Progress Update and Recent Setbacks

[missingsilence]

Hello everyone,

It has been a few months since I last posted and since then I have had some positive and negative developments with my tinnitus and overall condition. I am currently on my ninth month after acoustic trauma that resulted in a significant worsening in my tinnitus.

I have gone from absolutely miserable to somehow coping and back again. I used to weep as a result of my T however a few months ago I started what I could call habituation. I could still hear my T but I was able to sleep better and go on with day to day tasks more.

Unfortunately last week I had a setback which has taken me back to a low (no weeping but its been worrying me). I went out for the first time in months. All started out well, until my friend took me to bar that was quite loud, I could still hold a conversation however without having to shout. Nevertheless, I felt uncomfortable and I decided we should leave after about 10 minutes. We went for dinner (I called the restaurant in advance to make sure they had no live band playing or anything of the sort). On the way to dinner the cab driver accidentally had his music blast a full volume upon starting the car, he quickly turned it down however. My heart was racing from my nervousness.

When I finally got to the restaurant things were alright at first, I made sure not to sit near any speakers and I had a great conversation with my friend (we stayed 3 hours!) and the first two hours were fairly normal volume wise. The last hour however they cranked up the music. I was so focused on the conversation I didn't give it much notice until they temporarily further increased the volume. I was still able to hold a conversation without shouting to my friend one meter away. We left after dessert and I noticed I had a fuzzy feeling in my ears as if there was blood flowing through them, although I would not describe it as a TTS, at least I don't think so.

What do you guys think? Was it much too loud? Upon returning home I took a NAC tablet and some Vitamin B.

Since that day I have once again had trouble sleeping and I feel as if my tinnitus is a bit louder. I am noticing it more this last week and I don't know if it actually increased or if I am paying more attention to it again. I feel like my progress has been erased and I am once again confined to my home.

It's really frustrating that I felt I was once again back to being more normal and I somehow ruined it. I guess I will have to wear earplugs all the time when I'm outside my house which is a shame.

I still have hope things will return back to normal somehow, as that day gave me a taste of my old life again, of just being able to live life.

 

[Artur]

I'm hopeful that you'll be fine, maybe even get your tinnitus to improve even more than that day when you went out.
It was a bit unfortunate that you had been exposed to so many loud sounds. Try to distract yourself by doing things you enjoy. I high recommend using sound enrichment at night so that you dont go to sleep with the sounds in your head. it will give some time for your auditory system to relax.

Kind regards,
Artur

 

[Michael Leigh]

What do you guys think? Was it much too loud?

Hi @missingsilence

I remember how down you felt a few months ago and I'm pleased that you've made improvement. Try not to worry about the setback. I think will be temporary and put this down to you haven't been out for quite a while. You'll soon bounce back. Continue using sound enrichment at night using a sound machine by your bedside. It might be a good idea to get some, noise reducing earplugs that have filters in. Just to reduce outside sounds a little, if you happen to go to a venue where noise levels might be raised. They'll give your auditory system time to recover fully. I think 18db to 30db will be good enough. Try not to use them too often though or to suppress normal everyday sounds.

You are doing well and hope this continues.
All the best
Michael

 

[missingsilence]

Thank you @Artur and @Michael Leigh for your support.

I am worried as it's been a week and three days where I am getting almost no sleep. My T feels louder and sometimes I think that certain noises are quieter although it could just be me obsessing. I really hope this quiets down, I spent months living like a hermit and I go out once and mess everything up. I even called the restaurant in advance to ask if they would have live or loud music. I was so in the moment that the thought of the noise only crossed my head once or so and I didn't put in my plugs.

I was reckless and stupid, and things are going downhill again.

I guess hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I was reckless and stupid, and things are going downhill again.

You will recover from this @missingsilence. Try not blame yourself for going out and I don't believe you were reckless or stupid. You were enjoying the moment and that's great. The thing to try and do is not to let this get on top of you and stop going out. When you feel up to it go out again and as much as possible. As I said, it might be a good idea to wear some "noise reducing" earplugs that have filters occasionally to give your auditory system time to adjust. You are doing well, so try not to get too down about this. Hope you start to feel better soon.

All the best
Michael

 

[MidnightOilAudio]

Everyone's T is different, so take my thoughts with that in mind: I think you'll be fine. I still attend moderately loud restaurants, and other places. Every time I walk out, my ears feel sort of like you describe. I think it's just because my T is more noticeable again, it's sort of a dull, fizzy feeling. Our brains are set up to notice changes in sensory input more than they monitor constant input. Like, the term "nose blind". Have you ever walked into a room with a nice smelling candle? You notice it immediately. But stay in that room for 10 minutes and you can barely pick it out. Go outside for a few minutes, and go back in, there's the scent of the candle again.

So if you draw that out to your hearing, when you leave the restaurant, your brain picks up on your version of "silence" again, and your T is more noticeable. My thoughts anyway.

 

[butterfly75]

@missingsilence Glad you're feeling a little better. I've been in cars with the radio on loud too, and I don't know how to ask for them to turn it down. It's good he lowered volume right away though. You probably didn't experience any permanent damage because of that. I don't like having to wear earplugs outside now either. But it does make me feel like I have to be less "alert" and "hyper-vigilant," jumping at any loud noise nearby (especially kids suddenly screaming.) If you made it this far, and you've gone from miserable to being able to cope and going outside and feeling relaxed, that's a huge improvement. I've been living like a hermit too, and I know it feels when you go out once for the first time and something goes wrong Hopefully things will get a lot, lot easier soon. You're not alone and we're here for you!