Any Military/oldtimers with Tinnitus?

[Michael Ramsey]

So for like 8 years I crewed helicopters and more years working on and flying in to jump out of.... Seems that sitting under transmissions, hydraulics, and turbines did significant damage to my ears. I've got upwards 50% hearing loss in both ears but worse than not hearing is the never ending high pitch ringing.

I have this ringing that NEVER ever stops and at times like today it's been so loud it hurt and gives me severe headaches. The VA has service connected me and given me 10% for this single item along with the other issues... but that extra 10% does nothing.... I'd give them that money plus 10% back if they could just make it go away.... it is horrible. What they've told me is that they can give me "sedatives" to lessen the tinnitus but I am very sensitive to to medication and it would have me asleep all the time which isn't an option. The one thing I've found that works "kinda" is to wear headphones and listen to music but when working that is not an option..

Ohhh, can walk into a room and instantly tell if a ballast is going out in a florescent light... guess that's a benefit?

Has anyone effected found anything that works for you that doesn't put you to sleep, require a prescription, and doesn't make you feel horrible?

 

[vernsimpson]

I have Tinnitus also. I was in the Navy and was in the engine room. It was very noisy there and nobody used ear protection. I just started a claim with the VA. I know it will be a long process and an up hill battle with the VA. Hopefully it will not be as bad as I have heard from others. I do wish there was something besides hearing aids for my hearing loss and the constant buzzing in my ears. If someone knows something to stop Tinnitus I would be interested.

 

[twistedpairs]

I have 10% as well for tinnitus. Seems the VA doesn't want to admit it but there are hearing aids designed specifically for Tinnitus. I was told that from a gal that works for a company that manufactures them AND has a contract with the VA. What I have found is a ceiling fan helps "distract" my conscious awareness of the ringing or soft white noise if at all possible. These both help me sleep. During the day it's a juggling act between background radio noise level and having people talk loud enough so I can hear them. That piercing increase can be a real *****!

 

[Michael Ramsey]

I have Tinnitus also. I was in the Navy and was in the engine room. It was very noisy there and nobody used ear protection. I just started a claim with the VA. I know it will be a long process and an up hill battle with the VA. Hopefully it will not be as bad as I have heard from others. I do wish there was something besides hearing aids for my hearing loss and the constant buzzing in my ears. If someone knows something to stop Tinnitus I would be interested.

Oh man, I just got mine approved last year after having been on disability for a very long time. If you want the 10% for the torture we go through go in and complain about the ringing and file a claim. I went in and filed a claim for ringing/hearing and for kidney stones and within 4 months I had an approval for hearing. Within that time they had me to into audiology and take a hearing test... Not just like the normal ones, they also say something and you have to repeat it back, then there was some other stuff but they get an idea of just how bad your hearing is.

Hearing protection was always worn by me. I had a pair of earplugs that had speakers built in... (earbuds) that plugged into my flight helmet and the helmet had ear muffs also so we had double. But nothing can cut out that high frequency vibration that turbines, hydraulics, and transmissions emits.

 

[Michael Ramsey]

I have 10% as well for tinnitus. Seems the VA doesn't want to admit it but there are hearing aids designed specifically for Tinnitus. I was told that from a gal that works for a company that manufactures them AND has a contract with the VA. What I have found is a ceiling fan helps "distract" my conscious awareness of the ringing or soft white noise if at all possible. These both help me sleep. During the day it's a juggling act between background radio noise level and having people talk loud enough so I can hear them. That piercing increase can be a real *****!

Im not so lucky, electrical motors aggravate mine like crazy. I've become so accustom to wearing earphones to bed just to get to sleep but I'm sure the music isn't helping my hearing at all. Eventually I'm going to be deaf and then nothing will distract...

I'd be very interested in learning about those hearing aids though. At this point I'd pay out of pocket just to get some relief and a good nights sleep.

 

[Almost_Blameless]

Ballast detector +1 (& try explaining that to someone....yikes!)

....also, I can hear 'differentials' in mechanical equipment sound-frequencies with bad bearings, or parts that are knocking/rubbing...or out of time...

I can hear things that seem to be undetectable to other people (bumps in the night type stuff) that when they (bumps) become considerably louder/clearer, others can then hear them....

I can hear cars coming from the far side of a very high (1/2 mile away) hill way before other people (about the same time as the dogs do)...

