I’m Back Unfortunately After a Christmas Party with a DJ

[Telis]

Hi all, I never thought I would be back here, ever. I just told a friend yesterday that I would never post here again. I guess I shouldn't say never.

I've had some other major health issues of late and have been all consumed, but was kind of doing okay with my tinnitus for a while. I found it to be livable after a major increase summer 2018, I was finally to a point where I could deal with it okay, I also felt that the volume and tone had softened enough to where I could function half way normal and sleep. Still incredibly loud but reasonable compared to what it was.

Last week attended a Christmas party with a DJ, I know very stupid. I actually didn't know there was going to be a DJ until I got there. Before dinner music was playing in the background and was pretty loud, I was walking around talking to people with no ear plugs, seemed okay. After dinner the music started, I was caught with no protection for about 10 min as my wife had my plugs in her purse and I could not find her. The smart thing would have been to step out and text her, but nope I went looking, walked by the speakers a few times, was stopped by people to talk/yell etc, I have to admit it was a good rush for some reason. I finally found her, thought I was okay, put the plugs in. The rest of the night went okay, although I was yelling to be heard, I guess a lot of voice occlusion behind the plugs had occurred. Other people were leaning in yelling at me, especially since I had plugs on, surprisingly I could hear them okay, the voices didn't seem that loud.

At the end of the night the DJ shut things down, had the background music back on, I took my plugs out, deciding it was once again a acceptable level. Went on drinking and socializing, things seemed louder after having the plugs in for a few hours, this may have been a bit of a shock to my ears.

My wife and I left, went home, had a fight about god knows what, we almost never fight, but it was fight night. There was some yelling, but it wasn't overly long, maybe 10 min. I went to bed (passed out) and woke with a new level of tinnitus. I thought this could be temporary but I wasn't convinced, I've never experienced a spike before, in my experience if things get worse, they're worse. Went back to sleep and woke with the same new level, I knew I was screwed.

This was about 10 days ago, I am back to not sleeping without meds, wake up with severe panic attacks multiple times throughout the night, my tinnitus was already bad but was just finally learning to cope when this happened, was sleeping okay etc. Same thing as last year summer, finally getting by with when I stepped into a MRI machine with poor ear protection. This is my second MAJOR worsening in 6 years now, how I wish so badly to go back to my old tinnitus.

These worsening episodes take me straight back to the first time I got tinnitus but a lot worse because its now getting really f""Kin bad. The first time I had tinnitus it was a pretty livable but I was more just in panic mode because it was something I didn't understand, things did get worse from the beginning gradually but not like this and the MRI situation where I'm at least doubling, maybe more, the change is so drastic that you are almost impressed that tinnitus can get to these levels and realize that the sky's the limit.

I'm pretty good at sleeping with blazing tinnitus, but I don't know, this is not going to work for me. I tried last night, no masking, part of the issue is that My hearing has become pretty bad, I wake up feeling trapped in, feels almost like I have noise isolating headphones on blasting some kind of horrific screeching at volumes so loud that my head is in some serious pain, have to keep moving from side to side as the sound cuts into my brain. I reach over turn some rain forest noise on, I can't hear it unless it's cranked, and even then I can barely hear it and does next to nothing, my wife says it's so loud it's hurting her ears, might have to sleep in a different room.

I think the lesson here is that tinnitus ears are like glass, they are ready to break. I keep learning this the hard way. I mean the MRI was 110-120 dB banging for 30 minute in a tube, that I could understand. But this, 10 minute walking around, music maybe 105-110 dB, then plugs all night, hard to believe. No one else was wearing ear protection, no incident, in fact most went out to continue the party at a club, everyone is just fine. Then there is me, I lost hearing, severe pain in the ears, muffled, louder tinnitus, major insomnia again etc etc.

That is the last time I go out into the noise. I get this stupid sense of I deserve this, I've had this shit for 6 years and it's ruined my life, this year I'm getting dressed up and going out like normal folk, tinnitus won't stop me. Not the right way to think, I always thought that there were a lot of crazies here worrying about things like cars honking, or breaking a glass, but these people have a rational fear, and are overly cautious for all the right reasons. This is just another huge regret I have, I always wish I was more fearful at the time, I'm constantly thinking screw it I have tinnitus as bad as it can get now, it's done, I can move on, I know how to deal with it. All not true.

I'm hoping to have my tinnitus come down in pitch and volume, I know this doesn't seem to be the consensus here at Tinnitus Talk, I'm one of the few that actually thinks tinnitus fades, and a lot of folks just mistake it for habituation, this is the way it works for me. The rate at which it fades is at a snails pace, has to me measured over multiple months or years, not days or weeks. And on top of that, no set backs with meds or noise.

Anyway, anyone out there considering a holiday party? Maybe skip it for a quiet night in?

Also, wouldn't mind hearing from others with hearing loss tinnitus where things gradually improve with time. Feeling kind of lonely, I guess that's why I come back, I don't really speak of it in the real world.

If anyone wants to comment I'd like to keep it positive please if you can, I'm kind of in a bit of a state at the moment, if you can't, well, I'll have to deal with it as it is a public forum.

Stories of habituation are no good for me, I'm past that, I've had this for a long time, when it gets bad enough it's not an annoyance, it's severe head pain. If there is anyone out there like me (with hearing loss) that actually gets better over time, yeah would love to hear from you.

Thanks.

 

[fishbone]

I have very BAD hearing and intrusive tinnitus. It's a tough one for sure, you just have to find ways to make your life manageable with it. You have to look at possible options and see what can work for you and your situation. Just know that you are not alone! I have a few parties, coming around due to xmas and new years. I will not attend anyone of them and risk further damage to my already damaged ears.

Hope ya feel better.

