Barbara Dubinski

By Barbara Dubinski

It all started November 2009.

How could I forget the day I became angry and depressed because my life had changed. I miss how things used to be. How would I cope with this on a daily basis? How I wished things were different. Maybe I could have done more or this would not have happened. Through my tears, I couldn’t see light at the end of the tunnel. I needed this noise to stop! I hate this!!!

It’s been a little over six months but I am slowly adjusting to my new life, a life  without  SILENCE.

Tinnitus, also known as ‘ringing in the ears,’ can take on other forms of sound such as buzzing, roaring and pulsing just to name a few. Many of us who are afflicted with this condition have to endure unimaginable noises 24/7. It can occur in one or both ears and can be accompanied by different degrees of hearing loss or none at all.

Aside from the high-pitched hissing in my ears, feelings of isolation are probably one of the worst aspects of Tinnitus because no-one can hear it but me. There are a multitude of underlying causes of Tinnitus including extreme stress, trauma, age related hearing loss, certain prescriptions and over-the-counter medications but the most common cause is noise-induced damage to the delicate structures of the inner ear (acoustic trauma). One of the groups at risk is musicians and those who listen to loud music. The damage that can occur, depends on the intensity of the noise. Exposure can be sudden or accumulate over time. Tinnitus is sometimes temporary but in most cases it can be permanent. It affects over 50 million people in the U.S alone and is a worldwide problem. Currently, there is no cure.

The list of well-known public figures who suffer from Tinnitus include William Shatner, Barbara Streisand, Pete Townsend, Phil Collins, David Letterman, Ozzy Osbourne and Lars Ulrich.

How many times in your life did you hear someone say, “ Turn down the volume so it doesn’t hurt your ears”! You know that muffled feeling you get after leaving a concert?  That’s a sign that your hearing has been affected and overexposed. If done repeatedly, it can become permanent. It’s extremely important to protect your ears when you are doing anything that exposes them to extreme noises. Educate yourself about decibels and what is acceptable or safe.
There’s a wide variety of earplugs and ear muffs on the market but it’s important to talk with a qualified Audiologist about which devices are best for you and how to use them correctly.

Since I’ve developed Tinnitus, my life has been a rollercoaster of emotions. In the first few months, I suffered from severe anxiety and depression. The noise dominated my very existence and dampened my spirit. I struggled with suicidal thoughts and wished I would not wake-up in the morning as it would be a relief from this torture. In March of this year, I joined the ATA support group and learned that my darkest thoughts were shared by others. With their help and the incredible support from my husband, I’m finding ways to move forward and not look back at the life I used to have.

Someday there will be a cure for Tinnitus, but in the meantime, keep out of harm’s way by educating yourself about the importance of protecting your ears.

We need more public awareness of this condition. Please take a moment to visit the American Tinnitus Association website and listen to the many sounds of Tinnitus—our new silence.

June 5, 2010in Health by bdubinski 3 Comments »