Second Day in a Row Waking Up to Blasting Tinnitus

[aot]

I hope that this isn't become a trend for me.

Already happened once like a month ago, and this is the second day in a row this month.

Just occured to me that I recently visited the medieval fair with some friends.
It was loud, but I covered my ears when I needee to.

Could it be related?

 

[Solose]

It could be related or it could be other things. Do you have an ear or sinus infection? Any pain or pressure in the ears? I would go to a doctor, preferably an ENT, as soon as you can.

Best lof luck, I hope this passes soon for you.

 

[Digital Doc]

Worth an exam to make sure there is no infection or wax impaction, but what you describe is likely noise induced tinnitus, with a delayed spike. Noise induced is the most common cause of tinnitus. Need to protect your ears from these loud sounds, or this will keep happening.

 

[ZZZukas]

Ive noticed that mine is usually the same falling asleep as it is waking up, so when i wake up with a spike, its odd. I was able to put enough spikes together to see that if i have alcohol before bed, it affects my sleep in a way (not sure exactly how) that i almost always wake up thinking, "i didnt go to bed with it this loud, did i?" For me, no drinking = no spikes during sleep. Hopefully you, too, can find a correlation that helps stop the spike. but it may take a few more times before you can recognize a pattern of whats causing it.

 

[aot]

This is the third morning in a row that I've been awoken by high pitched, piercing tinnitus. It's never been this bad before, and I'm scared. I don't know what I did wrong.

 

[HeavyMantra]

Just try to relax and hope that it goes down again. I think it probably will go down if you didn't do anything to worsen it

 

[aot]

About to go to bed again. Kinda scared to sleep, because I'm afraid the ringing will be there when I wake up.

I've tried not to live in fear of this condition, to not let it run my life. Indeed, most days, I barely even notice it.

If this is a new hurdle, I suppose I'll have to live with it.

I'll update in the morning.

 

[Bill Bauer]

It was loud, but I covered my ears when I needee to.

Could it be related?

Of course...

The question for this post is like asking how safe it is to be shot while wearing a bulletproof vest. Clearly, it is safer with the protection than without, but no one can really say if it is safe, and finding out it is not has a pretty high price.

 

[Bill Bauer]

because I'm afraid the ringing will be there when I wake up.

Some temporary tinnitus spikes can last for over three months (the fading begins after 3-6 weeks). During those first 3-6 weeks, it makes sense to assume that your spike is temporary.

I've tried not to live in fear of this condition

One shock might end up to be the shock that breaks the camel's back and gives you a permanent spike. Having said this, you might be one of the people whose spikes are always temporary. There is only one way to find out which group you belong to.

 

[aot]

Just as I feared.

Woke up at 5:00 AM, (earlier than usual, which is also consistant for the past few days) tinnitus ringing. If I didn't have masking I'd kill myself.

Any idea what could be causing this?

Again, I've been trying to be normal. While I do use earbuds rather frequently, I never keep the volume too high.

I'm not scared of going Deaf. I've long accepted that possiblity.

I'm scared of the ringing being so loud that everything else is Inaudible.

 

[pinklights98]

Just as I feared.

Woke up at 5:00 AM, (earlier than usual, which is also consistant for the past few days) tinnitus ringing. If I didn't have masking I'd kill myself.

Any idea what could be causing this?

Again, I've been trying to be normal. While I do use earbuds rather frequently, I never keep the volume too high.

I'm not scared of going Deaf. I've long accepted that possiblity.

I'm scared of the ringing being so loud that everything else is Inaudible.

I think you will be okay. Try not to stress. Spikes can last up to three months, but usually will begin fading. Load up on NAC and magnesium. Do not stress, do not stress, do not stress. Try to take melatonin to help sleep and allow your body to recover.

 

[Michael B]

Whenever I have a spike similar to the one you're describing, I always think the worse and then something unexpected happens; I have a better day. Hoping the same for you my friend.

 

[Andy9214]

I have the same thing in the morning. Does it stay that sound all day, or fade away for you?

 

[aot]

I have the same thing in the morning. Does it stay that sound all day, or fade away for you?