 

[JohnAdams]

I have very BAD hearing and intrusive tinnitus. It's a tough one for sure, you just have to find ways to make your life manageable with it. You have to look at possible options and see what can work for you and your situation. Just know that you are not alone! I have a few parties, coming around due to xmas and new years. I will not attend anyone of them and risk further damage to my already damaged ears.

Hope ya feel better.

Why aren't you bitching about getting early access to FX-322 with me? This drug is not a silver bullet, but it's at least a bronze one. We need to be organized for this. You are a prominent personality in this community. Join MPP.

 

[Tybs]

Hi all, I never thought I would be back here, ever. I just told a friend yesterday that I would never post here again. I guess I shouldn't say never.

I've had some other major health issues of late and have been all consumed, but was kind of doing okay with my tinnitus for a while. I found it to be livable after a major increase summer 2018, I was finally to a point where I could deal with it okay, I also felt that the volume and tone had softened enough to where I could function half way normal and sleep. Still incredibly loud but reasonable compared to what it was.

Last week attended a Christmas party with a DJ, I know very stupid. I actually didn't know there was going to be a DJ until I got there. Before dinner music was playing in the background and was pretty loud, I was walking around talking to people with no ear plugs, seemed okay. After dinner the music started, I was caught with no protection for about 10 min as my wife had my plugs in her purse and I could not find her. The smart thing would have been to step out and text her, but nope I went looking, walked by the speakers a few times, was stopped by people to talk/yell etc, I have to admit it was a good rush for some reason. I finally found her, thought I was okay, put the plugs in. The rest of the night went okay, although I was yelling to be heard, I guess a lot of voice occlusion behind the plugs had occurred. Other people were leaning in yelling at me, especially since I had plugs on, surprisingly I could hear them okay, the voices didn't seem that loud.

At the end of the night the DJ shut things down, had the background music back on, I took my plugs out, deciding it was once again a acceptable level. Went on drinking and socializing, things seemed louder after having the plugs in for a few hours, this may have been a bit of a shock to my ears.

My wife and I left, went home, had a fight about god knows what, we almost never fight, but it was fight night. There was some yelling, but it wasn't overly long, maybe 10 min. I went to bed (passed out) and woke with a new level of tinnitus. I thought this could be temporary but I wasn't convinced, I've never experienced a spike before, in my experience if things get worse, they're worse. Went back to sleep and woke with the same new level, I knew I was screwed.

This was about 10 days ago, I am back to not sleeping without meds, wake up with severe panic attacks multiple times throughout the night, my tinnitus was already bad but was just finally learning to cope when this happened, was sleeping okay etc. Same thing as last year summer, finally getting by with when I stepped into a MRI machine with poor ear protection. This is my second MAJOR worsening in 6 years now, how I wish so badly to go back to my old tinnitus.

These worsening episodes take me straight back to the first time I got tinnitus but a lot worse because its now getting really f""Kin bad. The first time I had tinnitus it was a pretty livable but I was more just in panic mode because it was something I didn't understand, things did get worse from the beginning gradually but not like this and the MRI situation where I'm at least doubling, maybe more, the change is so drastic that you are almost impressed that tinnitus can get to these levels and realize that the sky's the limit.

I'm pretty good at sleeping with blazing tinnitus, but I don't know, this is not going to work for me. I tried last night, no masking, part of the issue is that My hearing has become pretty bad, I wake up feeling trapped in, feels almost like I have noise isolating headphones on blasting some kind of horrific screeching at volumes so loud that my head is in some serious pain, have to keep moving from side to side as the sound cuts into my brain. I reach over turn some rain forest noise on, I can't hear it unless it's cranked, and even then I can barely hear it and does next to nothing, my wife says it's so loud it's hurting her ears, might have to sleep in a different room.

I think the lesson here is that tinnitus ears are like glass, they are ready to break. I keep learning this the hard way. I mean the MRI was 110-120 dB banging for 30 minute in a tube, that I could understand. But this, 10 minute walking around, music maybe 105-110 dB, then plugs all night, hard to believe. No one else was wearing ear protection, no incident, in fact most went out to continue the party at a club, everyone is just fine. Then there is me, I lost hearing, severe pain in the ears, muffled, louder tinnitus, major insomnia again etc etc.

That is the last time I go out into the noise. I get this stupid sense of I deserve this, I've had this shit for 6 years and it's ruined my life, this year I'm getting dressed up and going out like normal folk, tinnitus won't stop me. Not the right way to think, I always thought that there were a lot of crazies here worrying about things like cars honking, or breaking a glass, but these people have a rational fear, and are overly cautious for all the right reasons. This is just another huge regret I have, I always wish I was more fearful at the time, I'm constantly thinking screw it I have tinnitus as bad as it can get now, it's done, I can move on, I know how to deal with it. All not true.

I'm hoping to have my tinnitus come down in pitch and volume, I know this doesn't seem to be the consensus here at Tinnitus Talk, I'm one of the few that actually thinks tinnitus fades, and a lot of folks just mistake it for habituation, this is the way it works for me. The rate at which it fades is at a snails pace, has to me measured over multiple months or years, not days or weeks. And on top of that, no set backs with meds or noise.

Anyway, anyone out there considering a holiday party? Maybe skip it for a quiet night in?

Also, wouldn't mind hearing from others with hearing loss tinnitus where things gradually improve with time. Feeling kind of lonely, I guess that's why I come back, I don't really speak of it in the real world.

If anyone wants to comment I'd like to keep it positive please if you can, I'm kind of in a bit of a state at the moment, if you can't, well, I'll have to deal with it as it is a public forum.

Stories of habituation are no good for me, I'm past that, I've had this for a long time, when it gets bad enough it's not an annoyance, it's severe head pain. If there is anyone out there like me (with hearing loss) that actually gets better over time, yeah would love to hear from you.

