Acoustic Trauma Caused by Trash Bin Being Emptied Out

[Marceline]

Greetings everyone,

On Thursday 16 May 2019, at 1 PM I was waiting in front of my lecture hall, where suddenly, a garbage man was emptying out a trash bin. I was in a conversation, with another student, so I didn't see it coming. The trash bin was like a big drawer. You can see it in the picture above. It was everything from the sticker, labeled "Abfall" until the bottom, so like a really huge drawer. It was really loud. I couldn't get out, because outside there was also huge noise, caused by a building site. The garbage men emptied out the three trash bins, you can see in the picture and three trash bins, next to it (you can't see them). I was staying from the perspective the photo was taken.

Since this event my hearing has felt blocked. I hear a little bit of noises, but no extremely loud tinnitus. But there are noises. Plus, I can't make pressure balance anymore. Everything is dull. I hate myself for not running out to the building site, which would be "the lesser evil" and instead staying there, where the garbage man banged at the trash bins six times. Only my right ear is affected. What should I do? Is it a permanent acoustic trauma? I'm a little bit afraid of going to ENT, because last time he did an Acoustic Reflex Test with me, which caused even more damage.

Thanks for reading and have a good day,
Marceline

 

[Contrast]

That sucks take magnesium and hope for the best recovery possible.

People who suffer from hyperacusis/noxacusis are more prone to hearing damage then the average person. No audiologist will admit that but it's true.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I'm a little bit afraid of going to ENT

You can always tell an ENT that you don't consent to a certain test that involves a loud sound.

I hate myself for not running out to the building site, which would be "the lesser evil" and instead staying there, where the garbage man banged at the trash bins six times.

You could have also pressed your tragus on both sides of your head, and that would probably provide similar protection to wearing earplugs.

Is it a permanent acoustic trauma?

I've had countless incidents like that (that resulted in serious spikes and even ear fullness). All of those spikes ended up being temporary spikes. Most spikes, for most people, are temporary spikes. Temporary spikes can last for over three months, and might begin to fade only after about a month. So you shouldn't panic unless there is no improvement after a month. For now it makes sense to assume that your spike is temporary.

But try to learn from your mistake, and try to ensure that you are not exposed to this type of a noise (seeing how it gives serious spikes to you). In two years or so, you will likely be a lot more resilient. Until that time, it makes sense to be careful and to avoid these noises.

You can take NAC, but it is probably not a good idea to take Prednisone (as it can have serious side effects and your noise exposure was only moderate).

 

[Marceline]

Thank you for your replies, Contrast and Bill Bauer.

The spike isn't what worries me the most. It is, that I can't "feel" my right ear anymore. Whem I'm yawning or shawolling, I just feel it on my left ear anymore. Also, if I hear loud or squeaky noises, only my left ear tries to registrate it. The right ear seems unaffected. I'm worrying, that this incident in the university costs me too much inner hair cells, which are now dying, so that's why my right ear feels dull.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Thank you for your replies, Contrast and Bill Bauer.

The spike isn't what worries me the most. It is, that I can't "feel" my right ear anymore. Whem I'm yawning or shawolling, I just feel it on my left ear anymore. Also, if I hear loud or squeaky noises, only my left ear tries to registrate it. The right ear seems unaffected. I'm worrying, that this incident in the university costs me too much inner hair cells, which are now dying, so that's why my right ear feels dull.

I think you are experiencing "full ear sensation". It should eventually go away. It is unlikely that that noise had actually damaged your hair cells.

 

[vttbx]

I agree with Bill. Go see an ENT and ask for them not to do the reflex test.

I had a similar experience about one year ago with a garbage truck going through an alleyway while I was walking. It was a loud crash that flared up my tinnitus, hyperacusis, and pain. I've been taking Nicotinamide Riboside ever since and think it has helped.
https://news.weill.cornell.edu/news...ents-noise-induced-hearing-loss-samie-jaffrey

I also "stack" multiple treatments. Last week, knowing I was going to be around some noise at work, I started each day with NAC and acetyl-l-carnitine. I had a day were I ate foods high in L-Methionine as D-Methionine is a known otoprotective agent but is not available for purchase. I then did a vitamin IV drip consisting of 15 grams of Vitamin C while taking Vitamin A and E orally.

https://www.entandaudiologynews.com...eatures/post/what-s-new-in-protecting-hearing
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24519034