ringing in the ears/head any advice please

I can't offer any suggestions for a cure if it's tinnitus, apart from what you are doing already, i.e. blocking the noise with music, but I can sympathise as I have it too! It is very annoying. I have had it this time for over six weeks. It started at the same time as a middle ear infection after a cold that left me feeling very tired for weeks. Now I'm just left with the tinnitus; I didn't notice it this week as I was distracted by my 5 year old grandson being here but now that he's gone home and it's quiet again, I really notice it.

I know that some people do have tinnitus permanently, and it must be really horrible if in both ears, but so far, touch wood, mine has eventually gone on its own after a few weeks so, until then, we can form a support group of two as it's hard to explain what it's like to those who've never had it. If anyone else has ideas on how to get rid of it, I will be very grateful!

After a cold sometimes, I get a bit of ringing.

I do two things

The doctor told me to pinch my nose, and blow push air until , or if you can, both ears pop. And to do that about 4 times a day.

Plus I found that sleeping with my ear on a hot water bottle helped too.

I am sorry to hear this and I hope it is not tinnitus. I have suffered from it for several years - no idea how it started. I have learned, mostly, to "tune it out" by concentrating on something else, and a lot of the time it doesn't bother me, but occasionally I will get a really bad bout and just have to hope it diminishes to an acceptable level. Have you had your ears syringed recently? That can sometimes bring it on. Personally, I think you may just be the after effects of your sinus problem. You could try breathing in menthol vapours- it sometimes helps. You can get menthol crystals from the chemist. Just melt a small pinch (they are VERY strong) in some hot water and inhale. Hope it resolves itself soon.

I've realised I've developed a mild tinnitus. I too tune it out most of the time but if alone in the car or sitting quietly in a room it can become quite invasive.
On one of those 'Trust me I'm a Doctor' programmes they explained some types of tinnitus as being linked to hearing loss and basically we are subconsciously 'turning up' our inner volume switch to hear better thus getting more of the body's own background noise. A hearing test was recommended and I am beginning to think I shall have to do that in the next few months just to set my mind at rest. I doubt I shall go down the hearing aid route yet as my everyday experience of hearing is pretty good. Thankfully I do not suffer at night time as I work hard to get pretty tired as my sleep patterns have not been very good in the past few years due to quite different things - so learning to get plenty of exercise and keep busy was first on my list to be good and tired at bed time!

I wouldn't presume to contradict that theory, but my hearing is about the only thing about me that I am not losing in spite of tinnitus. DH always says I might be blind as a bat, but I can hear a pin drop in Mongolia. (What he actually said referred to the bodily functions of camels in a Middle Eastern country, but I am more polite!).

I have had tinnitus for the last 40 years. I have learnt to deal with it, mostly by trying to ignore and concentrate on other things. I have the radio on all day and when I am busy hardly notice it but at night when it is deadly quiet, it can be difficult to deal with. On occasions it seems to disappear completely, but sadly not for long. As I am writing this the sounds are excruciatingly loud, but that's because I am thinking about it! Certain things trigger it and the sounds (I have 2 - loud screeching and the sound of my pulse) become more irritating. Alcohol, colds/sinus problems and long distance travel whether it be flying or driving. I use noise defender 'earphones' when flying, try not to drink to excess (not always possible!) and try not to catch too many colds.
If it is tinnitus Moonbeames then I am afraid there is no known cure so let's hope it's something else... fingers x'd

I have mild tinnitus. It sounds like the white house you get when the radio isn't tuned properly. Most of the time it is just mild background noise which I don't notice, but when all is quiet, or I'm trying to concentrate on something it can be very annoying and invasive. I've heard myself say to anyone in the room "listen to my ears", which is silly because only I can here it!

Greyduster....am sure there are many reasons/explanations for tinnitus I just mentioned it as being ONE reason.

I'm sure someone on facebook mentioned certain foods that made his tinnitus worse, but can't remember what he said.

HildaW, that is why I said I wouldn't presume to contradict the theory .

I get it sometimes, it seems to be one of those things we have to suffer when we get older, its not too bad at the moment thank goodness.

I've also had it for 20 years. A ringing/hissing noise and deafness. You learn to live with it. There is no cure as far as I know. My son also suffers from it but I suspect that is caused by heavy metal pop concerts. I think some families are prone to it. The same with balance problems.

Hilda I have had it since January , the GP couldn`t offer any treatment and said it was related to impending hearing loss . I have learned to tune it out most of the time but it is always there .

I have tinnitus but can cope with it, I have learnt to ignore the constant noise. DH likens it to a white noise. Also if I am concentrating on my needlework, or gardening or a book again I can ignore it. However if I think a about it, as I am now, it becomes quite loud. The odd time it seems to be hardly there. I think I am lucky and don't have it as bad as some do.

I just wanted to say a big thank you to all those that replied on this thread. Thank you for all the support and kind words you have given me. At least I know that its not just me. Who knows lets hope it just might ease up a bit with time.
Time is going to tell and the specialist in two weeks, regards. m

moonbeames - I hope your problem improves.
Mine is more like a loud buzzing and it comes and goes. Worse when driving, and when using our siton lawnmower which is very noisy. I've started to wear earplugs when mowing and that helps, but I don't think it would be safe to wear earplugs when driving.

I have unilateral tinnitus, severe at times but ever present. Try tinnitus.org.uk for resources and support. There may well be a support group in your area. I find white noise helps drown out the tinnitus when it is very bad. You could also try under pillow speakers for this if sleep eludes you. IMHO you will get more help from self help and online resources than from ENT clinics whose main objective is to rule out the presence of a certain but rare type of tumour. I assume this is why you already been scanned? They may well refer you to a psychologist team for coping methods which give good results. Good luck.

Sorry to hear about your suffering I hope you get some answers with your hospital appointment.
Have you tried hypnotherapy for tinnitus?Stuart Thompson is a hypnotherapist who has helped people with tinnitus in the past. His website is: www.stuarthypnotist.com
Good luck X

This could definitely be tinnitus, it's very good you made an appointment with an ENT. With tinnitus it unfortunately is hard to pinpoint how/why it started, and there is no established cure for this mysterious issue. I have tried a bunch of different remedies, as it's really all trial and error to see what works for you. I tried Lipo Flavonoid, which worked but only after 2 months of using it. So try it, and don't get discouraged if you don't see fast results. Also, I experience the symptoms worse at night when trying to sleep, I found using a white noise sound machine really helped drown out the ringing. Lipo has one too called the Sonorest lipoflavonoid.com/our-products

I hope this is transient ‘thing’ and not tinnitus moonb, as tinnitus is a flipping nuisance. I’ve had it for about 15 years. No idea why it began. The intensity comes and goes. I have been able to tune it out mostly, sometimes just by concentrating on something else, white noise can help as can relaxation to sort of get around it. I have got used to it and am less troubled now. If it is tinnitus and you find it difficult to manage it’s worth asking about a psychological approach to coping strategies, sometimes that gives the key. We’re all individuals and so won’t necessarily manage in the same way. See what the ENT consultant says, ask for advice and try not to believe it’s going to be awful, it may not be. Wishing you luck.

I too have tinnitus, it is very annoying.I had a head scan which came back clear thank goodness, I was then referred to an ent clinic,were they performed checks on hearing and as I suspected, my hearing isn't as good as it could be, and this is the reason for the tinnitus, I was given hearing aids, but I don't feel ready for them yet.Also I find that alcohol and coffee maker mine worse.