Struggling Everyday, Every Hour: Scuda Diving Initial Tinnitus Cause, Made Worse by Loud Concerts?

[Jim61]

Hi Ya'll,

New here so wanted to introduce myself and maybe get some input.

Scuba diving in the late 90's brought on my initial bout of tinnitus, very very mild and manageable up until 2 months ago. Woke up one day and it was 10 times louder (a constant high pitch squeal), a noticeable reduction in hearing and a numbness on the whole side of my head.

I struggle with a constant headache everyday as a result of the high pitch noise, some days are worst than others but it's a total cluster f*ck and a major degradation of my daily quality of life. Seen all the doctors, audiology, MRI, the whole thing... and as I'm sure everyone knows here, no cure and no way to relive symptoms.

Any words of wisdom from ya'll would be so very much appreciated. I'm so incredibly frustrated and the thought of living like this everyday for the rest of my life is a pure nightmare. Thanks in advance for any input.

Jim

 

[LindaS]

Hi Jim

I've only been dealing with tinnitus and hyperacusis for eight weeks so I still consider myself a "newbie" and not qualified to give any advice or even venture to ask intelligent questions.

So I will just say "Welcome Jim".

There are some really nice people in this forum and some that are very knowledgeable. I'm sure you will get some information and advice to help you.


Cheers

 

[Michael Leigh]

Scuba diving in the late 90's brought on my initial bout of tinnitus, very very mild and manageable up until 2 months ago. Woke up one day and it was 10 times louder (a constant high pitch squeal), a noticeable reduction in hearing and a numbness on the whole side of my head.

Seen all the doctors, audiology, MRI, the whole thing...and as I'm sure everyone knows here, no cure and no way to relive symptoms.

I'm so incredibly frustrated and the thought of living like this everyday for the rest of my life is a pure nightmare. Thanks in advance for any input.

HI @Jim61

Welcome to the forum.

For a long time you have lived with your tinnitus as it has kept at a manageable level. Since you have had tests at ENT as yet no underlying medical problem has been found that is responsible for its increase. Stress might be factor and something you should look at and will explain later. If you have recently started taking a new medication, this could also cause and adverse reaction in the tinnitus. TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint. This concerns the joint of the jaw which can cause a person to grind their teeth and can affect or cause tinnitus too.

Something usually causes an increase in tinnitus especially after a long habituation period such as yours. If there is no underlying medical condition that is causing it including hearing loss, then it could be either stress related or exposure to loud noise. If you have been using headphones, earbuds, Airpods, probably at too high a volume and for long durations, or wearing a headset for computer games? Visiting places where loud music is played or being exposed to other forms of loud noise, perhaps at a place of work?

If the answer is yes to any of the above especially headphones, then I advise you to stop using the immediately. Tinnitus is intrinsically linked to our mental and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, if you are under any undue stress, this can increase the tinnitus quite profoundly. Counselling with an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus management and treatment can help here. As well as counselling treatment can involve sound therapy and medication. Relaxation exercises can be helpful. Please click on the links below and read my posts.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/trt-as-i-see-it.19555/

 

[Backpacker]

Scuba diving in the late 90's brought on my initial bout of tinnitus, very very mild and manageable up until 2 months ago. Woke up one day and it was 10 times louder (a constant high pitch squeal), a noticeable reduction in hearing and a numbness on the whole side of my head.

I struggle with a constant headache everyday

What does your audiogram look like? And did you have any hearing loss detected immediately after SCUBA? And did you or do you feel any kind of dizziness?

 

[Jim61]

Thanks Michael, that was a wealth of information! I've digested a fraction of it but I'll continue to get through all of those threads.

Backpacker - no, after the scuba incident I had no significant hearing loss, only recently has that been an issue. No dizziness, just slight hearing loss of high frequencies and a overall numbness to the right side of my head surrounding my ear area about an inch or so. MRI was clear.

I'm going to try Ginko and see if that does anything. My ENT suggested a course called MindfulTinnitusRelief. From what I can tell it's more or less a meditative type of course to reduce stress...very difficult for me, a type A, to do but I'm giving it the ole "college try".

 

[Backpacker]

just slight hearing loss of high frequencies and a overall numbness to the right side of my head surrounding my ear area

What kind of high frequency hearing loss is your audiogram showing exactly? Unilateral? Did you have sudden sensorineural hearing loss?