Introduction — Tinnitus Started Getting Worse 3 Weeks Ago

[Silent Shout]

Hello everyone.
I am new to this forum and wanted to introduce myself.

I am now 31 years old. I have started noticing permanent tinnitus about 10 years ago, but it used to be at a quiet volume so I only noticed it when I was in a very quiet room.

About three weeks ago it started getting much worse, probably due to exposure to loud noise (went to a rock concert, and for some of it I foolishly hadn't put earplugs on). It started getting much louder, and now I am able to hear it almost all of the time, even when on louder environments. I also have a mild case of hyperacusis, as certain sounds irritate me.

Up until a couple of days ago I would really feel depressed and anxious over this. Was finding it hard to enjoy things in life, lost most of my ability to focus at work and in generally was pretty miserable.
I think I'm starting to feel better now, mainly because I'm starting to accept it as part of the new 'me'. It's not easy, and still makes me feel anxious and sad, but... I think it's getting better.

Another thing, after my case of tinnitus started getting worse, I also started feeling very lightheaded and dizzy. This was also making it very hard for me. I am feeling a bit better now, but I can't help but wonder whether I have some sort of infection which has something to do with the dizzyness and/or the tinnitus.

I went to an ENT doctor two weeks ago, who used an otoscope and said he didn't see anything wrong with my ears, but the lightheadedness started some time after I visited him.
I'm seeing him again today. I have this hope that he's gonna tell me I do have some sort of infection and that with time my tinnitus might subside, but I know it is not something I should count on (because it's probably not gonna get better).

I guess that for now my main goal is to really accept my tinnitus and learn how to live with it, and most importantly, not let it prevent me from enjoying the things I love doing. Seems like a very hard task now, but I'm hoping I'll get there eventually...

Thanks to anyone who read all of this. Wishing healthy times for all of you!

 

[Michael Leigh]

HI @Silent Shout

Many people learn to habituate to tinnitus in time and it could reduce to a very low level for you like before. The thing you need to do now is to be careful and not risk the tinnitus becoming worse. I strongly advise you not to use headphones even at low volume. I also advise that you give clubbing and going to the concert a break for a few months until your ears and tinnitus settle down. Even then, if you go to these places use good quality "noise reducing" earplugs. Please be aware, the best earplugs in the world will not stop sound reaching your inner ear and possibly causing further irritation to your auditory system, if external sound is loud enough.

Please click on the links below and read my articles on tinnitus that you might find helpful. Try to read them in full and not skim through them.

I wish you well
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

[PMc]

Hi @Silent Shout ... Welcome on board this amazing forum!

Seems like a very hard task now, but I'm hoping I'll get there eventually...

I'm so impressed with your attitude, especially as you are coming through that natural sense of depression and anxiety, which I'm pretty sure we all experienced at the onset of our tinnitus.

Do stay with us, as you will find so many helpful and supportive comments from such kind-hearted members who can share what they have gathered from their individual experiences ... and I pray that your follow-up meeting today with the ENT doctor will be a positive one.

You are certainly in our thoughts and prayers at this time ................................... Paul

 

[Bill Bauer]

Chances are, it will fade or disappear in 3-6-18 months.

 

[Silent Shout]

@Michael Leigh - Thank you for the reply.
I definitely do intend to keep clubs and concerts to a minimum, but can you please explain why you wrote I should avoid headphoned even at low volume? Why would listening to headphones at a low volume be dangerous? (I should note I am using over-the-head headphones, and not in-ear ones).

@PMc - Thanks for the reply!
I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, I can't say I'm always succeeding, and a week ago I was finding it much more difficult, but... I know that that's what I should aspire to - have a healthy attitude about this.
The ENT today told me that he doesn't think I have some sort of ear infection. He said that he doesn't think my dizziness has anything to do with my ears, since what I have is not a "spinning" (vertigo-like) sensation. So he said it's probably something else.
As for the tinnitus he said I could have an MRI, just to rule out a tumour or anything, although he doesn't really think that's what I have. If it comes out negative, the only thing to do would be to work on the emotional side. Which I guess I already knew.

@Bill Bauer - Thanks for the reply. Can you let me know what made you think that? I am hoping you are right of course, but right now I am not that optimistic... (unless you mean that my mental attitude will cause it to have less of an impact with time, which I suppose is reasonable as long as I don't damage my ears any further)

 

[Bill Bauer]

Can you let me know what made you think that

I have been reading this forum for about 5 months now. It could take months or years, but most people seem to at the very least experience their T fading.

Also, check out posts #1 and 37 in
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/spontaneous-recovery-stats-over-70-recover-3-studies.21441/

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh - Thank you for the reply.
I definitely do intend to keep clubs and concerts to a minimum, but can you please explain why you wrote I should avoid headphoned even at low volume? Why would listening to headphones at a low volume be dangerous? (I should note I am using over-the-head headphones, and not in-ear ones).

@Silent Shout
Please click on the link below and read my post on headphones and tinnitus.
Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/headphones-and-tinnitus.12062/