I can hear the 'sound' of any TV that is energized, even though the volume is muted (I hear the interfering electronic frequencies of the TV's circuitry)

It all is because of tinnitis... the normally constant high-pitched whining/whistle of tinnitis develops intervening "pulses' that get my attention. Its almost like having built-in radar/sonar, giving me an interfering pulse to my otherwise constant drone of tinnitis

About 2 decades ago, on a really sticky hot night, I put a pedestal fan on top of a metal filing cabinet, pointed at the bed......RELIEF, I was finally (and still to this day) able to sleep without the restlessness usually related to tinnitis. The constant drone of the fan and the humming 'drum' effect of that fan on the metal filing cabinet cancelled the tinnitis enough to let me sleep.

My trubs with tinnitis started with an impact wound to the right temple in 1987...I've had the high whining frequencies and headaches ever since.

Oh yeah, the tinnitis, combined with the sound of running water (in a sink) almost deafens my hearing to everything/anything else....so do vacuum cleaner sounds.

Oh yes indeed, tinnitis sucks!

 

[jameshd]

Don't bother trying the commercially available "cures" for tinnitus. They don't work. Nor does anything else I've tried. VA gave me a hearing test, and, after it was over, the doctor asked me how long I had been driving a truck. Seems that truck drivers have hearing loss in the left ear, which is where my loss is located. The tinnitus, however, pre-dates the truck driving. It started back in the jungle a few years ago. And I have found nothing that helps. All I can do is keep sound (TV, radio, CD, etc) going all the time to distract from the ringing. I did hear about (no idea if it's true) a guy who demanded that he be surgically deafened to get rid of it. The surgery worked; he could then hear the ringing without distraction. Sometimes I just go outside and yell, as loud as I can. Neighbors don't really appreciate it, but it makes me feel better. If you find a real cure, let me know. You could probably make more money than Bill Gates if you do find one.

 

[tricolordad]

I get a ringing sometimes. It will last for a few minutes and stop. There hasn't been a day in the last 7 years where I haven't heard it. I can also hear sounds well before they become audible to others, but I always assumed it was "hyper-vigilance." Now I'm not so sure.

 

[The_Outlaw]

So for like 8 years I crewed helicopters and more years working on and flying in to jump out of.... Seems that sitting under transmissions, hydraulics, and turbines did significant damage to my ears. I've got upwards 50% hearing loss in both ears but worse than not hearing is the never ending high pitch ringing.

I have this ringing that NEVER ever stops and at times like today it's been so loud it hurt and gives me severe headaches. The VA has service connected me and given me 10% for this single item along with the other issues... but that extra 10% does nothing.... I'd give them that money plus 10% back if they could just make it go away.... it is horrible. What they've told me is that they can give me "sedatives" to lessen the tinnitus but I am very sensitive to to medication and it would have me asleep all the time which isn't an option. The one thing I've found that works "kinda" is to wear headphones and listen to music but when working that is not an option..

Ohhh, can walk into a room and instantly tell if a ballast is going out in a florescent light... guess that's a benefit?

Has anyone effected found anything that works for you that doesn't put you to sleep, require a prescription, and doesn't make you feel horrible?

I have a mild case of Tinnitus from performing live fire exercises in the Army...Nothing quite as severe as yours though.
For me it comes and goes a few times per year but then it goes away after a few hours.
Like you, I can usually hear 'a pin drop'. My wife swears that I have bat ears.

I don't know if there's a cure, but I would definately recommend a glass of red wine every evening with dinner (before bed). My very wise grandmother (Rest In Peace) swore by it and it really helps me to sleep good at night.

 

[jaws48]

Constant ringing...24/7, 10% VA, etc. Jet engines, music, firearms, farm equipment, race cars, etc.

Background noise is all that helps me. Most challenging thing for me has been getting (and constantly reminding) my wife of 45 years to understand that I need the "noise" (to her) to be louder than the ringing.

I'd give almost anything for one day of silence.

 

[Popeye2347]

I spent 20+ years around military aircraft while on active duty. Most of the time with ear protection, but as stated elsewhere even with protection the noise still causes problems. I too was rated at 10% disability by the VA, also suffering from a ringing in my ears-not as bad as some people, worse than others. On thanksgiving of 2000 I gave up smoking and much to my surprise a few weeks later a lot of the ringing stopped! It still is bothersome but not anywhere as bad as it was prior to quitting smoking. 'That's my story and I'm sticking to it.'

 

[sjsomega]

So for like 8 years I crewed helicopters and more years working on and flying in to jump out of.... Seems that sitting under transmissions, hydraulics, and turbines did significant damage to my ears. I've got upwards 50% hearing loss in both ears but worse than not hearing is the never ending high pitch ringing.

