Hyperacusis and Tinnitus Following Acoustic Shock: How Can I Continue My Life?

[in_the_shadows]

I've been experiencing palinacousis on and off for the past four months. It tends to mimic repetitive sounds I hear daily, usually faint ones or those I notice while wearing earmuffs. For instance, I often hear distant police or fire sirens from my home, and sometimes my brain turns these into a form of tinnitus that I notice almost daily, especially during a spike. Some days, I don't hear it at all, but if I consciously recall the sound, it tends to reappear. The same goes for noises like refrigerators or leaf blowers.

I find these mimicked sounds to be one of the more manageable types of tinnitus, as they're purely neurological and seem likely to fade over time. In fact, there were many sounds I used to hear that have completely disappeared, so I stay fairly calm whenever a new one shows up—though the whole experience can still freak me out.

 

[Nettles]

I've also been experiencing palinacousis on and off since I took Prednisolone two months ago. I've had tinnitus since April, and the medication (in August) added a bunch of new sounds, as well as the palinacousis. I didn't have it every day, but my brain would pick up noises like the vacuum cleaner, lawn mower, or even music. For example, two weeks ago, I listened to some music from an app called Bloom (by Brian Eno) for five minutes as I was starting to reintroduce music. The music continued playing in my head for a few minutes after I finished. This experience felt distinctly different from simply having a song stuck in my head, which used to happen to me regularly. In this case, it was as if I was actually hearing it, rather than just thinking of it like with an earworm.

All of this coincided with some auditory deprivation, as I had experienced an acoustic shock (the reason for taking the steroids) and had stopped listening to music, often wearing earplugs. Fortunately, this has been happening less now that I've been reintroducing sound.

If possible, I'd avoid taking benzodiazepines, especially not three times a day. They can really make tinnitus worse in the long run when you try to come off them.

 

[Hyperacusis]

I've also been experiencing palinacousis on and off since I took Prednisolone two months ago. I've had tinnitus since April, and the medication (in August) added a bunch of new sounds, as well as the palinacousis. I didn't have it every day, but my brain would pick up noises like the vacuum cleaner, lawn mower, or even music. For example, two weeks ago, I listened to some music from an app called Bloom (by Brian Eno) for five minutes as I was starting to reintroduce music. The music continued playing in my head for a few minutes after I finished. This experience felt distinctly different from simply having a song stuck in my head, which used to happen to me regularly. In this case, it was as if I was actually hearing it, rather than just thinking of it like with an earworm.

All of this coincided with some auditory deprivation, as I had experienced an acoustic shock (the reason for taking the steroids) and had stopped listening to music, often wearing earplugs. Fortunately, this has been happening less now that I've been reintroducing sound.

If possible, I'd avoid taking benzodiazepines, especially not three times a day. They can really make tinnitus worse in the long run when you try to come off them.

Thank you for your reply, @Nettles. It sounds like you're going through something very similar. I've experienced the same issue with songs—it felt like I had an MP3 playing in my ears for a few minutes. I've stopped listening to music because I'm afraid it will stick in my brain.

The phrase "next stop is..." from the bus got stuck in my head, even though I was wearing earmuffs and earplugs, so I wonder if sound deprivation might be causing this issue. Have you ever had a song or voice stick with you for weeks or months? It's been almost seven weeks now with this "next station is..." phrase, and I'm worried it might stay forever.

I also took Prednisolone in July, right after my acoustic trauma, and palinacousis started about six weeks later. I don't plan on taking any benzodiazepines; I'm just hoping for some improvement over time.

You're around six months post-trauma now—have you noticed any improvement in your hyperacusis? Thanks

I've been experiencing palinacousis on and off for the past four months. It tends to mimic repetitive sounds I hear daily, usually faint ones or those I notice while wearing earmuffs. For instance, I often hear distant police or fire sirens from my home, and sometimes my brain turns these into a form of tinnitus that I notice almost daily, especially during a spike. Some days, I don't hear it at all, but if I consciously recall the sound, it tends to reappear. The same goes for noises like refrigerators or leaf blowers.

I find these mimicked sounds to be one of the more manageable types of tinnitus, as they're purely neurological and seem likely to fade over time. In fact, there were many sounds I used to hear that have completely disappeared, so I stay fairly calm whenever a new one shows up—though the whole experience can still freak me out.

Thanks for your reply, @in_the_shadows. I also have the same issue with sirens and repetitive sounds, but they usually subside after a few days. It's just this "next stop is..." voice that won't go away. Have you ever had a voice stick with you for weeks or even months?

Thanks