Alfred Chow - Maker of Things

I think I have tinitus.

At night I can hear, in my right ear, two tones that alternate. a bit like someone trying to play a tune on a flute with only two notes. It warbles away all night, louder when I have my ear down on the pillow.

It started a couple of weeks ago, and I first thought it was some kind of alarm tone from a nearby industrial plant. However, I am pretty sure it is not, unless the same warbling tones are played near MiL's house too!

Checking on the online tone generator I think the tones are about 912hz and 1120hz.

https://www.szynalski.com/tone-generator/#9354,v1

I should look at getting a referral to an audiologist, I guess.

#Tinitus

Online Tone Generator - generate pure tones of any frequency

Nov 26 at 8:31amWeb
Show threadAlfred Chow - Maker of ThingsNov 27

My tinitus is quite loud, enough to be noticeable even with normal daytime noises about.

I have made an appointment to see the GP, after next week, hopefully she can rule out anything other than tinitus.

#Tinitus

Show threadHeather KavanaghNov 26

@Maker_of_Things

I’ve noticed several high pitch tones in both ears. I was always careful to protect my hearing.

Partly, I think, it’s ageing, adding to accidental environmental damage over the years. It’s most annoying when it’s very quiet - hence my need for loud music today! 🙂

Show threadAlfred Chow - Maker of ThingsNov 26

@snaptophobic
I only hear it at night when I am quiet in a quiet room.
I have thought about a bit of background sound but I can't sleep to music or talking.

I can fall asleep watching a video, but I wake up as soon as it stops or changes voice/music.

Show threadHeather KavanaghNov 26

@Maker_of_Things

Perhaps a white noise generator might help?

Show threadAlfred Chow - Maker of ThingsNov 26

@snaptophobic
It's a possibility. I can experiment.

Opening the window would give me motorway traffic noise, and a cold draught.

Show threadHeather 👻Nov 26
@Maker_of_Things My niece has done a lot of hearing learning stuff cuz she's got a degree in language learning (or something, I forget the correct words now) - she says tinnitus is sort of the default noises the brain makes. Soft constant background noises helps disrupt that brain going brrr problem, which is why getting overall hearing checked is good.
Show threadAlfred Chow - Maker of ThingsNov 26
@Akki
Yeah, I was trying to decide if it was brain or ear effect, but it seems to be only in my right ear at the moment. It gets louder if I put my ear on the the pillow, and quieter if I put in my ear buds.
Show threadMike 🇬🇧 🇪🇺Nov 26

@Maker_of_Things @Akki
I have had tinnitus in my left ear for decades.
I really only understood what i was hearing when it was picked up at a hearing test.

The NHS audiologist has tweaked the hearing aid response curve so as to mask it.
As soon as I think is understand what brings it on / makes it worse - something else comes along!

I don't find white / pink noises in any way helpful. CBT related treatment can be extremely effective for a lot of people, I've used some of the techniques and they certainly help.

May I suggest a non-urgent GP appointment? Very occasionally tinnitus can have sinister reasons.

#tinnitus

Show threadAlfred Chow - Maker of ThingsNov 26

@MikeFromLFE
Yes, I am going to book an appointment to start a ball rolling.
If nothing else, a good age related hearing check up wouldn't go amiss.

@Akki

Show threadcoldclimateNov 26
@Maker_of_Things tinnitus and gout? Are you stealing all my afflictions?
Definitely get it checked out though
Show threadAlfred Chow - Maker of ThingsNov 26
@coldclimate
Would you like faulty right knee and left hip joints too?
Show threadcoldclimateNov 26
@Maker_of_Things oh no! Bad ankles and wrists!
Show threadAlfred Chow - Maker of ThingsNov 26
@coldclimate
I think all the skeletal muscular parts are just wearing out.
The little grey sack of neurons isn't fairing much better, either.
Show threadAlun JonesNov 26
@Maker_of_Things FWIW I had an ear infection a few weeks back and that caused tinnitus just when I was lying down.