Quick backstory: Last year, I often played guitar through headphones for about two hours at a time, as I always had. I did not think the volume was particularly loud, but sometimes after a session, my ears would feel a little off—maybe slightly full, and some sounds seemed a bit louder than usual for 20 to 30 minutes. I always assumed this was just a temporary shift in my hearing from wearing headphones and thought it was normal. Now, I realize this might have actually been an early warning sign of hyperacusis.
After one of these sessions, my current more serious tinnitus began. You can read more about it in my introductory thread. Around that time, I also experienced some kind of Eustachian tube issue or infection. My ear made all sorts of weird popping and springy noises at night, and simply breathing out would cause it to fill with air.
During the initial period when my tinnitus was at its worst, I noticed that certain sounds like a truck driving past, food frying, or water running in the bath made my ear feel like it was almost dripping inside. The sounds were broken up in a strange way, though this has improved over time. I also experienced shooting pain in my temple and around my ear, as well as a brief period where everything sounded excessively loud and almost glassy, as if my ears were fully open. At the time, I attributed this to stress, TMJ, the steroid nasal spray increasing my anxiety, and my Eustachian tube healing, but now I am not so sure.
Now that my tinnitus has settled, I have definitely developed phonophobia. Some days, the inside of my ear feels warm or sore, like the sensation you get after scraping your skin. While I can listen to the TV and have face to face conversations, if someone speaks to me from my right side, which is my worse ear, lower frequencies sound off and feel uncomfortable.
There is also a possibility that this is related to TTTS, tonic tensor tympani syndrome. At one point, when my tinnitus had started to improve, I experienced a dropout tinnitus episode where my ear hummed or vibrated for about 30 seconds. Strangely, this sensation felt kind of nice, almost like an internal massage relieving that sore pain. I also occasionally get random ear fluttering.
I am wondering if anyone has thoughts or advice. While I am avoiding sound as much as possible, I am also terrified that if this is early hyperacusis or noxacusis, I might make it worse. I already feel like I have ruined my life, and I do not think I could cope if things deteriorate further. I am not sure how to proceed, especially with my ENT appointment coming up quickly. I would appreciate any guidance on what tests I should agree to.
Thanks in advance.
After one of these sessions, my current more serious tinnitus began. You can read more about it in my introductory thread. Around that time, I also experienced some kind of Eustachian tube issue or infection. My ear made all sorts of weird popping and springy noises at night, and simply breathing out would cause it to fill with air.
During the initial period when my tinnitus was at its worst, I noticed that certain sounds like a truck driving past, food frying, or water running in the bath made my ear feel like it was almost dripping inside. The sounds were broken up in a strange way, though this has improved over time. I also experienced shooting pain in my temple and around my ear, as well as a brief period where everything sounded excessively loud and almost glassy, as if my ears were fully open. At the time, I attributed this to stress, TMJ, the steroid nasal spray increasing my anxiety, and my Eustachian tube healing, but now I am not so sure.
Now that my tinnitus has settled, I have definitely developed phonophobia. Some days, the inside of my ear feels warm or sore, like the sensation you get after scraping your skin. While I can listen to the TV and have face to face conversations, if someone speaks to me from my right side, which is my worse ear, lower frequencies sound off and feel uncomfortable.
There is also a possibility that this is related to TTTS, tonic tensor tympani syndrome. At one point, when my tinnitus had started to improve, I experienced a dropout tinnitus episode where my ear hummed or vibrated for about 30 seconds. Strangely, this sensation felt kind of nice, almost like an internal massage relieving that sore pain. I also occasionally get random ear fluttering.
I am wondering if anyone has thoughts or advice. While I am avoiding sound as much as possible, I am also terrified that if this is early hyperacusis or noxacusis, I might make it worse. I already feel like I have ruined my life, and I do not think I could cope if things deteriorate further. I am not sure how to proceed, especially with my ENT appointment coming up quickly. I would appreciate any guidance on what tests I should agree to.
Thanks in advance.
