Hello. I am 56 years old. In September of 2020, I woke up in the morning with hyperacusis. In July of that same year I began having insomnia and started taking Xanax for a few weeks and then started taking Zolpidem for several months. By the time that the hyperacusis began I had suffered significant sleep deprivation for several months even with taking Zolpidem each night. I took 2.5 mg of Lexapro the week before the hyperacusis started but stopped taking it after approximately five (5) days. I doubt that such a small amount of Lexapro for such a short period of time could cause hyperacusis, but I do wonder about the Zolpidem and the sleep deprivation.
In December of 2020, I began noticing the tinnitus when in bed at night. My hearing has been tested three (3) times since that time with minor hearing loss (worse on the left) found consistent with my age. The hyperacusis and tinnitus are both worse on my left side.
I began TRT several months ago using sound therapy with above the ear sound generators playing pink noise at approximately 5 to 8 db. I also receive counseling from an audiologist as part of the TRT. My sleep has improved but is still a problem. I take 5 mg of zolpidem and less than 1 mg of clonazepam at night. We are trying to taper off of all of these medications. The hyperacusis has not improved since it began last year and the tinnitus seems to be worsening. I am not certain if the sound generators (which I wear for approximately eight (8) hours each day) have caused the hyperacusis and tinnitus to worsen. I saw a Neuro ENT who informed me that it would be unlikely that the sound generators would aggravate my condition. He was formerly associated with the Emory Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic when it was in Atlanta. I have wondered if the tapering off of the Zolpidem and Clonazepam could be causing an aggravation of my conditions.
I do not wear earplugs except in the shower. I am able to take long walks for exercise without any difficulty. I am only able to hear the tinnitus in quiet environments. The hyperacusis does not cause pain but is more of a severe annoying/jarring sensation. The creaking of wooden floors, putting a key in a door, opening a paper bag, running water, talking on the phone, hearing my own voice, putting a pen down on a counter, and even turning the pages of a magazine or book are all uncomfortable because of the hyperacusis. The tinnitus is constant. I played live music for many years without protection and my left ear is worse than my right because of my usual location on stage.
I was prescribed Mirtazapine earlier this year and gradually increased the dosage up to 45 mg each day. I have not experienced any side effects but it has not dramatically improved any anxiety or other mental issues. My mood is better than last year and I do experience some good days.
I have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of any improvement and even some worsening of the hyperacusis and tinnitus during the past few months. I have read many success stories that appear to reference that it can take several years for significant improvement. I just started working with a CBT therapist who has worked with other hyperacusis and tinnitus patients. My primary concern is that the exposure to normal sounds on a daily basis may have caused a worsening of the hyperacusis and tinnitus. I might be a Category 4 but I do still work full-time (although I have my own business and can keep my own hours) and can watch the television without any issues, take long walks without protection, and go to the fitness center (which can be too loud when people switch the settings on the machines, etc.). It is very difficult for me to go to a crowded restaurant without protection. I am understandably very anxious about whether the hyperacusis and tinnitus will continue to worsen and result in even more of a restricted lifestyle. My age might mean that it will take much longer to see improvement. I have read some success stories from people with seemingly more significant issues who have improved after two (2) to four (4) years. Some people seem to improve without TRT or other formal treatment and the simple passage of time resulted in relief.
Please give me your thoughts. Thank you in advance.
In December of 2020, I began noticing the tinnitus when in bed at night. My hearing has been tested three (3) times since that time with minor hearing loss (worse on the left) found consistent with my age. The hyperacusis and tinnitus are both worse on my left side.
I began TRT several months ago using sound therapy with above the ear sound generators playing pink noise at approximately 5 to 8 db. I also receive counseling from an audiologist as part of the TRT. My sleep has improved but is still a problem. I take 5 mg of zolpidem and less than 1 mg of clonazepam at night. We are trying to taper off of all of these medications. The hyperacusis has not improved since it began last year and the tinnitus seems to be worsening. I am not certain if the sound generators (which I wear for approximately eight (8) hours each day) have caused the hyperacusis and tinnitus to worsen. I saw a Neuro ENT who informed me that it would be unlikely that the sound generators would aggravate my condition. He was formerly associated with the Emory Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic when it was in Atlanta. I have wondered if the tapering off of the Zolpidem and Clonazepam could be causing an aggravation of my conditions.
I do not wear earplugs except in the shower. I am able to take long walks for exercise without any difficulty. I am only able to hear the tinnitus in quiet environments. The hyperacusis does not cause pain but is more of a severe annoying/jarring sensation. The creaking of wooden floors, putting a key in a door, opening a paper bag, running water, talking on the phone, hearing my own voice, putting a pen down on a counter, and even turning the pages of a magazine or book are all uncomfortable because of the hyperacusis. The tinnitus is constant. I played live music for many years without protection and my left ear is worse than my right because of my usual location on stage.
I was prescribed Mirtazapine earlier this year and gradually increased the dosage up to 45 mg each day. I have not experienced any side effects but it has not dramatically improved any anxiety or other mental issues. My mood is better than last year and I do experience some good days.
I have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of any improvement and even some worsening of the hyperacusis and tinnitus during the past few months. I have read many success stories that appear to reference that it can take several years for significant improvement. I just started working with a CBT therapist who has worked with other hyperacusis and tinnitus patients. My primary concern is that the exposure to normal sounds on a daily basis may have caused a worsening of the hyperacusis and tinnitus. I might be a Category 4 but I do still work full-time (although I have my own business and can keep my own hours) and can watch the television without any issues, take long walks without protection, and go to the fitness center (which can be too loud when people switch the settings on the machines, etc.). It is very difficult for me to go to a crowded restaurant without protection. I am understandably very anxious about whether the hyperacusis and tinnitus will continue to worsen and result in even more of a restricted lifestyle. My age might mean that it will take much longer to see improvement. I have read some success stories from people with seemingly more significant issues who have improved after two (2) to four (4) years. Some people seem to improve without TRT or other formal treatment and the simple passage of time resulted in relief.
Please give me your thoughts. Thank you in advance.