Can Mild Tinnitus Remain Mild?

[2noist]

A friend of mine has had tinnitus for as long as she can remember, likely due to loud noise from her stepdad's band.

Throughout years of public transport, concerts, her transition, etc, it has not spiked. It seems pretty mild. She says that it made concentrating on tests and exams a bit difficult and she sleeps a fan on. Aside from that, no impact on her quality of life.

If only we could all be so lucky.

I would still be careful if I were her.

Her ears might take only a certain amount of abuse until she's hit with a worse tinnitus.

 

[aot]

I would still be careful if I were her.

Her ears might take only a certain amount of abuse until she's hit with a worse tinnitus.

Oh, I agree. And I told her so.

 

[BobDigi]

@BobDigi this is far from a game! Let's hope there is real progress made towards a treatment or a cure. How else can one survive without HOPE! There will always be people with snake oil and I hope there is a place in hell for them.

Hope is great. False hope is dangerous. People need to accept they probably have tinnitus for the rest of their lives and nothing will cure it. It's better to be realistic and accept it. Otherwise people can't learn to live with it. They will waste that time hoping.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Hope is great. False hope is dangerous. People need to accept they probably have tinnitus for the rest of their lives and nothing will cure it. It's better to be realistic and accept it. Otherwise people can't learn to live with it. They will waste that time hoping.

Sometimes false hope can get you through a suicidal hump though.

 

[TheDanishGirl]

No, for some people it more or less stays the same for many years. I know somebody who has relatively mild tinnitus and has had for close to 20 years. He goes to loud concerts without earplugs all the time and his has never gotten permanently worse.

Some people just have good genes, or whatever it is.

 

[Forever hopeful]

I think the vast majority of people with tinnitus do well, adjust and move on from Tinnitus Talk after getting the support they need.

I have had tinnitus on and off for years. I have had it resolve and then come back, be different or worsening. However, most people I know with tinnitus have not had any changes or worsening of their symptoms. So I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. There are just a select few of us who haven't been very lucky in that regard.

 

[magicant]

I think mine was permanently exacerbated this time. I was exposed to someone setting off fireworks not that far away from me as I was walking the dogs. Before then, I'd reached the point of complete habituation + the tinnitus only audible in quiet rooms. It had become a non-issue for me. Now I'm dealing with a 5-week long spike, and I honestly don't feel any confidence anymore in that it'll ever settle or go back to my comfortable baseline.

In retrospect, I wish I'd listened to myself and simply completely isolated myself and stopped going outside altogether. I'd given up on so many things already, but I guess it just wasn't enough. Now it's back to feeling highly anxious and suicidal with tinnitus that feels worse than onset.

 

[kingsfan]

I would still be careful if I were her.

Her ears might take only a certain amount of abuse until she's hit with a worse tinnitus.

This^^^^

I am the living, breathing example of this.

 

[Zugzug]

Hope is great. False hope is dangerous. People need to accept they probably have tinnitus for the rest of their lives and nothing will cure it. It's better to be realistic and accept it. Otherwise people can't learn to live with it. They will waste that time hoping.

Severe cases need both coping mechanisms and a motivation to live for the future. A very big myth is that people with severe cases aren't habituated. Trust me, I'm habituated to living in a sound free bubble 24/7 with 10/10 hyperacusis and often raging tinnitus. In other words, it doesn't catch me by surprise or generate denial. It's my life so therefore, I am habituated.

Being habituated only leads to a happily ever after story in mild cases. Very severe cases of tinnitus or hyperacusis definitely need to follow research and also be living for a better tomorrow.

 

[Mike O]

My answer is yes, it can remain mild. I do question if blood pressure, neck issues or other issues come into play but I do get a down turn in the dog whistle in my ear at times.

 

[Ava Lugo]

Severe cases need both coping mechanisms and a motivation to live for the future. A very big myth is that people with severe cases aren't habituated. Trust me, I'm habituated to living in a sound free bubble 24/7 with 10/10 hyperacusis and often raging tinnitus. In other words, it doesn't catch me by surprise or generate denial. It's my life so therefore, I am habituated.

Being habituated only leads to a happily ever after story in mild cases. Very severe cases of tinnitus or hyperacusis definitely need to follow research and also be living for a better tomorrow.

That's wild. I have really severe disabling reactive tinnitus and I'm going to be 2 years in with this shit in a few months. I still haven't fully habituated and accepted it. If you really truly habituated then I guess that's good. I do pray we get a treatment at least, in the near future.

 

[Derek26]

It depends. A lot of people it stays the same, maybe fluctuates a bit but as long as your not exposed to severely loud noises you should be ok. But it can get worse, unfortunately there are no guarentees with this condition.

 

[Kam75]

I agree with the previous comments that tinnitus can get worse over time and depending on what you do.

To talk about my personal example, I had tinnitus in 2014 (only one sound, and extremely low) because I stayed near a speaker in a bar.

