I was exposed to an unexpected bike horn maybe 20 meters away recently. It wasn't overly loud or anything, but definitely felt a tinnitus spike soon after. I guess this was my first real setback, fortunately it was short lived. The spike subsided after a few days (I did take NAC). There was slight decrease to my sound tolerance, along with some mild burning sensation in one of my ears, but I'm sure it was my anxiety/panic making it feel much more worse than it was. Anyways, I've become a witness to this non-linear progression people have mentioned here on Tinnitus Talk. This is a real thing. There are ups and downs, but in the end your progress heads in a positive direction. I've only improved since then.
The path to reclaiming most of my sound tolerance is still going strong. I'm not sure if I'll be back to 100%, but really happy where it is right now. I'm reaching new all time highs with each passing month.
I still protect 90% of the time when I'm outside, but when I go out late at night and take in a few sounds for at least 10-15 minutes, it has only strengthened my tolerance. I've noticed that by doing this, it has made me even more comfortable in the house. Spoons dropping on the floor, plates clanking, flushing toilets, and doors closing with moderate force have all become non issues for the most part. TVs are left at higher audible levels too. I think it's time to take a shower and if I turn out okay, that will be a major turning point.
Loud venues like theaters and concerts are out indefinitely. A little bummed out with the theaters as I was a heavy moviegoer. I'm not sure what the future for theaters will be like anyways. The COVID-19 pandemic has really shaken up a lot of stuff. Nowadays, most people I know watch new films through popular streaming services on their devices/TVs.
In the interest of not confusing people between reactivity and distortions, I'll just describe my remaining symptoms pertaining to hyperacusis, tinnitus, and other hearing related issues.
1) One or 2 of my tinnitus tones increases in volume when immediately to certain sounds immediately. I think this is a on/off thing for me, but it seems to come back every other week. It goes back to a low baseline immediately when I move to a quiet setting. I notice this when I go outside, I can clearly hear it more loudly when I'm out late at night, with decibel readings range at 50 to 60. It's also prevalent when my refrigerator turns on, the tinnitus tone increases in volume, but once the refrigerator turns off, the low and more calm baseline returns instantly. It's quite noticeable as it's weird to hear your tinnitus tone mixed into the sound of the refrigerator. It's tough but I had a few good moments where I was able to ignore by keeping my attention elsewhere.
2) Distortion effects have diminished since onset. People's voices have sounded normal for some time now, the only time I seem to have a distortion effect is during a crowd applause. When I hear a crowd applause on TV, I hear a rattling effect along it, almost sounds like a engine is running. The sound of a car engine running in a TV advertisement also sounds a little strange.
3) Music is interesting sometimes. My hyperacusis amplifies certain frequencies. Depends on the instruments being used maybe. Some frequencies have a little more kick to it. For example, if the sound of a trumpet is involved in the music, I will hear that more in terms of loudness over all the other stuff happening in the music at the same time like someone singing the lyrics or piano use.
4) The mimicry of external sounds (palinacousis) is happening less. Usually occurs when a nearby lead blower is being used or a nearby hovering helicopter. It can last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.
5) My hearing is really good according to audiograms, but at the same time I feel like I have some difficulty when background noise is involved. When multiple sounds compete with one another, there are instances where I'm able to process some of the sounds, while being unable to hear some of the others at the same time. For example, if I have a water faucet running full blast and a nearby ambulance siren is also heard nearby, I will only be able to hear the water faucet as that sound cancels out the ambulance sound weirdly. Is this normal? Maybe I'm overthinking this because I feel like my hearing is also good. I can lie down in my bed cover my ears with pillows and still hear conversations my brother is having in the other room quite clearly.
I may be overthinking some of these things since I've have dealt with OCD in the past and my new obsession are my ears now. It's like I completely forgot what normal ears are supposed to be like and I'm obsessing over it. I've never really paid much attention to this stuff before hyperacusis. Anyways, thanks to whoever reads and I hope it gives you a bit of relief.
Shower time!
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