Hearing Test Worsens Tinnitus?

[Freddi]

I had a hearing test yesterday and my tinnitus has been worse. Is this just temporary due to all the different tones my ears were exposed to?

 

[Freddi]

Can anyone see this post?

 

[GregCA]

Can anyone see this post?

Yes!
T can be so unpredictable that nobody can really tell if the hearing test has any impact on it. It doesn't seem to have an impact on my T, but we're all different.

 

[3ri0w]

Temporary, it will get better! Ears will be better when u wake up tomorrow

 

[Andi Wijaya]

In my case, it lessened my T. T is such an enigma.

 

[James R.]

As a hearing specialist, this post intrigues me. I have been using stringent test protocols for more than 15 years during my hearing evaluations and have yet to have one patient/prospect report to me that my test increased tinnitus perception levels. Numerous audiology studies indicate that short bursts (test tones) even at 110 dB are not enough to damage the cochlear nerves. Certainly, this holds true for tympanometry, as the tones are administered at low levels. The formula for nerve damage (i.e. sensorineural loss) is loudness times duration. Sustained loudness above 80db for 1/2 hour is the same potential damage of 90dB for 15 minutes. (This is only an example.) Genetics also is suspected to play a role in the eventual effects, as well as the acoustical environments, susceptibility to hyperacusis, tinnitus, ear infections, pharmaceuticals, and other health issues that may impact said damage. Depending upon which school of thought one adheres to, tinnitus levels vary based on how one's brain preceptors perceive the affects of the damage. This is why Tinnitus Rehabilitative Therapy may actually work. If one can habituate to the therapy sounds then the focus may be shifted from the tinnitus affects to other lesser affected frequencies causing a shift in one's perception of the perceived sound. Masking the sound, if possible, by way of normalizing stimulation to the affected nerves by way of proper amplification will generally mitigate the effects of tinnitus in up to 95% of those affected with this malady. It may not rid one of the tinnitus, but to imply it will make it worse depends upon too may variables as to generalize this possibility. Also, if you are not familiar with the terms "hidden hearing loss" it would be advisable to peruse the available information for more understanding of the problem. Hope this sheds some light on this most relevant issue believed by some to be suffered by as many as 50 million Americans, some with normal hearing thresholds.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

Numerous audiology studies indicate that short bursts (test tones) even at 110 dB are not enough to damage the cochlear nerves. Certainly, this holds true for tympanometry, as the tones are administered at low levels. The formula for nerve damage (i.e. sensorineural loss) is loudness times duration. Sustained loudness above 80db for 1/2 hour is the same potential damage of 90dB for 15 minutes. (This is only an example.)

I don't know how loud the sound was that gave me tinnitus, but it only lasted a split second. (It was a blast of feedback coming through the telephone receiver pressed to my ear which I didn't realize was set to speaker phone.) For this reason, I would not want anyone to blast a sound into my ear for even a split second.

 

[Rajin]

I got blasted too 5 to 10 second. That how my ears start to ringing. So if she say her T got worse, believe her ok . There is no need to lie.

 

[Bill Bauer]

As a hearing specialist, this post intrigues me.

I had a hearing test done 10 days after my acoustic trauma that caused ear fullness. Tinnitus began in the evening of the day when I had that hearing test. I wasn't exposed to any loud sounds during the test, but it is a hell of a coincidence... Who knows, perhaps I would not be suffering from T, had I not had that hearing test done...

 

[RingerBell]

What's the point of playing pure tones @ 110db to ones ear anyway.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@James R. Professional sites state that increased tinnitus perception can happen to those with an acoustic stock disorder. The perception problem per this or other discussions may relate to acoustic reflex testing for those with ASD where there are thousands of complaints. Many with an onset of tinnitus have sensitive ears and some do have ASD. You seem to be a good audiologist that take's sound trauma and history into question before audio testing. It seems like you do an evaluation for patient ASD before testing.

Acoustic reflex testing is not recommended for those with ASD.
Scroll down to ASD assessment.
http://www.hyperacusis.net/other-factors/acoustic-shock-disorder/