Thanks.

Sorry about your misfortune . Did you follow the updates concerning Lenire and such? It's not perfect yet, but there are quite some good results as well, it could be an option if you can keep your hearing alive.

 

[astaff14]

I have so much sympathy for you. Tinnitus ears really are like glass, you don't realize the cracks in the glass until it shatters.

Have you ever tried hearing aids? I've seen a couple stories on here of people who have tried specific hearing aids that have given them relief when other aids did nothing but make the tinnitus worse. If you've not seen these posts and are interested I can find the posts for you.

I had a worsening after noise trauma a month and a half ago, and what helped me was taking time off work for a few weeks and magnesium supplements pretty much. Other than that as I'm sure you know it's just waiting it out for it to become more bearable... god tinnitus truly is the worst and I'm so sorry this happened to you just from trying to enjoy a party.

 

[Backpacker]

@Telis You were mentioning PLF. Did you get the diagnosis? Did you maybe try the non surgical "bed rest" approach for PLF (Nothing to do with being in bed all day, just keeping your head elevated and a bunch of restrictions for 6 weeks)? I think it could work better for dizziness and eye issues but you can try it anyay.

 

[Telis]

I have so much sympathy for you. Tinnitus ears really are like glass, you don't realize the cracks in the glass until it shatters.

Have you ever tried hearing aids? I've seen a couple stories on here of people who have tried specific hearing aids that have given them relief when other aids did nothing but make the tinnitus worse. If you've not seen these posts and are interested I can find the posts for you.

I had a worsening after noise trauma a month and a half ago, and what helped me was taking time off work for a few weeks and magnesium supplements pretty much. Other than that as I'm sure you know it's just waiting it out for it to become more bearable... god tinnitus truly is the worst and I'm so sorry this happened to you just from trying to enjoy a party.

Thanks so much. Yeah I think I'm going to have have my hearing tested again, my loss was more in the high range but I'm positive it's creeping into the lower frequencies at this point. Pretty frustrating, 6 years ago I had perfect hearing, it's all gone down hill so quickly since the original tinnitus incident (not even noise, but antibiotics). I had ears of steel back then.

Glad the supplements helped you, and yes I think time may be my friend here. I think it takes a while for the nerves to calm down, and for the brain to reorganize itself.

I'm not as nervous this time around, I fully believe things can calm down. I just had a surgery which resulted in excruciating nerve pain so bad I was waking up screaming, the damage is still there, but the pain response is very very slowly fading. The body needs to get into that calm state, if it doesn't, it's just one big never ending loop.

Hope you are doing well and looking forward to the holidays

 

[Telis]

@Telis You were mentioning PLF. Did you get the diagnosis? Did you maybe try the non surgical "bed rest" approach for PLF (Nothing to do with being in bed all day, just keeping your head elevated and a bunch of restrictions for 6 weeks)? I think it could work better for dizziness and eye issues but you can try it anyay.

I had that all get a lot better a couple of years ago, to be honest I haven't really considered it lately.

 

[Telis]

Sorry about your misfortune . Did you follow the updates concerning Lenire and such? It's not perfect yet, but there are quite some good results as well, it could be an option if you can keep your hearing alive.

Hi. I don't know what this is, I haven't been on here for ages.

 

[Telis]

Why aren't you bitching about getting early access to FX-322 with me? This drug is not a silver bullet, but it's at least a bronze one. We need to be organized for this. You are a prominent personality in this community. Join MPP.

Haha. I love your enthusiasm John, always admired that in you.

 

[Sean]

Hi all, I never thought I would be back here, ever. I just told a friend yesterday that I would never post here again. I guess I shouldn't say never.

I've had some other major health issues of late and have been all consumed, but was kind of doing okay with my tinnitus for a while. I found it to be livable after a major increase summer 2018, I was finally to a point where I could deal with it okay, I also felt that the volume and tone had softened enough to where I could function half way normal and sleep. Still incredibly loud but reasonable compared to what it was.

Last week attended a Christmas party with a DJ, I know very stupid. I actually didn't know there was going to be a DJ until I got there. Before dinner music was playing in the background and was pretty loud, I was walking around talking to people with no ear plugs, seemed okay. After dinner the music started, I was caught with no protection for about 10 min as my wife had my plugs in her purse and I could not find her. The smart thing would have been to step out and text her, but nope I went looking, walked by the speakers a few times, was stopped by people to talk/yell etc, I have to admit it was a good rush for some reason. I finally found her, thought I was okay, put the plugs in. The rest of the night went okay, although I was yelling to be heard, I guess a lot of voice occlusion behind the plugs had occurred. Other people were leaning in yelling at me, especially since I had plugs on, surprisingly I could hear them okay, the voices didn't seem that loud.

At the end of the night the DJ shut things down, had the background music back on, I took my plugs out, deciding it was once again a acceptable level. Went on drinking and socializing, things seemed louder after having the plugs in for a few hours, this may have been a bit of a shock to my ears.

My wife and I left, went home, had a fight about god knows what, we almost never fight, but it was fight night. There was some yelling, but it wasn't overly long, maybe 10 min. I went to bed (passed out) and woke with a new level of tinnitus. I thought this could be temporary but I wasn't convinced, I've never experienced a spike before, in my experience if things get worse, they're worse. Went back to sleep and woke with the same new level, I knew I was screwed.

This was about 10 days ago, I am back to not sleeping without meds, wake up with severe panic attacks multiple times throughout the night, my tinnitus was already bad but was just finally learning to cope when this happened, was sleeping okay etc. Same thing as last year summer, finally getting by with when I stepped into a MRI machine with poor ear protection. This is my second MAJOR worsening in 6 years now, how I wish so badly to go back to my old tinnitus.

