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I think I have tinnitus (self.casualconversation)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by pepperonisalami to c/[email protected]

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One random night, I lay on my bed in my silent bedroom, and I felt that the silence is uncomfortable. Why, I asked myself, that the silence felt sharp, like I prefer the noise of my annoyingly loud dehumidifier, or the muffled sound of traffic in my old apartment?

I realized that the silence was ringing, in a high pitched noise that we all associate with being hit near the ears. My inner voice told myself: "man, you have tinnitus."

Thinking back, that wasn't the first time I thought that I have tinnitus, but I was probably in denial for years, or it just got louder. The sad part is that I'm only 26, and somehow, I feared getting tinnitus ever since my childhood.

Even worse, I just ordered a pair of headphones with ANC, and when I don't play anything through it, the ringing gets very clear.

Was depressed for a few days, thinking that it's not fair that I got it even though I don't expose myself to loud noises often, I listen to music at a couple levels lower than my preference, and I don't turn up my music to drown out noises.

But nothing in life is fair, and to compared to the suffering of others, this is only a mild discomfort. So I'll try to keep positive about it, and be grateful that I still enjoy a comparatively luxurious life.

I'll visit a doctor soon though!

Any of you have a similar experience? I'll be happy to read your stories!

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

It can also be to do with things like blood pressure or blood vessel dilation.

For example I often get it when I go to bed after a couple of drinks.

So it's entirely possible there's a contextual reason that you can fix if it's important to you.

[–] stringere 3 points 2 days ago

Got it right now after 5 cups of coffee and having to pretend to work the day after Christmas when 90% of the office is on vacation or allowed to work from home.
Coffee and seething anger appear to be triggers for me.

[–] pepperonisalami 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'll check my BP when I get the chance. I think I suffer more mentally to the thought of having to constantly live with it for the rest of my life.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

When it happened, had you had a drink that day/evening?

[–] pepperonisalami 2 points 2 days ago

Nope, just a regular day and not too much caffeine either. I was a bit tired though because I hadn't got enough sleep, but also not severely deprived (6 to 6.5 hrs, pretty OK).