[misc.handicap] TINNITUS

Vixen.*@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen *) (02/02/90)

Index Number: 6576

Hi,

As some of you know, I was taken very much by surprise when I found one
of the symptoms of my hearing loss to be Tinnitus. As I said before, it
seemed incongrous to me that I should be driven nuts with this whining
in my ears when my hearing is going away!

Well, this morning, the old Tinnitus was whining like Sirens in both
ears and a thought or rather question came to mind. Since I am losng my
hearing and yet still have this Tinnitus problem, can "Profoundly deaf"
have Tinnitus as well?

Thankfully, most of the time my Tinnitus is manageable and I can
tolerate it. But, when it's really bad and seems like it could drowned
out what hearing I have left, I can imagine that "deafness" might
almost seem desirable. That's when I began to wonder if profoundly deaf
people can have this problem as well?

Keepin' the faith!       I just misplace it now and then!

.                         Vixen

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Ann.Stalnaker@f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker) (02/10/90)

Index Number: 6638

Yes, Vixen*, those of us who are profoundly deaf suffer from Tinnitus. 
Mine didn't hit me until I was in my early 20s even though I've been 
profoundly hearing impaired since birth.
 
I've learned to cope with it for many years and find that most of the 
time Tinnitus only bothers me when I'm extremely tired, usually when 
I'm trying to get some snooze.  I've been told by several people that 
your diet has a lot to do with it, one example that was pointed out 
was eating too much chocolate.
 
I think in time you'll get used to it and it won't be such a problem.
I hope you never have the revving of a motorcycle one...that along
with the sound of a train chugging along seem to hit me the most.
The constant whinning or ringing will not drown out what hearing
you have nor will it affect your hearing.  A lot of HI folks don't 
mention Tinnitus much, probably because they are not aware of what 
it is, but we all suffer from it regardless of what type of hearing
loss we have.
 

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Jack.O'keeffe.Of.129/26@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe Of 129/26) (02/12/90)

Index Number: 6684

 AS> A lot of HI folks don't mention Tinnitus much, probably because
 AS> they are not aware of what it is, but we all suffer from it
 AS> regardless of what type of hearing loss we have.

Ann, my Tinnitus has been driving me nuts lately.  It wakes me up in
the middle of the night, so loud that I cannot get back to sleep.
Anyone who has ever heard a swarm of locusts buzzing would know
what mine sounds like.

I was interested in what you said about profoundly deaf people still
experiencing Tinnitus.  I wonder, is that true for those who have
lost the acoustic nerve from Acoustic Neuromas?  Is the source of the
Tinnitus in the Cochlea?  or where?  Maybe we need a scientist on
this echo.

Mine always seems to be in the ear where there is some residual low
frequency hearing.  Never in my "dead" ear.  I don't eat chocolate,
but I'm addicted to coffee.  It would be tough to choose between
the Coffee and the Tinnitus.  I'm still happy I have some residual,
Tinnitus or not. :-)

Jack.

Jack.

... I never listen!

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Vixen.*@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen *) (02/12/90)

Index Number: 6693

Hi Ann,

Yeah! You know, now that I think of it, you did fill me in on
whether or not profoundly can suffer from Tinnitus! I guess so much
has been coming at me from so many different angles, I just kind of
forgot!

Gosh, I hope I don't get the motorcycle type, this constant high
pitched whining is bad enough! I am just the opposite of you, my
Tinnitus bothers me most when I first wake up more than "most"
nights at bed time. Although, that happens too, and it is whining
pretty good at the moment.

It does take some getting used to, but I think I am doing it. At
least, I notice that I often forget about it during the day when I
am active!

Keepin' the faith!

.                      Vixen

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lee@smiley.mitre.org (Annabelle Lee) (02/13/90)

Index Number: 6695

Just had to add my two cents worth on tinnitus.  I've had it for
almost 15 years - due to MS.  At first it drove me NUTS - particularly
when the Dr. said I was nuts!!!  (Only later was I diagnosed with MS.)
I have a high pitched tone in both ears, worse in the left ear.  At
first, I had a fish tank to help mask the sound.  It really helped.  I
am basically used to it now - however I am NEVER in a quiet room with
no noise.  I have found that salt affects the tinnitus.  I have cut
out almost all salt.  I mean really cut out - not just deleted from
cooking.  Salt free ingredients at all times - check certain foods.
(Did you know peas are naturally very high in sodium?)

Being tired also makes the condition worse.  And for me it is bad in
the morning.

At one point, I checked into masking devices that are put in the ear,
like hearing aids.  With my frequency they only made things worse.
But you might want to check.

Any way I can offer more suggestions, please let me know!!
Regards,

 - Annabelle Lee, phone: (703) 883-7105
   The MITRE Corporation, 7525 Colshire Drive
   Mc Lean, VA   22102
   Mail Stop Z268  (new mail stop)
   e-mail address: lee%smiley@gateway.mitre.org

rudy@cbnewsj.ATT.COM (Avram r Vener) (02/13/90)

Index Number: 6700

Yes, the profoundly deaf can have tinnitus.  I am profoundly deaf.
I have tinnitus. Q.E.D.   :-)

Luckily, mine is related to head movement.  Turning my head from
left to right produces a loud chirping in my left ear.  The
loudness is directoly proportional to the speed of the turn.  Most
of the time (almost ALL of the time) I can completely ignore it.

Rudy Vener  uucp: att!mtqua!rudy   internet: rudy@mtqua.att.com