One random night, I lay on my bed in my silent bedroom, and I felt that the silence is uncomfortable. Why, I asked myself, that the silence felt sharp, like I prefer the noise of my annoyingly loud dehumidifier, or the muffled sound of traffic in my old apartment?

I realized that the silence was ringing, in a high pitched noise that we all associate with being hit near the ears. My inner voice told myself: “man, you have tinnitus.”

Thinking back, that wasn’t the first time I thought that I have tinnitus, but I was probably in denial for years, or it just got louder. The sad part is that I’m only 26, and somehow, I feared getting tinnitus ever since my childhood.

Even worse, I just ordered a pair of headphones with ANC, and when I don’t play anything through it, the ringing gets very clear.

Was depressed for a few days, thinking that it’s not fair that I got it even though I don’t expose myself to loud noises often, I listen to music at a couple levels lower than my preference, and I don’t turn up my music to drown out noises.

But nothing in life is fair, and to compared to the suffering of others, this is only a mild discomfort. So I’ll try to keep positive about it, and be grateful that I still enjoy a comparatively luxurious life.

I’ll visit a doctor soon though!

Any of you have a similar experience? I’ll be happy to read your stories!

  • pepperonisalamiOPEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Ear Viagra! I’ll never forget your description.

    I think I have normal BP so far, and historically rather low, but I think I’ve been eating too much salt lately I’ll have to cut back on highly processed food (but their shelf life is just so conveniently long!) I’ll look out on my BP!

      • pepperonisalamiOPEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        Hey, thanks it was a good read. I’ve known that it’s largely inconclusive and the conflicting recommendation is confusing.

        Nevertheless, as you said, getting whole food is the best, and if I want it salty, I’ll add the salt and msg myself 😂