Here Comes Another Forum Newbie — Tinnitus Has Been Getting Worse After a Concert

[Peter Tyler]

Greetings, fellow sufferers. Please excuse 'my mud caked boots on the carpet' but here I go. I first got tinnitus in the year 2000. I think it was due to many years of riding motorcycles without ear protection. Coupled with the news that my ex wife was taking two of our three daughters to live in the United States [I'm from New Zealand].

The perfect storm if you like. It seemed loud at the time and it took 3 weeks before I was able to sleep. I habituated to it and the tinnitus quietly exited stage left into the background.

In March of 2021 I went to a concert where my Daughter was 'the singer in a band'. At the end of one hour of the concert my tinnitus was a little worse.

Since then the tinnitus has been getting slowly but steadily louder and higher pitched. Now it is at a point where I have no life to speak of. This will not be news to many of you, as I found out after reading some of the stories on the forum, also that there is no silver bullet for tinnitus.

Doctor filled me up with anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pills.

E.N.T. specialist ordered M.R.I. scan which I declined after reading some others experiences.

I got noise maskers / hearing aids but they lasted about 30 seconds in my ears! At the same time, or thereabouts, I had my first COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine. I think one or the other of those two things caused an escalation of the sensitivity to noise and its volume.

Doctor suggested hypnotherapy. A well known and respected hypnotherapist here said basically... forget it!

If anyone does read this, is there any point in trying acupuncture? I saw an acupuncturist and he said if it doesn't respond after 3 sessions, forget it!

Does anybody have experience with a 'wonder product' called Silencil? It's a herbal remedy and only sold from a website. It promises to turn you from Clarke Kent into Superman. The old story may apply here. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Any info here would be appreciated.

 

[Stacken77]

Hi Peter,

Welcome to the forum.

Since then the tinnitus has been getting slowly but steadily louder and higher pitched. Now it is at a point where I have no life to speak of.

I'm very sorry to hear about this. I'm finding myself in a bit of a similar situation myself. Would you say that the tinnitus has been deteriorating by itself, or does it worsen by everyday noise? Can you mitigate the worsenings with hearing protection? Are you more sensitive to sounds, i.e. does more noises feel louder than they should?

I wish you the speediest of recoveries,
Stacken

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi @Peter Tyler.

As you probably know the type of tinnitus you have is noise induced. It will usually improve with time and once habituation is achieved it will usually remain stable. However, it can also get worse and the the usual reason for this is exposure to further loud noise or using any type of headphones even at low volume. Some people with noise induced tinnitus are not affected by headphones but many are. Therefore, if you have been using these or being exposed to loud sounds as you have indicated in your post, this could be the reason the tinnitus has got louder over time.

The wearing of earplugs at loud events such as concerts or night clubs doesn't mean you will be safe. If external sound is loud enough, it will pass through the head and transfer to the inner ear by bone conduction. This can spike the tinnitus and in some cases make it worse. Sorry to sound so sobering but these are facts so one needs to be careful.

I think the advice your doctors are giving you regarding taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills are right and you should reconsider taking them if your moods are being affected. Tinnitus can seriously affect a person's mental and emotional wellbeing and this needs to be kept in check. Otherwise, there is a risk a person sinking into depression which isn't good.

I also advise you to think again and try the noise generators. In fact the correct name for these devices are white noise generators. They are not meant to mask the tinnitus. When they are used correctly along with counselling they can be very helpful to people with tinnitus, noise induced tinnitus with or without hyperacusis. You should have been advised how to use them correctly and be under the care of an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment. If you were just given the white noise generators and not advised how to use them correctly and no following up counselling was offered, then it's not surprising you decided not to use them.

Treating noise induced tinnitus takes time and good results are possible. With a combination of self help and the use of medication, sound therapy using white noise generators with counselling, a person can improve. Talk to your GP and ask to be referred back to ENT who will probably refer you on to Audiology to see an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management to make this happen.

Please click on the links below and read my posts. Go to my started threads and read: Tinnitus and Mental Health, TRT, as I See It, What Is TRT and When Should It Be Started? New to Tinnitus, What to Do? Tinnitus, A Personal View. Hyperacusis, as I See It.

Take your time and read the articles I have mentioned and in the links below. If possible, print them as you will absorb and retain the information better.

All the best
Michael

Will My Tinnitus Get Worse? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
The Habituation Process | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Hi @Peter Tyler.

As you probably know the type of tinnitus you have is noise induced. It will usually improve with time and once habituation is achieved it will usually remain stable. However, it can also get worse and the the usual reason for this is exposure to further loud noise or using any type of headphones even at low volume. Some people with noise induced tinnitus are not affected by headphones but many are. Therefore, if you have been using these or being exposed to loud sounds as you have indicated in your post, this could be the reason the tinnitus has got louder over time.

