People with Dysacusis, Distortions or Loudness Hyperacusis — Describe Your Symptoms!

[Matchbox]

This may seem dumb, but I wonder if it's blood pressure related? I've noticed my distortions/hyperacusis/morse code tinnitus gets significantly worse after I've done anything to make my blood pressure increase like stress, exercise, or eating something high in salt.

Totally the opposite. Mine when waking up is droning and loud. After coffee and exercise I hear almost jack all.

 

[Michael Leigh]

This may seem dumb, but I wonder if it's blood pressure related? I've noticed my distortions/hyperacusis/morse code tinnitus gets significantly worse after I've done anything to make my blood pressure increase like stress, exercise, or eating something high in salt.

Tinnitus can be affected by blood pressure but in your case, this is not the underlying cause according to what you have said in previous posts.

 

[Aquaticon]

My case isn't as severe as some of the terrible conditions mentioned here, but my tinnitus was spiking about a month ago and I was using some high pitched cricket/cicada white noise to get through it. After stopping it, I realized I could still hear the sounds playing in my head.

I panicked and went to the ENT as soon as I could, which in hindsight, only really made things worse. I got a prescription of Prednisone to be 'safe' as I figured, but now I'm starting to wonder if Prednisone had something to do with these distortions I'm hearing. I also still have the beeps from the hearing test playing in my left ear which was a really nice parting gift to remind myself never to go to an ENT office again.

In my case, it's like a high pitched screeching, almost like an auto-tuned cricket. I've found it most apparent in the distant noises of a television or if I put the fan next to me on its highest setting, it really aggravates the phantom crickets in my head. I used to enjoy sleeping with white noise, now it's harder than sleeping with just my tinnitus (which had just begun to subside).

I consider myself blessed that most conversation and music sound normal when I see how horrible some people here have it, but I'm perpetually worried that it'll stagnate or worsen. I see many recommending avoiding headphones, yet they might be the only solace that I have. Many sounds outside of the headphones are warped and loud while noise from the headphones themselves seems normal. While wearing them, my tinnitus also becomes fairly pacified.

Really not sure what I should do since music helped me focus on work greatly, and all my pastimes revolved around it in one way or another. I could cut myself off for a few months and see where I end up, but if my condition deteriorates further, I'll regret not savoring it while it was within a tolerable threshold.

Also, I was scheduled to have my wisdom teeth removed in a week (which I discovered were responsible for some of the buzzing tinnitus I was experiencing), but now I don't see any choice but cancelling that appointment in light of my recent developments, and in fear of making it worse.

 

[shelbynn]

My case isn't as severe as some of the terrible conditions mentioned here, but my tinnitus was spiking about a month ago and I was using some high pitched cricket/cicada white noise to get through it. After stopping it, I realized I could still hear the sounds playing in my head.

I panicked and went to the ENT as soon as I could, which in hindsight, only really made things worse. I got a prescription of Prednisone to be 'safe' as I figured, but now I'm starting to wonder if Prednisone had something to do with these distortions I'm hearing. I also still have the beeps from the hearing test playing in my left ear which was a really nice parting gift to remind myself never to go to an ENT office again.

In my case, it's like a high pitched screeching, almost like an auto-tuned cricket. I've found it most apparent in the distant noises of a television or if I put the fan next to me on its highest setting, it really aggravates the phantom crickets in my head. I used to enjoy sleeping with white noise, now it's harder than sleeping with just my tinnitus (which had just begun to subside).

I consider myself blessed that most conversation and music sound normal when I see how horrible some people here have it, but I'm perpetually worried that it'll stagnate or worsen. I see many recommending avoiding headphones, yet they might be the only solace that I have. Many sounds outside of the headphones are warped and loud while noise from the headphones themselves seems normal. While wearing them, my tinnitus also becomes fairly pacified.

Really not sure what I should do since music helped me focus on work greatly, and all my pastimes revolved around it in one way or another. I could cut myself off for a few months and see where I end up, but if my condition deteriorates further, I'll regret not savoring it while it was within a tolerable threshold.

Also, I was scheduled to have my wisdom teeth removed in a week (which I discovered were responsible for some of the buzzing tinnitus I was experiencing), but now I don't see any choice but cancelling that appointment in light of my recent developments, and in fear of making it worse.

