This is pretty frustrating, life is falling apart. The tinnitus keeps getting seemingly permanent spikes from too much low level noise. We're talking below 30 dB. And to me, it just doesn't make sense.
It was in February where my tinnitus became hyper-reactive, i.e. it started to spike to most noise. The only thing I can attribute this to is the pure sound deprivation that I began during a week of anxiety; there was no further cochlear damage done. The new spikes receded very quickly though, maybe in 1-2 hours, so I habituated and lived happily and stable for a month. You may say that sound deprivation can't cause these symptoms, but I guess me and my auditory system just are extremely unlucky.
Then in March I was hit by a "loud" noise, a car lift in a closed space. I had ear plugs, and after that I went from being a TRT Category III patient to a Category IV. It has been steadily deteriorating from that point. For the last months I've done nothing but immerse myself in silence, but it hasn't done anything.
I'm speculating that the silence is what's hindering improvements, as I figure my sound sensitivity can't improve when only hearing my breathing and heartbeat for 90% of the day. Yesterday I played pink noise for 30 minutes around the threshold of hearing, i.e. extremely low, and now I'm paying for it with the most severe spike yet. It's really a unsolvable catch 22, because I sincerely believe my hyperacusis could improve if I just could get a chance to expose myself to sound.
To me, there's no doubt that spiking is a function of loudness hyperacusis severity, as my hyperacusis got a lot worse from sound deprivation and even worse from the loud noise. The severity of the spiking/reactivity followed the hyperacusis.
Thinking of you all,
Stacken
Hi
@Stacken77,
Honestly, you're fine.
I've read through this and a few of your other posts, and what I can assure you is:
a) you have done nothing to permanently worsen your tinnitus.
b) you are exactly where I was in my first years, and while it seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel, it's simply a matter of time and becoming accustomed to living to the fullest with said condition.
Me and you really need to talk one day, but until then, just a quick summary should do:
You're spending a lot of time in the quiet right now, with just your tinnitus, and this is actually a good thing. Regardless of what people tell you, readjusting to everyday sound after your hearing has been compromised is a slow process.
The downside of this slow process is that your time spent listening solely to your tinnitus is going to make it, in the short term, more reactive, along with your hyperacusis. It's also going to enhance your perception of your tinnitus, making it seem a hell of a lot louder than it actually is.
Just keep reminding yourself:
1) quiet cannot harm your ears (it can enhance your perception of tinnitus, but it cannot cause any physical damage).
2) everyday noise around your house (dropping of a spoon for example) will not permanently worsen your tinnitus, (spending a lot of time in the quiet will certainly enhance your tinnitus' reaction to such an event, but it's not going to do any real physical harm).
Absolutely, stop wearing earplugs in your room, this is a good idea, and just let yourself adjust slowly to real world noise again (obviously nothing loud, like sirens or engines, or bloody Roosters!).
Anyway, you're going to figure all of this stuff out on your own, it's simply a matter of
time.
You know, once you're at the point I'm at, you'll probably be reassessing your decision about marriage and children; you'll be very surprised how much this process is going to change you for the better!
Have faith my friend, just trust.
Your mate always, Damocles.
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