ringing ears

[DC-ATE]

My tinnitus is so LOUD, I'm surprised you all can't hear it!

Seriously though, I've had it BAD since I shot off a CASE of shotgun shells at clay pigeons back in the very late '60s. I was able to pass 1st Class Physicals until retirement in 1990 however. All the Doctor kept saying was, "You're not able to hear the high tones very well, are you?" He was right and still is. I've seen a few doctors and apparently there's not much to be done about it. It is most annoying. Hopefully, those of you still flying and suffering from this, will be able to continue until retirement.

[Old Smokey]

I loved your "selective deafness" remark Union Jack, I NEVER tell my wife that I pass my audiograms with ease, but tell her instead, "still OK, but declining a bit with age"

A point which may help tinnitus sufferers. I have a pilot friend in his late 50's with persistant low grade tinnitus. It drives him nuts, although he passes his Class 1 medicals with no problems. His GP suggested to him that to improve quality of life, he should always surround himself with low level background noise, just a tad louder than the tinnitus ringing in his ears.

Normal day to day living noises keep this at bay, but during quiet moments and during sleep, he always ensures SOFT background music, as said, just above the level of the constant ringing.

His report is that it has changed his life.

Regards,

Old Smokey

[Loose rivets]

Ha! Just posted a pic of me shooting an AutoMag on the JB forum. It brought back clear memories of just how big some of the bangs were. Could it be that it's the reason I've been listening to a 6250 cps whistle for the last 30 years I wonder?

[WG774]

Smokey is talking about 'tinnitus masking'. Try googling this term if it helps. Masking can help in that it helps prevent the feedback loop. 'TRT' is a more modern technique and is probably more successful long-term though (tinnitus retraining therapy).

[nuclear weapon]

Turn down the volume of your ipod and that will do you a lot of good in the long term.

[Zissou]

I would appreciate some comforting also, if someone have som info;

Have had a bad cold for a couple of days, and when trying to equalize
middle/inner ear pressure, i got a severe overpressure for about a minute.

Have had tinnitus for a number of years, but now it tripled in strength, and i feel intoxicated when walking.

It's been only 4 hours, but i'm getting really anxious...

Z


(One more thing, are the canals and the cochlea hard or soft? Can they get deformed under pressure and "self-erect" in time?)

[WG774]

Zissou - you need to relax, take a holiday if necessary. The various tissues around the ear can affect the perceived amplitude of tinnitus massively. The exact mechanisms for this are open to debate, but their effect isn't. The problem you now have is that your 'tuning dial' is set right in the middle of the tinnitus frequency. You need to employ some TRT (try Google for info) techniques.

Cruelly, the more you focus on the tinnitus, the more difficult it will be to 'detune'. You may well have aggravated tissue around the middle + inner ear, and it could take time to settle - giving you an increase in tinnitus volume. Regardless, you need to spend the next few days distracting your attention from the tinnitus. Spend some time around the family's kids, go out to lectures, theatres etc - do anything you can to focus away from the T.

Forget about 'deformation' of the cochlea etc - it doesn't bear consideration. This looks like a middle ear pressure issue. Note that there are many mechanisms to equalise your ETs - the valsalva is not one I personally recommend. There are several muscles that can do the same task, with fewer risks.

Your only option is to relax and take time out, making sure to distract your attention from the T. Over time things will go back to how they were.

As always - if in doubt, CONSULT A PRO OTONEUROLOGIST

[Loose rivets]

Have had a bad cold for a couple of days, and when trying to equalize
middle/inner ear pressure, i got a severe overpressure for about a minute.

I would bet my last dollar on the fact that you're trying to equalize in the wrong direction!!

Don't forget, I'm a pilot not a doctor...but I've had years of getting round blocked ears, often where there is no medical help.

Any feeling unwell, or throbbing etc., get to that doctor - pronto.

During an infection, it's often difficult to know which way the drum is being pressed. If you're not flying, atmospheric pressure changes alone will alter things daily. It's probably safest to assume a buildup of pressure and SNIFF like hell a few times. Gentle blowing with the nose blocked should then undo the sniffing...but the last thing you want to do is pressurize the inner ear to an uncomfortable level.

If you sniff hard, then apply saline solution into your nasal cavity, (search my things on salt.) you should get a minute amount going into the eustation tube.

Repeat this, always being cautious about over pressuring.

Eustation Tube Symptoms, Treatments and Resources - MedHelp


By the way, my tinnitus ALWAYS gets louder when I catch a virus. It is just like a warning signal, and increases before any other symptoms occur.

[noosariver]

I find I get very mild tinnitus if I have build up of wax in my left ear. This is the only time it affects me, and goes as soon as the wax is removed. Maybe worth a try?

[BigEndBob]

I've had tinnitus for the last four weeks.
Haven't been with anything noisey.
But have noticed that my ears seem not to be producing any wax.
Keep meaning to buy and try some 'Earex'.

Just another thought for the iPod wearers,
Ear plugs in the past were a major source of ear infections for mean.
Perhaps the earphones sould be sanitized on a regular basis.