I developed electric crickets in my left year about 8-9 years ago now, it’s not tinnitus because it’s not the little hairs in my ears it’s the nerve between my ear and brain shorting out but the result is the same - when I had my hearing tested they told me 3 months is the time most people either start being able to ignore it OR need supportive care, they offered someone to talk to and/or antidepressants if I hadn’t adjusted in 3 months, thankfully I did and I can tune it out, or tune in if I’m trying to sleep I can just listen to it and I fall asleep.

I would talk to your doctor, if you haven’t already, for the physical aspect of it and mention to them you’re struggling mentally with it, it’s SUPER common to the point my doctors were addressing it preemptively so they might be able to give you tools to help make things easier.

I had it my whole life so I’m good at filtering it out the moment I get distracted with something else.

I’ve had some success playing tinnitus ringing over headphones and it made it markedly better. Still comes and goes, but from what I understand, it’s encouraging the mind to start ignoring it. Kind of like going nose deaf.

I’ve had Meniere’s Disease since I was 17, and the tinnitus comes with it at no extra cost. Thirty five years on and all I can say is you just learn to cope. Some days it’s louder and some days you don’t register it despite it being a constant. It’s tough at the start, but take some comfort in knowing you’ll adapt. There are plenty of people out there who’ve gone through what you’ve experienced, so you’ve already got a support community.

go to an ear nose and throat doc. If this is sudden hearing loss, it can be treated. (Ask me how I know.) Don’t just live with it–see a doc.

Assuming you go to the doctor and find out you do have tinnitus and it’s permanent, I can totally understand the panic you’re feeling right now. It’s a very existential, pit of your stomach sense of dread you’re feeling right now.

As somebody with tinnitus that is likely more severe than yours is right now, and have had it as young as you if not younger, you will get used to it with time, to the point that 90% of the time, you won’t hear it at all. Right now it’s going to seem far worse and suffocating because more than anything the tinnitus is triggered by remembering that you have it. Since it’s going to be stuck on your mind for awhile it might feel like you’re suffocating under it but as bad as I have it, it really is only an occasional annoyance.

The important thing is to start protecting your hearing today. Ear plugs at concerts, plug your ears when the ambulance drives by, don’t blast the music in your car so loud.

Don’t despair, when it’s really bad there are things that help like white noise, which can be generated on your phone or you can set up a fan at night. iPhones have a feature now that can add subtle nature sounds or white noise behind whatever else you’re listening to including music, if you find that’s something that helps you.

You might just have some water or something in there

I’ve had tinnitus for a number of decades. The least useful thing is people telling you that it’s only in your head and it’s a phantom noise. Tinnitus has been recorded previously and it does not exist as just a mental issue. It is a real and physical thing.

I sleep with a humidifier, the small fan makes just enough white noise where it helps to drown out some of the ringing. I also gave up on my standard headphones and primarily used bone conducting headphones now to prevent further problems. Also, unfortunately, I no longer ride with the windows down in my car because the constant pressure changes make my ringing go off the rails. That used to be one of my favorite things to do in the winter.

With minor adjustments it doesn’t make things go away, but you can help to manage the symptoms. I still have tinnitus, even as I sit down and write about this. However, it comes and goes and not everyday is full of squealing and no day is completely quiet, but hopefully you’ll find some comfort in the middle.

Kind of surprised at this thread.

There are no drugs, supplements, pills, etc that reduce tinnitus. Do not waste your money. But, you should get a doctor to refer you to the specialist.

There is a audisensory feedback device that is FDA approved, but the trials were not controlled and the effects were only self reported. It’s called Lenire. Very expensive but they have a trial period that cost $300.

Check your blood pressure

Ive had tinnitus throughout my living memory. Unsure if it’s because I was a loud child or something inherent to my physiology. Maybe having no memory of perfectly crisp hearing makes it easier to forget, but I can’t say that it has truly affected my quality of life. I can still sing in a choir and listen to jazz. Mine might be a milder case, I have no way of knowing, but please don’t allow it to keep you from doing what you enjoy.

Youuuuu juuuust leeearrrn to deeeeeal wwwwith iiiitt.

Had it since I was 12 and it’s pretty strong decades later. At first it bothered me, then I learned to accept it and it’s been a non issue since (except from the hearing damage of course).

it sucks,. I’ve lived with it for decades and mostly manage by tuning it out because you have no real choice.

I have it, caused my hearing damage (non genetic). I’ve noticed some muscle relaxers will increase the sound, but when the meds wear off it goes back to normal.

Broadly speaking, I live in a quiet environment. Over there past few years it seems like it’s gotten better. Like since I hear it slightly all the time my brain ignores it better. YMMV.

But yes, see a doctor about it. And don’t freak out. What comes on suddenly may go away slowly too. My sudden episodes sometimes last two weeks, but they subside.