Looking for Some Encouragement — Feel Like I'm Starting All Over Again

[Jenni8619]

Happy Monday!

It's been a few months since I last posted on TT. I've haven't left, still have been around, just not posting as much, as I was doing great! I thought I even habituated after 3 months, because my T & H were not bothering me. I was feeling like myself again but the last 2 weeks, I'm not sure what happened, I feel like I'm starting all over again I haven't exposed myself to any loud environments, just your normal day to day noises! But here I am again … with ear pain, ear fullness, sensitivity to noises and new tones that are annoying me! I haven't been feeling too anxious about it, but it has robbed me from some good night sleeps.

I'm hoping it will settle down soon, but from what I've been reading around here is that you don't have much control over it and that our ears can take a very long time to heal.

I was hoping to get some encouraging feedback from members, is this normal, to have set backs after doing well for a few months?!

Thank you for reading my post

Jenni

 

[Ambassador]

The same thing happened to me, it's not settled down yet butty ability to ignore it has improved and that's what I rely on and will continue to rely on, the ability to ignore it.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I got a setback at the end of month 4. My setback was the result of a second acoustic trauma. I experienced some improvement over the following month, but this improvement is much slower than the improvement after the first acoustic trauma.

 

[Jenni8619]

Thank you for your responses @Ambassador @Bill Bauer

Could an acoustic trauma be something simple like .. standing next to a vehicle with loud squeaky breaks? Or pan frying chicken and hearing a popping noise? Stupid questions, sorry, I'm still learning all of these terms! I'm only asking bc I did experience those 2 events in the last 2 weeks. That and ... walking in the wind for hours with cotton balls stuffed in my ears!

I would like to educate myself more on these symptoms.

Thank you

Jenni

 

[Bill Bauer]

Could an acoustic trauma be something simple like .. standing next to a vehicle with loud squeaky breaks? Or pan frying chicken and hearing a popping noise?

Anything is possible when our ears have been compromised (as evidenced by our T), but what you are describing above sounds a lot like the kind of a thing that might cause a Temporary spike. According to a poll I setup on this site, more than 50% report their longest temporary spike lasting over a week.

Personally, I got a spike (lasted three days) after being near a slamming door.

There is still a chance that what you have been experiencing is just a temporary spike.

 

[Jenni8619]

Thank you @Bill Bauer !!

I'm really hoping it is only a temporary spike! I'm just frustrated, I was doing good than boom ... back to square one.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I'm just frustrated, I was doing good than boom ... back to square one.

Like you, I got my first taste of T in February. At the end of May, I made one wrong move, and it erased a lot of my progress. I picked up a phone that I don't normally use, and pressed it to my bad ear. Turns out its volume was stuck at maximum. The loud sound went directly into my ear. I moved my hand right away, but it was too late...

 

[Jenni8619]

How is your T & H today @Bill Bauer?

 

[Bill Bauer]

How is your T & H today @Bill Bauer?

My H ended about 2 months after my first acoustic trauma. My T is high pitched now (after the second trauma), so I am aware of it even when it gets quieter... Just before the trauma, it sounded like a hiss a lot of the time. I miss that...

 

[Jenni8619]

I'm looking forward to the day when I don't have to deal with ear sensitivity or pain. It's very draining!

Sending positive healing vibes your way @Bill Bauer

... with time I know it will get better.