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Is tinnitus caused by medication

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Dianna
Dianna Community member Posts: 4 Listener
in Sensory impairments
I've had tinnitus for years but it has got worse over the years.  I'm on pregabalin and it got worse. When I try to think about things of when I go to bed it can be really bad. My psycuatrist told me to go to my gp but I put off going  should I go and get referd to the hospital. Is this something I could get tested at say specsaveres at part of a hearing test.sirryca but garbled . Not good at explaining 
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  • Nystagmite
    Nystagmite Community member Posts: 596 Pioneering
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    It's possible, yes. And it's what happened to me.
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  • VickiKirwin
    VickiKirwin Community member Posts: 69 Courageous
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    Hi @Dianna

    Tinnitus is very common and varies in severity so that many people aren’t particularly aware or bothered by the noises, to those who find it very troublesome and causes problems concentrating and sleeping. Tinnitus is often related to stress and anxiety which can be quite a vicious circle - where stress causes the tinnitus to get louder, causing more stress, causing it to get louder etc. There are hundreds of drugs known to cause tinnitus or hearing loss (known as ototoxic medications) but it’s also possible that the tinnitus is related to any underlying conditions the medication is taken for or other stresses in life which vary for us all from time to time. 

    I think your psychiatrists advice is good. Ask your GP to refer you to your local audiology department at the hospital. If you have one locally ask to be referred to a Hearing Therapist. The audiologist or therapist will arrange hearing tests and an assessment of your tinnitus and can then help you with tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) or other strategies to help reduce the volume and annoyance of your tinnitus and learn to live with it better. A high street store like Specsavers can do a hearing test for you but for specialist advice with tinnitus you will be better going straight to the hospital audiology clinic. 

    All the best

    Vicki

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  • Topkitten
    Topkitten Community member Posts: 1,285 Pioneering
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    Mine has increased over the years. I did discuss it with a doctor but he was rather dismissive and just kept saying there was no treatment for it. I think this is an untrue statement but am not certain. However, there was no mention of it being made worse by medication which, considering how many medications I have taken over he last decade, is not particularly good support. I am not particularly surprised at the poor support. Almost every doctor I have seen has refused to look through my noted. Considering how unique my condition is not looking at my notes makes it impossible for them to consider any treatment or medication with any idea of whether it will be beneficial or not.

    TK
    "I'm on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell" - from Wrong side of heaven by Five Finger Death Punch.
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  • VickiKirwin
    VickiKirwin Community member Posts: 69 Courageous
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    Hi @topkitten

    Whilst it's true that there is no cure for tinnitus, it isn't true that there is no treatment for it that can really help relieve the symptoms. Unfortunately we hear GPs and other doctors say to a lot of people that nothing can be done about it. Persevere, use the advice I gave @Dianna above and please ask for a referral. We can definitely help make living with tinnitus easier and quieter. 

    Also so try calling the British Tinnitus Association helpline who will have plenty of advice to help too https://www.tinnitus.org.uk/Pages/Contact.aspx 

    All the best

    Vicki
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