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First of all, I am sorry to hear about your struggles. You are less than six months in with your tinnitus, so there is a great chance for it to improve significantly. What you describe sounds like some level of loudness hyperacusis—sensitivity to sounds or certain soundscapes. This condition...

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with this possible permanent spike, Joseph. Yes, hearing aids can be a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to hyperacusis and sound sensitivity. You need to address these issues with your audiologist. The hearing aids must be set and...

That is your definition and perception of it. You cannot label this on behalf of everyone else. No two people experience these conditions in exactly the same way.

Yes, one could call it that, @trevl. But in the end, labeling tinnitus is very much relative and subjective. Personally, I never label it, and I especially try to avoid words like “severe” (I know you were just answering a question about this). To me, “severe” is such a negatively loaded word...

In symbiosis with nature, where I thrive and find my strength. “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” - R. Carson

Heartfelt thanks, @Daniel Lion, for your kind words. 🙏 There is a lot of strength to be found in hope, positive thinking, and affirmations. I would certainly be lost without them, and I hope they can inspire and support others as well. Peace and courage.

Agreed—well said! 👏 If we tense up or remain tense (fight-or-flight mode), the ears and related muscles tense up too. That makes setbacks much more likely. No doubt. People can say what they want about positive thinking, but I know from personal experience that one thing that definitely...

I had 15 years of pretty much stable tinnitus before 2019, until “thunder struck me” late that year and brought me to my knees. It happened during a loud concert when I forgot to bring my earplugs. I misjudged the situation, made the mistake of staying, and paid the price. After that, I went to...

Sorry to hear about your loss and pain, @Lins12. Such immense grief and sorrow can really exacerbate conditions like tinnitus. It will get better with time, as time is what you need now to process the sudden loss of your beloved. Like @Hazel advised, I’d wait a bit before trying a hearing aid...

The use of Prednisone seems to be hit or miss in these cases, depending on whom you ask and their experience. If you’re experiencing all those side effects—some of which seem quite alarming—you should think twice before using it at all. Personally, I can’t recall Prednisone having a...

I know this was intended as a follow-up to @Michael Leigh, but I just want to point out that continuing to attend concerts, nightclubs, and other extremely loud events poses a significant risk if you have mild hyperacusis. This isn’t about stopping life altogether—we just have to adjust...

In my experience, this is overprotecting, which can further sensitize your auditory and central nervous systems. However, everyone is different, so it’s hard to say what will work for you.

I have reactive tinnitus and hyperacusis, and I go to the gym. Some days, my ears are more irritated by the noise level, but most of the time, I have no issues—it doesn’t make my condition worse. My reactivity and hyperacusis have improved a lot compared to before, but I’ve continued working...

@Luman, you should give Donald, the bully, a call. Maybe he has an open slot for you for a position in his administration. You'd be a great match 😅

This is quite common with hyperacusis (speaking from experience), and I don’t think you should place too much value on it or label it—especially by assuming the worst-case scenario. That will only make it worse, as hypervigilance, stress, and anxiety can make your nerves more tense, leading to...

Oh, really? Was it a joke? I got that, mate. 😅 I’m not sure what you’re trying to tell me. This isn’t a contest of who’s worse off. The trigeminal nerve is connected to the ear, so these mechanisms affect each other. Honestly, I don’t see much logic in what you wrote, except for the last...

For me, it was mostly a separate case. As I mentioned, it was 24/7 but worsened with cold weather, hot weather, wind, touch, and so on. And just to clarify, I’m referring to medical Botox, not cosmetic. If you keep looking for “horror stories” about people who didn’t improve, you’re only...

I had neuralgia in my face for more than two years, so I understand what you’re going through. I experienced constant facial pain, 24/7. When I was outdoors in the wind or strong sunlight, I had to cover my face because it felt like it was burning. Despite all the suffering, I had no choice but...

You are not feeling safe because this is still new to you, your brain, and your nervous system. This takes time. And like you said, it’s not the “end of the world.” With time, most people eventually learn to let go of their fears and fully accept it as it is for now. Once you reach that stage...

I have no experience with the drugs you mentioned, but I have a lot of experience with reactive tinnitus. It’s mysterious, but you might be onto something regarding hyperactivity. When my anxiety is lower and I’m out of fight-or-flight mode, the reactive component of my tinnitus usually calms...

It’s really difficult to give good advice when it comes to reactive tinnitus. But one thing I’m pretty sure of, having had reactive tinnitus for five years now, is that overprotecting isn’t the way to go. By that, I mean avoiding everyday sounds around the house and similar situations. The...

