ASMR's (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) Effect on Tinnitus

[Cathy C]

I have just started listening and watching ASMR videos on YouTube. Namely, #GentleWhispering.

For anyone who doesn't know what "ASMR" is — it's Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, sometimes Auto Sensory Meridian Response, is a tingling sensation that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. A pleasant form of paresthesia, it has been compared with auditory-tactile synesthesia and may overlap with frisson.

I started watching the ASMR videos for relaxation but noticed that my tinnitus (mine is a high pitched tea kettle whistle in both ears) seemed to fall back in sound to almost nil once the ASMR reaction occurred. Maybe the brain decides tingle sensation pleasure is more desirable than a loud high pitched ringing? Then I noticed that even after I turned the YouTube video off, the tinging was less pronounced, still there but just lower.

Now the weird part about this experience is that I have a hard time hearing light sounds and whispers EXCEPT when I am experiencing ASMR whereby I CAN HEAR whispers. This to me was groundbreaking. The only thing is that when I'm not in this ASMR state I still can't hear whispers. So by no means is this a cure per se but certainly provides relief and a light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm wondering what reactions others have been having (if any) to ASMR? I think the brain may pick pleasure over false sound... but I'm no doctor and have zero expertise other than being a 25-year sufferer and hearing impaired as a result of my tinnitus. I was a musician with bad ear infections so I think the loud noise and ear infections created the perfect storm for tinnitus.

Anyway, if anyone else is experiencing a positive effect from ASMR please let me know — we may be onto something big!

 

[FGG]

I have just started listening and watching ASMR videos on YouTube. Namely, #GentleWhispering.

For anyone who doesn't know what "ASMR" is — it's Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, sometimes Auto Sensory Meridian Response, is a tingling sensation that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. A pleasant form of paresthesia, it has been compared with auditory-tactile synesthesia and may overlap with frisson.

I started watching the ASMR videos for relaxation but noticed that my tinnitus (mine is a high pitched tea kettle whistle in both ears) seemed to fall back in sound to almost nil once the ASMR reaction occurred. Maybe the brain decides tingle sensation pleasure is more desirable than a loud high pitched ringing? Then I noticed that even after I turned the YouTube video off, the tinging was less pronounced, still there but just lower.

Now the weird part about this experience is that I have a hard time hearing light sounds and whispers EXCEPT when I am experiencing ASMR whereby I CAN HEAR whispers. This to me was groundbreaking. The only thing is that when I'm not in this ASMR state I still can't hear whispers. So by no means is this a cure per se but certainly provides relief and a light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm wondering what reactions others have been having (if any) to ASMR? I think the brain may pick pleasure over false sound... but I'm no doctor and have zero expertise other than being a 25-year sufferer and hearing impaired as a result of my tinnitus. I was a musician with bad ear infections so I think the loud noise and ear infections created the perfect storm for tinnitus.

Anyway, if anyone else is experiencing a positive effect from ASMR please let me know — we may be onto something big!

Not everyone gets the tingling sensations. I have heard it described as a form of synesthesia. I used to though. There was a pumpkin tapping video that gave me such intense tingles, I felt almost high. My ears are really sensitive atm, but I'm curious to try this if they settle down.

 

[TheDanishGirl]

I listen to ASMR everyday and especially before bedtime. I have experienced some immunity to the effect though. I rarely get the insane tingles and relaxation like I used to, and I have to change up what videos I watch almost every day, because otherwise I don't get any effect at all, but when it hits... Damn! Not even a benzo is as relaxing as that. Just wonderful. My favorite triggers are hand sounds, whispers and eating sounds.

It hasn't had an effect on my tinnitus (or hyperacusis) though. Just relaxes me (sometimes).

 

[kingsfan]

The only thing ASMR does for me is make me agitated. I can't stand those sounds.

 

[ECP]

I have just started listening and watching ASMR videos on YouTube. Namely, #GentleWhispering.

I started watching the ASMR videos for relaxation but noticed that my tinnitus (mine is a high pitched tea kettle whistle in both ears) seemed to fall back in sound to almost nil once the ASMR reaction occurred. Maybe the brain decides tingle sensation pleasure is more desirable than a loud high pitched ringing? Then I noticed that even after I turned the YouTube video off, the tinging was less pronounced, still there but just lower.

Now the weird part about this experience is that I have a hard time hearing light sounds and whispers EXCEPT when I am experiencing ASMR whereby I CAN HEAR whispers. This to me was groundbreaking. The only thing is that when I'm not in this ASMR state I still can't hear whispers. So by no means is this a cure per se but certainly provides relief and a light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm wondering what reactions others have been having (if any) to ASMR? I think the brain may pick pleasure over false sound... but I'm no doctor and have zero expertise other than being a 25-year sufferer and hearing impaired as a result of my tinnitus. I was a musician with bad ear infections so I think the loud noise and ear infections created the perfect storm for tinnitus.

Very interesting! I never understood the appeal of ASMR videos. I never got those pleasant tingling sensations that other people raved about, nor did I understand what was so aesthetically pleasing or soothing about the noise.

However, about six months after developing tinnitus and noxacusis, I started getting tingling sensations in my scalp at random times, but only on days when my tinnitus, noxacusis and depression weren't very bad. On days when my symptoms were horrible, there would be no tingling at all. The correlation is unmistakable, but nobody has been able to tell me what it means. I personally think it's a sign that different regions of the brain are being healed, but what do I know? I'm not a doctor.

I don't get any pleasure out of the tingling in my scalp, but when it happens, I'm happy because it's an indication that my day is going to be relatively tolerable, pain-wise and noise-wise.

Update: I just tried to listen to two ASMR videos on YouTube, and I had to turn them off within the first thirty seconds. The whispering female voices instantly caused a burning pain. It must be a white-noise frequency that I'm particularly sensitive to.

I don't think I'll ever understand the appeal of the ASMR genre on YouTube, I'm afraid. But I'm happy for those of you who use it find temporary relief from your symptoms.

 

[Sointu]

I used to enjoy ASMR a lot before I ruined my hearing with loud noise. I don't enjoy it anymore.

 

[gracepixie]

I came here to see if anyone else has experienced the same thing. I've also found some relief from my tinnitus when listening to ASMR. I couldn't sleep for the first month after my tinnitus started (due to sudden hearing loss from inner ear barotrauma), but when I gave ASMR a try, it really helped move the tinnitus into the background and allowed me to sleep; better than I did before the tinnitus, honestly.

Now I'm using Lenire and seeing some good success with it, although it's still early. I'm wondering if sensitivity to ASMR could be a good predictor of responsiveness to bimodal stimulation for the treatment of tinnitus.