This is one of those posts that I feel like could have been written by me. I hear the auto-tuned crickets with white noise like the fan/faucet/microwave. My regular tinnitus is slowly but surely subsiding, with some spikes here and there, but the over all patter is gradual fading. But wow the auto-tuned crickets, I feel that.

 

[Matchbox]

@Aquaticon, the memory of music is not the same as experiencing it. Just makes you sad.

I'd assume the Prednisone likely had a roll in the distortions yes, especially if they are low notes.

It does sound a bit like what "was" happening with me. I made mine much worse with "treatments" and more noise than I realized I was hearing.

The beeping mimicry of audio tests I haven't a clue is up with that, probably something to do with damage to the threshold at that point.

That experience went away over a month. Perhaps due to not doing a test everyday anymore.

I still have low wavering droning in the morning. Starts the day off super shitty.

 

[Aquaticon]

@Aquaticon, the memory of music is not the same as experiencing it. Just makes you sad.

I'd assume the Prednisone likely had a roll in the distortions yes, especially if they are low notes.

It does sound a bit like what "was" happening with me. I made mine much worse with "treatments" and more noise than I realized I was hearing.

The beeping mimicry of audio tests I haven't a clue is up with that, probably something to do with damage to the threshold at that point.

That experience went away over a month. Perhaps due to not doing a test everyday anymore.

I still have low wavering droning in the morning. Starts the day off super shitty.

Yeah, I don't think I'd be able to stay sane knowing I couldn't ever listen to music again. My heart bleeds for anyone suffering that hell.

Did you personally experience distortions with Prednisone? And if so, did time and natural healing mitigate them somewhat? I can probably live with it at its current intensity, but I really need to figure out what's causing my sporadic tinnitus spikes lately since all these different maladies coalesces into an absolute audiological nightmare.

 

[Matchbox]

Yeah, I don't think I'd be able to stay sane knowing I couldn't ever listen to music again. My heart bleeds for anyone suffering that hell.

Did you personally experience distortions with Prednisone? And if so, did time and natural healing mitigate them somewhat? I can probably live with it at its current intensity, but I really need to figure out what's causing my sporadic tinnitus spikes lately since all these different maladies coalesces into an absolute audiological nightmare.

The distortion became low frequency distortion.

After initially coming off Prednisone the tinnitus took a few days to recover. The droning sound I obtained never went away.

The Droning in the morning probably got worse. The tinnitus when I yawn is what I hear all morning long.

 

[__nico__]

Does anyone know a possible reason as to why my dysacusis becomes worse for a few hours after taking a very hot bath?

 

[FGG]

Does anyone know a possible reason as to why my dysacusis becomes worse for a few hours after taking a very hot bath?

When I had vertigo episodes, I figured out that a long hot shower was one of the triggers. I chalked it up to the shift in blood flow while my body was trying to cool off. My guess is vascular.

 

[__nico__]

When I had vertigo episodes, I figured out that a long hot shower was one of the triggers. I chalked it up to the shift in blood flow while my body was trying to cool off. My guess is vascular.

I guess it explains why vasodilators helps me.

 

[Richardfromuk]

I can only describe mine as sounding chalky, crumbly with a rattle at certain sound levels.

 

[Cameron.TT]

For me certain songs sound like I'm listening to a low quality MP3, cymbals sound harsh or muffled depending on the song. The white noise I play at night to mask my tinnitus no longer masks it, there's morse code like beeping on top of it. That also applies to stuff like fans, heaters, or running water.

 

[Strawberryblonde]

I get beeps when the wind is blowing from a distance, running water, flushing the toilet and certain TV shows. Watching the World Cup when the crowds were cheering sounded like beeps. The beeps sound exactly like the morse code beeps I get in my ear. Missing some sort of frequency I assume.

 

[TheCapybara]

I get beeps when the wind is blowing from a distance, running water, flushing the toilet and certain TV shows. Watching the World Cup when the crowds were cheering sounded like beeps. The beeps sound exactly like the morse code beeps I get in my ear. Missing some sort of frequency I assume.

Exactly what I have. Clapping and cheering on TV has beeps over it and I can hear it in flushing, showering, music and many other things. Like you said, must be damaged hair cells in a high frequency but unfortunately not high enough that we don't notice it.

