I Just Don't Understand Why My Ears Are So Reactive

[Lilah]

Reactive tinnitus and hyperacusis are completely different symptoms. One can have hyperacusis and spiked tinnitus which is normal as the pain can cause the tinnitus to go through the roof. Also one can have reactive tinnitus without hyperacusis and any pain from sounds but tinnitus can still spike even after some low level sound.

I don't understand these things very well but I'm sure they are different. But some people can have both of them at the same time.

What about tinnitus that goes up when I am talking (sensitive to my own talking!) or deep breathing? Is this reactive tinnitus? I am also sensitive to some sounds during conversation.

 

[Marko Nakovski]

@Lilah

Reactive tinnitus is when some normal moderate or low level sound will cause your tinnitus to spike over the actual sound you are hearing. It will always be louder than the actual sound you are hearing like talking, climate control sound, tv sound etc. One may have reactive tinnitus from any sound or some specific sounds.

I have had tinnitus for almost 2 years and hyperacusis for 5 months. Sometimes my ears hurt from some normal sounds but even then my tinnitus would not spike. In other circumstances my ears would not hurt that much but tinnitus will spike. I can have unbearable pain for 2 weeks but my tinnitus wouldn't change at all.

I believe that anyone who suffers from tinnitus has some sort of reactivity but someone can have very low reactivity while someone else can have very sensitive tinnitus.

In my case bass from the speakers is the worst thing for my tinnitus. I remember in the days before my onset of hyperacusis I could stay in public places where the sounds were reaching above 80 dB but my tinnitus would remain the same and most of the times when I was listening to music at home to low volume my tinnitus would change instantly.