I have this ringing that NEVER ever stops and at times like today it's been so loud it hurt and gives me severe headaches. The VA has service connected me and given me 10% for this single item along with the other issues... but that extra 10% does nothing.... I'd give them that money plus 10% back if they could just make it go away.... it is horrible. What they've told me is that they can give me "sedatives" to lessen the tinnitus but I am very sensitive to to medication and it would have me asleep all the time which isn't an option. The one thing I've found that works "kinda" is to wear headphones and listen to music but when working that is not an option..

Ohhh, can walk into a room and instantly tell if a ballast is going out in a florescent light... guess that's a benefit?

Has anyone effected found anything that works for you that doesn't put you to sleep, require a prescription, and doesn't make you feel horrible?

I was CH-47 driver for 20 years.. Have similar condition... Started seeing a Chiropractor a few years ago and the upper neck adjustments help. Good luck to you..

 

[acram]

CVAN 65 for 13 months, but played bass in a college rock band for2 years. Hunted as a youth, no ear protection. I have had rather loud ringing in my ears, constant since about age 20. I'm now 70. In all honesty, except for times when something like this thread bring it back to the conscious portion of my mind it is like a "white noise" in the background and while it is present, and loud if I pay attention, i don't really notice it if I'm concentrating on something else mentally. I need to be thinking about something when I go to sleep to keep it in the background, but most of the time work and leisure activity push it out of my otherwise fully aware of surroundings state. Wish I hadn't read this thread, it is quite apparent to me right now.

 

[NotTwoShure]

Wow, I thought it was just me, thanks for the info/imput. Will work on this, I have been just living with it. This is a great place to surf.

 

[JJSwiontek]

Not sure if this will help...

Has anyone effected found anything that works for you that doesn't put you to sleep, require a prescription, and doesn't make you feel horrible?

I have found that getting away from all noise (deep in the back woods kind of quiet) helps me ignore the ringing. And I wear double layers of hearing protection now while teaching CCW.

If the nerves are firing in the inner ear that the brain thinks is sound, then a diet of food that promotes nerve re-growth might help in the long run. Might include some vitamins and minerals. Mind you, it takes several years for the body to even replace the working cells. So it may take a while to notice the improvement. By staying away from all loud noises, you are not re-injuring the same nerves that are damaged now.

Just my 2 cents. Let me know if it helped. YMMV

 

[wlawless1]

Bill

I've tinnitus also, stood between two diesel engines,"river boat" for about 1-1/2 years.Nothing I've done helps.Didn't know it could be considered as "Service Connected" though,good to know. Good Luck,and thanks for your service.Bill

 

[2wheeler]

After 40 years of ringing ears , it has become like an annoying old friend.....none of the medications ever worked . The only thing that seems to work is distraction , like a fan , radio etc. I have about 75% hearing loss along with it , annoying to say the least....social situations have become quite awkward ,so for the most part , I avoid crowds , or anywhere with a lot of background noise . Any young guys out there .....Take Care Of Your Ears , Man !!! Seriously ! I didn't , and the cosequences aren't pleasant

 

[msg51]

I too have 10% tinnitus and hearing lose in the upper high frequency ranges in both ears. This is due to 29 years of Helicopter and firing range exposure, with hearing protection. VA supplied hearing aids for the hearing lose, but they have no remedy for the tinnitus. I have found if my mind is engaged specific tasks I do not notice the tinnitus so much. As others have stated, back round noise does help, tv, radio, ceiling fans in every room which run all the time, etc. At first in was a considerable bother, but over the years I have gotten somewhat used to it. At times it is worse than other times. At this point in time I guess the only remedy is to adjust to it. Maybe someday there will be something better.

 

[rodger]

I have had tinnitus for many years now. First started in Viet Nam but I never filed a claim since it was so slight. Now I am 62 and after years of loud rock music, 8 overly loud motorcycles, 30 years at a steel mill, and a lot of shooting without ear protection, I have paid the price. If we could only do things differently, but what is past is past. My hearing got so bad that I could not understand a conversation unless they were in my face. I broke down and bought Dot hearing aids for both ears and it was like heaven, I could hear again. Everything has drawbacks though. The tinnitus is still there, but not as noticeable now. The ringing is muffled due to the other noises that I can now hear. The only problem is bedtime when I remove the aids, but I have gotten used to it and run a fan beside me to help drown out the ringing. I have tried many meds for this condition, but none have worked for me.

 

[Andrew49417]

Did you say something? I can't hear you over the ringing in my ears and voices in my head... Ha. Jk.

I have had mild tinnitus as long as I can remember. I don't think it affects me much. It is just annoying when it is quiet.