At some point in my life, I don’t remember when it actually started, I began hearing a ringing in my ears. It’s sort of like a high pitched whine all the time. I’m not sure I’ve ever had any point when there was absolutely silence. I just thought it was normal since I seem to have always heard it. Some days it’s like hearing cicadas in my head. If you live in an area with those creepy little hidden bugs, you know how annoying that sound can be. I talked to my doctor about it, and he confirmed what I already knew. I have tinnitus.
Often tinnitus is a sign of hearing loss though, from what I’ve read, it’s not associated with the cause of hearing loss nor is it caused by hearing loss. This is what my doctor is most worried about, so I have an appointment with an audiologist this morning.
Many people with tinnitus also experience headache disorders, suggesting that one condition may trigger the start of the other. Some scientists believe that tinnitus and headaches could have a feedback loop of one causing the other — or that they could have a common cause. Tinnitus may also trigger migraine episodes. With my migraines I typically have additional symptoms besides pain. I usually become acutely sensitivity to light, sound, or smell*. An estimated 20 percent of people with migraine attacks say they also have tinnitus.
While I do not yet know what the audiologist might say or if he’ll have an idea of what is causing the tinnitus, I know that when I have a severe migraine the ringing in my ears seems especially loud. I’ve also known for a while that I often have a difficult time hearing people and have to have them repeat themselves several times before I can figure out what they are saying, and even then, I can’t always tell. I often just smile and nod my head.
I’m anxious to hear what the audiologist says today.
* When I have a migraine, my sense of smell becomes particularly sensitive. If someone comes into the museum and is wearing perfume or cologne, I can often smell them from the other side of the museum. I always say that I have the nose of a bloodhound. One of my friends says that I have the nose of a pregnant woman.
Joe
The Closet Professor 
August 1st, 2024 at 11:28 am
I hope your audiologist finds a way to remedy the cause of the tinnitus. Hearing aids sometimes work and since you have difficulty hearing at times you may need to be fitted for some. I have worn pairs for more than ten years. I noticed that when I asked my students questions I would have to ask them to repeat their replies. It became really embarrassing after the third request. A hearing test showed that I was loosing hearing frequency at both high and low levels. I would often confuse consonant sounds: “like” could sound like “time.” I have had such great relief since wearing them. New technology uses blue tooth so that phone conversations can be fed directly through the devices. Some models have various settings for everyday conversation, watching TV or listening to music, even an ability to connect to in-house systems at theaters and playhouses. I’m sure your audiologist will go over all this with you. Delaying getting hearing devices increases the risk for several health issues: dementia, social isolation, etc. The sooner you get them, the better the long-term benefits in terms of adjusting to them and adapting to future adjustments. They are expensive but some insurance plans will help to pay for them with a yearly cap. If the need arises you could get one device in December and get the second one the following January to take advantage of the insurance plan. Regardless, if your audiologist recommends hearing devices I wouldn’t hesitate to invest in them. The quality of life will improve vastly. Good luck.
August 1st, 2024 at 7:21 pm
He said that I was suffering some hearing loss, especially with having trouble hearing consonants. He said I would need hearing aids, but I needed to see an ENT first or else my insurance would not pay for them, not that I expect my insurance to pay for much of them anyway. He told me that if it is going to take a while to be able to get an appointment with an ENT, then he’d like to see me back sooner and he could fit me with temporary hearing aids until I could see the ENT. He said that the hearing aids should help the tinnitus but in the meantime, he told me to do five minutes of triangular breathing each day, which might also help.
August 1st, 2024 at 8:13 pm
Losing the ability to differentiate consonant sounds is usually the first aspect of hearing loss, especially with high frequency voices – most of my students were women. It is a process but hang in there. I am not familiar with the triangular breathing exercise. Hopefully it’s not a circular pattern.
August 1st, 2024 at 8:16 pm
Thanks. Triangular breathing is breathing in through your nose for five seconds, holding in the breath for five seconds, and then exhaling through your mouth for five seconds.
August 1st, 2024 at 9:27 pm
Joe, I have a moderate bilateral neurosensory hearing loss for which I wear hearing aids. My biggest problem is not hearing well in the midst of background noise such as in a restaurant. My insurance company did not cover the cost at the time (2020-$2,900) though that might be different with my new insurance and Medicare if I need new ones. The hearing aids have helped a great deal though adjustments are required periodically. I’ve heard hearing aids might help with tinnitus. I used to buy equipment to assist with hearing through Diglo which publishes a catalogue showing every possible device to enhance hearing (doorbell ringers, bed shakers, devices to amplify the phone and tinnitus maskers). They helped me a great deal.
August 5th, 2024 at 8:59 am
Hope things went well with the audiologist. I’m at an appointment right now with my mom who has Cochlear implants. Hearing issues are challenging. I can 100% sympathize with your tinnitus. I’ve had it for years. Maybe the guy in briefs can take a look and offer something to distract us from the ringing. 😏