@SimonRK, hey man. I am also a victim of f... earbuds. How severe is/was your tinnitus? Did you have any hearing loss, loss of balance or any other symptoms?
Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
I was in the normal range, 20 dB from 500-1k, 10 dB at 2k, 5-10 dB at 4k-8k. I think I have a steep drop after 12.5 kHz, but has not been professionally tested. Since I got hyperacusis three years ago, I've started to get some distortions on S sounds and have trouble hearing S sounds spoken by high pitched voices.
I have not yet had new audiogram to see if that is because my high frequencies have deteriorated. Subjectively, I feel I have trouble understanding high pitched voices, especially with background noise. Considering going to get another audiogram soon.
My hyperacusis got better but the tinnitus has just slowly gotten worse over time. I don't know how severe it is compared to others, but if I listen for it I can hear it in most situations, not just in quiet. I had ear pressure and fluttering three years ago with the loudness H, but it got better as well.
BTW @2049v I saw that you are hesitant to try an antidepressant because it would be like admitting that this is a psychological issue. Please consider if the way you are feeling right now is worth proving a point. The tinnitus won't go away, but it could help with the anxiety that comes with it.
Even though mine started with headphones, it's far, far more severe compared to many others who also suffer from headphone-induced tinnitus. Moreover, I have signs of cochlear synaptopathy, and I become unsteady as I'm exposed to sounds. Most of the time, I can't leave the house without my earplugs, and if I don't have them when I go to places like the market, I feel as if I'm drunk.
@2049v You are in a spiral of anxiety and depression right now and you need help to get out of it. Please believe me, I have thought my life was over several times because of tinnitus and hearing issues, but both times I got my life back. I'm currently back in a dark place, but it's not as scary because I've been here before and I have faith that my brain will adapt.