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      CommentAuthorThor
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014 edited
    I know. I just needed to vent to someone, and this felt better than screaming it to passersby outside. :D I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow morning, although he probably can't do anything. If THIS is the new level I need to live with for the rest of my life, well.....that's out of the question. I can hardly concentrate on anything, and my body is in constant tension.

    Screw the body!
    I am extremely serious.
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      CommentAuthorBregt
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014 edited
    Damn Thor, I get the creeps just from thinking of it. Must be crazy. I recently start to hear a louder than usual high sound in my right ear but not all the time. Not sure if I should be worried too!
    Kazoo
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      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014 edited
    I'm sure you've already extensively researched therapies, but I came across this the other day when I was reading William Shatner's biography, and I thought of you.
    I can't find the actual extract from the book online, but Shatner has done a few interviews on it.

    Here's what I thought was the most interesting part:

    what treatments have you found successful?

    The only treatment that I have found success with for me is habituation.

    Like tinnitus retraining therapy.

    Exactly—I wore the noise maskers, and they said "wear them for four to eight hours a day." I wore them for 24 hours a day. I never took them off—even when I went to sleep at night. After three months, I began to lose my fears somewhat. Ultimately, I went to see Dr. Jasterboff at the University of Maryland, where he was at the time.

    Yes, now he has moved on to Emory University in Atlanta. How did that go?

    He, too, has tinnitus, and he joked that he never hears it unless he talks about it, and of course now he talks about it 12 hours a day. Dr. Jasterboff talks a lot about the "cycle of fear," with the fear increasing, like chronic pain. In turn, it increases the awareness sensitivity to the sound, so it sounds like it is getting louder. After three months of hearing a sound that was somewhat louder than my tinnitus, I began to lose my fear of it, and I realized that I wasn't going to go down. I realized that I could still sleep—that was another big thing: "will I be able to sleep, will I be able to perform my work?" I began to understand that I would be able to go on and the habituation techniques helped considerably. When I put the aids aside, I gradually became accustomed to the condition over the years. Initially, on that test they give you where it says what percentage does tinnitus affect you, I put down 95 percent—it's my whole life. It was at the time, and now it is negligible, I don't hear it unless I'm talking about it.

    How long did it take to get to that point?

    Well, as I say, it originally took about three months to where I began to understand that I need not panic. I've had a concept in other aspects of my life where I've tried to achieve a unity with whatever it was that I was doing, either as an actor with an audience, or in many cases as a competitive horseback rider with the horse. I began to understand what a "Zen" feeling of the world around you is like. And I used that to try and incorporate psychically— spiritually—the sound that was in my head, and being at one with it because it was part of me. Rather than rejecting the condition, holding it at arm's length, I tried to cradle it, and sometimes literally thought about this is my sound, this is in my head, and it's part of me. I can live with this—there are many sounds that are louder. I can hear the television on in the bedroom at night—that's louder than the sound that is in my head. I'll be able to banish this, and gradually I began to accept the fact that this was my condition and I needed to embrace it.


    For what it's worth, here's the link.
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
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      CommentAuthorThor
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014 edited
    That's interesting, thanks.

    After having had chronic tinnitus for 5 years, I had actually come to a point where I was somewhat comfortable with the situation, much like Shatner above. I had gotten used to it through various techniques. Then this sudden surge in volume and intensity happened, and I'm back to scratch. Actually, this is FAR more maddening than it was when I first discovered it. It's just insane, and all I can think about is going to sleep so I don't have to listen to it.

    I've never used any noise maskers (there is NO masking the sound, only forcing your brain to focus on a DIFFERENT sound); maybe that's what I need to do from now on.
    I am extremely serious.
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      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014
    What I also found interesting to read is that finding a specialist who actually took the issue seriously (rather than poking around and stating "well, you'll just have to live with it") was rather cathartic. From your reports I never got the impression the medics you visited so far were very sympathetic (I may have gotten the wrong impression, of course!).
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
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      CommentAuthorDemetris
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014
    Yes, i agree with the above, Thor, you should seek special help for this problem, not just general doctors.
    Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders.
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      CommentAuthorThor
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014 edited
    Oh, I have. I went to a specialist/psychologist relatively early on that was more about techniques and ways to live with it. It was actually she who made me lose some of my fear against crowded, noisy places. But with the level now multiplied several times (and pulsating rather than being constant), I may have to visit her again.

    And get more gadgets.

    Thanks for allowing me to rant a bit here. I know it's not very interesting to hear about other people's ailments.
    I am extremely serious.
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      CommentAuthorDemetris
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014
    Well what about the methods Martijn's describing above? there's no 'cure' or medical aid for it?
    Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders.
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      CommentAuthorThor
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2014
    I'm afraid not.

    It's only a matter of battling it with psychology.

