Those with Tinnitus & Hyperacusis — What Was Your Progression Like?

[Orions Pain]

I've seen many on here mention theirs eventually got better or even went away completely. What was the time line of yours like? I'm 3 1/2 months in and while I'm starting to get used to my tinnitus the hyperacusis is killing me. Would therapy be beneficial to me at this point? Pink noise generators? TRT? More time? I'm at a loss here? There must be SOMETHING I can do to get better.

Mine is mostly loudness hyperacusis but I also have this weird menthol sensation that radiates throughout my entire face, forehead and neck. I'd describe the feeling as if someone rubbed icy hot ointment all over my face. I'm absolutely terrified at this point and don't know where to seek help.

I largely suspect headphones to play a part in my tinnitus so I'd be worried about wearing any kind of noise generators.

Do any vets have advice for me? I avoid loud places, headphones and am not taking any ototoxic medications. I'm not understanding why it keeps progressing in a negative direction.

Would a visit to an ortho/dentist be beneficial to rule out TMJ? I know that sometimes hyperacusis can have the same symptoms and TMJ can be worsened by stress and clenching.

 

[TnH]

What progression. Lol.

 

[Lyris]

Hey, how are you feeling now? Were you ever able to get relief? It sounds like you've been having some kind of nerve issue if a hot/cold feeling was shooting through your whole face and I can see how the jaw/neck could be involved with that.

 

[Orions Pain]

Hey, how are you feeling now? Were you ever able to get relief? It sounds like you've been having some kind of nerve issue if a hot/cold feeling was shooting through your whole face and I can see how the jaw/neck could be involved with that.

Hi sorry, just seeing this now. I'm still doing about the same if not a little worse. Definitely feels like nerve pain and I've been getting it on my skull as well. Recently started anti-convulsants to see if it will alleviate some of the pain.

 

[MindOverMatter]

@Orions Pain

My experience: Anything but a linear progression regarding hyperacusis in particular. It's been just over a year since my sudden onset of hyperacusis (sound sensitivity, distortions, tingling sensations, and reactivity) - having had tinnitus since 2004.

Around the onset of hyperacusis I could literally not doing anything that would not give me distortions, reactivity and so on. Any sound would cause issues, every day. Walking, windnoise, rain, driving, speaking, peeing, frying - you name it. It all sounded cruel, and made my head scream. I experienced a long spell of head humming, sort of electric vibrating feeling in my head, anxiety and insomnia. Most of this I believe came as a psychological and physical stress response to my acoustic trauma.

Fast forward, I have sorted out most of the negative stress response and anxiety. Getting out of the "fight and flight" mode is, imo, the first and most important step to start a process to "get to a better place". I can now, most days, listen to TV at normal level, music on speakers (low volume), go to the gym, family gatherings, and so on.

I have never, at any point, protected my ears more than needed. I did not wear ear plugs just for precaution (I believe this will learn you brain to fear sounds). But this is just my experience, and might not be the best solution for everyone. I can only speak for what I believe in. I do protect when I feel it's necessary though; when vacuuming, using pressure washer and so on.

What works for me: I use hearing aid with sound therapy usually 2-4 hours a day when quiet around me. Music or other background sounds on low level when possible - hence positive sound enrichment. I try to have good routines for sleeping, and minimize stress. Work out, stay occupied. Eat healthy; no gluten, minimal sugar/alcohol and any other substances that may trigger hyperacusis and tinnitus.

My hyperacusis was most likely due to a sudden acoustic trauma - causing sort of a noise induced brain inflammation I believe. Regarding supplements it is almost impossible to say what works and what's placebo. What worked in some degree for me - placebo or not - is pine bark extract and Ginkgo Biloba.

My regiment today consist of:

Morning: B-vitamin complex (not too potent/extreme) + 600mg NAC (on empty stomach)

Dinner: 600mg potent Q10 + 100mg potent Ginkgo Biloba for improved blood flow/circulation

Before bed: Omega-3 (with high 1000mg EPA ratio) for inflammation + Cetirizine (for allergies)

I recommend reading this article:
http://www.integrativehealthinstitu...i-daily-supplements-that-reduce-inflammation/

For sleep; I can recommend Holy Basil Extract. Only thing that worked for me when I experienced insomnia for weeks.

I had to stop using high doses of Magnesium as it triggers my sound sensitivity. Taking epsom magnesium salt baths for instance makes my head buzz afterwards, and I get this creepy, tingling sensation.

I also go to therapy with a combination of CBT and sound therapy. It's good to have someone that knows the condition to speak with, and that keep track of progression - even though it may seem slow and often difficult to measure. Setbacks, usually minor, is normal - but I try to continue looking forward. But hey, we all have dark days... it unavoidable. I will continue with therapy as long as necessary, and try to stay positive. If I believe my day will be bad when I wake up, it certainly won't be easy to turn things around that day... So I try to keep ny spirit up, it certainly won't make you worse!

Anyways, just a glimpse of my experience, so far... Hope it may help!

 

[Stacken77]

Around the onset of hyperacusis I could literally not doing anything that would not give me distortions, reactivity and so on. Any sound would cause issues, every day. Walking, windnoise, rain, driving, speaking, peeing, frying - you name it. It all sounded cruel, and made my head scream.

During that time, did you experience any prolonged spikes or baseline increases caused by this reactivity or spiking, or was it always temporary? It sounds like your baseline was quite volatile at that time.

All the best,
Stacken

 

[MindOverMatter]

@Stacken77, prolonged spikes, or setbacks, yes.

But still I would refer to them as temporary and part of a veeery slow, and non-linear "healing journey".

At this point I usually do not use any kind of earplugs/protection when driving the car for instance. Even though it screamed in my ears before, I never used more than musical earplugs to filter some of that road and car noise.

I still have days where my ears are really sensitive, but I know that driving won't make it worse. Even though the reactiveness might trigger something within that would twist my mind to believe so.

My tinnitus baseline, the original one from 2004/2005, will always be with me. But it doesn't bother me as I've habituated to it. But the reactiveness is very unpredictable from time to time, and on a less good day the electric hissing and 'eeeeeEee' sounds on top is very disturbing.

But looking back, I can see a progression. It's not easy to measure this progression, and it is slow, but I do feel that I am slowly sort of "coming back to life" again. But, still there will be days where I feel I'm back to square one. Out of nowhere. But I do have to remind mysel that this is temporary. Anyhow, that's my experience (unless you did something obviously stupid).

 

[Samia]

@MindOverMatter, how are you doing now?