These worsening episodes take me straight back to the first time I got tinnitus but a lot worse because its now getting really f""Kin bad. The first time I had tinnitus it was a pretty livable but I was more just in panic mode because it was something I didn't understand, things did get worse from the beginning gradually but not like this and the MRI situation where I'm at least doubling, maybe more, the change is so drastic that you are almost impressed that tinnitus can get to these levels and realize that the sky's the limit.

I'm pretty good at sleeping with blazing tinnitus, but I don't know, this is not going to work for me. I tried last night, no masking, part of the issue is that My hearing has become pretty bad, I wake up feeling trapped in, feels almost like I have noise isolating headphones on blasting some kind of horrific screeching at volumes so loud that my head is in some serious pain, have to keep moving from side to side as the sound cuts into my brain. I reach over turn some rain forest noise on, I can't hear it unless it's cranked, and even then I can barely hear it and does next to nothing, my wife says it's so loud it's hurting her ears, might have to sleep in a different room.

I think the lesson here is that tinnitus ears are like glass, they are ready to break. I keep learning this the hard way. I mean the MRI was 110-120 dB banging for 30 minute in a tube, that I could understand. But this, 10 minute walking around, music maybe 105-110 dB, then plugs all night, hard to believe. No one else was wearing ear protection, no incident, in fact most went out to continue the party at a club, everyone is just fine. Then there is me, I lost hearing, severe pain in the ears, muffled, louder tinnitus, major insomnia again etc etc.

That is the last time I go out into the noise. I get this stupid sense of I deserve this, I've had this shit for 6 years and it's ruined my life, this year I'm getting dressed up and going out like normal folk, tinnitus won't stop me. Not the right way to think, I always thought that there were a lot of crazies here worrying about things like cars honking, or breaking a glass, but these people have a rational fear, and are overly cautious for all the right reasons. This is just another huge regret I have, I always wish I was more fearful at the time, I'm constantly thinking screw it I have tinnitus as bad as it can get now, it's done, I can move on, I know how to deal with it. All not true.

I'm hoping to have my tinnitus come down in pitch and volume, I know this doesn't seem to be the consensus here at Tinnitus Talk, I'm one of the few that actually thinks tinnitus fades, and a lot of folks just mistake it for habituation, this is the way it works for me. The rate at which it fades is at a snails pace, has to me measured over multiple months or years, not days or weeks. And on top of that, no set backs with meds or noise.

Anyway, anyone out there considering a holiday party? Maybe skip it for a quiet night in?

Also, wouldn't mind hearing from others with hearing loss tinnitus where things gradually improve with time. Feeling kind of lonely, I guess that's why I come back, I don't really speak of it in the real world.

If anyone wants to comment I'd like to keep it positive please if you can, I'm kind of in a bit of a state at the moment, if you can't, well, I'll have to deal with it as it is a public forum.

Stories of habituation are no good for me, I'm past that, I've had this for a long time, when it gets bad enough it's not an annoyance, it's severe head pain. If there is anyone out there like me (with hearing loss) that actually gets better over time, yeah would love to hear from you.

Thanks.

I remember you from few years back on this board.

I had a crazy spike after a concert a few years back and the spike lasted for about 3 months. It was horrible for three months.

I think your spike should subside. I know lot of people who went to concert or loud events and their 5inni5uw spiked for few months but eventually it came back to baseline.

 

[LostOutWest]

Hi @Telis - so sorry about all this for you. You said one thing I do not agree with; you definitely do not deserve this. You're beating yourself up for trying to have a normal night out.

I'm with you on fading. I believe Tinnitus can fade and have heard this experience from plenty of people. Not habituation but actual fading, over time.

 

[Tybs]

Hi. I don't know what this is, I haven't been on here for ages.

Lenire is a new and recently commercialized Bimodal Stimulation treatment for tinnitus. They have been active in Dublin (Ireland) in the past period and just expanded to Hannover (Germany).

They talk about 80% of the patients having success (mostly improvement and some even complete withdrawal of tinnitus). Many remain a bit skeptical because the success numbers we have on the reviews thread here at Tinnitus Talk are somewhat lower, but it is clear that the treatment actually does have an effect for most. More thorough talk about the treatment is done here, discussions are not permitted on the reviews thread.

They do have a limit on hearing threshold (people nearing deafness can't be treated, at least not yet), and quite the waiting time... but hey, it definitely is something.

Another upcoming treatment often discussed is the one being developed by Susan Shore.

 

[Ed209]

Hi all, I never thought I would be back here, ever. I just told a friend yesterday that I would never post here again. I guess I shouldn't say never.

I've had some other major health issues of late and have been all consumed, but was kind of doing okay with my tinnitus for a while. I found it to be livable after a major increase summer 2018, I was finally to a point where I could deal with it okay, I also felt that the volume and tone had softened enough to where I could function half way normal and sleep. Still incredibly loud but reasonable compared to what it was.

Last week attended a Christmas party with a DJ, I know very stupid. I actually didn't know there was going to be a DJ until I got there. Before dinner music was playing in the background and was pretty loud, I was walking around talking to people with no ear plugs, seemed okay. After dinner the music started, I was caught with no protection for about 10 min as my wife had my plugs in her purse and I could not find her. The smart thing would have been to step out and text her, but nope I went looking, walked by the speakers a few times, was stopped by people to talk/yell etc, I have to admit it was a good rush for some reason. I finally found her, thought I was okay, put the plugs in. The rest of the night went okay, although I was yelling to be heard, I guess a lot of voice occlusion behind the plugs had occurred. Other people were leaning in yelling at me, especially since I had plugs on, surprisingly I could hear them okay, the voices didn't seem that loud.

At the end of the night the DJ shut things down, had the background music back on, I took my plugs out, deciding it was once again a acceptable level. Went on drinking and socializing, things seemed louder after having the plugs in for a few hours, this may have been a bit of a shock to my ears.

