Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

Is this new for you?

I ask because the first 6 months or so are just a rollercoaster ride where anything goes, but eventually things seem to settle into a place where spikes are caused by real events like noise exposure or in my recent case COVID

@Barry098 Yes, I had really mild T before but it has been worsening for no reason, specially this month... This week I am worsening daily, if it keeps like this I am going to lose it... No noise exposures, Protecting 24/7 with earmuffs.

I would seriously caution you against using the ear muffs all day. That will get you into some real trouble with Hyperacusis. Your brain is a finely calibrated machine and by wearing the protection 24/7 you are messing with its ability to set an accurate threshold for sound tolerances.

@Barry098 I'm not sure if I have hyperacusias, would that be the reason why I am worsening?

If you are overly sensitive to sound then you probably have hyperacusis to some degree. This condition often goes hand in hand with Tinnitus. Out of curiosity, why did you decide to start wearing the ear muffs 24/7 in the first place?

@DocTors_94 if you feel that some sounds are louder than they should, you're beginning to develop loudness hyperacusis. Last Feb I had a spike, and got the lovely idea of protecting in muffs 24/7. In that week, my tinnitus began to get progressively worse, and I believe it was due to the protection(development of hyperacusis).

@DocTors_94 If you don't get very apparent spikes in direct relation to sound, and this is just straight up progressively worsening without reason, I wouldn't use muffs literally 24/7, at least not indoors in environments where sound can be controlled.

@Barry098 I'm protecting since I don't want to be exposed to noise and make it worse...
@Stacken77 I think I had that, but not sure if I have it now... I think I do if I take my earmuffs off... What I still don't get is this worsening... I am going to go insane, It is impossible to habituate... I feel so desperate I cry all day... Do you have any advices? Thanks

I would start by only wearing your ear protection in dangerously loud environments. I think OSHA says that is 90db but I wear protection at 80db. Schedule an appointment with a good ENT. Maybe you have something treatable.

@Barry098 Thank you... I am in shock state, I'm not sure why I worsened way more today than rest of the days... This is just brutal... I will make an appointment ASAP. Can't sleep anymore with earmuffs... It is so freaking loud with earmuffs sleeping isn't possible anymore...

@DocTors_94 I'm sorry you are having a rough go of it. I have been through the early stages of Tinnitus (first 6 months) twice now and both times it has been beyond the worst thing imaginable. It is hard to do but try your best to remain calm. Freaking out doesn't help you. Only time helps. Just do what you need to do to get through each day until things start to improve...and they will :)