people by making tinnitus less noticeable. This small electronic device creates sound that may make the ringing or roaring seem softer.

• Medications. Some medications may ease tinnitus by addressing a problem related to the condition. Medications may also improve mood or sleep.

• Tinnitus retraining therapy. This therapy uses a combination of counseling and maskers. Otolaryngologists and audiologists can help a person learn how to deal with the tinnitus.

• Counseling. A person with tinnitus may benefit from meeting with a counselor or support group.

• Relaxation. This may provide relief for some people as stress may make tinnitus worse."

source:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/otolaryngology/tinnitus_85,P00471

[dooBdoo]

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halfpint1 wrote:

I have been trying to find about tinitud written here but to no avail. I read there is no cure. Also I would like to know exactly what it it is. I am up at 2 this morning. I hear something going in the attic and the ac system is off. I have called places and when the worker comes he doesn't hear anything so doesn't even do anything. I think he thinks I am loco. Right now it has turned into like a white noise. And what I hear I fear the system could start a fire or? So I want to know if I am going crazy. If any of you went to a doctor and what did he test?

Sometimes I have walked over to my sons in the middle of the night to sleep.

So how are you handling this? Also is there fans, one was found to not work any more or is it mechanical. It is hard to take.

---

 @halfpint1

            I wanted to separate out the sentence I placed in bold text to ask something, because you also mentioned this in your other threads.   

            My question is this:   Do you only hear these sounds at your home, and not anywhere else?   If so, we might be on the wrong track talking about tinnitus.    You might want to ask your son or a friend to stay with you at your home long enough to be there when the sounds begin -- so they can help investigate and understand what's happening.

[Neversaynever3dogs]

No, you are not going crazy!

To be certain, have your hearing checked. I would recomend an ENT doctor to recieve a thorough exam.

I have dealt with Tinitus for quite a few years. My ENT feels that it was caused by the medications that I am on. But nothing is certain.

Unfortunately, there is no cure, so you learn to adapt.

According to my ENT, there are hearing aids that you can wear, 24/7, but I think they are still experimental....

Lipofavinoids are supposed to help but you have to take so many pills a day continually and I gave up.

At this point, I may have to try using them again..

At night, I sleep with a fan running, on low, to mask out the ringing in my ears. I am looking into a white noise machine to see if that helps.

Depending on what I am doing, I can hear the ringing/buzing noises during the day, but as I said, you learn to adapt to it.

Just one of those lovely medical mysteries that have stumped the doctors.

Good luck!

[Teddie]

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@dooBdoo wrote:

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@halfpint1 wrote:

I have been trying to find about tinitud written here but to no avail. I read there is no cure. Also I would like to know exactly what it it is. I am up at 2 this morning. I hear something going in the attic and the ac system is off. I have called places and when the worker comes he doesn't hear anything so doesn't even do anything. I think he thinks I am loco. Right now it has turned into like a white noise. And what I hear I fear the system could start a fire or? So I want to know if I am going crazy. If any of you went to a doctor and what did he test?

Sometimes I have walked over to my sons in the middle of the night to sleep.

So how are you handling this? Also is there fans, one was found to not work any more or is it mechanical. It is hard to take.

---

            I wanted to separate out the sentence I placed in bold text to ask something, because you also mentioned this in your other threads.   

            My question is this:   Do you only hear these sounds at your home, and not anywhere else?   If so, we might be on the wrong track talking about tinnitus.    You might want to ask your son or a friend to stay with you at your home long enough to be there when the sounds begin -- so they can help investigate and understand what's happening.

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@dooBdoo  You are onto something here. This is what I was thinking. If @halfpint1 only hears it at home, what does this mean? But yet, no one else hears it when they come to check her home. What a mystery! 

[forest4thetrees]

Assuming that the repair person comes during, say, 7am to 7pm.   And you hear the noises at NIGHT.  The repair person has checked, and not found anything mechanical.  That's good!

Perhaps some nocturnal animal (raccoon, squirrel, bat, mouse ---- whatever) has found a way to enter into your attic and is only there at NIGHT--when you hear it moving around.

So I think the other posters who suggested having someone sleep over at your place and then, when you hear the sound --- go awaken whomever and ask them "ok I hear it now, do you?"   Then you'd be able to call a pest exterminator to go up there and look around where his expertise would show him whatever is there.  Telling the exterminator that you've already been mechanically "cleared," ---and that someone else hears the night noises-- would help I should think.

[summerwind]

Lots of good suggestions here.

I have seen good information re: tinitus on a site called Earthclinic. Might be worth checking out. It is very easy to navigate, and you don't need to join unless you want to post.

I have it due to a bad auto accident as a young adult, got a whiplash, sometimes a chiropractic adjustment  helps me.

Hoping something in this thread helps you.

[LilacTree]

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@halfpint1 wrote:

I have been trying to find about tinitud written here but to no avail. I read there is no cure. Also I would like to know exactly what it it is. I am up at 2 this morning. I hear something going in the attic and the ac system is off. I have called places and when the worker comes he doesn't hear anything so doesn't even do anything. I think he thinks I am loco. Right now it has turned into like a white noise. And what I hear I fear the system could start a fire or? So I want to know if I am going crazy. If any of you went to a doctor and what did he test? Sometimes I have walked over to my sons in the middle of the night to sleep. So how are you handling this? Also is there fans, one was found to not work any more or is it mechanical. It is hard to take.

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@halfpint1

I have had it for half my life, as did my father.  In some cases it's wax, so you should perhaps see an Otolaryngologist.  However for me it's just a part of my overall symptomatic body.  Mine sounds like wind sometimes, but mostly it's a "sssss" sound, left ear worse than right.  It's worse in the morning, that's when I am aware of it anyway.  Mostly, I am just used to it.

Oddly enough, sometimes it stops completely and I am surprised by the silence! . . . but it doesn't last long.  My hearing is going, so I'll probably be seeing an Otologist within the next year.