I've had it since the start of July so I'm assuming by now it won't improve any more than it has (the first few weeks were horrible but it did lessen since) but it's still a pain to deal with sometimes.

 

[Strawberryblonde]

Exactly what I have. Clapping and cheering on TV has beeps over it and I can hear it in flushing, showering, music and many other things. Like you said, must be damaged hair cells in a high frequency but unfortunately not high enough that we don't notice it.

I've had it since the start of July so I'm assuming by now it won't improve any more than it has (the first few weeks were horrible but it did lessen since) but it's still a pain to deal with sometimes.

@TheCapybara, I've had mine since May of this year. It's weird because a few times it's gone or I've not noticed it and the brain has tuned it out somehow. I keep hoping mine will get better in the long run but I'm starting to lose hope. Having increased tinnitus, some hyperacusis, and distortions, is quite a package to deal with.

 

[TheCapybara]

@TheCapybara, I've had mine since May of this year. It's weird because a few times it's gone or I've not noticed it and the brain has tuned it out somehow. I keep hoping mine will get better in the long run but I'm starting to lose hope. Having increased tinnitus, some hyperacusis, and distortions, is quite a package to deal with.

So around the same time as mine then. I really hope it'll get better for you as the months go on Strawberry, I know it's difficult to deal with on a daily basis. I think the worst part for me is that it's harder to enjoy things like series and games when I'm on the lookout for weird noises. Sometimes I'll just do these things muted so I won't be bothered by it.

 

[ZFire]

@TheCapybara, I've had mine since May of this year. It's weird because a few times it's gone or I've not noticed it and the brain has tuned it out somehow. I keep hoping mine will get better in the long run but I'm starting to lose hope. Having increased tinnitus, some hyperacusis, and distortions, is quite a package to deal with.

Yup, I have the distortions in crowd noise/applause most of time too. The worst is when cars pass by even with hearing protection on. It's a shhh sound and it annoys me so much. It's hard not to focus on them when they're in your face like that. But as you said, there are times where the brain tunes it out somehow and I don't notice them. But I have days where they are legitimately gone.

 

[TheCapybara]

Yup, I have the distortions in crowd noise/applause most of time too. The worst is when cars pass by even with hearing protection on. It's a shhh sound and it annoys me so much. It's hard not to focus on them when they're in your face like that. But as you said, there are times where the brain tunes it out somehow and I don't notice them. But I have days where they are legitimately gone.

How long have you been dealing with the distortions? I'm honestly wondering if they will ever just end. From what I gathered and if it's correct, it's hair cells trying to make up for the damaged ones but will they keep doing that forever?

 

[ZFire]

How long have you been dealing with the distortions?

I've had them since June 2021, but it's much better now than before. People's voices don't sound robotic anymore and I can comprehend music most of the time now too. But for the other stuff like wind noise, crowd/applause noise, I still get strange added sound effects. It fluctuates a lot. Some days it feels like they are less prevalent.

I'm honestly wondering if they will ever just end.

I still am hopeful it will resolve itself overtime.

From what I gathered and if it's correct, it's hair cells trying to make up for the damaged ones but will they keep doing that forever?

Your guess is as good as mine. I think the brain will retune the distorted hearing as time goes on. And even if the distortions remain, I think overtime, the brain will reinterpret these new patterns generated in the inner ear (by sound) as normal. You are constantly experiencing it and although it might sound unnatural and distorted right now, overtime it won't. This is just me, but if 20 years go by with distortions, I wouldn't even remember how things were suppose to sound like pre distortions during the 20 year mark. My brain will have normalized my current hearing. The power of the mind doesn't get enough credit here.

But I still believe it gets better for people. The only issue is predicting when it's going to happen.

 

[Benjaminbb]

Hello @Matchbox.
First of all I find interesting the physical aspect you describe, such as the intensification of symptoms after working out. I do get that as well, therefore I stopped working out. The wine humming started 7 days ago. However, I have dealt with distortions for more than 2.5-3 years. Something like that. I do believe that there's a strong correlation with my sound sensitivity, considering that the latter has intensified as well, along with the manifestation of my new distortion sounds.

