Just a quick update.
I am still alive, but there are days where it is hard to be. My tinnitus continues to be variable from moderate to severe/very severe. Pretty consistently severe (and sometimes very severe) upon waking up, then it improves within an hour or two, usually going down to a moderate level, and it oscillates at that level. Silence calms it most effectively; exposure to sounds like car noise spikes it. Engaging in work conversations over video conferencing is pretty effective in pushing it into the background, but otherwise, I stay aware of it at all times. Still nothing masks it, except shower at 90% (I can still detect it there). Another consistent pattern is changing barometric pressure. A few recent days of very windy weather here sent the tinnitus into a very severe/near catastrophic range. But that went away once the wind went away.
For the past maybe a couple of weeks, I noticed an improvement in hyperacusis. Everything is still louder, but some sounds less so. Diesel trucks and even Harleys (that started showing up; spring has begun here) don't sound like machines from hell anymore, just unpleasant/loudish. Overhead planes sound almost normal now. Family walking on our creaky wood floors is less bothersome. Mechanical noises, like loud HVAC, continue to be stupid, loud, and very bothersome. I can't handle restaurants; I don't really try to.
Recently, I also had a recurrence of the mild noxacusis/burning sensation, probably caused by an exposure to a loud door slam, but it seems to be improving/going away.
All in all I am not doing great, but I guess better than where I was previously. Life still sucks and is very limited. My objective is to avoid setbacks and take it easy. I'd rather live a quiet, boring life than get worse. I am still terrified that worsening is inevitable, but I guess we'll see.
There are additional reports of Clomipramine curing loudness hyperacusis and even improving noxacusis. While my biggest complaint is the loud reactive tinnitus, i.e. I want it gone before hyperacusis as I have it now, I am considering taking it. If I could cure hyperacusis it would be a win still, and I would take any wins I can have. I have not decided yet.
I am still alive, but there are days where it is hard to be. My tinnitus continues to be variable from moderate to severe/very severe. Pretty consistently severe (and sometimes very severe) upon waking up, then it improves within an hour or two, usually going down to a moderate level, and it oscillates at that level. Silence calms it most effectively; exposure to sounds like car noise spikes it. Engaging in work conversations over video conferencing is pretty effective in pushing it into the background, but otherwise, I stay aware of it at all times. Still nothing masks it, except shower at 90% (I can still detect it there). Another consistent pattern is changing barometric pressure. A few recent days of very windy weather here sent the tinnitus into a very severe/near catastrophic range. But that went away once the wind went away.
For the past maybe a couple of weeks, I noticed an improvement in hyperacusis. Everything is still louder, but some sounds less so. Diesel trucks and even Harleys (that started showing up; spring has begun here) don't sound like machines from hell anymore, just unpleasant/loudish. Overhead planes sound almost normal now. Family walking on our creaky wood floors is less bothersome. Mechanical noises, like loud HVAC, continue to be stupid, loud, and very bothersome. I can't handle restaurants; I don't really try to.
Recently, I also had a recurrence of the mild noxacusis/burning sensation, probably caused by an exposure to a loud door slam, but it seems to be improving/going away.
All in all I am not doing great, but I guess better than where I was previously. Life still sucks and is very limited. My objective is to avoid setbacks and take it easy. I'd rather live a quiet, boring life than get worse. I am still terrified that worsening is inevitable, but I guess we'll see.
There are additional reports of Clomipramine curing loudness hyperacusis and even improving noxacusis. While my biggest complaint is the loud reactive tinnitus, i.e. I want it gone before hyperacusis as I have it now, I am considering taking it. If I could cure hyperacusis it would be a win still, and I would take any wins I can have. I have not decided yet.