A few days ago I randomly got tinnitus out of nowhere and I didn’t understand what’s up. An hour or so ago I finally understood/learned what’s happening to me and read up on tinnitus and I’m devastated. I’m only over 20 and having this for the rest of my life as it becomes worse is heartbreaking to me. I was already overly sensitive to certain noises and am in love with music but with tinnitus I lost something precious and permanently gained somethimg that I just will need to live with. I’m heartbroken and scared. I know I will learn to accept it within a week as my brain processes this new experience but right now I just feel gutwrenchingly horrible. Especially so when I was already having some other physical and mental health issues that I’m unable to cope with and this adds to the burden. I need some advice on how to live with it and some comfort in knowing of other people going through the same. Thank you. :(
(I don’t live is US if that matters in any way.)


I’m sorry. I don’t have any practical advice, but an Italian singer I like (Caparezza) developed it ~10 years ago. He would go talking about his condition extensively in his subsequent albums (Prisoner 709, Exuvia and Orbit Orbit). The most explicit song about it is “Larsen”. In fact, I’m going to a concert of his in a couple of months.
What I mean to say by this, is that if he managed to live with it, produce 3 albums and he’s still doing concerts, I’m sure you can overcome this as well, and I hope you can take some solace in knowing the experience of other people.
Also, if you haven’t done so already, go see a doctor. It’s always possible that it’s temporary or that it can be slowed down.
Also I think my mom used to have a milder form of it, and other than turning the volume up on the TV, I don’t think she ever was too bothered by it.