My Tinnitus Tries to Be Louder Than My Surroundings — I'm Confused

[Alasdare]

So I'm 19 and have had my tinnitus for 4/5 years, and only recently (3-4 days ago) I've experienced tinnitus which increases in volume when my surroundings increase in volume.

It's as if the tinnitus is trying to be louder than my surroundings. If anyone knows anything about what this could be, message me.

It's usually just a constant noise which can change from day to day but this is kinda different. Also, it's only in my left ear.

 

[spedgas]

Mine does this too. I can't explain it and it's driving me crazy.

 

[Candy]

Yes I get this too...

 

[HeavyMantra]

People call this "reactive tinnitus". A few members here have posted about it

 

[Alasdare]

People call this "reactive tinnitus". A few members here have posted about it

Cool Thanks!

 

[HeavyMantra]

Cool Thanks!

Just know that the term is not official, it's a term that people on forums have coined to describe what they are experiencing

 

[Alasdare]

Just know that the term is not official, it's a term that people on forums have coined to describe what they are experiencing

Yeah, I mean it's not official because of the fact that tinnitus reacts to everything, depending on the person, but its more of an auditory reaction which people use the term for.

 

[Candy]

I believe that some loud sounds cover some frequencies of our tinnitus so that it appears different, that's what I believe is actually happening rather than it changing. I live under the flight path and when the planes go over my tinnitus squeaks. But I think I am left with the frequency that is not covered by the noise.

I also think that sometimes it appears louder in noise but it's just that we're expecting it to be lower when actually the noise is not at the frequency of our tinnitus so it can't cover it. Then you move to a quiet room and the tinnitus almost feels better than when it's in noise. That's because in noise we get tinnitus plus the noise disturbance and it's a insult on the senses.

 

[Ryzen]

It's your ears and brain coping with hearing loss. There's a frequency in your surroundings that they can no longer translate, so your internal gain is being turned up to compensate.

 

[Mister Muso]

Somatic tinnitus is another term for it. I have spells when i get it every time I move, but it's not constant every day. There can be many physical factors contributing to this condition. It's about finding how to manage it and give the body a chance to heal. An ENT doctor may help identify something, if you are lucky. Obviously try to limit your time in noisy environments in the meantime, and use hearing protection when things don't feel right or when you are at risk from further noise damage.