Hyperacusis, As I See It

[Alastair]

Hi Michael,

(hope I have found right area to reply)

Just as an update from our earlier conversations re. H.
I have the WNG all set up and have been for the last 3 or so weeks now.

It's set pretty low but comfortable and I am able to wear the plugs all day .
In fact they are extremely comfortable with the gentle WN for my ears.
Have an appointment for Feb to check to see how things are etc and to
raise the WN levels a little.
Thanks again for helping me re- think and go for help with this.
Fingers crossed (mine) that it will help with the H in time.
Regards
Alastair
ps- hope it's not too windy in Brighton!

 

[Alastair]

Hi Michael,

I have been using WNG for a month and a half.
I wonder if you know what level/volume they should be?
Mine are set quiet low.

Many thanks
Alastair

 

[marc 1974 london]

I can understand a trial bike making a lot of sound off road as I use to ride one and ripped around the fields and I did not have tinnitus then.

Yeah I'm determined not to give up the motocross bike, be gutted if so only just got it

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi Michael,

I have been using WNG for a month and a half.
I wonder if you know what level/volume they should be?
Mine are set quiet low.

Many thanks
Alastair

Hi Alastair. I have only just seen your post. In future if you send me a post please write: @Michael Leigh then I'll get a prompt alert message.

I always keep the volume of the white noise slightly below the tinnitus. I know some Hearing Therapists, advise patients to increase the volume particularly when treating hyperacusis. I never done this and wasn't told to by my HT 21 years ago when I had very severe hyperacusis and used WNGs to treat it. I don't recommend increasing the WNG volume. If a person has been told to by their Hearing Therapist or Audiologist then I advise them to do as they have been advised. If problems occur then discus it with their health professional.

Michael

 

[Alastair]

@Michael Leigh

Hi Michael,
Thanks for replying.
I have an appointment with the audiologist in February. She did mention the levels
should increase. However, I will discuss the ins and outs of this when we meet.
I have been wearing the WNG generators everyday all day and I think my H is a little less sensitive. For example there is a cupboard in the kitchen with a noisy latch and when shutting the door
used to hurt my ear. I don't think about it now so much. It's very early days but fingers crossed.

 

[Ligeia]

Hi @Michael Leigh


I've been reading most of your posts and they are very helpful. I understand now that H can spike someone's T.
Only I'm not sure I suffer from H.. Normal noises don't really hurt my ears but do make me uncomfortable or annoyed. Some normal noises do however seem to appear louder.
I've had T for most of my life but for the last 3 years it got louder every time around july. Everytime my T gets louder my ears seem to be able to handle less noise. My T now spikes only from hanging out with 4/5 friends, which I don't think are too loud. I don't want to have to isolate myself, I already had to let go of many things due to my T. Do you think this can get better?
Sorry for taking up your time!

 

[Michael Leigh]

HI @Ligeia

Thank you once again for your kind comments they are much appreciated. No need to worry about taking up my time, as I will always try and help if possible.

You have had tinnitus for quite some time and I would have thought by now, you would be fully habituated and not experiencing any hyperacusis or sensitivity to sound. However, it does happen. Hyperacusis like tinnitus comes in different levels of severity and pain is not always felt in the ears. You may need a higher level of treatment to cure or at least reduce the sensitivity to sound that you are experiencing. This may require wearing white noise generators to help"desensitise" the sensitivity of your auditory system. You have said that you hang out with 4/5 friends but what does this actually mean?

When you are out with friends are you at a club or place where loud music is played? Do you listen to music through headphones? Loud music and headphones use can spike tinnitus and if one isn't careful, increase it to a higher permanent level. Isolating yourself or keeping away from everyday normal sounds can make matters worse. I advise you to try self help in the manner that I mentioned in my post: Hyperacusis, As I see it. Start using a sound machine at night by your bedside, so your ears and auditory system slowly get accustomed to sound and hopefully become less sensitive.

Please let me know if you use headphones or go to clubs or concerts even the cinema, as something is causing your tinnitus to spike. Please try my suggestions.

