Thoughts from the Slop.
The Ringing in My Head is Quite Remarkable
Today the noise on the right side of my head has been rather outstanding. It has not been ringing like this in a long, long time. It has affected how my day has panned out with both good and bad thoughts.
Good = I really appreciate when the ringing is quiet now. I had forgotten what it is like to not have a fire alarm on the right side of my head.
Bad= The attention I am giving the noise. The noise is right at the front of my life today. It is getting in the way of my work.
Tinnitus is one of those conditions that many people have heard of, but few truly understand until it touches their own lives. Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. I had to google that. It’s not a disease itself but a symptom — often linked to hearing loss, prolonged exposure to loud noise, ear infections, or even stress and fatigue. For some, it arrives suddenly. For others, it creeps in quietly until it becomes impossible to ignore. For me I have lived with it for years. Since 94 95 as far as I can remember. A solid whining in the right ear.
The curious thing about tinnitus is that it doesn’t sound the same for everyone. People report a high-pitched ringing, like the after-effect of standing too close to loudspeakers at a concert. Others describe it as a buzzing, a hissing, or even a whistling tone. Some hear clicking or pulsing sounds that follow their heartbeat. There are those who say it resembles static on an untuned radio or the distant roar of an ocean inside their own head.
This range of experiences can make tinnitus a deeply personal condition. I did once find the same tone on you tube and wow the noise in my head seemed to cancel out.
For many, tinnitus is a source of constant frustration. The unrelenting sound can make it difficult to concentrate, to sleep, or to enjoy silence. Imagine lying in bed at night, seeking rest, but instead hearing a relentless whistle or hum. That can wear down patience, sap energy, and even contribute to anxiety or depression.
In professional settings, tinnitus can be distracting. In social situations, it can add a layer of stress when combined with background noise. For some people, it becomes a constant reminder that their hearing is not what it once was.
I have gone in phases through my life. Patches of time where I am unaware of the noise. Then years where the ringing is simply all I can hear. It feels so loud that I often wonder if other people can hear my head ringing…
Waking at 2 or 3 am is the worst. The darkness. The silence. All I can hear is this fire alarm in my head. It feels so loud. It feels out of control.
And yet, some people learn to find a surprising silver lining. When you can’t switch off the sound, the only choice is often to adapt. That adaptation can lead to a heightened awareness of self — a deep listening, not to the world outside, but to the inner workings of the body.
Some describe tinnitus as a teacher, pushing them to manage stress better, to embrace relaxation techniques, or to protect their hearing more carefully. Musicians and sound engineers sometimes note that the persistent tones heighten their sensitivity to subtle shifts in sound elsewhere. Others find that the ever-present hum becomes a form of “white noise,” a background companion that they eventually stop fighting against.
In a strange way, tinnitus can become a reminder of resilience. It challenges patience, focus, and the ability to sit with discomfort. For many, it can also drive lifestyle changes that improve overall health — less exposure to loud environments, better sleep habits, or mindful practices such as meditation.
Headphones have become my friend. To date my favourites are the Bower and Wilkins PX8. If I use the right white or grey noise from you tube, I can sense the noise lowering.
Tinnitus is remarkable not only because of the sounds it produces but because of what it teaches. It forces us to recognize the delicate nature of our hearing, to respect the quiet moments we still have, and to find peace even when silence is never absolute.
For some, it’s a burden. For others, it’s a strange companion. But for everyone who experiences it, tinnitus is a reminder of just how complex and personal our inner worlds really are. For me it is a love hate relationship. I forget it is there sometimes, and I awake from my silence to bosh the noise. Other times the noise is debilitating.
2 things that always help:
Exercise. For some reason I am totally unaware of the noise. This could be a dog walk, a run, the gym or a Ski Erg or row session. I am just not aware of the noise.
Headphones. Find the right noise cancelling ones and the volume turns down for me.
Tinnitus is a spectacular thing if you can learn to manage it. If you can’t you need to find a tinnitus support group which is what I did. I met countless people that live with the noise. I suddenly did not feel like I was the only one.
I attended face to face meet ups and this was brilliant. I am not sure they are all face to face anymore.
Link to the resource I used below:
#blog #tinnitus #cosmicslop
Thoughts from the Slop: Andy Roper.com
Epic write up of what is a constant pain in the (r)ear, day in day out.