My wife and I left, went home, had a fight about god knows what, we almost never fight, but it was fight night. There was some yelling, but it wasn't overly long, maybe 10 min. I went to bed (passed out) and woke with a new level of tinnitus. I thought this could be temporary but I wasn't convinced, I've never experienced a spike before, in my experience if things get worse, they're worse. Went back to sleep and woke with the same new level, I knew I was screwed.

This was about 10 days ago, I am back to not sleeping without meds, wake up with severe panic attacks multiple times throughout the night, my tinnitus was already bad but was just finally learning to cope when this happened, was sleeping okay etc. Same thing as last year summer, finally getting by with when I stepped into a MRI machine with poor ear protection. This is my second MAJOR worsening in 6 years now, how I wish so badly to go back to my old tinnitus.

These worsening episodes take me straight back to the first time I got tinnitus but a lot worse because its now getting really f""Kin bad. The first time I had tinnitus it was a pretty livable but I was more just in panic mode because it was something I didn't understand, things did get worse from the beginning gradually but not like this and the MRI situation where I'm at least doubling, maybe more, the change is so drastic that you are almost impressed that tinnitus can get to these levels and realize that the sky's the limit.

I'm pretty good at sleeping with blazing tinnitus, but I don't know, this is not going to work for me. I tried last night, no masking, part of the issue is that My hearing has become pretty bad, I wake up feeling trapped in, feels almost like I have noise isolating headphones on blasting some kind of horrific screeching at volumes so loud that my head is in some serious pain, have to keep moving from side to side as the sound cuts into my brain. I reach over turn some rain forest noise on, I can't hear it unless it's cranked, and even then I can barely hear it and does next to nothing, my wife says it's so loud it's hurting her ears, might have to sleep in a different room.

I think the lesson here is that tinnitus ears are like glass, they are ready to break. I keep learning this the hard way. I mean the MRI was 110-120 dB banging for 30 minute in a tube, that I could understand. But this, 10 minute walking around, music maybe 105-110 dB, then plugs all night, hard to believe. No one else was wearing ear protection, no incident, in fact, most went out to continue the party at a club, everyone is just fine. Then there is me, I lost hearing, severe pain in the ears, muffled, louder tinnitus, major insomnia again etc etc.

That is the last time I go out into the noise. I get this stupid sense of I deserve this, I've had this shit for 6 years and it's ruined my life, this year I'm getting dressed up and going out like normal folk, tinnitus won't stop me. Not the right way to think, I always thought that there were a lot of crazies here worrying about things like cars honking, or breaking a glass, but these people have a rational fear, and are overly cautious for all the right reasons. This is just another huge regret I have, I always wish I was more fearful at the time, I'm constantly thinking screw it I have tinnitus as bad as it can get now, it's done, I can move on, I know how to deal with it. All not true.

I'm hoping to have my tinnitus come down in pitch and volume, I know this doesn't seem to be the consensus here at Tinnitus Talk, I'm one of the few that actually thinks tinnitus fades, and a lot of folks just mistake it for habituation, this is the way it works for me. The rate at which it fades is at a snails pace, has to me measured over multiple months or years, not days or weeks. And on top of that, no set backs with meds or noise.

Anyway, anyone out there considering a holiday party? Maybe skip it for a quiet night in?

Also, wouldn't mind hearing from others with hearing loss tinnitus where things gradually improve with time. Feeling kind of lonely, I guess that's why I come back, I don't really speak of it in the real world.

If anyone wants to comment I'd like to keep it positive please if you can, I'm kind of in a bit of a state at the moment, if you can't, well, I'll have to deal with it as it is a public forum.

Stories of habituation are no good for me, I'm past that, I've had this for a long time, when it gets bad enough it's not an annoyance, it's severe head pain. If there is anyone out there like me (with hearing loss) that actually gets better over time, yeah would love to hear from you.

Thanks.

Telis, it was only recently that I read about your vasectomy problems and I was proper gutted for you. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye in the past but that shit was a horror show and I really felt for you. There's absolutely nothing I can say that you don't already know but I can guarantee you that everyone here will be pulling for you. Lean on all of us.

All I can say is if you've come through all of what you've been through before, then you can do it again. Just take it easy, buddy, and don't put any pressure on yourself.

 

[Petloy]

@Telis Same situation here! 6 days ago attended a xmas party, during dinner it was ok, then dancing started, stayed for 45 minutes and wore my ER-20 Etymotics, I felt safe, next day tinnitus was high and new hiss on left ear. I have had tinnitus since 2012 and had been managing well.

Next 2 days were excruciating and I decided:

1 - stop comparing or trying to remember my old tinnitus sound. It's done, I'm facing this new tinnitus.
2 - I stopped blaming myself and trying to play out other scenarios like, what if I had left? Or should've I worn foam (33 dB) plugs?
3 - I now concentrate on how I don't react on the sound.

My tinnitus is still high and I have accepted my new baseline, I've noticed my reaction to be slowly decreasing... I'm looking forward to habituating again.

I hope you find that strength you had before, we did it before, we can do it again!

Peter

 

[Jack Straw]

Hi all, I never thought I would be back here, ever. I just told a friend yesterday that I would never post here again. I guess I shouldn't say never.

I've had some other major health issues of late and have been all consumed, but was kind of doing okay with my tinnitus for a while. I found it to be livable after a major increase summer 2018, I was finally to a point where I could deal with it okay, I also felt that the volume and tone had softened enough to where I could function half way normal and sleep. Still incredibly loud but reasonable compared to what it was.

