How Likely Is It for Mild Noise-Induced Tinnitus to Dissipate If No Hearing Loss Is Present?

[ChrisRA]

Hello all, I'm currently not having the best day dealing with this new obstacle. The anxiety I feel is centered around the fact that I might have to deal with this for a very long time (I know it's selfish to express such concern to those who indeed suffer from severe, chronic tinnitus, but it's eating at me).

From what you all have come to know, does tinnitus in the absence of hearing loss persist for many years or dissipate within 1-2 years?

 

[Jack Straw]

Has a chance to go away. No one can tell you with any certainty.

You will habituate to mild tinnitus if it doesn't go away. Be smart and protect your ears at loud events and venues going forward or else things can get worse.

 

[Digital Doc]

Definitely has a good chance to go away, if you avoid loud settings, and protect when you cannot. However, the protection needs to be consistent, and of high quality to protect from further damage.

It is a long road, and at 8 months I am a ton better, but still not 100% tinnitus free.

 

[ChrisRA]

Thank you both for your responses! I recently talked to a man who attended a Slipknot concert and had tinnitus for 3 weeks. I'm hoping that my case mimicks his, but only time will tell. I do appreciate all the information you all have provided.

Definitely has a good chance to go away, if you avoid loud settings, and protect when you cannot. However, the protection needs to be consistent, and of high quality to protect from further damage.

It is a long road, and at 8 months I am a ton better, but still not 100% tinnitus free.

 

[Digital Doc]

T for 3 wks would be great, 3 months would be ok. I just hope mine does not take 3 years!

 

[coffee_girl]

It depends on many circumstances and not two person will ever have the same kind of T. It depends on whether or not there was previous damage, whether you've protected your ears in the past, whether you've been protecting it since, future accidental exposures etc. There's a good chance your T will go away... But not a guarantee

 

[Bill Bauer]

all have come to know, does tinnitus in the absence of hearing loss persist for many years or dissipate within 1-2 years?

Unless you get a new acoustic trauma, it is reasonable to assume that you will get to the "can hear it only in quiet rooms stage" (or even get to hear silence again) in a year or two.

 

[Digital Doc]

It depends on many circumstances and not two person will ever have the same kind of T. It depends on whether or not there was previous damage, whether you've protected your ears in the past, whether you've been protecting it since, future accidental exposures etc. There's a good chance your T will go away... But not a guarantee

A more than fair, and insightful statement.

 

[ChrisRA]

Unless you get a new acoustic trauma, it is reasonable to assume that you will get to the "can hear it only in quiet rooms stage" (or even get to hear silence again) in a year or two.

Thankfully my T has never risen above the "can only hear it in quiet rooms" stage. If a fan or anything is on it's masked, but I do have trouble sleeping just for the sheer knowledge of knowing that the ringing is there. I'm only 12 days in, but it's already felt like an eternity. I want to thank you all again. I must say I'm almost moved to tears over all of your enthusiasm in responding to my posts!

 

[Digital Doc]

Thankfully my T has never risen above the "can only hear it in quiet rooms" stage. If a fan or anything is on it's masked, but I do have trouble sleeping just for the sheer knowledge of knowing that the ringing is there. I'm only 12 days in, but it's already felt like an eternity. I want to thank you all again. I must say I'm almost moved to tears over all of your enthusiasm in responding to my posts!

You are fortunate that your T is not so loud compared to some others. It takes a while to get used to getting some sleep with it.

Early on, I tried some melatonin to help sleep, and found that it helped. The problem is that with no sleep, the T usually goes up, making it a cycle that then it is even harder to sleep.

I also found that sleeping with earplugs helped quite a bit. I put them in at bedtime, and in a few minutes, my brain shuts the T down to about half the volume.

 

[ChrisRA]

You are fortunate that your T is not so loud compared to some others. It takes a while to get used to getting some sleep with it.

Early on, I tried some melatonin to help sleep, and found that it helped. The problem is that with no sleep, the T usually goes up, making it a cycle that then it is even harder to sleep.

I also found that sleeping with earplugs helped quite a bit. I put them in at bedtime, and in a few minutes, my brain shuts the T down to about half the volume.

I'm grateful for this advice. The lack of sleep is what's driven me to the depths. My ringing is barely noticeable, and I can deal with it at this level, especially as it fades. Learning to sleep has been an obstacle, however. I will follow this rule

 

[Farah]

Hey @ChrisRA,

It gets better. I felt exactly like you when I got my T last year, even with it being so quiet, it still bugged me when my head hit the pillow because it wasn't there before. I was so used to complete silence that this was devastating. Fast forward one year on and I honestly don't think about it anymore. Sometimes my T is so quiet I can barely hear it when I'm going to sleep. There is always hope, especially when you have mild T.

