Tinnitus
 

Is tinnitus a common symptom following a brain injury? I've had it since day 1, though I notice it less now and can "tune out".

I hear a constant "whooshing" sound combined with a ringing sound that, one day, when playing my guitar, I realised it was in the key of C. Then it changed key. Then it returned to C.

I also hear music sometimes, or at least sounds that seem to form patterns and tunes. I was in the shower yesterday and started hearing something that sounded like a cross between a glockenspiel and a singing bowl, playing a tune.

In the very early days I would ask people what that noise was, or who's alarm that was going off, only for them to tell me they couldn't hear anything. Now I'm afraid to comment on any noise in case it isn't actually there and people think I'm crazy.

Does this resound with anybody else? What do other people hear?

Tinnitus is very common. In addition, a common symptom of PCS is an inability for the brain to filer out background/ambient noises. This can manifest as a whooshing background sound. The tinnitus and this background sound can get to a point where the brain fixates on it. Trying to find a audio distraction can help.

My tinnitus is just above C6# but below D6. Just above 1100 hrz.

Welcome to the wonderful world of PCS.

Could have written the post myself!
 

Hello Andromeda,

I feel exactly the same symptoms, since day 1, the whooshing, the music, tha asking people about the noise and get looked at if I am getting crazy... Everything!

I have a tower fan (to use during the week of hot weather we have here in the UK :rain: ) and I have it on all the time. On the bad days, I carry it with me around the house. I feel that helps a lot, and it kind of cover the other noises on the background, so the brain doesn't pick on it and try to sort it out what is going on. I believe a sound machine could work too, or even, if you have a smart phone, there are some apps where you can get all kind of white noise sounds, even the fan one.

I'm so used to have the fan on, that the day I go out, I get overwhelmed very quickly with the sounds and feel drained in minutes... Not good!

Hope you find a way to deal and get used to it... Nothing else we can do I'm afraid.

The research shows that learning to ignore tinnitus is the most successful way to get relief. Try to find something to focus on besides a fan set up for that purpose. It is an acquired skill.

1. Recognizing the cause.
2. Accept it as a normal occurrence that you can not change. This is to reduce anxiety.
3. Try to find something else to focus on.
4. When you hear it again, Repeat step 3.

Over time, you will get better at ignoring it even though your brain struggles to filter it out.

My best to you all.

Thanks for your advice - glad I'm not the only one!

Mrs-B: I am absolutely overwhelmed by noise when I leave the house. I live in a city too which doesn't help. I have to walk around with headphones and music or white noise playing. Sometimes I can still hear things over the top, like people talking. It makes me feel really anxious and irate.

Mark: how do you know the frequency of your tinnitus? What kind of test would that be?

I have tinnitus 6 or more years, sometimes it was annoying, but most of the time I could handle it.

After I noticed first signs of PCS my tinnitus became very bad, I had it in all head... I am being treated for another condition and using homeopathy... after administration of one homeopaty remedy after 2 days tinnitus was gone, but came back..... but since then I have my old 'good' tinniutus.

I didn't buy any remedy from internet, I don't mention name becuse people should not sefldiagnose regarding taking any even homeopatic remedy. I would advise you contact reputable homeopath..... you can get that service even online, I think homoepathy will relieve some or all PCS symptoms in some people, with some luck.

It is not expensive and it is worth to try.... and there are no side effects, it is form o medicne used by british royal family, so I herd

Speaking of alternatives, there is Buteyko method of healing first intended to treat asthma.... actualy, using it, I have asthma no more.... they claim it can help with many other conditions and symptoms, including some of PCS, I don't want to advertise anybody, so if you are interested, just gooogle 'Buteyko'

Hope this will help to some:)

My tinnitus has become much less noticeable during the 16 months of my recovery. It just took time. Mark's suggestions are valuable ones.