I lived with mild ringing for seven years. It was a challenge at times, but I managed to lead a happy, normal life by being careful with my hearing. Recently, however, due to antibiotics and exposure to high-frequency tones, the condition has spiraled. It is now multi-tonal, high-pitched, and accompanied by dysacusis, hyperacusis, and migraines. I am just a shadow of the vibrant, goofy person I used to be. I had so many dreams—starting a homestead, learning game development, marrying the woman I love, having children. All of that has vanished. I have no fight left in me and have lost all hope. No one can help, especially not the doctors who are responsible for my condition in the first place. Any ‘treatment’ claiming to provide relief is just a scam for profit. It’s ridiculous that audiologists actually believe these shams help anyone. I am deeply depressed and spend my days on the couch, unable to work or even handle basic hygiene. I’m exhausted and cry constantly. My family and friends are watching me sink into this pit, unable to do anything. I’m no longer afraid of death. This world wasn’t made for me. I know life isn’t fair, but I don’t understand why it has to be this cruel.
You really should consider speaking with a therapist. They won’t be able to stop the ringing, but they can provide tools to help you cope and manage your life with it.
I’m so incredibly sorry you’re going through this. Like many of us here, we all have times where it feels impossible to handle, so please know you aren’t alone. Hopefully, this is just a temporary spike and things will return to your baseline soon. Please keep going. I have dark days too where the future looks bleak, but I try to focus on just getting through one day at a time. If it’s bad today, I find any way to distract myself until I eventually realize I’ve had a few days where I wasn’t thinking about it. Stay strong.
Listen to me closely. I was in your exact position six months ago. I had multiple tones, constant headaches, and every sound caused me pain. I was using double ear protection and considering ending it all. Six months later, I’ve gone three months without any protection, the noise has settled, and I’m not afraid of sound anymore. I still deal with some headaches and pain from certain frequencies, and I’m not the same person I was before—none of us are. But I went from being ready to give up to listening to music, working a job on the phone for four hours a shift, and playing with my kids again. It will get better! You’re in a battle with your own will to live right now, which is the hardest thing anyone can endure. You are stronger than this pain, and once you believe you can improve, you will.
There is always another option to explore; you might still find some relief. I find that distraction is the best tool when the ringing gets particularly intense.
Are you experiencing any pain in your neck or back?
Could you explain more about how the pure tones made it worse? Were you listening to them intentionally? How did that happen, and what specifically caused the decline?
My condition was triggered by antibiotics along with severe IBS. I moved to a whole-food, plant-based diet five years ago and saw a huge improvement in both. When my IBS flares up, the tinnitus hits an 8/10, but when my gut is stable, it drops to a 2/10. I’ve even had it disappear for days using broccoli sprouts and mustard seed powder. I truly believe most tinnitus is linked to the gut microbiome, which is why it’s a side effect of heavy antibiotics. I recently had a virus that damaged my gut again, and now I have a new tone and insomnia, with the ringing hovering between a 5 and 8. I try not to focus on the sound itself and use it as a gauge for my digestive health instead. I’m currently trying specific probiotics and seeing some quieter periods.
My friend, even if yours isn’t caused by hearing loss, you might eventually deal with it. If you do, get hearing aids as soon as possible. Using them helped me sleep better than ever because the external noise masked the deafening ringing. I also take supplements for my gut. You aren’t alone, and I believe there is a cure for everything if you make it your life’s work to find it. Get outside and walk, or try growing some food on a balcony. You can do this. Keep telling yourself you’ve got this until you believe it. You have more control over your body than any doctor does.
Just take it one day at a time. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it’s the best approach. Find small things to enjoy each day. I have severe tinnitus and I’m also going blind, and it’s incredibly overwhelming, so I just try not to dwell on it and find something to appreciate every day. Stay strong.
Which medications were you taking? Were they ototoxic?
This condition is absolutely evil… it’s the worst.
I’ll be 52 in a few weeks and I’ve lived with an audio injury since I was 25. It fluctuates—sometimes it’s terrible and ruins my sleep, and other times it’s quiet enough that I don’t notice. As much as I hate it, it’s just a part of life now. Don’t let it define who you are.
Give meditation a try; it can really help.
I’m in the same boat and nearly at my limit. Once my family is gone, I don’t think I’ll have anything left to live for. I used to have a career, a relationship, and goals, but I lost everything and dropped out of school. Now I’m battling ADD, PMDD, depression, and anxiety alongside the tinnitus. I’m constantly praying because I don’t know what else to do. I’ve been trying to recover for years, but my body and my efforts keep failing.
When my ringing is bad, I can’t even hold a conversation properly because I can’t regulate my own voice. I use an over-the-counter hearing aid for social situations when it’s loud, and white noise for sleeping. It can still get better. I wish you the best.
You might consider antidepressants as a starting point. They aren’t a cure, but they can help stop the downward spiral. It’s almost impossible to make clear decisions when you’re in the middle of a deep depression.