 

[Ken219]

From what you all have come to know, does tinnitus in the absence of hearing loss persist for many years or dissipate within 1-2 years?

There is also the possibility it goes the other way?

 

[ChrisRA]

Hey @ChrisRA,

It gets better. I felt exactly like you when I got my T last year, even with it being so quiet, it still bugged me when my head hit the pillow because it wasn't there before. I was so used to complete silence that this was devastating. Fast forward one year on and I honestly don't think about it anymore. Sometimes my T is so quiet I can barely hear it when I'm going to sleep. There is always hope, especially when you have mild T.

Has yours faded at all? It seems like we acquired T in a similar manner...

 

[Farah]

Has yours faded at all? It seems like we acquired T in a similar manner...

Yeah it started off as eeeee in my right ear, whilst my left ear felt clogged up. A week later the eeee disappeared and was replaced with a kind of hissing sound and my left ear also has a hiss but can't really hear it it's very low. I'd say about 6 weeks later my T reached it's lowest volume and it has remained stable. I still have hope though, even if it's been a year. It's quietest when I'm off work and just chilling out, I noticed Mon-Fri work and all the stress that comes with it makes my T a bit louder. But not scary loud or even an eeee noise again (Thank God, i couldn't sleep with the eee noise) just a head noise that i don't have when I'm relaxed.
Just make sure you protect your ears but don't stress too much. You will be fine, you might be lucky and have it go away completely in 6 months. Anything is possible

 

[coffee_girl]

I think it's safe to assume that if it's in one ear it will eventually migrate to the other ear too? I never known anyone where it's just one ear permanently

 

[ChrisRA]

Yeah it started off as eeeee in my right ear, whilst my left ear felt clogged up. A week later the eeee disappeared and was replaced with a kind of hissing sound and my left ear also has a hiss but can't really hear it it's very low. I'd say about 6 weeks later my T reached it's lowest volume and it has remained stable. I still have hope though, even if it's been a year. It's quietest when I'm off work and just chilling out, I noticed Mon-Fri work and all the stress that comes with it makes my T a bit louder. But not scary loud or even an eeee noise again (Thank God, i couldn't sleep with the eee noise) just a head noise that i don't have when I'm relaxed.
Just make sure you protect your ears but don't stress too much. You will be fine, you might be lucky and have it go away completely in 6 months. Anything is possible

I have the "eee" at the moment and it's preventing me from sleeping well. I must admit, before this I was strong and outgoing. I just recently graduated with a biology degree. I had everything in the right direction. This has destroyed my self-esteem for now, and my anxiety is through the roof (I never had a semblance of anxiety before). I have no hearing loss and my ENT said that the ringing is self-limiting, but I'm worried my stress around it can cause it to persist longer. I value the advice you've given me, and I want to do my best to remain strong and start eating/lifting again.

 

[Digital Doc]

I think it's safe to assume that if it's in one ear it will eventually migrate to the other ear too? I never known anyone where it's just one ear permanently

My T started in the right, and has stayed there for 8 months now. I would not assume that it migrates.

I will also say that I always protect both ears identically, and figure it is important to continue to protect the "good ear."

 

[Farah]

I have the "eee" at the moment and it's preventing me from sleeping well. I must admit, before this I was strong and outgoing. I just recently graduated with a biology degree. I had everything in the right direction. This has destroyed my self-esteem for now, and my anxiety is through the roof (I never had a semblance of anxiety before). I have no hearing loss and my ENT said that the ringing is self-limiting, but I'm worried my stress around it can cause it to persist longer. I value the advice you've given me, and I want to do my best to remain strong and start eating/lifting again.

I really believe the eeee noise will go away. I think it was exactly 9 days when it went away for me. I'd say it had been a level 3.5/4 and I was terrified it wouldn't go away. Now I'm a level 1/2. But i think it will, most people I've read about have said the eee is only temporary.
I completely understand how you're feeling, my first 3 months were hell. I was so close to having a nervous breakdown, I was having panic attacks all the time. But I am sure you will be okay. Give it another month and I am 100% positive you'll have improved by then. Also, might be all in my head, but I started taking magnesium 375mg about a week in and I think it helped. Not a strong dose, just a normal supplement. But as I said, could be placebo.
Also I'd advise you invest in some musicians earplugs, I bought some by Earpeace from Amazon, they're brilliant. 3 different filters, the highest I use while I'm commuting but the lower filters are great for places that aren't that loud but you're just being cautious, plus you can still hear people and have conversations.
Don't worry, you'll be okay.