Michael

 

[Ligeia]

HI @Ligeia

Thank you once again for your kind comments they are much appreciated. No need to worry about taking up my time, as I will always try and help if possible.

You have had tinnitus for quite some time and I would have thought by now, you would be fully habituated and not experiencing any hyperacusis or sensitivity to sound. However, it does happen. Hyperacusis like tinnitus comes in different levels of severity and pain is not always felt in the ears. You may need a higher level of treatment to cure or at least reduce the sensitivity to sound that you are experiencing. This may require wearing white noise generators to help"desensitise" the sensitivity of your auditory system. You have said that you hang out with 4/5 friends but what does this actually mean?

When you are out with friends are you at a club or place where loud music is played? Do you listen to music through headphones? Loud music and headphones use can spike tinnitus and if one isn't careful, increase it to a higher permanent level. Isolating yourself or keeping away from everyday normal sounds can make matters worse. I advise you to try self help in the manner that I mentioned in my post: Hyperacusis, As I see it. Start using a sound machine at night by your bedside, so your ears and auditory system slowly get accustomed to sound and hopefully become less sensitive.

Please let me know if you use headphones or go to clubs or concerts even the cinema, as something is causing your tinnitus to spike. Please try my suggestions.

Michael

Hi Michael,

Thank you for your response.
I've had tinnitus for as long as I can remember.
It got worse when I was 22 due to attending to many concerts, all though I did wear ear protection. Stress was also a big factor. When I turned 25 it started getting worse every year, likely due to stress since I avoid most loud places.
The first 2 times my tinnitus got worse I was in full panic mode for some time but habituated quite quickly.
When it got worse last year I had trouble getting out of fight/flight mode and I've been anxious ever since. Since it got worse a few weeks ago I've been even more scared and alert for sounds. I try not to overprotect my ears for normal sounds.
When I go to the cinema I wear my custom made ear plugs. I visit the cinema maybe 5 times a year. I also take dancing classes with my partner, also wearing my plugs which made the volume of the music very acceptable in my opinion. We're now having a summer break but I'm worried I can't attend those classes anymore.
So the only thing I do is hang out with my friends at someone's place. They are considerate of my tinnitus and try to keep the volume down. We mostly play boardgames.. nothing too interesting. They occasionaly scream of laugh to hard I guess but that's only for a moment.
In my previous comment I said that my ears don't hurt with normal sounds but I forgot to mention my ears are feeling really full since my tinnitus got worse.
Here's hoping I'm not a lost case..

 

[Ligeia]

Sorry @Michael Leigh , I forgot to tag you in my awnser above.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I also take dancing classes with my partner, also wearing my plugs which made the volume of the music very acceptable in my opinion.

HI @Ligeia

Thank you for tagging me as I didn't see your latest post and thanks for the additional information as it helps a lot. I don't think you are a lost cause and feel you can certainly improve with a little work and time. Although you have been wearing earplugs when at your dancing classes or even if you were to go to a club or concert. Please be aware, if the external sounds are loud enough, whilst they may feel acceptable to your hearing the sound can pass through your head/skull and be transferred to your inner ear by "Bone conduction" this can spike the tinnitus or increase it to a higher and more permanent level. No earplugs even high-end moulded types can stop this from happening. Many people think by wearing earplugs they are protected but this is not always the case as I've described.

Depending on how much stress and anxiety the tinnitus is causing you will determine what help you require in order to improve. Counselling with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist trained in tinnitus management, can help a lot. Medication in the form of an antidepressant can be beneficial too and it doesn't have to be a large dose. Alternatively, you could try a herbal antidepressant such as St John's Wort, it will help relax you. Available from chemists, herbalist or Amazon.

