[dinofizzotti]

I’ve had tinnitus for about 9 months now after getting a viral infection. My advice is stop reading too much about it on the internet, there are too many severe and scary stories. Yours may go away, or it may not. If it sticks, I guarantee you will find it easier to live with over time.

The first 3 months of my experience was terrible. It was constantly on my mind. I was convinced I could not live with this damn ringing in my head. However, just as others have said, you get used to it, and I don’t really think too much about it anymore. It’s definitely there, and it’s loud at some times and other times days go by before I think about it. For me being tired and lack of sleep definitely makes it worse.

I’m definitely more concerned about my hearing now, and take my Etymotic ear plugs wherever I go. I’ve also stopped listening to music with headphones. I’m ok with background office noise so my work is unaffected.

Hang in there. It seems horrible and life changing right now, but I bet if you wait it out a few more weeks/months you will be fine :)

[discardity]

Thank you. Yes reading about it is so incredibly tempting and 99% of the time a terrible idea, not only because so many of the stories are the worst-case scenarios, but also because as you say it's better not to think of it. For me now sleep is the main problem...

But every word of encouragement that it is possible to adapt to it is super helpful. Thank you.