Last week attended a Christmas party with a DJ, I know very stupid. I actually didn't know there was going to be a DJ until I got there. Before dinner music was playing in the background and was pretty loud, I was walking around talking to people with no ear plugs, seemed okay. After dinner the music started, I was caught with no protection for about 10 min as my wife had my plugs in her purse and I could not find her. The smart thing would have been to step out and text her, but nope I went looking, walked by the speakers a few times, was stopped by people to talk/yell etc, I have to admit it was a good rush for some reason. I finally found her, thought I was okay, put the plugs in. The rest of the night went okay, although I was yelling to be heard, I guess a lot of voice occlusion behind the plugs had occurred. Other people were leaning in yelling at me, especially since I had plugs on, surprisingly I could hear them okay, the voices didn't seem that loud.

At the end of the night the DJ shut things down, had the background music back on, I took my plugs out, deciding it was once again a acceptable level. Went on drinking and socializing, things seemed louder after having the plugs in for a few hours, this may have been a bit of a shock to my ears.

My wife and I left, went home, had a fight about god knows what, we almost never fight, but it was fight night. There was some yelling, but it wasn't overly long, maybe 10 min. I went to bed (passed out) and woke with a new level of tinnitus. I thought this could be temporary but I wasn't convinced, I've never experienced a spike before, in my experience if things get worse, they're worse. Went back to sleep and woke with the same new level, I knew I was screwed.

This was about 10 days ago, I am back to not sleeping without meds, wake up with severe panic attacks multiple times throughout the night, my tinnitus was already bad but was just finally learning to cope when this happened, was sleeping okay etc. Same thing as last year summer, finally getting by with when I stepped into a MRI machine with poor ear protection. This is my second MAJOR worsening in 6 years now, how I wish so badly to go back to my old tinnitus.

These worsening episodes take me straight back to the first time I got tinnitus but a lot worse because its now getting really f""Kin bad. The first time I had tinnitus it was a pretty livable but I was more just in panic mode because it was something I didn't understand, things did get worse from the beginning gradually but not like this and the MRI situation where I'm at least doubling, maybe more, the change is so drastic that you are almost impressed that tinnitus can get to these levels and realize that the sky's the limit.

I'm pretty good at sleeping with blazing tinnitus, but I don't know, this is not going to work for me. I tried last night, no masking, part of the issue is that My hearing has become pretty bad, I wake up feeling trapped in, feels almost like I have noise isolating headphones on blasting some kind of horrific screeching at volumes so loud that my head is in some serious pain, have to keep moving from side to side as the sound cuts into my brain. I reach over turn some rain forest noise on, I can't hear it unless it's cranked, and even then I can barely hear it and does next to nothing, my wife says it's so loud it's hurting her ears, might have to sleep in a different room.

I think the lesson here is that tinnitus ears are like glass, they are ready to break. I keep learning this the hard way. I mean the MRI was 110-120 dB banging for 30 minute in a tube, that I could understand. But this, 10 minute walking around, music maybe 105-110 dB, then plugs all night, hard to believe. No one else was wearing ear protection, no incident, in fact most went out to continue the party at a club, everyone is just fine. Then there is me, I lost hearing, severe pain in the ears, muffled, louder tinnitus, major insomnia again etc etc.

That is the last time I go out into the noise. I get this stupid sense of I deserve this, I've had this shit for 6 years and it's ruined my life, this year I'm getting dressed up and going out like normal folk, tinnitus won't stop me. Not the right way to think, I always thought that there were a lot of crazies here worrying about things like cars honking, or breaking a glass, but these people have a rational fear, and are overly cautious for all the right reasons. This is just another huge regret I have, I always wish I was more fearful at the time, I'm constantly thinking screw it I have tinnitus as bad as it can get now, it's done, I can move on, I know how to deal with it. All not true.

I'm hoping to have my tinnitus come down in pitch and volume, I know this doesn't seem to be the consensus here at Tinnitus Talk, I'm one of the few that actually thinks tinnitus fades, and a lot of folks just mistake it for habituation, this is the way it works for me. The rate at which it fades is at a snails pace, has to me measured over multiple months or years, not days or weeks. And on top of that, no set backs with meds or noise.

Anyway, anyone out there considering a holiday party? Maybe skip it for a quiet night in?

Also, wouldn't mind hearing from others with hearing loss tinnitus where things gradually improve with time. Feeling kind of lonely, I guess that's why I come back, I don't really speak of it in the real world.

If anyone wants to comment I'd like to keep it positive please if you can, I'm kind of in a bit of a state at the moment, if you can't, well, I'll have to deal with it as it is a public forum.

Stories of habituation are no good for me, I'm past that, I've had this for a long time, when it gets bad enough it's not an annoyance, it's severe head pain. If there is anyone out there like me (with hearing loss) that actually gets better over time, yeah would love to hear from you.

Thanks.

Just to clarify, you exposed yourself to 110db music for 10 min and then wore ear plugs while still in a 110db environment? How long did you stay? What are the NRR on the ear plugs?

 

[Telis]

Just to clarify, you exposed yourself to 110db music for 10 min and then wore ear plugs while still in a 110db environment? How long did you stay? What are the NRR on the ear plugs?

Yeah I would say if that, maybe under 10 min. Ear plugs were 25 dB, I don't even know if the music was 110 dB I'm guessing, could have been slightly lower. After the DJ was done i took out the plugs, I would say around 90db everyone still raising voices to talk over background music, this lasted maybe another 45 min while we wrapped it up. I felt okay leaving, even felt okay going to sleep, but I was pretty drunk and my ears ring anyway so...

Was in the middle of the night I woke up surprised with way louder tinnitus and some different sounds, couldn't sleep at all. I've been able to sleep for a bit with previous level, now it's almost impossible, last night very tough, laying there awake it's too loud to take. I don't mind not sleeping but this drilling in my head all night is hell. Even typing at the moment is tough to take.