    If this is indeed the new level, I hope I will someday manage to deal with it like I did the previous level. Untill then, I won't quite "be myself".
    I am extremely serious.
  1. Contact lenses. I've never had them, but finally went to try some yesterday (it's something I've been thinking about for many years)... and I just couldn't get the little buggers in! Felt like such a loser. Genuinely shocked as to how much trouble it is to get them out of the pocket, balance on your finger and get past your eyelashes without instinctively blinking. Gotta go back today to try again, but I think I'm just gonna stick with glasses (which are also annoying, though for different reasons). Respect to those who wear lenses, I had no idea how finicky it all is.
    www.synchrotones.wordpress.com | www.synchrotones.co.uk | @Synchrotones | facebook | soundcloud | youtube
  2. I'd never consider contact lenses as I don't like anything near my eyes and would just blink too much trying to put them in.

    Yes, glasses can be annoying - especially when it comes to some sports - but day-to-day they are fine.
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 15th 2014
    going to the foot doctor because I know how painful it is going to be.
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
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      CommentAuthorStavroula
    • CommentTimeAug 17th 2014
    How did it go Tom? Any news on your therapy?
    Whatever you gaze rests on,do not use your vision, but the eyes of your soul...She knows better...
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 17th 2014
    I'm going to have to have surgery (minor) on the toe. The tendon will be cut allowing it to straighten out with limited functionability.
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 18th 2014
    coughing last night until I took some cough syrup to quiet it.
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
  3. Synchrotones wrote
    Contact lenses. I've never had them, but finally went to try some yesterday (it's something I've been thinking about for many years)... and I just couldn't get the little buggers in! Felt like such a loser. Genuinely shocked as to how much trouble it is to get them out of the pocket, balance on your finger and get past your eyelashes without instinctively blinking. Gotta go back today to try again, but I think I'm just gonna stick with glasses (which are also annoying, though for different reasons). Respect to those who wear lenses, I had no idea how finicky it all is.


    I was literally having the same problem at first Pete, but now it's like it's the easiest thing on earth. I felt like a loser too when I had to try it the first couple of times. But like driving a car, you need to get the hang of it. And after a while it's no problem at all. If you really want to try out lenses, don't give up just because it's a little tough in the beginning.
    waaaaaahhhhhhhh!!! Where's my nut? arrrghhhhhhh
  4. Cheers Thomas. After 3 'teaching' sessions, I finally got them in and out easily. I still couldn't see well and the eye-doctor concluded that the lenses were upside down (not inside out, but upside down). They're toric lenses so need to be in the exact right place or they won't work apparently. They ordered a different brand of lenses to see if they're easier. It's turning into a lot of hassle... and I don't look like me without glasses. dizzy
    www.synchrotones.wordpress.com | www.synchrotones.co.uk | @Synchrotones | facebook | soundcloud | youtube
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 18th 2014
    I guess I'm happy with my glasses.
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 18th 2014
    Just read a press release and they referred to the 70's as vintage. God that makes me feel old
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
  5. Synchrotones wrote
    Cheers Thomas. After 3 'teaching' sessions, I finally got them in and out easily. I still couldn't see well and the eye-doctor concluded that the lenses were upside down (not inside out, but upside down). They're toric lenses so need to be in the exact right place or they won't work apparently. They ordered a different brand of lenses to see if they're easier. It's turning into a lot of hassle... and I don't look like me without glasses. dizzy


    well it all depends what you find most important. Lenses are a way to get rid of those glasses, but some like em, so you'll have to figure out what suits you best smile
    waaaaaahhhhhhhh!!! Where's my nut? arrrghhhhhhh
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 18th 2014
    good answer
    listen to more classical music!
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 19th 2014
    http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconside … ot-forever

    An article about CD's with no answer of course. Still worth a read.
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
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      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeAug 19th 2014
    sdtom wrote
    Just read a press release and they referred to the 70's as vintage. God that makes me feel old
    Tom


    Brother, I feel your pain!
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 26th 2014
    you know what else makes me feel old and that is my foot which isn't good this morning
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 26th 2014
    my foot is swollen yet again.
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
  6. Sorry to hear that. Anything you can do about it? Get better soon, Tom.
    Bach's music is vibrant and inspired.
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      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeAug 27th 2014
    If we ever meet Volker and one of these years I might just surprise you I'll tell you all about it. After effects of a major stroke
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
  7. I see. My father had a major stroke four years before he died. He was extemly lucky. He got away without severe after effects.
    Bach's music is vibrant and inspired.
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      CommentAuthorStavroula
    • CommentTimeAug 27th 2014
    I'm sorry to hear that your foot is causing you trouble again Tom. I hope it'll get better soon.
    What's annoying my currently is that I'm supposed to start working on Monday and I don't know yet where!!! Greek Ministry of Education messing things up as usual! Pfffff.....
    Whatever you gaze rests on,do not use your vision, but the eyes of your soul...She knows better...
  8. Another guest at the pizzera today who notices me order a tuna pizza and starts lecturing me about environment protection. (He himself had a margherita.) Normally I would have had a field day telling the guy off. I chose just not to react at all. Fortunately that worked.

    Volker
    Bach's music is vibrant and inspired.