The wearing of earplugs at loud events such as concerts or night clubs doesn't mean you will be safe. If external sound is loud enough, it will pass through the head and transfer to the inner ear by bone conduction. This can spike the tinnitus and in some cases make it worse. Sorry to sound so sobering but these are facts so one needs to be careful.

I think the advice your doctors are giving you regarding taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills are right and you should reconsider taking them if your moods are being affected. Tinnitus can seriously affect a person's mental and emotional wellbeing and this needs to be kept in check. Otherwise, there is a risk a person sinking into depression which isn't good.

I also advise you to think again and try the noise generators. In fact the correct name for these devices are white noise generators. They are not meant to mask the tinnitus. When they are used correctly along with counselling they can be very helpful to people with tinnitus, noise induced tinnitus with or without hyperacusis. You should have been advised how to use them correctly and be under the care of an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment. If you were just given the white noise generators and not advised how to use them correctly and no following up counselling was offered, then it's not surprising you decided not to use them.

Treating noise induced tinnitus takes time and good results are possible. With a combination of self help and the use of medication, sound therapy using white noise generators with counselling, a person can improve. Talk to your GP and ask to be referred back to ENT who will probably refer you on to Audiology to see an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management to make this happen.

Please click on the links below and read my posts. Go to my started threads and read: Tinnitus and Mental Health, TRT, as I See It, What Is TRT and When Should It Be Started? New to Tinnitus, What to Do? Tinnitus, A Personal View. Hyperacusis, as I See It.

Take your time and read the articles I have mentioned and in the links below. If possible, print them as you will absorb and retain the information better.

All the best
Michael

I'm not using headphones and I think mine got worse after 2 months. Maybe because my kid screams a lot? I have multiple tones now and it reacts to noise.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I'm not using headphones and I think mine got worse after 2 months. Maybe because my kid screams a lot? I have multiple tones now and it reacts to noise.

You have had noise-induced tinnitus since 1999. If you also had hyperacusis and this did not improve by itself or you didn't seek professional treatment with an Audiologist, your auditory system will usually be oversensitive to certain sounds, which can cause spikes. Similarly, if you have never habituated to the tinnitus with or without professional treatment, it is likely your auditory system will be oversensitive to sound.

Noise-induced tinnitus will usually remain stable after habituation has been reached. This means the tinnitus no longer causes too much of a problem and a person is able to live their life, as the tinnitus is manageable. If hyperacusis was present and it improved by itself or professional treatment was sought, then a person will not experience spikes neither will they be oversensitive to sound. On the hand, if hyperacusis does not improve with or without professional treatment, a person will usually experience spikes and have some oversensitivity to sound. The longer this continues there's the risk hyperacusis becomes more difficult to treat.

Please click on the two links in my previous posts and read the articles.

All the best.
Michael

 

[Peter Tyler]

Thanks to those who welcomed me to this forum, and left messages. I am seeing an E.N.T. here in the town I live in. Trying to get in to see one is like getting an appt. with the queen. In an earlier discussion he said he couldn't help me at all without an M.R.I. scan. As my sensitivity to sound is so high I declined. I didn't get much advice from audiologist who sold me the hearing aids/maskers. Basically get an iPhone 6 and pair it on Bluetooth with the maskers. Then play music starting low and little and then stepping it up. Commonplace stuff like refrigerator, heat pump, anything with a fan, computer, car noise, tv, all out pfft. I can't get habituated as the sensitivity and volume keeps going up. Got appt. with acupuncturist tomorrow. I will read the links as given my Michael Leigh... thanks. I find it abominably difficult to figure my way round a forum so thanks for links. Cheers.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Basically get an iPhone 6 and pair it on Bluetooth with the maskers. Then play music starting low and little and then stepping it up. Commonplace stuff like refrigerator, heat pump, anything with a fan, computer, car noise, tv, all out pfft. I can't get habituated as the sensitivity and volume keeps going up. Got appt. with acupuncturist tomorrow. I will read the links as given my Michael Leigh... thanks. I find it abominably difficult to figure my way round a forum so thanks for links. Cheers.

Increasing the music as described in your post is likely to make the tinnitus and hyperacusis worse. Furthermore, I don't recommend playing music into your ears, it is better to use white noise set slightly below the tinnitus and keep it there.

Please click on the link below and read my articles on TRT which explains how to use white noise correctly. Ideally, you should be having counselling with a therapist that has tinnitus.

Click on the tabletop and fountain link and read all my posts on the thread, as I think you will find them helpful.

All the best.
Michael

TRT, As I See It | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Tabletop Fountain for Masking Tinnitus While Working | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

[Eleanor89]

Hello Michael,

I have enjoyed reading your posts.

Thank you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hello Michael,

I have enjoyed reading your posts.

Thank you.

Thank you for your kind comments @Eleanor89.

