Ringing in ears

I've become aware of this over the last year or so. I've read that it is stress related but I notice it when I'm not feeling stressed.

I notice it at different times, in the evening after meals whilst watching TV, during the day at various times. I don't think that there is any evidence that it progresses to hearing loss but it is a distraction. I haven't read about any treatments apart from distracting yourself by listening to something that is interesting and loud enough to drown it out.

I have tinnitus also, it doesn't bother me that I know about but it's been apart of my life since childhood. I also experienced a medical condition that if I got up from sleeping my vision would go all blurry and I'd feel dizzy, forgot what that's called.

My dad also has tinnitus, he thinks it was cause by working in loud environments but I never did as a kid yet still had it. I believe it's a totally genetic predisposition.

Thank you all.  I have put off having treatment for anxiety and some panic when it was suggested in the past.  I would much rather tackle the emotional causes rather than take medication for this, and I told the doctor that I don't want meds if avoidable.  I am going back to see her in a few weeks, when I may also have the ASC assessment result.  Yes the doctor did check my ears and said that she can't see any wax. etc.  Generally my hearing is fine, well at least unless there is ambient noise like you mention classiccodger, but no other difficulties.

I have noticed the noise worsening when after being in a generally busy environment and when tired (generally high pitched and sometimes a kind of underwater sound).  Most of the time it doesn't bother me much.

The doc also advised me to ring the tinnitus organisation, who basically said that it is nothing to worry about and to practice relaxation techniques and listen to natural sounds.  That advise made me feel better, and I don't feel that I need any further help as I can cope with it.  

However I hope that this isn't a sign of worsening anxiety, that as the doc suggests needs treating.  I would much rather carry on without medical intervention if possible.  I did read on the NHS website that things like Applied Relaxation are advised before medication anyway (which does sound interesting), does anyone have any experience of these?  When I asked a few years ago about non-medication approaches to help anxiety I was informed that there wasn't much available.  Perhaps this has changed, I suppose I will find out at my next appointment.

Tinnitus is more often a sign of perfect hearing. I assume that your Doctor wasn't stupid enough NOT to examine your ears. I also assume that, like me, you got a 'can't see anything wrong'. I would avoid putting yourself to a hearing test, and all that it entails, or wasting NHS resources, unless your Doctor recommends it OR you can identify any frequency of sound that you can't detect, bearing in mind that our hearing can be very badly affected by ambient noise levels.

As you rightly identify, all of our senses are supersensitive. Do you particularly associate your increased awareness of tinnitus with a general increase in your stress and anxiety levels? Generaly feeling anxious, without particularly knowing what's causing it (which, ironicaly, adds to the anxiety!) is a general experience amongst us.

I've had it always, and interestingly I had a type that sounds like the low growl of a lorry going uphill. My Doctor was most concerned as she said this is a type of tinnitus commonly associated with high stress. It turnmed out that, at that time, my blood pressure was at a life-threatening level whch she immediately treated (wouldn't let me leave surgery untill she'd got a dose inside me) and I haven't had that type since then. I've always had the high-pitched variety too, it's been with me for so long that I mostly ignore it. It's happening as I write - a mixture of medium and high pitched whistle that sounds like a chord rather than a single note. If it bothers me, I'll put the headphones on and listen to some music.

My own tinnitus is worst when, for instance, my shoulder muscles are tense, and they tense when I get irked by something, for example some of the idiot comments you'll see in threads on here. So my answer to your final two questions is yes.

My start point with medication, after much futile and frustrating experience, is that pills don't work. This too is a common experience and opinion on here. Unless you feel that you particularly need something, you should avoid them, but don't ignore the temporary help that you CAN get at certain times. This is very much your own judgement to make, because only you know where you are at any given time.

I can recommend an occasional tot of 18 year old Bunnahabhain (pronounced bunner-have-an, an expensive but delicious birthday gift from a loving son!) before bedtime, for a good night's sleep! Other malts are available, so are other sons...

Tinnitus can be a sign of impaired hearing. I think that I would ask for a hearing test, if you have any doubts about your hearing. Did the doctor look in your ears for obvious problems such as wax build up? It can also be a sign of high blood pressure, which doctors often put down to anxiety and it can occur before fainting.

I had high blood pressure for many years, caused by stress and lifestyle failing on my part.

Tinnitus can have lots of causes, and gives many people much distress. It can wear off in a short time, others have it for years. Check the NHS health information on line.

I'm inclined to put "The doctor wants to treat me for anxiety" in front of the doctor "who said it is tinnitus caused by anxiety". The doctor clearly has a thing about anxiety. Have they got a job lot of anxiety pills to get rid of?

If you are being assessed for ASC you need to get corresponding medical advice on any medication. So it is important to mention the ASC possibility.