My wife has really bad tinnitus, she went all night no plugs, said she had "concert ears" at the end but was fine in the morning. Kinda strange how she gets away with zero protection.

 

[Telis]

@Telis Same situation here! 6 days ago attended a xmas party, during dinner it was ok, then dancing started, stayed for 45 minutes and wore my ER-20 Etymotics, I felt safe, next day tinnitus was high and new hiss on left ear. I have had tinnitus since 2012 and had been managing well.

Next 2 days were excruciating and I decided:

1 - stop comparing or trying to remember my old tinnitus sound. It's done, I'm facing this new tinnitus.
2 - I stopped blaming myself and trying to play out other scenarios like, what if I had left? Or should've I worn foam (33 dB) plugs?
3 - I now concentrate on how I don't react on the sound.

My tinnitus is still high and I have accepted my new baseline, I've noticed my reaction to be slowly decreasing... I'm looking forward to habituating again.

I hope you find that strength you had before, we did it before, we can do it again!

Peter

Hi Peter, honestly I'm not sure if it's the occlusion effect of the plugs, or not enough protection. I have a really loud voice and get extremely loud when I drink, I'm wondering if this is part of the issue when people wear plugs at social events. I was basically yelling at certain points, this is a lot of noise in the ear that normally escapes without the plugs obstruction.

What do you mean reaction? I just lay there in bed doing nothing, thinking nothing, it's painful. I fall asleep and can hear it blasting in my dreams.

 

[Telis]

Telis, it was only recently that I read about your vasectomy problems and I was proper gutted for you. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye in the past but that shit was a horror show and I really felt for you. There's absolutely nothing I can say that you don't already know but I can guarantee you that everyone here will be pulling for you. Lean on all of us.

All I can say is if you've come through all of what you've been through before, then you can do it again. Just take it easy, buddy, and don't put any pressure on yourself.

Hey Ed, we've had a few decent battles for sure, but I've always put high value on your insight, you're a smart guy, the tinnitus community is lucky to have you.

 

[Petloy]

@Telis I think 1 member posted this, I was hoping it's disco music @ 100 dB exposure. With 20 dB ear plugs it's supposed to be not too bad, but again I agree with you, tinnitus ears could be fragile already.

 

[Telis]

I remember you from few years back on this board.

I had a crazy spike after a concert a few years back and the spike lasted for about 3 months. It was horrible for three months.

I think your spike should subside. I know lot of people who went to concert or loud events and their 5inni5uw spiked for few months but eventually it came back to baseline.

Thanks Sean, hard to believe how these years keep stacking up, I guess we are making right!?

Thanks so much for the encouragement.

 

[Ed209]

Hey Ed, we've had a few decent battles for sure, but I've always put high value on your insight, you're a smart guy, the tinnitus community is lucky to have you.

It's all water under the bridge, buddy. Fuck holding onto all that negative baggage. You're sincere and you speak from the heart so I think there's always been mutual respect. I think it's safe to say that everyone here has your back and we all just wanna see you pull through.

 

[Digital Doc]

Sorry to hear what happened, and truth be told it could have been any of us here to have this situation happen. I thank you for sharing, and confirming why I skipped this year's holiday party from work.

The plugs were inadequate from the noise levels you describe, as I have a 25 pair, and don't use them for anything serious noise exposure as the foam 33s are a lot better. I doubt I could stand that party without double protection.

At this point, it sounds like you have an acoustic trauma, on top of your chronic tinnitus. Be sure to avoid any further noise exposure, and give a chance for the ears to stop being irritated. Playing rain forest masking noises at such a high volume I would suggest could worsen the situation as well. Try some melatonin to help sleep, and daily Omega-3 that can help with the inflammation.

Be patient, as this spoke can take months to start to subside.

I really hope you feel better soon.

 

[Sean]

Thanks Sean, hard to believe how these years keep stacking up, I guess we are making right!?

Thanks so much for the encouragement.

Hang in there. I remember a spike after a concert. I simply could not believe tinnitus can get that loud! It was pure terror! I could not function without white noise.

 

[Telis]

Anyone get a really stuffed up head after a noise incident? This is the second time for me. The tinnitus is a high painful hiss in my brain, feel like I'm descending in a air plane and can't pop my ears, head feels very under pressure. This feeling disappeared pretty much completely the last noise trauma, I'm hoping the same this time.

I think what happened as well last time is the tinnitus came down in pitch if this is possible. I feel like it became this extremely loud humming static that was very livable instead of this cutting glass brain type noise. These sorts of sounds are painful and have a real physical element to them. I believe after going through this a couple of times now, it's maybe not the noise that calms down, it's that kind of pain in the brain and ears, that becomes dulled over time.

Doctor also says I have fluid in my ears, not sure if this can make tinnitus worse or not. He says he can see bubbles so he's optimistic that they will clear, gave me some nasal spray but I'm a little nervous to use any kind of meds in the ears. I'm trying lots of steam at the moment but doesn't really seem to be working, I can feel things loosen, the pop sounds when I swallow change a bit but I don't think things are draining out. I've had this issue since I was a child, they wanted to put grommets in, but my mother wouldn't let them, thank god. This is kind of a off and on thing for me, I can go years with no issue and then get flair ups, not sure if this relates to the tinnitus at all, I can't recall a correlation, but I could be wrong.

 

[Ed209]

Anyone get a really stuffed up head after a noise incident? This is the second time for me. The tinnitus is a high painful hiss in my brain, feel like I'm descending in a air plane and can't pop my ears, head feels very under pressure. This feeling disappeared pretty much completely the last noise trauma, I'm hoping the same this time.

I think what happened as well last time is the tinnitus came down in pitch if this is possible. I feel like it became this extremely loud humming static that was very livable instead of this cutting glass brain type noise. These sorts of sounds are painful and have a real physical element to them. I believe after going through this a couple of times now, it's maybe not the noise that calms down, it's that kind of pain in the brain and ears, that becomes dulled over time.