Orwell's words are perhaps more relevant than ever 👏

It's unbelievable. Or maybe not, given Trump is in position again. He's always "had a thing" for dictators. Nevertheless, disgusting.

Remember, who you are today doesn't define who you will be tomorrow. Low points are natural ...

Short answer: yes. For most people, it does improve. For some, it may linger, but it often remains mild, and for many, it eventually goes away. However, setbacks can happen regardless. Returning to life exactly as it was before hyperacusis, even if it improves or resolves, is usually not a good...

Why do you jump to the conclusion that you are screwed and have no future? Worsening doesn’t mean you will stay like this permanently. You might get better.

I’m so sorry to hear about your struggles. Feeling hopeless and alone with a condition like hyperacusis is understandable because no one can truly grasp it without experiencing it themselves. That being said, I do think constantly searching for answers on Google and similar sources can be...

Sorry to hear about your struggles. I think you should try to let go of the thought—sooner rather than later—that this could have all been prevented. I’ve been down this road many times myself, but looking back like that is completely useless. You need to focus on moving forward, and I’m quite...

Great work by Jack and Tinnitus Quest 👏👏 Awareness is the first step towards a brighter future for everyone in regards to tinnitus/hyperacusis.

You can have this thought, but it’s 100% counterintuitive when it comes to getting better, whether through habituation or any other approach. Habituation is not awful at all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

This is common with reactive tinnitus. I am personally very familiar with it. Certain frequencies can make the tinnitus “wind up” or react, overpowering background noise, as you mentioned. This might happen with TV noise, running sinks in the distance, vacuum cleaners, or similar sounds. One...

No, I did not notice any particular improvement during the first six months after my acoustic trauma back in 2019. I would say it took about a year for my tolerance to slowly return to an acceptable level. I still have reactive tinnitus to this day, which, in my opinion (and the opinion of many...

Sorry to hear this, @Yellowblue44. You are not doomed. This does sound like a major setback, given what you’ve described, and it’s understandable that you’re feeling like you’re back to “square one.” I think it’s important to take a step back and give yourself and your ears the space and time...

Yes, use properly sealed foam earplugs with MRI-safe ear defenders on top, as suggested. Taking NAC or similar supplements before and after the MRI might also be a good idea. If you are feeling stressed about the procedure, consider taking a small, single dose of diazepam about one hour...

It sounds like pain and loudness hyperacusis. The other sensation you describe might be related to your trigeminal nerve, which is a common issue after sound trauma. The cold feeling or sensation could also be a result of anxiety following your incident. The somatic component of tinnitus, like...

You do not get an MRI for fun. It should only be done for a good reason, and I assume there is one in this case. Otherwise, @ECP would not bother posting about it. For your information, I experienced a similar situation. At the time, I went through two different MRIs in the same year. I used...

@ECP, I was in a similar situation to you regarding tinnitus and hyperacusis, and I had (and still have) the same concerns about MRIs. I ended up having both a jaw and brain MRI. Both times, I wore foam plugs and headphones (I didn’t have any issues with the enclosed space). The experience was...

@Mhillqt, no need to worry—it won’t set you back. This is very common after high-intensity workouts and is usually caused by increased blood pressure.

What I used for some time early on was introducing “positive soundscapes” to train my brain to focus on them instead of the noises (reactivity and hyperacusis) I experienced in my head. You can choose any soundscape you find soothing. Just make sure to use a high-quality speaker and play it at a...

Giving up is conceding that things will never get better, and that is just not true. Ups and downs are a constant in life, and I've been belted into that roller coaster a thousand times. - Aimee Mullins -

This is a good description. The psychosomatic aspect, in my opinion, can have a significant impact. New neural pathways must be formed after acoustic trauma, and that is a slow process. Anxiety, “fear of sounds,” tensing up, stress, poor sleep, and similar issues fuel TTTS and are all obstacles...

I just want to add a recommendation: try a mix of both Magnesium Glycinate and L-Threonate, taken before bed.

Who gave you this advice? In my personal experience, this isn’t good advice, at least not for the long term, when it comes to reactive tinnitus. As mentioned earlier in this thread, overprotecting against ordinary, low-volume sounds, like vents, A/C, and similar noises, will only make your...

Spot on, I do this most of the time. Nature is my special go-to place where I can focus on the beauty surrounding me. This doesn’t mean that all days are bright and shiny, not at all. But now I have a better toolkit to manage those less-than-good periods. Certainly gradual, slow, and...