Did Using Headphones Cause My Tinnitus?

[Chikaku]

Hello everyone, I'm just looking for advice/reassurance and seeking anyone with similar experiences.

Here is a list of what I've been going through this past month:

• May 1-4: I noticed some low ringing in my ears.
• May 5: My right ear became quite bothersome, so I went to Urgent Care, and they decided to clean out the wax. I felt good, and my symptoms subsided.
• May 6: The symptoms came back.
• May 15: I was able to see my PCP, who gave me a referral to an ENT. During this time, my ears rang a lot more, especially my right ear, and it also felt full.
• May 17: I didn't have much ringing, but my right ear felt extremely full and gave off a sound of whooshing. The doctor said I didn't have any ear infection but had me do a hearing test. I had significant hearing loss in the higher frequencies. He prescribed me Prednisone for two weeks.
• May 18: The feeling of fullness is completely gone, but the ringing still lingers and is quite musical.
• May 19-21: I have pretty consistent symptoms. The ringing persists but is manageable. No more musical tinnitus, but now I have occasional popping in my ears.
• May 22: I called the doctor for potential updates, such as signs I'm getting my hearing back or the ringing is going to go away. He hasn't responded. His secretary said I have to wait until I'm done with the two weeks of steroids.
• May 28: My ear fullness is gone but the ringing persists.
• Today (June 5): My ears still ring, but I feel like it's been fading very slowly. That might just be me being optimistic, though

I've been reading around a lot, and for many, it's a wait and see what happens. On the paperwork, it seems like he put my diagnosis as sudden sensorineural hearing loss. I'm unsure how this could've happened; maybe years of headphone use? Even so, I never thought I listened to it that loud I'm not sure what to do or think. Sometimes, I can't hear my tinnitus over sounds, but other times, I can. I really want it to go away, but if it doesn't, I'm really scared it'll get worse...

Any response would be appreciated!

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi @Chikaku.

Many things can cause tinnitus, including an ear infection, as mentioned in your profile. However, the most common cause is exposure to loud noise, and the main culprit is listening to audio through headphones, earbuds, headsets, noise-canceling, and bone-conduction headphones at too high a volume without realizing it. If you have been listening to audio through these devices regularly, your tinnitus is probably noise-induced.

If your tinnitus is caused by headphones, then I strongly advise you not to use them even at low volume. The same applies to the other devices mentioned.

Please click on the link below and read my thread: I have noise-induced tinnitus. What should I do? Read all of the posts listed on the page, which you will find on my started threads. I advise that you print them and refer to them often instead of reading on your phone or computer screen. This way, you will absorb and retain the information better.

I wish you well,
Michael

I Have Noise-Induced Tinnitus — What Should I Do? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

[Stayinghopeful]

• Today (June 5): My ears still ring, but I feel like it's been fading very slowly.

Focus on that, and control your emotions.

 

[GregCA]

On the paperwork, it seems like he put my diagnosis as sudden sensorineural hearing loss. I'm unsure how this could've happened; maybe years of headphone use?

SSNHL is unrelated to headphone use. It is often idiopathic, so it is unlikely that you caused it somehow. You did the typical treatment (Prednisone), but the outcomes can be quite variable. When are you going to have your next hearing test?

 

[Chikaku]

SSNHL is unrelated to headphone use. It is often idiopathic, so it is unlikely that you caused it somehow. You did the typical treatment (Prednisone), but the outcomes can be quite variable. When are you going to have your next hearing test?

My next hearing test is in early August. He ruled out sudden SSNHL because the losses were minor. I'm really scared... I want it to go away. I've been trying to distract myself, but it always comes back. Any advice?

 

[GregCA]

@Chikaku, you're confusing me. You said both:

He ruled out sudden SSNHL because the losses were minor.

and

On the paperwork, it seems like he put my diagnosis as sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

So, have you been formally diagnosed as SSNHL or not? One criterion is 30 dB losses in three consecutive frequencies. Perhaps your losses don't meet that? (See here.) You can check it on your audiogram. Are you able to post your audiogram here? You can redact out any personal information if you are.

I'm really scared... I want it to go away. I've been trying to distract myself, but it always comes back. Any advice?

What you feel is typical and expected in the early stages of tinnitus. You should know that many cases of tinnitus resolve spontaneously, so don't lose hope. I suspect yours will be very tied to the recovery of your hearing, so let's hope for the best there. In the meantime, I would treat your ears with utmost care and avoid loud noises.

Good luck!

 

[Chikaku]

Are you able to post your audiogram here?

I can do that. Here is the audiogram result when I saw the ENT for the first time. I went in because my right ear was acting weird, as I described above.

After this result, he gave me Prednisone for two weeks. Two weeks passed, and I went in for another audiogram. This is the result:

He said I probably had the losses at 6 kHz and 8 kHz before this instance came up... If that is true, how did I never notice the tinnitus if it was due to hearing loss? I would appreciate any response you could give about my situation. I've been trying to stay calm and live my life best. My ENT wants to see me in 2-3 months to do another audiogram, but after reading some stuff online, it seems like the outcome is very 50/50.

 

[GregCA]

He said I probably had the losses at 6 kHz and 8 kHz before this instance came up... If that is true, how did I never notice the tinnitus if it was due to hearing loss?

I don't know what makes him think that you already had losses before, but it's totally possible to have hearing loss and no tinnitus. That's what most people experience when they age.

It's possible that your event was "the straw that broke the camel's back," but I don't think anyone can really tell at this point.

My ENT wants to see me in 2-3 months to do another audiogram, but after reading some stuff online, it seems like the outcome is very 50/50.

That makes sense. It will help you figure out whether your hearing has stabilized or not.

At some point, it may be beneficial for you to look into hearing aids.

Also, consider doing hearing tests at various other providers so you don't have a provider-driven bias in your results.

 

[InfiniteLoop]

How old are you? Your audiogram looks OK for a 65-year-old.

 

[Chikaku]

How old are you? Your audiogram looks OK for a 65-year-old.

I am 23...

 

[DebInAustralia]

Focus on that, and control your emotions.

May I ask which Curcumin you are taking? I can't find the one you mention on your profile.

Is it still working?

 

[Stayinghopeful]

May I ask which Curcumin you are taking? I can't find the one you mention on your profile.

Is it still working?

Yeah, it's part of my holy trinity of supplements to help with inflammation.

My bad, it's actually called "CurcuBrain."