This is something I've been wondering about when it comes to reactive tinnitus. How can you habituate to something when it's always there for a lot of sounds and you can't mask it? The whole habituation thing makes sense for regular tinnitus but I'm having trouble imagining I won't notice this in the future.
Habituation doesn't mean "won't notice it", at least for severe cases. The general consensus is that it "stops bothering you".
I don't know what your reactivity is like, but does it at least lessen over time?
I consider myself habituated. It still bothers me. I just keep everything to myself now, so from the outside world, it looks like "it stopped bothering me", but nothing's further from the truth, unfortunately.
My reactivity eventually settled down. I attribute it to sound therapy. From advice from audiologists and people here on this forum, I play pleasing sounds (I chose nature sounds) in whichever room I'm in, all day, all night. I keep the volume such that it excites my reactivity just a bit. I also exposed myself to environmental sounds in small but increasing doses over time--I started with walks around the neighborhood, then short park visits, then short visits to cafes, etc. After 5-6 weeks of this, my reactivity lessened.
Yep, same thing. Mine is not getting any better. In fact, it seems that reactivity is getting worse. I could do ok with just the tinnitus, but the reactive one and hyperacusis, no. I don't see any point in life anymore when I'm cooped up all day, all night in my tinnitus bathroom.
I'm thinking the same thing. How can you habituate to something that changes all the time in tone, in volume and that competes with any sound? This is maddening.
Then what's the point in life? If I never habituate and if it keeps giving me headaches and I can't even take Tylenol or anything because it makes it worse. What's the point? I might just never leave my tiny bathroom where I found refuge because everywhere else is too loud.
Well I got better after a year of isolation and can now work and go to not loud restaurants and meet friends etc. It's not 100% life but it works for me for now. Plus we have XEN1101 to look forward to more or less.
Well I have more or less. Can do 70% more than what I couldn't do previously. But yeah George is a really great guy and I have massive respect for him, but he doesn't seem to spike permanently from butterfly farts like I used to haha.
Think we both had the lightsabers. They died off for me, seems pretty "coincidence" if not connected to high Prednisone bursts/tapers.
But what does it mean? I was given Methylprednisolone at the same time as the Neomycin and Z-Pak (again for an infection I didn't have). Is it why I have reactive tinnitus and hyperacusis? Am I going to get better?
Quite a few of us have. I had buzzsaw spikes so loud in the beginning I couldn't hear someone talk right in front of me. Mine is still reactive but fortunately I can still live (for now).
I have had severe constant reactive tinnitus for almost 3 years and I fear I'll never get better since most seem to have their reactive tinnitus go away between 1 to 2 years and I'm past that... Sometimes the reactive unmaskable tinnitus is quieter but that's about it. I used sound therapy and have isolated myself but still got reactive tinnitus.
Yeah, nearing two months in and it's just worse. Earplugs caused a spike that has not gone away in 2 days and I think it's staying. Worst one too of the sounds. My ears are very reactive to everything. I don't think I can take it much longer and the new tone is constant and I can't see myself lasting with it.
I feel the same. Laundry is piling up. I don't have my own washer/dryer so I must go to the basement with other people. I'm avoiding that. I can do the dishes, but I avoid using a lot of them and still eat with plastic.
For what it's worth: you're irritating your ear canal wearing earplugs. They are not made to be worn all day. If sounds bother you, buy a good pair of earmuffs. Peltors are good. The spike caused by earplugs may be due to the fact you're isolating from sounds, so you're basically feeding your brain with tinnitus.
I'm also like this. There is a baseline level of crap I've learned to somewhat live around (not with). Like a fucking annoying parrot you took on that is old and for some reason refuses death.
It takes the better part of a year if you're severe to either get reductions or habituate. And yes, it can absolutely reduce over that time. And many drugs keep working on it too.
given my experience with the sounds you're hearing...yes you will get better. but seriously...expect a year.
Hi Aline, How are you doing tonight? I hope you get pockets of relief and it's nice to read the comments that the change in tone is sign of healing. Please keep updating here on how you feel, venting, etc. Hope to hear back!
Ears cracking to sound is most likely TTTS, which is a standard hyperacusis symptom that will fade away with time. I had this symptom in 2009, it lasted for about 6 months, then just faded, along with the hyperacusis. Had a setback in 2017, it didn't last for more than a month.
It's definitely annoying, but it will basically go away at some point.
I'm not sure it is a sign of relief. It's just the way it is with me. I have crackling and the tinnitus reacts, but it doesn't go down. I'm losing hope. And by the way, I live on my own. So, the "mom losing it, too" comment was meant to say "I'm losing it, too."
My tinnitus reacts to running water, fridge, microwave, city traffic, everything that is buzzing or humming. It is also a sort of hyperacusis. My ears crack and pops too. I have no idea what's going on, and I'm getting desperate. Have you experienced that?
Oh yes I have. Reactive tinnitus + hyperacusis is a pretty standard issue among people with tinnitus, but it's usually a matter of months. Give it a whole year, let your ears do their stuff, it will calm down in time. Just treat your hearing capital with respect though: no concerts, no headphones, no fireworks, no cellphone conversation unless you're using speakers, etc. Basic care.
Are you on any medications? It's almost two months for me too. How did you get your T?
Does it mean that there is a chance that the reactivity is going to go away? I'm struggling more with that than hyperacusis.
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