Felix's Posts

Felix, I just had a 29mm on-x valve placed in the Aortic position last Wednesday. My tick was very loud the first few days but has seemed to slightly decrease in volume(it's still very noticeable all times Im not sleeping). I also feel like I hear mine internally and to me is much louder than those around me. I haven't figured out a way to get rid of it yet, and suppose there may not be an option. I understand your frustrations but I think we may just have to embrace it. When I go to sleep I just imagine it's a pendulum swinging back and forth and pretend like I'm being hypnotized. I know sounds odd but has been working for me. I've heard and read on other sites the noise subsides a bit as the tissue grows around it a bit and your brain adjusts to the noise. I'm hoping someone with longer experience shares their opinions as well.

I can see how it could be extremely annoying for some people and I agree it's under reported issue...although I knew I'd have a tick. I think it's more the internal volume that's the issue not so much if other people can hear it. It literally never goes away. For me nothing seems to damp it out, I.e. ear plugs, head phones. It may be worth your(our) while to talk to an audiologist or someone who understands how the ear works. Maybe there is something they could do to dampen out the sound.

My husband has a white noise machine we call a "snore machine" that he got at Brookstone. And I have one from Bed Bath and Beyond that I like that I think was about $20. Best investment I've ever made. I'm an extremely light sleeper and it works. We turn the volume up so loud haha! Hope this helps.