Trying to help yourself by reinforcing positive thinking can help a lot, in addition to using a "sound machine" at night by your bedside. Please click on the links below and read my posts on positivity. I advise you to PRINT them and refer to them regularly as this will help reinforce positive thinking. Learning to cope and habituate to tinnitus is 90% mental. Once one's mental attitude is right tinnitus becomes much easier to live with. By accentuating the positive things in our life and learning to appreciate them we will feel much better about ourselves. Try to think what I am able to do with tinnitus instead of thinking what it prevents me from doing. Read my posts in the links below regularly. They are a form of counselling and will help to condition your mind into thinking differently and more positively. Please keep away from negative thinking people in this forum and do not read their posts. Their negative attitude and believes can become yours if you 're not careful.

People that are seasoned to tinnitus or veterans like myself know how important it is to have a positive outlook on life. This does not mean never to think negative. It means try not to let negative thinking consume you as this can prevent your progress. It takes time but can be achieved I promise you. The only limitations is ourselves and the way we think. Our greatest glory is not in ever falling but rising every time we fall.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/inspiration.22894/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/can-tinnitus-counselling-help.22366/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-mental-health.21978/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/a-change-of-lifestyle.20643/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.20467/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-negative-counselling.26669/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-big-picture.19308/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/staying-positive-with-tinnitus.12392/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/life-is-problematic.12317/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/i-would-rather-be-happy-than-right.12084/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/standing-tall.12070/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/staying-positive-with-tinnitus.12069/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/changes-in-tinnitus-and-how-to-cope.12067/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-art-of-tinnitus.12066/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/positivity-and-tinnitus.12060/

 

[Ligeia]

HI @Ligeia

Thank you for tagging me as I didn't see your latest post and thanks for the additional information as it helps a lot. I don't think you are a lost cause and feel you can certainly improve with a little work and time. Although you have been wearing earplugs when at your dancing classes or even if you were to go to a club or concert. Please be aware, if the external sounds are loud enough, whilst they may feel acceptable to your hearing the sound can pass through your head/skull and be transferred to your inner ear by "Bone conduction" this can spike the tinnitus or increase it to a higher and more permanent level. No earplugs even high-end moulded types can stop this from happening. Many people think by wearing earplugs they are protected but this is not always the case as I've described.

Depending on how much stress and anxiety the tinnitus is causing you will determine what help you require in order to improve. Counselling with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist trained in tinnitus management, can help a lot. Medication in the form of an antidepressant can be beneficial too and it doesn't have to be a large dose. Alternatively, you could try a herbal antidepressant such as St John's Wort, it will help relax you. Available from chemists, herbalist or Amazon.

Trying to help yourself by reinforcing positive thinking can help a lot, in addition to using a "sound machine" at night by your bedside. Please click on the links below and read my posts on positivity. I advise you to PRINT them and refer to them regularly as this will help reinforce positive thinking. Learning to cope and habituate to tinnitus is 90% mental. Once one's mental attitude is right tinnitus becomes much easier to live with. By accentuating the positive things in our life and learning to appreciate them we will feel much better about ourselves. Try to think what I am able to do with tinnitus instead of thinking what it prevents me from doing. Read my posts in the links below regularly. They are a form of counselling and will help to condition your mind into thinking differently and more positively. Please keep away from negative thinking people in this forum and do not read their posts. Their negative attitude and believes can become yours if you 're not careful.

People that are seasoned to tinnitus or veterans like myself know how important it is to have a positive outlook on life. This does not mean never to think negative. It means try not to let negative thinking consume you as this can prevent your progress. It takes time but can be achieved I promise you. The only limitations is ourselves and the way we think. Our greatest glory is not in ever falling but rising every time we fall.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/inspiration.22894/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/can-tinnitus-counselling-help.22366/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-mental-health.21978/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/a-change-of-lifestyle.20643/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.20467/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-negative-counselling.26669/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-big-picture.19308/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/staying-positive-with-tinnitus.12392/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/life-is-problematic.12317/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/i-would-rather-be-happy-than-right.12084/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/standing-tall.12070/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/staying-positive-with-tinnitus.12069/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/changes-in-tinnitus-and-how-to-cope.12067/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-art-of-tinnitus.12066/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/positivity-and-tinnitus.12060/

Thank you @Michael Leigh,

I've always tried to stay away from forums but since it worse over the last 3 years I felt I had nowhere else to turn to. I've pinned all the helpful and succes stories on my browser and I'm going to keep away from the negative ones. Since my tinnitus has become louder every year I felt I was fooling myself for even trying to have some hope. Reading some negative threads didn't help my case. I've been reading them obsessively for the last 2 weeks.
Thank you for giving me the motivation to keep trying Michael. I wish you all the best.