It fades away. I've been using masking in the morning to deal with it. I don't know if it'd go away on it's own, and I don't really care to find out.

 

[PeteJ]

This is the third morning in a row that I've been awoken by high pitched, piercing tinnitus. It's never been this bad before, and I'm scared. I don't know what I did wrong.

Lots of times people get spikes or it worsens without an identifiable explanation. The other thing that happens is an acoustic incident but you think it didn't seem to be overly loud so you are unsure of what happened.

It's depressing.

 

[Digital Doc]

This really is not that much of a mystery. You had a loud noise exposure, and you got a spike in your T. You have continued to spike, with a pattern worse in the morning.

The spike can last for some months at this point, and for most folks it varies throughout the day. There is a chance that the spike is simply not reached its maximal volume yet, and continues to increase. In which case, no panic, and just do your best to avoid any additional noise exposure, including telephones, headsets, etc.

The other issue is that for most folks it is better when they sleep, and they wake up lower, and the T then builds throughout the day. However, your pattern is opposite. This could bring up possible issues of a poor night of sleep, in which case try some melatonin. The other concern could be additional noise exposure from the white noise you are using at night. While not loud, I figured out that with white noise at night, even in the 60's db range, while distracting and helpful to sleep, I would wake up with ear fullness, and worse T. If this is the case for you, I would stop the white noise, and try ear plugs for sleeping which helped me more than I would have guessed.

 

[aot]

The spike can last for some months at this point, and for most folks it varies throughout the day. There is a chance that the spike is simply not reached its maximal volume yet, and continues to increase. In which case, no panic, and just do your best to avoid any additional noise exposure, including telephones, headsets, etc.

Easier said then done, unfortunatley. I live in a full house, which includes two four year old nephews. Lots of talking, lots of yelling and screaming.

I also work in a noisy enviroment. I'll try to go without any headphones or white noise. If I have any ear plugs, then I'll do what you suggested tonight.

I only use the white noise when I wake up. I need noise to help falling asleep, which up until this point has been rare, I use my fan. Is that acceptable?

 

[Digital Doc]

Sounds like lots of noise exposure. What is the noisy work environment?

Some folks use white noise and are fine with it, I found that it made things worse. Try it both ways for a few days, and listen to your body. Some folks use a white noise generator, and adjust the volume down to a minimal level, just below the T, so could try that (I think there are apps for smartphones that can do this with no outlay rather than a dedicated machine).

 

[aot]

I work at a movie theatre. So big crowds, big speakers.

Had a tearful conversation with my mother on the phone about an hour ago. I'm going to make a doctor's appoitment on Monday, see if we can get this figured out. She thinks I have an ear infection. But even if that is the case, I doubt it'll help me much.

I'm hoping to get hearing aids at some point. I hear they can help with tinnitus.

 

[PeteJ]

What loud sounds cause spikes?

I think I have one now. :-(

I usually have louder t at night and it sometimes lowers a bit in the morning if I have enough sleep.

I visited a friend and I am wondering if normal sounds caused a spike now. It sounds like some bowls clunking, the dishwasher working and other noises in the kitchen.

I so hate these fucking loud tinnitus tones.

 

[aot]

The tinnitus is mostly in my left ear, if that changes anything.

 

[PeteJ]

The tinnitus is mostly in my right ear, if that changes anything.

Do you have any ear fullness in that ear? Any hearing loss in that ear?

 

[Lane]

Again, I've been trying to be normal. While I do use earbuds rather frequently, I never keep the volume too high.

Hi @aot -- Sorry to hear you're going through a serious spike. -- Just wanted to mention, nature would probably not think that using earbuds is "normal". I would strongly recommend you stop using them--at least for the time being. There's a number of things going on in your life that seem to not be conducive to a longer-term healing your ears. Your ears need to be protected at this time so that they can have a reasonable chance to heal. All of us end up having to make a lot of adjustments to give ourselves the best chance of recovering. -- All the Best...

