Tinnitus + Autism

One thing that led me to seek an autism diagnosis was my tinnitus.

Hearing tests showed no issues, but when I googled it, I found links between tinnitus, anxiety, and autism. That led me to take the Embrace tests and eventually to an ASD diagnosis.

As I haven’t seen any recent posts on this topic, I just thought I’d ask — does anyone else experience this?

I sometimes think mine acts as a gauge for my anxiety: at times I barely notice it (though I can still hear it if I tune in), and other times it seems as loud as the TV. For decades I’ve found silence hard to cope with - I need a certain level of background noise to mask the tinnitus and stop myself from focusing on it.

I’ve had CBT for anxiety, but not had any treatment specifically for the tinnitus. To be honest, I’m not even sure what can be done for it.

Not looking for medical advice — just wondering what others’ experiences have been.

Parents
  • I’ve had tinnitus since I was a child, it’s mostly just in the background. I have noticed it being worse when stressed. I can sometimes hear it change pitch. When stressed it can be quite unbearable, in the night, if I can’t sleep I wear earphones and listen to audiobooks. I think if I have to be awake then I may as well be learning something, the distraction does help.

  • Thanks   sorry to hear you've had it so long.  does the pitch change rapidly or say just differ day to day ?

     Maybe I should give an audiobook or podcast a go if the tinnitus is bad at bedtime - I've not really listened to either.  Good they work for you

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