 

[dpdx]

@Michael Leigh When I speak my own voice hurts and sometimes others. I have a swollen lymph node in front of the right ear and I am wondering whether (it is a size of a bean) and it moves when I talk/chew food. I noticed that when my mouth is shut that sounds like people laughing or talking can cause discomfort. Is this Hyperacusis related to the lymph node? or is it a trauma #2 from vemp. I am using sound oasis all the time and do not wear hearing protection unless in a really loud environment.

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh When I speak my own voice hurts and sometimes others. I have a swollen lymph node in front of the right ear and I am wondering whether (it is a size of a bean) and it moves when I talk/chew food. I noticed that when my mouth is shut that sounds like people laughing or talking can cause discomfort. Is this Hyperacusis related to the lymph node? or is it a trauma #2 from vemp. I am using sound oasis all the time and do not wear hearing protection unless in a really loud environment.

Lymph node/s is not an area I'm familiar with. If a doctor has said you have swollen lymph node hopefully this can be treated. As I've mentioned to you many times and will say again, only because you are respectful when corresponding with me. I believe you need some counselling, medication to help with stress and anxiety and if possible, wearing white noise generators. I think counselling and medication are more important as this would help lift your mood.

Your descriptions do sound like hyperacusis...

Michael

 

[dpdx]

Lymph node/s is not an area I'm familiar with. If doctor has said you have swollen lymph node hopefully this can be treated. As I've mentioned to you many times and will say again, only because you are respectful when corresponding with me. I believe you need some counselling, medication to help with stress and anxiety and if possible, wearing white noise generators. I think counselling and medication are more important as this would help lift your mood.

Michael

TRT is too expensive and I am broke. I had Severe H since January 29, 2018 and I didnt see much improvement. I use sound machine every night when I go to bed. What is the recovery time for a person with H? I am beginning to get multiple job offers and I have to turn them down.

 

[Michael Leigh]

TRT is too expensive and I am broke. I had Severe H since January 29, 2018 and I didnt see much improvement. I use sound machine every night when I go to bed. What is the recovery time for a person with H? I am beginning to get multiple job offers and I have to turn them down.

Try and get some counselling with a Therapist, doesn't have to be TRT. I don't know the recovery time for a person with hyperacusis. We are all different. I believe a lot of your problems can be improved with seeing a counsellor/therapist and taking medication.

 

[dpdx]

Try and get some counselling with a Therapist, doesn't have to be TRT. I don't know the recovery time for a person with hyperacusis. We are all different. I believe a lot of your problems can be improved with seeing a counsellor/therapist and taking medication.

I will be going to an audiologist and PCP soon. I am going to do another audiogram and DPOAEs, also speech in noise test. I am 28 years old with a degree in Mathematics, speak 4 languages and honestly I am surprised where life has taken me. I always imagined that age 28 I will meet my significant other and we will travel the world together, getting a good job, buying a decent car, etc. Didnt think I would have Severe T and Severe H ever, or be asking PCP for anti-anxiety pills, etc.
I am going to go now.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

I have a swollen lymph node in front of the right ear and I am wondering whether (it is a size of a bean) and it moves when I talk/chew food.

Lymph node in front of ear is called preauricular. It may be just draining lymph from your cheeks. It can also drain lymph from around the eyes, temple - sinus or eustachian tubes from throat to ear. With this you might feel muscle spasms in the soft palate which is attached to the stapes in the middle ear. I would be using some soft pink sound placed from a distance of 10 feet or so for balance.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I will be going to an audiologist and PCP soon. I am going to do another audiogram and DPOAEs, also speech in noise test. I am 28 years old with a degree in Mathematics, speak 4 languages and honestly I am surprised where life has taken me. I always imagined that age 28 I will meet my significant other and we will travel the world together, getting a good job, buying a decent car, etc. Didnt think I would have Severe T and Severe H ever, or be asking PCP for anti-anxiety pills, etc.
I am going to go now.

