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I think I have tinnitus (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by pepperonisalami@sh.itjust.works to c/casualconversation@lemm.ee

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One random night, I lay on my bed in my silent bedroom, and I felt that the silence is uncomfortable. Why, I asked myself, that the silence felt sharp, like I prefer the noise of my annoyingly loud dehumidifier, or the muffled sound of traffic in my old apartment?

I realized that the silence was ringing, in a high pitched noise that we all associate with being hit near the ears. My inner voice told myself: "man, you have tinnitus."

Thinking back, that wasn't the first time I thought that I have tinnitus, but I was probably in denial for years, or it just got louder. The sad part is that I'm only 26, and somehow, I feared getting tinnitus ever since my childhood.

Even worse, I just ordered a pair of headphones with ANC, and when I don't play anything through it, the ringing gets very clear.

Was depressed for a few days, thinking that it's not fair that I got it even though I don't expose myself to loud noises often, I listen to music at a couple levels lower than my preference, and I don't turn up my music to drown out noises.

But nothing in life is fair, and to compared to the suffering of others, this is only a mild discomfort. So I'll try to keep positive about it, and be grateful that I still enjoy a comparatively luxurious life.

I'll visit a doctor soon though!

Any of you have a similar experience? I'll be happy to read your stories!

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[–] aeki@slrpnk.net 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

My tinnitus sounds like the insects I could hear at night when I was younger in the tropics.

I don't live there anymore and the tinnitus feels comforting because of it. It doesn't distress me at all.

[–] pepperonisalami@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 days ago

That is oddly beautiful. I can see the resemblance with cicada or cricket sounds. I used to live in the tropics as well. When I'm bummed about it I'll think of your comment.