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What are you looking forward to?
No restrictions on the answer. It can be something tiny or big, personal or societal, etc. If you're looking forward to it, share it here!
No restrictions on the answer. It can be something tiny or big, personal or societal, etc. If you're looking forward to it, share it here!
Since last week, I have been sampling multiple tinnitus relief/masking/treatment devices that companies lent for me to test and ultimately decide which I should acquire. This comes after a medical recommendation. I've had tinnitus for the past 20 years, and it is difficult for me to understand why I never accepted that I should use a hearing aid before. The price comes to mind, but it was never impossible to afford it, only incredibly hard. I tested one two decades ago, but it didn't feel too effective and my finances were worse than today. I figured I could just use earbuds and white noise for the rest of my life, which I did.
Well, I was an idiot.
The tinnitus devices available today are essentially maskers that audiologists calibrate to the specific frequency of my tinnitus. They not only mask but also can theoretically reduce tinnitus itself by "training" my brain to ignore it. They are amazing. The relief is profound and instantaneous, unlike any generated tone or color noise I can come up with.
One of the things tinnitus ruined for me was reading. I was a voracious reader in my youth, but with tinnitus, reading became a struggle, something I did only out of necessity and with great effort.
Since last Wednesday, I have read more than 10 science fiction short-stories and novelettes of different lengths, amounting to at least 8 hours.
I've read. Effortlessly. For fun. It is hard to convey how life-changing this is for me.
I am looking forward to reading more and more science fiction, something I love. I am also looking forward to being able to concentrate on my own writing, and realizing my dreams and goals as a creator.
I also expect the hearing aid to have an effect on my mental health. In the upcoming months, I expect to greatly reduce the dosages of my medications. I can already tell that my mood is much improved, and small things like talking amenities to people on the street are suddenly tolerable. I am a new person already.
Damn, I didn’t realize they made this type of aid. Sounds great and I’m happy for you! I can’t imagine the sense of relief it must provide.
Wow! I will have to look into this. I never really listened to music loud etc, but read somewhere it could be caused by TMJ which would make sense.
Do you have tinnitus?
There is evidence that tinnitus can be caused by lots of things, but no one knows for sure. It is likely that tinnitus is actually a symptom of multiple related yet distinct brain/ear conditions or alterations.
Whatever it is, I can't wait for science to decide, so the device is the mitigation measure I can have right now. Which is not as good as a cure, but it sure helps!
Yes, it's been an ongoing issue for me for close to 20 years. It's roaring tonight :(
Okay. Maybe you'll find some hope in what I have to say.
My tinnitus is so loud, on a frequency so high, that audiologists seem surprised I was even able to remain alive, and they all asked if I was doing psychotherapy. One of them literally told me I am a case study, and if they had academic aspirations I'm pretty sure they'd do an article on me. Their reactions to my tinnitus were of the utmost concern.
From the moment I put the first fully calibrated devices on my two ears, I was at peace.
I have no hopes whatsoever for a cure. Such hope would be a waste of my energy. For a long time, the desire for a cure was the unattainable perfect in the way of the good I could have.
I don't know how this works in your location, or even how to translate into English the names of the professionals and procedures, but I advise you to go to an ear doctor, do all the exams, and, if a cause is not found, ask them to refer you to get a tinnitus device. You'll take your exam results to an audiologist that will further test you, and in the end they will recommend one or more devices for you to test and choose. I went to 3 stores, and it's annoying because I have to redo the tests in each one, but also highly informative, and now I have some choice in regards to price, quality of the devices, and the professionals I wanna be in contact with (since the devices require ongoing maintenance and calibration).
As I said, for me it is silly to think of a total cure, but you can have at least some peace right now!
Awesome, thank you. It's usually something I can ignore, but sometimes that is impossible to do. Now that I have decent insurance, I will have it checked out.
Yes. I couldn't ignore mine anymore, which is why I'm getting the device. But it would have helped me even when I could ignore it I think... I think the tinnitus is always pressuring against the barrier of noticeability and this can be tiring in itself. Again, just my impression.
Good luck!
What do they actually do? Are they like regular hearing aids that also generate some sounds on their own?
Essentially, yes. But there's some science on calibrating and conveying sound to specific frequencies and patterns that are proven to be helpful for you, and the audiologist seems essencial for that as well. And the frequencies are not constant either, they keep shifting to "fool" the brain I guess. But the shifting is not really noticeable.
Technically speaking, these are very simple devices that, in my country, suffer an enormous markup due to the fact that they are considered medical devices and cannot be acquired off the shelf. Any small, standalone (as in no smartphone required), durable, high-quality in-ear earbud[1], with a battery lasting days instead of hours could do it, as long as you added the sound generator and a calibration interface.
Okay, so not any earbuds, some adaptations are required, but this is more trivial than the medical apparatus makes it seem and should be cheaper too.
Also, the devices for tinnitus are also for hearing loss so I'll be paying for features I don't need 🤷🏿♂️
It kinda looks like this (mine is less bulky and a bit more elegant).
[1] Which must be vented to still allow external sounds to come in.