Michael

 

[Eleanor89]

Hello Michael,

You probably have an idea about my tinnitus.

However, since my spike I'm extremely anxious about noise and wearing my earplugs a lot.

Will the maskers help desensitise when I get them?

Could you give me some good advice.

Thank you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hello Michael,

You probably have an idea about my tinnitus.

However, since my spike I'm extremely anxious about noise and wearing my earplugs a lot.

Will the maskers help desensitise when I get them?

Could you give me some good advice.

Thank you.

Hi @Eleanor89

You have had tinnitus for a long time and I'm wondering have you always experienced spikes, or is this something that is new?

I believe I sent you links to my articles in a previous post. If you didn't receive them I will place them below. I think these will be helpful. Please print them as you will absorb and retrain the information better than reading on a phone or computer screen.

If you are sensitive to sound this could indicate you have an oversensitive auditory system which could also mean you have hyperacusis. If this is the case sound enrichment and white noise generators can help with desensitization. However, the fact that you have had tinnitus for a quite some time, it would help if you gave me more information about it and whether you have had treatment for it over the years? It is not a good idea to use earplugs too much and I explain this in my post: Hyperacusis, As I see it. You will find it on my started threads.

Please go to my started threads and read the following posts: Tinnitus And The Negative Mindset, Acquiring A Positive Mindset, The Habituation Process, Tinnitus And Negative Counselling. Sound Machines And Tinnitus.

Please take your time and read the posts and hope you start to feel better soon.

All the best
Michael

New to Tinnitus, What to Do? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Tinnitus, A Personal View | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

[Eleanor89]

Hello Michael,

I have had tinnitus for 26 years and it disappeared into the background.

I have never had any problems until now.

Four weeks after my operation which was 12 weeks ago, I have never before had treatment for it over the years, until now when I am waiting for maskers...

I have been taking my earplugs out and going walks and listening to natural sounds etc x

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hello Michael,

I have had tinnitus for 26 years and it disappeared into the background.

I have never had any problems until now.

Four weeks after my operation which was 12 weeks ago, I have never before had treatment for it over the years, until now when I am waiting for maskers...

I have been taking my earplugs out and going walks and listening to natural sounds etc x

Hi @Eleanor89

Thank you for the information. I have looked at some of your post history and note that you mentioned, the tinnitus increased after your operation. If you were not a regular user of headphones and weren't exposed to any louds sounds, then the increase in tinnitus might have something to do with your operation. If this is the case hopefully things will return to normal in time.

Please read the posts I have mentioned and hope all goes well when you are seen at ENT. Remember to set the volume of the maskers/white noise generators slightly below the tinnitus, they should not cover up the sound of the tinnitus. The brain cannot habituate to tinnitus unless it is able to hear it.

Take care
Michael

 

[Eleanor89]

Hello Michael Leigh.

I have not received my in-ear sound generators yet as my audiologist has had COVID-19. Hopefully I will get them in two weeks.

However, the only noise I experienced was my daughter's dog. It was a rather high pitch bark and it actually hurt my ear. This was five days before the tinnitus and sound sensitivity started.

I have throughout my 26 years of having tinnitus have always worn plugs moulded earplugs at parties, restaurants etc. I've been vigilant.

When my tinnitus started all those years ago I was going through an extremely difficult time. Similar to this last experience. However, I am feeling better every day after such a major operation.

It is now four months since the tinnitus and sound sensitivity started.

I'm using low sound around the house. Going to the beach also to get some natural
sound. Keeping away from loud places and resting as much as I can. And building my tolerance up slowly.

I have never worn headphones etc.

Thank you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

However, the only noise I experienced was my daughter's dog. It was a rather high pitch bark and it actually hurt my ear. This was five days before the tinnitus and sound sensitivity started.

I have throughout my 26 years of having tinnitus have always worn plugs moulded earplugs at parties, restaurants etc. I've been vigilant.

Hi Eleanor,

Hopefully you will get the white noise generators soon. My advice is to slowly introduce them to your auditory system to help prevent any irritation to the tinnitus and oversensitivity to sound. Your audiologist may advise you differently and suggest, turning up the volume of the white noise to treat the oversensitivity. If this is suggested I advise caution. By all means try this method but if you notice your tinnitus and oversensitivity to sound increasing then stop and gradually introduce the WNGs. I have mentioned how to do this in my TRT posts that are on my started threads.

I think it's best that you listen to the advice of your audiologist but keep what I have mentioned to yourself, as you don't want rub him or her up the wrong way.

Wearing earplugs to parties over the years was a good idea. However, there is no guarantee that they would have protected you one hundred percent all of the time. The reason being, if external sound is loud enough it will pass through the head and reach the inner ear by bone conduction. Since you have had no problems until recently, it seems your moulded earplugs were working just fine and external sound at the parties wasn't too loud.

It is good that you haven't used headphones.

Take care
Michael