Tinnitus returns 2 years after CI surgery:(

Posted by lsammartino @lsammartino, Sep 11, 2022

Anyone else have the experience of tinnitus being gone initially after the CI surgery but then it makes a return visit after almost 2 years of being tinnitus-free? It feels like such a cruel joke. I have been trying to pretend the last couple of nights that I’m not really hearing any high pitched ringing…but if I’m honest, it’s there and it’s causing my anxiety to mount already.

Not again. I thought I was cured. Anyone else have this experience?

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Joanne Narna | @mothermary1 | Sep 12, 2022

What is CI surgery… I suffer tinnitus as well, it’s terrible. Over 6 years for me. I was diagnosed with pericarditis as viral and was told it settled in my ears but after recovery ringing would go away. They were wrong. I’ve done so much research on tinnitus and find no cure. I’ve learned to adjust my life to it, only thing I could.

lsammartino | @lsammartino | Sep 13, 2022

In reply to @mothermary1 "What is CI surgery… I suffer tinnitus as well, it’s terrible. Over 6 years for me...." + (show)

CI is cochlear implant. Tinnitus often is resolved after CI surgery and mine was. For almost 2 years. I just didn’t expect it to return.

I see our local hospital system in Pittsburgh offers TRT, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. But it’s super expensive and not covered by insurance. And not guaranteed to work. I believe they use sound therapy and on the ear devices to help distract the brain from paying attention to the tinnitus. Good luck to you in your ongoing effort to overcome the struggle.

willows | @willows | Sep 13, 2022

Islam, so sorry your tinnitus returned. I have had tinnitus retraining therapy but it didn’t help much and didn’t last. I have had tinnitus and hyperacusis for about 30 years. I do use masking devices, made like hearing aids but that generate a white noise, some are better than others. The cost of the TRT probably includes the cost of the masking devices that cost similar to earring aids or are a combination of the two. What I personally find really helpful is nature sounds such as a stream. I use am MP3 to download the sounds then play back using ear buds. A cell phone will work for this purpose as well. I hope this has been helpful.