This is all kinds of messed up

[rayvyn2k]

Apparently, I have Tinnitus.

I have been hearing a buzzing sound at home, outside and at work for weeks. I thought it was, variously, the electricity humming through the fluorescent lighting, cicadas, other random insects, or any number of other things.

Earlier this week, I finally asked hubby: "Do you hear that buzzing?"
Him: What buzzing?
Me: THAT buzzing, it sounds like cicadas.
Him, eyebrows raised: I don't hear anything.
Me: 0_o

A day or two later at work, the sound gets loud again. So, I ask a co-worker: Do you hear a buzzing noise?
Co-Worker: Not really.
Me: (silently) WTF?

At lunch I Googled "buzzing in the ears" and it turned out to be a thing. I knew that ringing in the ears was a thing, but apparently this can take the form of ringing, buzzing and pressure--which I have felt before also.

And, believe me, it is annoying. I mean, I never have any quiet. EVER. Even at bedtime.

Mostly I am dealing the same way I have been...by pretending it's cicadas or the electricity. And it does fade if there is other background noises. But, what a PITA!!

I did finally make a doctor's appointment, but I'm a new patient, so the appointment isn't until 4/24, but hell, I've been dealing with this for this long--I can deal a few more weeks.

I did read that ginko biloba and staying away from caffeine can help--which I am already taking the one and do not indulge too much in the other, so I guess I have to hope there is a physical reason, otherwise, I'm doomed.

ETA: I called the doctor's office again today and they got me in with the nurse practitioner Monday morning. Thank goodness!

Comments

[daireen.livejournal.com]

My mom gets that as part of her Ménière's disease. It's not world-ending, just irritating. If you're getting the ringing in addition to occasional dizziness, might be worth mentioning to the doc.

[rayvyn2k.livejournal.com]

No dizziness, thank goodness. Just the buzzing for now. Which is more than enough. {{{hugs}}}

[islandsmoke.livejournal.com]

Oh, ugh! I feel for you, I really do. I'd always had a faint... ringing, I'd guess you'd call it for lack of a better word... noise, anyway, in my head. Normally only noticeable if it was very quiet. Then, about two years ago, someone turned up the volume. Quite a bit. Annoyingly, constantly, disruptively, CONTINUOUS NOISE. It is a rare moment when I am so focused on something that I'm not aware of it. It SUCKS. I stand outside at night an listen for owls calling in the swamp a half mile away, and all I hear is white noise. Maybe the owls aren't calling, I don't know, but I hate it, hate it, hate it.

And I'm stuck with it.

So far, my "regular" hearing still tests out ok - mostly - though I'm getting a little fuzzy in the right ear on some tones. Mostly, it's just super annoying.

I really hope that yours is something different, and they can make it go away.

[rayvyn2k.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, I completely understand what you're going through! I miss quiet. :( I hope it is something fixable like a buildup of wax or something--

If there is other noise (such as music or television) I am not AS aware of it, but it is still there.

Two years? I don't know how you stand it. :(