Hey, everyone.

I came into contact with tinnitus in March, of this year. I've self diagnosed myself. 

It all began when I went to one of my friends computer LAN birthday parties, which basically means... We were sitting in an internet cafe, with headphones on, playing videogames. Lots of gunshots and noise, but I'm not sure if that's what triggered it... Because I doubt I had the headphones up that loud.

I came home after the party and as soon as I entered my silent room, there was this roar... Almost an echo in my ear. Kind of like the ocean, but more accoustic. For a few days afterwards, instead of a roar it was a ringing in my right ear. This went on for a while and it was pretty concerning at the time.

I have a bit of an anxiety order, so I tend to react to things with abnormal anxiety. So this wasn't a good situation for a while. I couldn't handle it properly.

I went and saw a doctor, who wasn't my normal doctor, for my tinnitus. He was the biggest prick of a doctor I've ever met in my whole life. He took every oppurtunity to make a snide comment about the music I listen to and even the clothes I wore. When I got tired of his trivial back chat, I asked him to help me. Not criticize me. He didn't take it very well. So he ended up cleaning out my ears with one of those water pumps, I'm not quite sure what they're actually called.

My ears felt better, but the noise was still there. So when symptons persisted, I saw my regular doctor. He didn't think it was anything permanent and reccomended I take some ear drops for a few days. I did so.

Now, months later... The noise is still there. It's more of a combination of sounds in my ear now, but they are irritating. I still only notice them in quiet rooms, but ever since having my ears cleaned out and treated... They've never stopped crackling. Crackling and popping. Whenever I swallow or yawn, my ears crackle. Sometimes they don't, but usually they do. And it's worse when I'm sick.

Is the above anything to be worried about? I've heard that tinnitus can lead to being deaf if you don't take more care of your ears. But the crackling thing, is that indicating anything, or is that just something I have to live with?

Tinnitus has slightly crippled my life... In that I love music, I love concerts.... But I haven't been to a concert in a long time and I avoid going to the cinema too often. I have a few times, but I wear ear plugs to the cinema.

My anxiety makes things much worse. Sometimes I convince myself I'm going deaf, even though people around me tell me I'm not. I have a phobia of going deaf... It's just something that scares the shit out of me.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my expierience with other people that have my problem on here and maybe get some feedback on my problem. It's really appreciated. It makes things a little easier knowing I'm not alone. I read up on the internet and quite a lot of celebrities suffer from tinnitus.

Thanks.