 

[ChrisRA]

Hello all

It's day 12 on my tinnitus journey, and I've never felt so low in my life. My anxiety is through the roof, and I'm complaining too much to my girlfriend. I had a perfect life, truly perfect, before this. It's destroying me right now. My ENT says she's seen plenty of cases like mine, and that almost all had their tinnitus dissipate. But none of that is helping right now because I know the unpredictable nature of this malady. I need help because I can't stand to see my mom and girlfriend distraught over my condition. It's eating me alive at the moment. How can I overcome this?

 

[ajc]

How can I overcome this?

It's day 12 for you?

You have tough months ahead of you. It can take up to two years to habituate. You will get there.

 

[ChrisRA]

It's day 12 for you?

You have tough months ahead of you. It can take up to two years to habituate. You will get there.

I truly feel like I can't do this for 2 years. It's eating me from the inside out with anxiety. I'm hoping with every fiber in me that it's over within a few months

 

[ChrisRA]

It depends on many circumstances and not two person will ever have the same kind of T. It depends on whether or not there was previous damage, whether you've protected your ears in the past, whether you've been protecting it since, future accidental exposures etc. There's a good chance your T will go away... But not a guarantee

Thankfully I've always been protective over my hearing. One night I slipped up and this is the result. Thankfully I'm starting to sleep much better with it. I haven't noticed a drop in volume in my 13 days with it, but it is only noticeable in a quiet setting. I have hope that with consistent protection and mental strength, it will continue to get better and may recover. Thank you for your comment!

 

[ChrisRA]

I really believe the eeee noise will go away. I think it was exactly 9 days when it went away for me. I'd say it had been a level 3.5/4 and I was terrified it wouldn't go away. Now I'm a level 1/2. But i think it will, most people I've read about have said the eee is only temporary.
I completely understand how you're feeling, my first 3 months were hell. I was so close to having a nervous breakdown, I was having panic attacks all the time. But I am sure you will be okay. Give it another month and I am 100% positive you'll have improved by then. Also, might be all in my head, but I started taking magnesium 375mg about a week in and I think it helped. Not a strong dose, just a normal supplement. But as I said, could be placebo.
Also I'd advise you invest in some musicians earplugs, I bought some by Earpeace from Amazon, they're brilliant. 3 different filters, the highest I use while I'm commuting but the lower filters are great for places that aren't that loud but you're just being cautious, plus you can still hear people and have conversations.
Don't worry, you'll be okay.

Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate your guidance on this. The fact that I'm actually starting to sleep with this has eased my mind. The lack of sleep was destroying my emotional fortitude. I haven't noticed a change in volume or pitch in my 13 days, but I do notice that I change the pitch when I extend my jaw. I've always clenched my jaw while sleeping so I think there are some muscular factors contributing to my T. That's a relief, and I hope by tackling those issues my T will partly subside, either in pitch or volume.

 

[Farah]

Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate your guidance on this. The fact that I'm actually starting to sleep with this has eased my mind. The lack of sleep was destroying my emotional fortitude. I haven't noticed a change in volume or pitch in my 13 days, but I do notice that I change the pitch when I extend my jaw. I've always clenched my jaw while sleeping so I think there are some muscular factors contributing to my T. That's a relief, and I hope by tackling those issues my T will partly subside, either in pitch or volume.

I completely understand the sleep problems. I couldn't sleep either and that always made it 100% worse. But the fact that you got to sleep last night is fantastic. I'm sure within a few weeks the eee will be gone. And don't worry about it getting worse, that never happens, very rare. When I got my T that's what was destroying me, the thought of it getting worse. Everything gave me anxiety; doors slamming, washing machine, etc. But here I am, not any worse. Plus I smashed a plate and it made my ear ring as the crashing was so loud but went away in seconds and returned to baseline. This scared me but again, didn't worsen. You will be ok. Just rest your ears for the first couple of months

 

[ChrisRA]

I completely understand the sleep problems. I couldn't sleep either and that always made it 100% worse. But the fact that you got to sleep last night is fantastic. I'm sure within a few weeks the eee will be gone. And don't worry about it getting worse, that never happens, very rare. When I got my T that's what was destroying me, the thought of it getting worse. Everything gave me anxiety; doors slamming, washing machine, etc. But here I am, not any worse. Plus I smashed a plate and it made my ear ring as the crashing was so loud but went away in seconds and returned to baseline. This scared me but again, didn't worsen. You will be ok. Just rest your ears for the first couple of months

That's good news. I have been protecting my ears and will continue to do so seriously for a few months. With the sleep, I feel truly normal again. I only wish other forum members here were as lucky..