When tinnitus becomes intrusive it has the ability to affect a person's mental wellbeing considerably. Add hyperacusis into the mix. Stress, anxiety and all sort of problems start to appear over time. This can be quite damaging and a person needs to seek professional help to prevent themselves spiralling downwards into oblivion.

Life is problematic and very few people go through it without having problems and that's just the way it is. There will always be twists and turns that we have to learn to navigate and in doing so we gain experience, which can enable us to face bigger challenges as we progress through life. If this were not so then we would never learn and mature and probably not reach our full potential that is designed for us. Unfortunately some people get more than their fair share of problems and in some cases, this is self inflicted or the result of bad decisions. All we can do, is dust ourselves down get up and keep trying.

There is nothing wrong in being negative but the important thing is not to let it become all consuming, as this can prevent us moving forwards and reaching those goals that we desire. Acquiring a good job, travelling the world, a nice car and significant other, are all good but each come with their own set of problems for us to experience, mature and master.

For me tinnitus is a condition that I have had to learn to master as well as other things to progress through life. I believe it has made me into a stronger and more judicious person. For it requires patience will power and the tenacity to never give up. Even though I have fallen and haven't felt my best at times, I refused to give up by keeping that imaginary light alive in my mind I call positivity.

Michael

 

[Marko Nakovski]

@Michael Leigh
Hello Michael. I saw your comments about sound machines. Can you recommend me some good white or pink noise generators from some good company but not so expensive ? I dont know where I can order . If you could tell me about some cheaper devices I would be really thankfull.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I saw your comments about sound machines. Can you recommend me some good white or pink noise generators

HI @Marko Nakovski

If you are wanting to purchase a "sound machine" and not white noise generators, there are many on the market that I think will be able to suit your budget and suggest you try Amazon.

I always recommend the brand: Sound Oasis as I believe they make the best sound machines and are specifically made for people with tinnitus. Model S-650 is popular . They make various models here is their website: https://www.soundoasis.com/product-category/sleep-sound-therapy-systems/

If you have a mobile phone you can download nature sounds from YouTube and blue-tooth the phone to an external speaker, for sound enrichment. Using the phone by itself I don't believe give sufficient high quality sound enrichment. Alternatively some people place the phone in a docking station that has external speakers which will also suffice.

All the best
Michael

 

[Marko Nakovski]

@Michael Leigh So using the earphones on mobile is not the same like sound machines and white noise generators .. Ah okey sound machines are not going directly in the ear. Now i saw your picture . I think that white noise generators are the best solution for TRT ( sound therapy ) for hyperacusis , better then any other type of sound machine and mobile earplugs ? Im looking in the range of 200 - 400 dollars or euros . Can you recommend some good white noise generator ? I only know about Bose products, they are somewhere around 280$. Thanks

 

[Michael Leigh]

. I think that white noise generators are the best solution for TRT ( sound therapy ) for hyperacusis , better then any other type of sound machine and mobile earplugs ? Im looking in the range of 200 - 400 dollars or euros . Can you recommend some good white noise generator ? I only know about Bose products, they are somewhere around 280$. Thanks

HI @Marko Nakovski

White noise generators are the best for treating tinnitus and hyperacusis with sound therapy. Please keep in mind they are "specialist" devices and should be used as part of TRT for getting the best results. By this I mean a person should be under the care of a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in the treatment and management of tinnitus and hyperacusis. Simply wearing WNGs without having tinnitus "counselling" will not achieve much. Wearing white noise generators alone and trying to treat tinnitus and hyperacusis is not as simple as some people think.

White noise generators are expensive and cost around $2000/euros or more for two. Unless you are able to be under the care of a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist specialising in TRT, then I advise you to forget about white noise generators. Follow my advice in my post: Hyperacusis, As I see it, for treating tinnitus and hyperacusis with self help.