I have lived completely normally since then and in 2019, unfortunately my life went to hell after a music festival where I developed disabling tinnitus (multiple sounds and very high-pitched) as well as hyperacusis.

I should point out that during this festival I wore custom-made hearing protection that cost €130 and I stayed at the back of the hall taking breaks regularly.

I've been wandering around the forums for the last 2 years and I haven't seen any testimonies of people who have had tinnitus while wearing custom-made hearing protection, I must be the only one on Earth...

And this already terrible tinnitus got worse in 2020 because I took Naproxen for only 6 days...

I must be one of the most unlucky guy regarding tinnitus.

 

[nocticolor]

Honestly, I think that's true for most cases. I have two friends that have had mild tinnitus for around a decade, they live a completely normal life, and they're both fine. Back when we still went clubbing one of them would just put toilet paper in her ears because she always forgot actual earplugs, and her tinnitus was caused by SSHL after a concert. She's always confused when I tell her about my tinnitus spiking or getting new noises out of nowhere because she never experienced that.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Severe cases need both coping mechanisms and a motivation to live for the future. A very big myth is that people with severe cases aren't habituated. Trust me, I'm habituated to living in a sound free bubble 24/7 with 10/10 hyperacusis and often raging tinnitus. In other words, it doesn't catch me by surprise or generate denial. It's my life so therefore, I am habituated.

Being habituated only leads to a happily ever after story in mild cases. Very severe cases of tinnitus or hyperacusis definitely need to follow research and also be living for a better tomorrow.

How did you get to where you're at if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Zugzug]

How did you get to where you're at if you don't mind me asking?

Very, very bad luck. The kind of bad luck where the rarity can't be quantified because I've never met someone similar.

Basically, I have Sjogren's Syndrome as a core systemic autoimmune disease. So, on a daily basis, my body thinks my own healthy tissue are invaders.

In 2019, the disease spread entirely to my ears. Essentially, I have developed progressive, permanent damage as my immune system attacks (likely my cochlea or nerves) every day. Medications help some to stabilize the ongoing destruction, but nothing regenerates the damage that's already been done. My LDLs are in the 10-20 dB range, and even then, I can only sustain it for a little bit before I am prone to setbacks from over exertion.

I have lost everything and died. I have 10/10 hyperacusis (I live in a basically a sound proof home with earmuffs on 24/7). I can't talk, other than very light whispering. In fact, I've developed a small slur on my 's' sounds because I subconsciously started emphasizing them less, due to my hyperacusis. I haven't spoken in a normal volume or left my home (other than on extremely rare occasions like getting vaccinated and getting a test done) in well over a year.

My wife abandoned me too, and instead of taking the time to do it out of love (i.e. lots of planning, a separation trial, etc.), she chose the route of "I went camping with your googly-eyed, POS cousin, had an epiphany on the drive home, and determined that you suck and deserve it." To this day, she thinks she's the victim in the divorce because I shot for 50/50 of the settlement.

Here's my advice: Don't be me.

Thanks for asking though; I sincerely do appreciate you taking an interest. You now know more about Sjogren's than my ex did.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Very, very bad luck. The kind of bad luck where the rarity can't be quantified because I've never met someone similar.

Basically, I have Sjogren's Syndrome as a core systemic autoimmune disease. So, on a daily basis, my body thinks my own healthy tissue are invaders.

In 2019, the disease spread entirely to my ears. Essentially, I have developed progressive, permanent damage as my immune system attacks (likely my cochlea or nerves) every day. Medications help some to stabilize the ongoing destruction, but nothing regenerates the damage that's already been done. My LDLs are in the 10-20 dB range, and even then, I can only sustain it for a little bit before I am prone to setbacks from over exertion.

I have lost everything and died. I have 10/10 hyperacusis (I live in a basically a sound proof home with earmuffs on 24/7). I can't talk, other than very light whispering. In fact, I've developed a small slur on my 's' sounds because I subconsciously started emphasizing them less, due to my hyperacusis. I haven't spoken in a normal volume or left my home (other than on extremely rare occasions like getting vaccinated and getting a test done) in well over a year.

My wife abandoned me too, and instead of taking the time to do it out of love (i.e. lots of planning, a separation trial, etc.), she chose the route of "I went camping with your googly-eyed, POS cousin, had an epiphany on the drive home, and determined that you suck and deserve it." To this day, she thinks she's the victim in the divorce because I shot for 50/50 of the settlement.

Here's my advice: Don't be me.

Thanks for asking though; I sincerely do appreciate you taking an interest. You now know more about Sjogren's than my ex did.

Geeze man, I'm really sorry and taken aback. Like, wow man, I hope something turns out for you soon. That's BS.

 

[star-affinity]

I've been online long enough to see probably 10 things that showed positive results. But nothing ever materialises to a cure. In 10 years' time people will be having this exact same conversation. One person saying a cure won't be found, and another saying things are on the horizon. The ear is so tiny and intricate.

