[Placed in IMHO since it’s medical]
The past few weeks, I’ve had a ringing in my ears. I don’t always notice it, but it tends to bother me in the evenings when I’m trying to relax. That might be because there’s more background noise when I’m out and about, or when I’m at the office.
It reminds me of that annoying high pitch ringing that old CRT monitors made, back when I was young enough and my hearing was good enough to hear them.
I honestly can’t say when this started. I’ve been somewhat annoyed by it for a few weeks, but it could have started before then.
I see my doctor every three months to monitor my blood sugar - pre-diabetic under good control. Next appointment is something like the end of January for a full physical. I’ll mention it then, unless there’s reason to see someone before that.
Probably unrelated symptom, but I’ve also has some soft tissue pain on the left side of my cheek/jaw/skull. Dentist believes I’m clenching in my sleep, and has ordered a mouth guard. The pain has been going on longer than the ringing, but is probably not more than an month or so older. So probably unrelated, I assume.
I’m sure this has been discussed here before, and I’ll go read some previous threads. But if anyone has thoughts, I’m interested in hear them. Coping strategies, any treatments, etc. It hasn’t kept me up at night yet, but I can imagine it doing so!
I’ve had high-pitched ringing in both of my ears since I’ve been about 5 years old. in the last couple of years, I’ve had a new tone crop up in my left ear. I also have a biteguard from my dentist to try to combat jaw/tooth pain.
the best thing I can offer is put on a radio or get a white noise generator when you are trying to sleep.
No your jaw issue could definitely be causing the tinnitus. You didn’t just develop a problem that didn’t profess any further. I’m sure it’s progressing and won’t stop until you get some protection.
Not saying that’s the definite cause but don’t discount it!
Could also be a little ear issue from seasonal allergies.
White noise is your friend. I sit in silence all day, for some reason that’s ok with me. But in the evenings there’s music playing at home and I fall asleep to tv.
After a while, it becomes ‘noise? what noise?’ - you will not even notice it.
But - go through the motions: PCP, then ENT to eliminate organic causes. It seems some folk’s ears actually produce a sound - a person standing with their ear next to the patient’s will hear the same sound.
Get a white noise generator for the bedroom - at least until you stop noticing the noise.
One thing’s for sure. The more you consciously focus on hearing it and paying attention to it, the greater an intrusion on your life it will be.
There’s evidence that while some of it is truly a bogus nerve signal originating inside the ear, much of it is essentially a bad (subconscious) mental habit. Like worrying, it’s your brain stuck in a loop. The less conscious support you give it, the better the odds it’ll fade out or at least not get much worse real soon.
Thanks, all. I get the mouth guard on Tuesday, and will chat with my dentist, since that’s the next appointment I have set up anyway.
I do have an ENT recommendation (no referral needed) from my PCP from when the jaw/cheek/etc pain started. I called the ENT originally, and the receptionist told me to see my dentist first. With the added or new problem, I can go back.
Especially appreciate the comments about how it can fade into the background in time.
I downloaded a white noise app for my tablet and had it playing last night. Not sure if it helped, but it didn’t hurt. It has a few different settings, so I’ll play with it.
I came down with tinnitus’ ugly cousin hyperacusis.
If you truly want to put in the time and effort, get a wearable pink noise generator and leave it in all day, every day for 2 years. This methodology is referred to as Tinnitus Retraining Therapy.