Issue September 2005

Your experiences of tinnitus

We received an overwhelming response to our request for you to share your experiences of tinnitus. We are adding ten new stories to the ATR website each week. It will take us a good few weeks to publish all your experiences.

Your letters are amazing. Each with different insights, views and most of all - we are impressed with your tenacity, courage and message of hope to other sufferers.

Supporting words for other sufferers ...

"When tinnitus first strikes it is no exaggeration to say that the effects are devastating on every aspect of your life...", writes Carol from West Sussex . "I greatly applaud ATR for their genuine efforts to highlight this miserable condition and am thankful for the opportunity to assure others that there is good quality life to be had with tinnitus just hang on in there in the early days and get with other people who can understand and reassure you."

Tinnitus does not discriminate by age ...

Tinnitus can affect anyone, no matter how old we are.
Gary B has had tinnitus for 17 years from the age of 21. Gary writes: "I used to shoot a lot and unfortunately the ear defenders that I was using at the time were not up to the job. Now I am left with this horrible high pitched "buzz" in my ears..."

Alarm Clock is Best Friend ...

19 year old Victoria says her best friend is an alarm clock with a very loud tick: "I have learned to live with it, and now I actually find it hard to imagine living without it, I would like it to go but I can't remember what silences sound like, I am beginning to wonder that maybe it was always there!!"

 

Tinnitus makes it harder to hear ...

42-year old Beth from Glasgow says: "I have suffered from tinnitus for as long as I can remember. The sounds range from bells ringing and high pitched squeals to what can only be described as typewriter keys clacking away inside my ear. I am also partially deaf and sometimes feel like the tinnitus makes it harder to hear."

Ear Protection is a must ...

DIYer Mike Tasker blames his using power tools without ear protection for his tinnitus. Mike writes: "In my spare time I enjoy DIY and, many years ago, got involved in sanding old furniture. I believe it is this regular use of power tools, without ear protection, that has caused my tinnitus. Now I am wiser and older I always use ear defenders, but it's all a bit too late."