At least one thing is for certain – if there ever will be a cure (which I definitely think) we get one decade closer with each decade that passes.

Of course it won't help us much if it won't happen within our lifetime, but with all the different companies and universities that now focuses on hearing and repairing synapses and/or hair cells I think there's a chance that those drugs could help when the tinnitus is related to damage to those things.

Sure – the ear is tiny and intricate, but so is biotech.

 

[Rogi Cetpla]

I agree with the previous comments that tinnitus can get worse over time and depending on what you do.

To talk about my personal example, I had tinnitus in 2014 (only one sound, and extremely low) because I stayed near a speaker in a bar.

I have lived completely normally since then and in 2019, unfortunately my life went to hell after a music festival where I developed disabling tinnitus (multiple sounds and very high-pitched) as well as hyperacusis.

I should point out that during this festival I wore custom-made hearing protection that cost €130 and I stayed at the back of the hall taking breaks regularly.

I've been wandering around the forums for the last 2 years and I haven't seen any testimonies of people who have had tinnitus while wearing custom-made hearing protection, I must be the only one on Earth...

And this already terrible tinnitus got worse in 2020 because I took Naproxen for only 6 days...

I must be one of the most unlucky guy regarding tinnitus.

Hi Kam75,

I can confirm that you are not the only one to have had tinnitus worsening while wearing custom made earplugs.

I also fully understand the frustration, pain and despair you are experiencing.

At this stage my situation has unfortunately not improved but I am still hanging in there...

Take good care and stay strong,
Rogi

P.S. You can read my story on my profile.

 

[Zugzug]

Geeze man, I'm really sorry and taken aback. Like, wow man, I hope something turns out for you soon. That's BS.

How are you doing? Didn't you say yours got a lot worse recently in the suicide thread?

 

[Wrfortiscue]

How are you doing? Didn't you say yours got a lot worse recently in the suicide thread?

I am managing I guess. I was getting better up until a month ago when my son yelled near me yet again (1-2 days spike), then got a cold and my left ear that intermittently did a electrical buzz basically became 24/7. So I have the buzz and in the right ear a whistle/beep --- both react to certain noises. Night time was getting really quiet before; just the faint squeak in my left ear. Then to make matters worse I forgot my earplugs and a metal pan fell at a restaurant and made me wince. My tinnitus spiked a day later.

Who knows, maybe I recover again. Taking my earmuffs and or earplugs everywhere now and maybe try to introduce sound enrichment. Thanks for asking and hope you are doing ok.

 

[Zugzug]

I am managing I guess. I was getting better up until a month ago when my son yelled near me yet again (1-2 days spike), then got a cold and my left ear that intermittently did a electrical buzz basically became 24/7. So I have the buzz and in the right ear a whistle/beep --- both react to certain noises. Night time was getting really quiet before; just the faint squeak in my left ear. Then to make matters worse I forgot my earplugs and a metal pan fell at a restaurant and made me wince. My tinnitus spiked a day later.

Who knows, maybe I recover again. Taking my earmuffs and or earplugs everywhere now and maybe try to introduce sound enrichment. Thanks for asking and hope you are doing ok.

Something that might work for you are the special earplugs that are designed to "activate" only for loud noises -- something like this. Granted, they are expensive, but could be worth it if your pattern is "improve with time except one-off noises."

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Something that might work for you are the special earplugs that are designed to "activate" only for loud noises -- something like this. Granted, they are expensive, but could be worth it if your pattern is "improve with time except one-off noises."

Yeah I have some Decibullz. I think my tinnitus will permanently be up and down as it's basically been this pattern for months. I can feel my head buzzing too with certain noises like the frequency wants to match it or something. Who knows.

 

[TheDanishGirl]

Something that might work for you are the special earplugs that are designed to "activate" only for loud noises -- something like this. Granted, they are expensive, but could be worth it if your pattern is "improve with time except one-off noises."

Never knew such a thing existed. I wonder how fast they react to sound? Like if you get blasted with a car horn, that happens too fast, so it doesn't matter much if it takes 0.5 seconds to protect you, because sometimes that's enough to have a setback in hyperacusis and/or tinnitus.

 

[Zugzug]

Never knew such a thing existed. I wonder how fast they react to sound? Like if you get blasted with a car horn, that happens too fast, so it doesn't matter much if it takes 0.5 seconds to protect you, because sometimes that's enough to have a setback in hyperacusis and/or tinnitus.

The purpose is definitely for one-off noises so response time shouldn't be an issue. Also, regarding one-offs, the Hough Ear Institute Bomb Blast Pill (NHPN-1010) should help a lot, if all else fails, along with SPI-1005, OTO-313, and others.

 

[star-affinity]

@BobDigi

"I'm confident that effective treatments for numerous kinds of sensorineural hearing loss are now on the horizon."

Professor Charles Liberman in an interview from January 2019:

In conversation with Professor Charles Liberman