Thread: Any Tinnitus Sufferers out there?

Yea, got it too and it comes and goes.

Bob

Other than vision,I think hearing loss is one of the most debiltating maladys a person can have (non-terminal)
Has effected my life bigtime

Army gun ranges did me in. Then industry, Harley's , and more shooting finished it off.
I get different frequencies kicking in and out. Now the left ear is starting to fade like I have a wad of something stuffed in there.
Any background noise kills my hearing .
Can't hear any conversation in a crowded room.
It sucks.
I may look at that web site. Thanks.

Affirmative on tinnitus.....but as someone said, only when there is almost complete silence and when I am thinking of it. The more I concentrate on the variety of squeals, squeaks, whines, gurgles, the more insane I feel. Also, I agree with pixelfixed on hearing loss and the double edged sword of hearing aids. Hearing aids at the upper level are very sophisticated instruments (and about 4K each) but the fact remains that you are not hearing completely naturally and you have things stuffed in your ears. Honestly if I was alone I would not wear hearing aids, I am wearing them for the people around me who I noticed were moving backward when I was talking to them.......I would not spend a dime on tinnitus treatment, but if you get a hearing exam and you need hearing aids....for the sake of those around you, get them.

Originally Posted by Neckbone

Army gun ranges did me in. Then industry, Harley's , and more shooting finished it off.
I get different frequencies kicking in and out. Now the left ear is starting to fade like I have a wad of something stuffed in there.
Any background noise kills my hearing .
Can't hear any conversation in a crowded room.
It sucks.
I may look at that web site. Thanks.

You ought to go to the VA. They will provide very nice hearing aids even if you don't end with a service connected disability.

Some words of advice about dealing with the VA. First off, they're S-L-O-W. Don't go it alone. Get help from your state veteran's representative or the DAV. Don't give up, keep after them. My hearing aids have helped immensely. Most of my high frequency hearing is gone. My hearing aids make my tinnitis slightly less when I'm wearing them than when I'm not.

Hearing aids will not replace what you've lost. They will help you hear if they're programmed right.

BTW, tinnitus is a 10% "freebie". They can't prove that you have it or don't have it. Bi-lateral hearing loss is another 10% or possibly more depending.

Even if you jump through all the hoops and don't get any monetary award, they will still provide the hearing aids and batteries at no cost. Since you were in an art'y outfit, should be slam dunk.

The VA blew me off for 35 years before somebody told me where to go to get help.

W

Originally Posted by Wullie

You ought to go to the VA. They will provide very nice hearing aids even if you don't end with a service connected disability.

Some words of advice about dealing with the VA. First off, they're S-L-O-W. Don't go it alone. Get help from your state veteran's representative or the DAV. Don't give up, keep after them. My hearing aids have helped immensely. Most of my high frequency hearing is gone. My hearing aids make my tinnitis slightly less when I'm wearing them than when I'm not.

Hearing aids will not replace what you've lost. They will help you hear if they're programmed right.

BTW, tinnitus is a 10% "freebie". They can't prove that you have it or don't have it. Bi-lateral hearing loss is another 10% or possibly more depending.

Even if you jump through all the hoops and don't get any monetary award, they will still provide the hearing aids and batteries at no cost. Since you were in an art'y outfit, should be slam dunk.

The VA blew me off for 35 years before somebody told me where to go to get help.

W

I served in the late 50's and never have gone to the VA for anything. I would think they would give me the bums-rush if I went there.

Originally Posted by Neckbone

I served in the late 50's and never have gone to the VA for anything. I would think they would give me the bums-rush if I went there.

I got that for 35 years. My personal opinion of the VA is that they hope we'll die without them having to spend a dime on us. They will provide IF you persevere. I wouldn't have gotten a dime from them if I hadn't taken the advice of a fellow 'Nam vet to get my state veteran's representative involved.

Here's the link to PA's site.
Veterans Online Resource Directory

Won't cost anything but time. I recently helped a WWII B-17 pilot jump through the hoops and get some hearing aids. The grouchy old coot was amazed at the difference it made. He's a cool old guy and a lot happier now that his wife isn't yelling at him all the time. She's happier too, as is my wife.

Originally Posted by Wullie

I got that for 35 years. My personal opinion of the VA is that they hope we'll die without them having to spend a dime on us. They will provide IF you persevere. I wouldn't have gotten a dime from them if I hadn't taken the advice of a fellow 'Nam vet to get my state veteran's representative involved.

The DVA (Canukistan) is pretty much the same as well.

Deny, in hopes you simply go away...where to doesn't matter, just go away.

Sadly, there are many that are just too broken to fight and do go away...more oft they find themselves at the bottom of a bottle.

Originally Posted by Neckbone

I served in the late 50's and never have gone to the VA for anything. I would think they would give me the bums-rush if I went there.

In spite of the what we read of the current servicemen/women getting short shrift from the VA, I have a few friends, both Viet Nam era, and later, who say the VA has been very good in taking care of their ongoing problems. Give it a shot.

I've said this before and I still say it. The VA has always been one of those agencies that no one gave a damn about. It has always been ignored and underfunded until of course now and all our politicians run away from their problem. It's a terrible agency to work for and a terrible agency to be a victim of. I've known two MDs and an RN who worked for them and the stories they tell....

It's a place of last resort if you have no where else to go.