Michael

 

[Marko Nakovski]

@Michael Leigh They are very expensive. I was hoping there are some cheaper devices . Also another problem is that my country doesnt have this kind of therapy. We have audiologist who only test your hearing, give you some pills, vitamins and thats it. Our medicine here is like stone age.Unfortunatelly the clinics here are so far away from the ones in USA or UK. We dont have hearing therapist , the doctors even cant understand your situation when you explain them about hyperacusis .. Before I ask you about big earphones that doesnt go directly in the ear I will suppose that they doesnt have the same effect like WNg for sure but maybe they can help just a little bit after some time ? SHould I give them a try ?

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Marko Nakovski
White noise generators are indeed expensive and I'm afraid there is no way of getting around this, if you want to use the best form of treatment for tinnitus and hyperacusis using sound therapy.

I have written many posts in this forum advising people that have "noise induced" tinnitus, not to use any type of headphones even at low volume. Some people have asked as you have if white noise played through headphones or earbuds are suitable. My answer is no they are not.

White noise played through headphones is not the same as through white noise generators. The sound can be crude and abrasive, not smooth as with dedicated white noise generators. One also runs the risk of making their tinnitus worse when white noise or pink noise is played through headphones.

All the best
Michael

 

[Marko Nakovski]

@Michael Leigh So that option is not good .. Thank you for the information. I would like to ask you only one more question. What about the sound machine when you go to sleep. What kind of benefits gives you ? Beacuse when you go to sleep you hear the sound only for 15-30 minutes before you fall asleep. Your brain still listen the sounds when you sleep and make some sound decentization, ? Im little confused about that.

 

[Michael Leigh]

What kind of benefits gives you ? Beacuse when you go to sleep you hear the sound only for 15-30 minutes before you fall asleep. Your brain still listen the sounds when you sleep and make some sound decentization, ? Im little confused about that.

@Marko Nakovski

It is understandable that you are a little confused, so please read the post below and I hope you will find it helpful. Please feel free to ask questions and I or someone else will try to help.

Michael

Anyone with tinnitus particularly if it is intrusive, should avoid silence especially at night. The brain and auditory system never switch off. When we are asleep or in quiet surroundings, the brain has the ability to increase its background activity. In doing so it will also increase the tinnitus making it louder and more intrusive. By using low level sound enrichment, it supplies the brain and auditory system with sound and thus, helps prevent the brain from increasing its own background activity. Over time it the tinnitus is suppressed.

This is particularly evident in people that tinnitus due to hearing loss. When the brain is unable to hear certain sounds/frequencies from the outside environment, it will turn up its internal gain to hear those sounds/frequencies. In doing so tinnitus can develop and over time become more intrusive. Once a person is fitted with a hearing aid/s, the brain no longer has to work so hard turns down its gain (volume control) and over time, the tinnitus is reduced too.

Sound Machines

I have recently been asked about the benefits of using a sound machine after someone read my post on another thread, please find it below.

Sound Oasis makes the best sound machines in my opinion and they are specifically designed for people with tinnitus although anyone will benefit using one. The quality of their digital sounds will be far superior to any homemade sounds that you compile if your intention is to use them for sound enrichment.

A sound machine can be used night and day but do their magic best when we are in deep sleep. It supplies the brain and auditory system with sound enrichment. Over time, the tinnitus is pushed further into the background making it less intrusive and will make the path to habituation easier.

I have three Oasis models. The S-650 is very popular and the one I usually recommend people buy. It comes with a variety of sounds on two sound cards. Additional cards can be purchased. The S-850 travel, is more expensive and compact. It has 18 on-board digital sounds and doesn't use cards. Some people might be bothered by the clock's blue backlight at night-time. It dims but cannot be turned completely off; the S-650 backlight can be set to switch off automatically.

The S-5000 is the top model. Larger and more sophisticated than the others and can only be mains operated. It uses a three-speaker system, that has a subwoofer for increased depth and definition to the sound. According to Oasis, over 140 on-board sound combinations are possible. It has FM/AM radio and an external sound source can be selected via the auxiliary input. There are a host of other features.