Hey,

I too have recently started with some tones like that but fairly subtle. One is a subtle distortion and one is a subtle reactive tone which is sometimes there without sound.

Never thought I'd be here, the point is that it has aligned with a fairly quick increase in my hyperacusis. So you could be right that it's related to sound sensitivity like others have said.

Hoping if I fix the hyperacusis, I may lose the distortions. I've had a multitude of reactive tones over the past month. Yet never had one before. I'm not sure if this multitude gives me hope it's related to something like hyperacusis or things are just going downhill fast.

Do you have any significant regular tinnitus?

 

[Richardfromuk]

After 4 months of using hearing aids, I have noticed my distortions are more noticeable, like a glassy, hollow, crackle, overtone with voices and anything else that hits the range where I have damage. I have recruitment because voices sound lispy and high frequencies sound splashy. It's difficult to describe because you only hear your dysacusis yourself.

 

[Benjaminbb]

That's really good to hear - how long did it take them to recover from their distortions? I hope that gives you the hope you need.

I really, really recommend Magnesium (especially Natural Vitality Calm if you can get it, because the other forms/brands of magnesium haven't helped me at all and I think this may be down to the difference in bioavailability between supplements). This condition causes a huge amount of anxiety and stress. It is known that stress that depletes magnesium levels in the body at a disproportionate rate, and when our magnesium levels drop we are prone to vasoconstriction of the cochlea (limited blood flow). In other words, this condition actually causes issues that lead to a self-fulfilling cycle of no healing. We need that blood flow to give our ears the best chance of healing. I can't guarantee anything, but the instantaneous 20% improvement it gave me (literally within 20-30 mins) brought me back from the brink.

As for Vitamins A, C, E and NAC, there was a study that showed taking all these together (with magnesium) helped limit hearing damage from oxidative stress in chinchillas. The effect was only seen though when they were all taken together. Add Curcumin and Astaxanthin (two of the most powerful antioxidants) to that and you got something pretty potent. Cocoa is there for increase BDNF production for synapse repair, but you have to take it every day for 12 weeks in its purest form to see benefit. It's anyone's guess though whether this will actually fix your synapses or not (and whether synapses are the issue).

As for Keppra, I've never tried it, but I would honestly try some natural stuff first before putting any other medication in your body. Keppra won't fix any mineral deficiency you may have that may be making things worse.

Hey, not sure if you're around, but do you know what type of Magnesium that brand has in it?

Magnesium has seemed to work for me too, but there are different types.

 

[Matchbox]

Hey, not sure if you're around, but do you know what type of Magnesium that brand has in it?

Magnesium has seemed to work for me too, but there are different types.

Just be sure to balance your Magnesium and vitamin D levels. I don't really know which is causing or helping here. They apparently work against each other in metabolism.

 

[Aaron91]

Hey, not sure if you're around, but do you know what type of Magnesium that brand has in it?

Magnesium has seemed to work for me too, but there are different types.

I no longer recommend that one. Ionic liquid magnesium by Trace Minerals is far better.

 

[Sadnoise]

I have been experiencing symptoms with no identifiable root cause.

Dysacusis: I hear whistling sounds over some external sounds. Electrical high-pitched sounds have static to them. My hearing is distorted, especially with artificial sound. It sounds very crackling, sharp, and painful. Some voices, especially men's voices, have similar static. I also experience hyperacusis, where mid-tones and bass tones are louder and can be felt in my eardrums in a very annoying way. For example, standing next to a commercial refrigerator can be troublesome as it feels like amplified echoing in my ears. Additionally, I have been feeling more and more pressure on my ears. Some days, it's in my left ear; some days, it's in my right, and sometimes, it switches. Usually, it's only in one ear at a time though.

The dysacusis whistlings and slight distortions have been present for 5 years and have subsided by 75%. However, the distorted hearing part has come back 2-3 times stronger. I also remember some moments of what I describe here as hyperacusis, but nothing with the intensity I am experiencing now.

 

[sandyknight]

Man, oh man, how I hate how I was essentially forced to damage my ears. Now, the distortions have increased from a noticeable droning/lawnmower sound to near-constant ringing. I'm not too bothered by it emotionally. Either they fade, I habituate, or some pharmaceutical company (Cilcare, mainly) comes out with some drug to help alleviate this.