Controlling Tinnitus: What works for you?

How can I stop tinnitus

Unfortunately you can't. There is a tinnitus forum with suggestions for coping and some people do try various supplements (like taurine). Some people mask tinnitus overnight with rain sounds and so on. Some people do cognitive behavioral therapy. An audiologist can help sometimes. Some sufferers even wear hearing aids.

Over time you adapt to it and don't hear it as much. It can fluctuate quite a bit too. Mine is loud now because I am writing about it!

I felt pretty desperate when my tinnitus, which first started in 2015, got much worse last year after I stupidly got near some loud music. Doctors were no help at all. There is research going on because so many people have this.

Have you had a hearing test? It is often caused by hearing loss but I was told tinnitus originates in the brain as the brain attempts to fill the void of the hearing loss.

I didn’t have it until yesterday, I was put on Ativan 15 days ago for panic attack, it gets quiter when I get out of shower. I stopped Ativan , once it gets out of my system, I hope it stops

Has anyone got ears buzzing from anxiety, depression. It’s crazy how it goes up and down. How can I calm it down

Sorry, but I have not.

Peter

Hi @rick63, I moved your questions about tinnitus (ear buzzing) and anxiety to this discussion:
- Controlling Tinnitus: What works for you?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tinnitus-control/
I recommend reading through the past post to get helpful tips from members.

Some medications are known to cause tinnitus and/or hearing loss. You can learn more in this discussion:
- Ototoxic drugs that can cause hearing loss or tinnitus
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ototoxic-drugs-that-can-cause-hearing-loss-or-tinnitus/

rick63, You can't. I have had it for years in both ears. I will say salt and caffeine make it worse. I looked up Ativan and it said long term use of Ativan may cause it but short term use should not. BUT, with that said, we are all different. I pray this goes away for you. Usually, the brain will adjust to it and you will not notice it as much. I didn't pay it any mind after a while. Praying for you.

You cannot really change what the tinnitus does, you can only change how you react to it and that takes time and patience. Different people have different things that help. As someone has mentioned reducing salt and caffeine may help, as may reducing your alcohol intake if you drink. But it's not a one size fits all affliction. I would suggest cutting out some of the most obvious triggers and see if that helps. Some people find white noise machines or apps work especially at night when trying to get to sleep.

For me the thing that allows me to forget it for periods of time is being involved in an activity, and it doesn't have to be a noisy activity. When I get immersed in a book I forget about it, when I sew I often don't think about it. And when I'm doing things with other people I can ignore it a lot of the time. After a while you end up either not noticing it as much, or not being as bothered by it as much.

Good luck!

Sorry to hear about this and I hope it is related to medication for you. Many causes of Tinnitus and mine are not correctable. You definitely can learn to live with it by distraction and ignoring it. Some audiologists specialize in dealing with Tinnitis so you can work with one if needed. Loud noise situations make mine worse, but it is not uncommon for me to awaken in the morning with a loud buzzing after a quiet night. It either quiets down on its own or I just automatically turn my brain off to it. I have had this for over 12 years now, so my brain knows how to ignore it very well by now. Try the white noise ideas when all is quiet to cover it up. Research your area for audiologists who deal with Tinnitis. It takes a while to retrain your brain to ignore it, but obviously for you it can be another source of stress and anxiety. I read a book once that suggested loving your cancer away.......? Perhaps instead of the frustration, can you find a positive with this noise? Can you make it pleasant or rhythmic or lyrical so that you can not react so negatively to it? Sounds silly but maybe worth a try. Can you talk with your doctor about your meds and perhaps try something different?

My tinnitus is similar to yours as it often changes pitch and tone. I'm 57 yo male. I've had it about 3 years and started the Lipo flavonoids right away. They work pretty well for me. I still have constant ringing of some sort but when I stop taking them it increases about 50 percent or more until I get enough back in my system. I typically take 4-6 per day. I also notice a big increase when I eat a real salty meal and especially when I take a lot of NSAIDS.