Doctor also says I have fluid in my ears, not sure if this can make tinnitus worse or not. He says he can see bubbles so he's optimistic that they will clear, gave me some nasal spray but I'm a little nervous to use any kind of meds in the ears. I'm trying lots of steam at the moment but doesn't really seem to be working, I can feel things loosen, the pop sounds when I swallow change a bit but I don't think things are draining out. I've had this issue since I was a child, they wanted to put grommets in, but my mother wouldn't let them thank god. This is kind of a off and on thing for me, I can go years with no issue and then get flair ups, not sure if this relates to the tinnitus at all, I can't recall a correlation, but I could be wrong.

If your Eustachian tubes are completely blocked, which they could be if you have fluid behind your ears, then yea, it can make existing tinnitus much louder. It can cause a pressure imbalance which can suck your eardrums inwards dulling sounds quite a bit and can make you feel like you're living inside your head. I don't recall having this happen after a noise trauma, but you never know, the vibrations could have pushed some fluid around. I can think of crazier things happening.

I know this from experience because I've used nasal steroids on and off for years because of my chronic allergies. I had to have had an endoscopy to find out what was going on in my sinuses and the conclusion was that they were full of crap. I'm always having problems with blocked Eustachian tubes and postnasal drip. I used to take fluticasone but then they switched me to Dymista. The steroids have never had any effect on my tinnitus, in my case, and I've taken them a lot.

Sometimes fluid can be painfully slow to drain. One time it took around 3 months for my tubes to fully clear. I've actually got a head cold right now so mine are partially blocked again. It's annoying.

It's your call on the steroids, but with or without taking them, the fluid will eventually drain and it might only take a few days. Your tinnitus will likely just do whatever the hell it wants in the short term, as you already know. This shit is highly unpredictable, but in the long term, I think it will calm down again.

 

[Telis]

If your Eustachian tubes are completely blocked, which they could be if you have fluid behind your ears, then yea, it can make existing tinnitus much louder. It can cause a pressure imbalance which can suck your eardrums inwards dulling sounds quite a bit and can make you feel like you're living inside your head. I don't recall having this happen after a noise trauma, but you never know, the vibrations could have pushed some fluid around. I can think of crazier things happening.

I know this from experience because I've used nasal steroids on and off for years because of my chronic allergies. I had to have had an endoscopy to find out what was going on in my sinuses and the conclusion was that they were full of crap. I'm always having problems with blocked Eustachian tubes and postnasal drip. I used to take fluticasone but then they switched me to Dymista. The steroids have never had any effect on my tinnitus, in my case, and I've taken them a lot.

Sometimes fluid can be painfully slow to drain. One time it took around 3 months for my tubes to fully clear. I've actually got a head cold right now so mine are partially blocked again. It's annoying.

It's your call on the steroids, but with or without taking them, the fluid will eventually drain and it might only take a few days. Your tinnitus will likely just do whatever the hell it wants in the short term, as you already know. This shit is highly unpredictable, but in the long term, I think it will calm down again.

Thanks Ed, really appreciate that. I'm wondering if having my ears plugged with ear plugs that don't really breath could have caused some issue that night. I don't know if having ears sealed up all night and constantly drinking (swallowing) could cause some kind of internal pulling and pressure change through the tubes. Maybe I'm really going out on a limb here, it just seems strange that a little noise (wear I had plugs in most the night) could mess things up this badly, I'm starting to look for answers other than acoustic trauma, although maybe this is just wishful thinking.

I have custom made ear plugs with filters, I actually taped the filter with hockey stick tape for better protection, and also completely sealed off where the filter inserts and seals, basically making them air tight, it would be like sticking you fingers in your ears and swallowing, I'm not sure if this creates some kind of vacuum forcing fluid into the ear.

I don't know if this makes sense, I really don't have a clue here, just coming up with stuff out of thin air, I'm sure I'm way off.

 

[billie48]

Sorry to hear about your spike lately. We love to hear from you but not in this pain of a bad spike. As you have already had before after an MRI, your ears are going through an acoustic trauma right now and that is why you have some fluid and pressure in the ears. ETD may also be in the works as Ed puts it. But these generally will pass. I will pray for you, my fellow Canadian brother, to have a speedy recovery. Most spikes will settle down eventually. Hang in there brother. Well your Flames is 3 points ahead of our Canucks in our NHL division. That is something to be happy about. Take good care. God bless.

 

[Sean]

Thanks Ed, really appreciate that. I'm wondering if having my ears plugged with ear plugs that don't really breath could have caused some issue that night. I don't know if having ears sealed up all night and constantly drinking (swallowing) could cause some kind of internal pulling and pressure change through the tubes. Maybe I'm really going out on a limb here, it just seems strange that a little noise (wear I had plugs in most the night) could mess things up this badly, I'm starting to look for answers other than acoustic trauma, although maybe this is just wishful thinking.

I have custom made ear plugs with filters, I actually taped the filter with hockey stick tape for better protection, and also completely sealed off where the filter inserts and seals, basically making them air tight, it would be like sticking you fingers in your ears and swallowing, I'm not sure if this creates some kind of vacuum forcing fluid into the ear.

I don't know if this makes sense, I really don't have a clue here, just coming up with stuff out of thin air, I'm sure I'm way off.

How long were you exposed with the earplugs? I know you said 10 minutes without the earplugs.

 

[Telis]

How long were you exposed with the earplugs? I know you said 10 minutes without the earplugs.

I don't know, like 4 hours or so. I don't really know how loud it was to be honest, as I said it was a guess. My wife is telling me it was not even close to club levels, I haven't been to a club in years. I normally check dB levels but didn't bother that night.