New Tinnitus Tone (Beeping/Chirping) After a Cold

[Viciousears]

Hello,

I have tinnitus and hyperacusis. I've had tinnitus for as long as I can remember, likely due to a combination of severe ear infections, noise exposure, and possibly stress. I would rather not go into details about why I have hyperacusis, but I have had it for about two years, and it has improved significantly. Interestingly, my tinnitus even became quieter once my hyperacusis started to get better, quieter than it was before I even developed hyperacusis, which I find a bit odd.

Recently, I had a setback. I caught a severe cold that brought on a new beeping or chirping sound. Unfortunately, this sound is unmaskable. No matter what I try, I can always hear it. Previously, I could use certain sounds to mask the usual "eee" tone, but this new tone will not disappear. It also seems to be somewhat reactive.

I was sick for about seven days, but I still have a lingering cough, some nasal issues, and very red eyes, so I guess this cold has not fully passed. I am hoping that this new tone will eventually go away or at least lessen to a point where I do not notice it. I have had other tones in the past: hissing, static, and some strange ones when my hyperacusis was new, and they always returned to the usual "eee." I have only had this new tone for about four days, so it has not been very long.

I have been lurking on this forum for many years, and it has helped me through some tough times. Unfortunately, this setback is hitting me very hard, even though it has only been a short time. I was doing so well despite having hyperacusis, with only mild tinnitus and some reactivity to certain sounds and volumes. This one cold has disrupted all of that. Being sick, weak, and stressed out, unable to eat or sleep properly, is not helping either.

I have had spikes in the past that eventually went away. For instance, I once had a car accident that resulted in a concussion, which caused my tinnitus to spike to a much louder "eee" tone. My doctor said it would likely go down in a couple of months, and it did. I have also had strange tones when my hyperacusis first started. So, I know most spikes are not permanent, but this one is scaring me quite a bit.

 

[Viciousears]

I did a COVID-19 test and it seems I tested for a weak positive? Makes sense considering I'm probably at the end of it (over a week now).

 

[Cmspgran]

How are you doing now? Sorry to hear about your ongoing struggles. If your additional tone is being caused by the cold, it could be due to fluid or pressure in the ears. I've had two severe colds recently, and both times the tone in my right ear changed, but it went back to its usual, more annoying Morse code once the colds had faded.

 

[Viciousears]

I'm feeling better overall, but I still have symptoms, including a lingering cough with occasional mucus. I've had Eustachian tube dysfunction issues in the past, so I wonder if this virus, whether a cold or COVID-19, has triggered it again.

I've been debating whether I should see a doctor or at least message them. I know that some medications for ETD, ear infections, and related issues can be harsh on the ears. Right now, I have slight itching, occasional random stinging (which has improved), and frequent popping. The popping happens constantly, even without yawning, swallowing, or doing anything to trigger it.