Does a Change in Tinnitus Tone After Acoustic Trauma Mean It's Permanent?

[valeri]

Dear Dr. Nagler,

First of all welcome back! Hope you are doing ok!

Yesterday morning a very heavy bottle fell inside the cabinet next to my right ear.
I experienced sort of fullness in my ears but no change in tinnitus.

5 hours later hissing in my right ear turned into a high pitch screeching noise (like train braking).

So today over 24 hours later and the noise is still unchanged.

Does this change in tone mean I suffered acoustic trauma with permanent damage?

Thank you kindly!

 

[Dr. Nagler]

Dear Dr. Nagler,

First of all welcome back! Hope you are doing ok!

Older. Meaner. Less hair. But doing just fine.

Thanks for the welcome back, @valeri.

Yesterday morning a very heavy bottle fell inside the cabinet next to my right ear.
I experienced sort of fullness in my ears but no change in tinnitus.

5 hours later hissing in my right ear turned into a high pitch screeching noise (like train braking).

So today over 24 hours later and the noise is still unchanged.

Does this change in tone mean I suffered acoustic trauma with permanent damage?

Absolutely not. Considering the intensity and duration of the sound you describe, I do not see how it could cause lasting damage. I think that at times like these it is important to avoid the temptation to seek environmental silence "to give your ears a rest." Environmental silence is very stressful for the auditory system. So try to keep some soft soothing sound around for the next several days.

Thank you kindly!

You are most welcome.

Stephen M. Nagler, M.D.