Okay, yeah, it looks like a hearing aid. (I wear hearing aids.) Looks like it's the same companies that make regular hearing aids.
The way hearing aids are sold is as bad as TV's. I see one company is using AI to sell hearing aids now:
(My interpretation: they made a few adjustments to the DSP algorithm and gave it a cool name.)
Over-the-counter hearing aids became available in the US a year ago, so maybe there's hope for more regulatory improvement. And I hope someday Apple gets into the hearing aid business, because it would likely be cheaper. Something to look forward to I guess?
I do think people new to it should get expert help, but do-it-yourselfers should be able to adjust the EQ like a stereo.
Tomorrow will be 2 weeks sober from alcohol! So I'm looking forward to getting to know myself better and being on a more positive path. I've been putting myself out there and accepting all the help available so I'm excited to see all the new opportunities that may open up.
Congrats on your progress.
That is amazing! Congrats!
The Tildes Statistics graph bout to explode tomorrow. I just looked at ~tildes.official and there's over 200 new people since yesterday holy moly.
Not surprising given recent Reddit news haha. I'm one of those people and the Tildes invite request thread on Reddit is just overflowing with new requests.
Love the username by the way!
Thanks :)
Hello, I'm one of them. :)
Part of what inspired me to post this question was the influx of users. I've loved this site's cozy, steady atmosphere for a long time, but the new people and energy here at the moment is also really refreshing and inspiring and has me thinking good things about our future!
I'm new too! It will be nice to see this site build up steam and not have to deal with Reddit's bad decisions anymore
Also new. Probably going to spend some time figuring out this site over the weekend.
Which graph is this?
https://ts.bauke.xyz/
I am one of them!
Sounds lame but sleeping in tomorrow thanks to the weekend!
Perhaps tomorrow ARestedPhilosopher will awaken.
/noise
There's a storm creeping over the horizon and I fucking love storms.
Summer storms really are the best.
We’re heading back home to California after spending a lot of time in the midwest. I’m gonna miss the afternoon thunderstorms😭 So nice to actually experience some weather haha
There's few things I love more than a big storm. I hope it's a good one for you!
Looking forward to some travel! Been saving up for a while and now I've booked flights and accommodation for Korea and Australia. Can't wait to see Seoul and Sydney.
Seoul is an awesome place!! Any thoughts on what you are seeing?!? My recommendation for you is to GO TO A BATH HOUSE! they are dirt cheap, and incredible after a long day of walking. Plus massages are super cheap!
Need to work that out right now actually haha. I just know I'll be there for a week. A lot of my friends have gone before so I'll be basing my itinerary on what they did. I do know I want to check out Gangnam, Itaewon, and possibly take the train to Busan and check Busan out too. I'll definitely go to a bath house while I'm there! I went to a few when I visited Japan and it was amazing after walking around Tokyo all day.
Dongdaemun is awesome and with visiting. Just a huge market going 24 / 7. Busan is neat but even on a bullet train it's 3 hours. 1 week in Seoul is going to be pretty packed!
Oh found some more. Keep in mind this is 20 year old advice. Yeouido is a beautiful park. Bukchon Hanoi village right by Geongbokgung. Sukjeongmun which is beautiful and great views. Hongdae was actually one of our favourite markets because it's around a few universities and there's lots of cool stuff. Insadong is a traditional market and super artsy! Lots of cool art both modern and traditional. For cheap souvenirs visit Daiso (maybe you visited them in Japan?)
Sydney is a beautiful town. If you're floating around The Rocks, visit the Lord Nelson. Great brew pub with a nice atmosphere. One of my favourites in Australia.
Ooh, thanks for the recommendation! I'm not a big drinker but I'll definitely check it out.
Going to make me sound alcoholic, but if you visit one bar at night, The Baxter Inn is very good but hidden away. You'll feel weird walking down past the bins in a dirty alleyway and entering an unmarked door, but it's worth it.
Ooh, can't say no to a little evening adventure haha. Thanks for the recommendations!
Posted about this before, but my new job starts June 20! I am getting a celebratory hair cut and colour to look cute for my work photo. :D
Congrats on the upcoming career change, color, cut, and cuteness. I’m happy for you!
Came here from Reddit, looking forward to seeing this grow!
Welcome to the club!
There are
severaltenshundreds of us!I am looking forward to finishing up grad school. I still have several months, but the end is in sight!
You've got this!
I am excited for a long motorcycle ride this weekend!
Not really sure I would say I'm looking forward to it per se but I've got a road race this weekend which will be my first in a bit, so that should be interesting.
Other than that, I don't have anything too exciting to look forward to until travel ramps up in July.
My partner surprised me with my dream vacation (a Disney cruise) in October! I'm beyond excited.
Being finished with the notes that I am taking for one of my classes. Finally finishing some work after procrastinating on it for a while is always very satisfying.
Looking forward to watching expensive cars go around in a circle a bunch of times at the Canadian Grand Prix in a couple weeks with a couple friends. First visit to Montreal!
Glastonbury
Summer race season.
Heading out of town for two nights of concerts!
:( please seek help. I know how depressing this world is but there is a way out that isn't suicide. Sending love from an internet stranger ❤️
Are you ok?