The purpose of using a sound machine is to have it playing in the background without drawing attention to itself unlike a radio. For this reason, music mustn't be used at night for sound enrichment, as it will draw the Brain's attention and delay habituation.

Sound enrichment particularly at night should be used by anyone that has intrusive tinnitus. I would go as far to say, it is imperative to do so if you want to help yourself. Over time you will get used to having sound around you both during the day and night. I find it strange to be in a very quiet room now having used a sound machine for so long.

Michael


PS: Many people have contacted me after they have habituated to their tinnitus and stopped using sound enrichment at night, only to find their tinnitus becoming intrusive again. The rule of thumb: avoid quiet rooms and surroundings especially at night by using a sound machine.

 

[Irish]

@Michael Leigh Thanks for your comment above Michael. I have a related question.
I recently bought the S-650 and am using it most nights, I have it playing during the night as I go to sleep and all through the night until the morning. I've been using the 'White Noise' sound mostly.
So far there's been no impact on my H and TTTS, but it's early days.
My belief is that the daily discomfort of my TTTS should lessen as my H becomes less prominent, and sound enrichment seems to be my best hope of achieving this.
If I see no improvement after a number of months, I'll take the next step of buying WNGs along with some counselling sessions, I've been saving up for this as it will set me back between two and three grand (in euro).
Anyway, my question for you Michael is, do you know what would be a good volume setting to use during the night.
I'm mindful of not having the sound too loud, but I'm not sure how loud I should set it.
I don't have T aside from occasional minor flourishes that don't last long, so I don't have a gauge of setting the sound 'just below the volume of my T' as I've seen mentioned many times on the forum.
Any ideas on this?
Thanks for your help.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I've been using the 'White Noise' sound mostly.
So far there's been no impact on my H and TTTS, but it's early days.
My belief is that the daily discomfort of my TTTS should lessen as my H becomes less prominent, and sound enrichment seems to be my best hope of achieving this.

HI @Irish

People that experience hyperacusis often notice improvement over time without treatment. In more severe cases specialist treatment wearing white noise generators and counselling with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist may be necessary. A lot can be achieved with self help as I have mentioned in my post: Hyperacusis, As I see it.

In addition to your hyperacusis, you have mentioned that you have TTTS, which I believe to be the abbreviation for: Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome? If this is so, then I assume you have been diagnosed with this condition and therefore, aware that it is complex and requires specialist treatment in the form of counselling?

From your post I gather that you are only troubled by tinnitus occasionally. So the main problems seem to be Hyperacusis and TTTS. If this is correct, then I think you might be expecting too much from your self help treatment using sound therapy. It is a good idea to continue with it but please keep in mind, you may have to seek professional help to treat your hyperacusis and (TTTS) Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome.

Set the volume of the sound machine at a level where you can easily ignore it without it drawing attention to itself. It takes time to get used to a sound machine. I recommend up to 2 months.

All the best
Michael

 

[Marko Nakovski]

@Michael Leigh Thank you very much for your detailed explanation . You are really expert in this field, you know so many things about this matter. I really appreciate your effort and time to help me and other people. I read somewhere about the benefits of white noise sounds while sleeping but I didnt know that much. Now I understand more. As I see there are 2 models, S- 680 and S- 650. I think that both products are similar except that 650 have 2 cards. Their top model s-5000 is a little bit expensive then the other models so I might look after the cheaper versions. I just hope that after some time I will have some improvements on my hyperacusis, which is my primary concern right now but helping my tinnitus is also very important . I know this is not a miracle but just a little help for either H or T would be amazing. I just hope they ship their products in Europe , I dont live in the USA. It would be pitty if I cant have this product, I would like to have them .

 

[Eric N]

@Michael Leigh

Hi Michael, white noise actually mask my T louder so this device will not be good for me? also what should I do about the very low frequencies? I recently acquired T tones as low as 160hz and 600hz which as now the most intrusive.

Also do videos like these count as sound enrichment? I have been this track for a long time and it helps because it has high and low frequencies