 

[aot]

Hi @aot -- Sorry to hear you're going through a serious spike. -- Just wanted to mention, nature would probably not think that using earbuds is "normal". I would strongly recommend you stop using them--at least for the time being. There's a number of things going on in your life that seem to not be conducive to a longer-term healing your ears. Your ears need to be protected at this time so that they can have a reasonable chance to heal. All of us end up having to make a lot of adjustments to give ourselves the best chance of recovering. -- All the Best...

I can go without ear buds, sure. But aside from that there's nothing much I can do.

Am I just supposed to wear ear plugs for the rest of my life?

 

[Lane]

I can go without ear buds, sure. But aside from that there's nothing much I can do. ...... Am I just supposed to wear ear plugs for the rest of my life?

I actually think there's a lot a person can do to tilt the odds of improvement in one's favor. For one, I think most people with tinnitus should seriously think about doing acupuncture. Since it's relatively expensive, I've learned to do self acupuncture, and feel I'm getting subtle, positive results. I'm guessing most people with tinnitus would get some kind of benefits, whether with tinnitus intensity lessening, or being able to relax and sleep better.

There's also a lot a person can do in terms of diet, supplements, exercise, taking time to be calm, such as meditation, yoga, being in nature, etc. I believe the more we can imitate what animals do when they get sick or injured, the more likely are our chances of success. They normally seek out a protective place of solace, curl up next to a river or body of water, often fast, and then let nature take its course.

We humans can't do that, but we can withdraw from some of the intensities of our current culture. We can also learn to sufficiently protect our ears to give them a chance to heal--for as long as it takes. We also have to be willing to adjust the best we can to the challenge(s) that tinnitus brings into our lives. In a sense, it's kind of what life its about: learning to adapt to the unpredictable and often painful things that come into our lives. Difficult life challenges seem to happen to everybody--sooner or later.

 

[Digital Doc]

I work at a movie theatre. So big crowds, big speakers.

Had a tearful conversation with my mother on the phone about an hour ago. I'm going to make a doctor's appoitment on Monday, see if we can get this figured out. She thinks I have an ear infection. But even if that is the case, I doubt it'll help me much.

I'm hoping to get hearing aids at some point. I hear they can help with tinnitus.

This is all starting to make some sense at this point. This is principally noise induced T I am suspecting, and realizing the problem is the first step. Some movies are quite loud.

For the time being, yes, you do need hearing protection. If the levels exceed 85 db, your employer should be providing this under OSHA regs.

You will need an audiogram as well to see what your hearing is, and if a hearing aid will be of help.

Welcome to the misery that we are going through.

 

[aot]

Welcome to the misery that we are going through.

Hey, I've been putting off joining for a few years now. Could've been a few years longer if I had been smarter.

My boss said that he's not sure that our movies reach 85 dB, but I'm more than welcome to wear ear plugs if it makes me comfortable. I put my earbuds away. It'll be quite awhile before I use them again.

I'm hoping that it's only an ear infection or temporary spike.

All in all, I have it pretty easy in comparison to a lot of people on this site.

I'll keep you guys and gals updated.

 

[aot]

Visited Wal-Greens today and bought some ear plugs. Had some Melatonin as well, until my mom ripped me a new one over the phone because she's afraid that I'm suicidal. (Not currently, but I have been in the past.)

So I went back and explained the situation to the pharmiacast. She reccomened that I see a doctor, which I will, and that I take Lipo Flavonoid Plus, which is "Considered by ENTs the most effective over the counter solution to reduce ear ringing" and is also the "#1 ENT Doctot recommened for Tinnitus."

She hopes that it'll soften the ringing a bit. I'm a bit hopeful.

So, no replies saying "Over the counter is bullshit", and "It'll get worse and worse" and all that negative shit, please. I need good vibes right now. Send good vibes.

 

[dan]

So, no replies saying "Over the counter is bullshit", and "It'll get worse and worse" and all that negative shit, please. I need good vibes right now. Send good vibes.

It'll get better and better and you will get your old life very soon. Don't worry.

 

[MRItechssuck]

Anyone with tinnitus should have earplugs on them 24/7, just in case... take it from those that have learned it the hard way.