 

[bellecooper77]

Thankfully my T has never risen above the "can only hear it in quiet rooms" stage.

This is super similar to my T - it has never gotten worse than this, other than hearing it sometimes over an air purifier. Its a really good sign that this is where your T started - for some other people on this form, their T started a lot worse and it took them months, sometimes even years to get to this stage. I think that if you relax your ears and don't expose them to really loud noises for the next couple of months (like no concerts, earbuds, headphones, loud noises if you can help it) you should be in a better spot in the future than you are now.

I do notice that I change the pitch when I extend my jaw

again, same with me. Our T sounds like its super similar. Ive had T for 2 months now, and its either going away or im starting to habituate to it - sometimes I cant hear it at all. The most I can say helped me is sitting down and listening to it, which sounds really strange, but the negative association with the sound was causing me so much stress that it made the T louder. When my body started to associate the T with calmness and not stress it started to go away. It might be hard at first to listen to it without freaking out (trust me - every morning I would put Beats headphones on without any sound and listen to the hissing for at least 30 mins) but once your body gets over the "flight or fight" response, it will all get better.
And for those saying that it takes up to 2 years for habituation, everyone goes at a different pace. Because our T is a lot lower than others when they first started, we have a good chance of fast recovery.
I hope this helps and if you need anything feel free to reach out!
- Belle

 

[Contrast]

Hello all, I'm currently not having the best day dealing with this new obstacle. The anxiety I feel is centered around the fact that I might have to deal with this for a very long time (I know it's selfish to express such concern to those who indeed suffer from severe, chronic tinnitus, but it's eating at me).

From what you all have come to know, does tinnitus in the absence of hearing loss persist for many years or dissipate within 1-2 years?

How in the world don't you have hearing loss? Are you sure the hearing test is scientifically up to date? The inner ear seems pretty fragile and noise pollution is a weapon towards it.

Loud noise doesn't just harm and kill sensory hair cells and disrupt synaptic connections, it can also kill scwhann's cells that create myelin to coat cochlear nerves, and destroy cochlear nerves. Loud noise may even bruise ear drum and mislocate the three tiny bones in the middle ear. Other then hair cell death being permanent, we don't exactly know how well the ear can heal itself, it seems some people get better and others get worse.



sources:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/second-cause-of-hidden-hearing-loss-identified.20250/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170218084038.htm

 

[Autumnly]

And don't worry about it getting worse, that never happens, very rare.

It's really not that rare. Also, the current research consensus seems to be that tinnitus will inevitably get worse as we get older due to increased hearing loss but usually not to a degree that it will bother someone more. "Our results suggest that tinnitus will likely get louder, but not by very much. However, further longitudinal studies in the same subjects are needed to test the hypothesis that tinnitus will get louder as hearing loss increases. Because hearing loss increases with age and ototraumatic insults, patients should be advised to avoid loud sounds in order to preserve their hearing." - source.

But the truth is for many people (many not most) it gets worse and I don't think we need to "sugar-coat" this in order to support and encourage new members. The new European guideline for the treatment of tinnitus also says it usually doesn't get worse but when it comes to a condition as common as tinnitus that still leaves many people that don't fall into the "tinnitus norm".

 

[Farah]

It's really not that rare. Also, the current research consensus seems to be that tinnitus will inevitably get worse as we get older due to increased hearing loss but usually not to a degree that it will bother someone more. "Our results suggest that tinnitus will likely get louder, but not by very much. However, further longitudinal studies in the same subjects are needed to test the hypothesis that tinnitus will get louder as hearing loss increases. Because hearing loss increases with age and ototraumatic insults, patients should be advised to avoid loud sounds in order to preserve their hearing." - source.

But the truth is for many people (many not most) it gets worse and I don't think we need to "sugar-coat" this in order to support and encourage new members. The new European guideline for the treatment of tinnitus also says it usually doesn't get worse but when it comes to a condition as common as tinnitus that still leaves many people that don't fall into the "tinnitus norm".

Of course we'll all get worse tinnitus with age, we can't avoid that... I was talking about the worry of tinnitus worsening when it is very unlikely to provided you protect in noisy environments. Also, there are many people in my life (not on Tinnitus Talk) who have noise induced tinnitus and they do not protect themselves, yet their tinnitus hasn't worsened. I don't agree with this, I think we should all have earplugs handy for noisy situations, but point is, they're doing okay and so am I. I'm not sugar coating anything. But if I were to choose between sugar coating or scaremongering, I'd choose the former. Your post would've made me worry if I had read it when I first got tinnitus.