Tinnitus for a Month / Two Possible Causes: Ear Wax or Live Music

[Tim123]

Hi all,

Thank you in advance for reading. I am a 36-year-old male and have been suffering from ringing in my ears for almost a month.

2 possible causes (I think): ear wax or live music.

This started Friday night after being in a bar for about 2 hours with live music. I have used ear wax drops for a week and especially the left ear had a LOT of wax.

The ringing is currently only in the left ear, the right ear seems to have healed.

First week was a nightmare with panicking and bad sleeping.

Throughout the day I occasionally have some minor sensitivity in my ears.

Doctor looked in both ears, nothing to see. I did a hearing test; no hearing loss.

Yesterday, for no apparent reason, the ringing got less loud, increasing slowly in the evening and today is back to normal. Yesterday I actually almost had to "search" for it in my head. Normal means ringing, but some days more of being on a field of crickets.

Can anyone advise if yesterday was totally random? A good sign? Was the ear wax a coincidence?

Many thanks.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Can anyone advise if yesterday was totally random? A good sign? Was the ear wax a coincidence?

Hi @Tim123.

The things you have described in your post leads me to believe your tinnitus is noise induced, which is one of the most common causes of the condition. No two people will experience it the same but they will share some similarities especially during early onset. The random behaviour of your tinnitus, is a typical way it can affect some people in the early stages and should be interpreted as a good sign. If you act now and follow some of my suggestions, I believe you can prevent the tinnitus from getting worse. Be patient and in time there is a good chance it will reduce to such a low level, that most of the time you will be unaware of its presence or it could completely disappear.

I recommend that you don't attend live music performances for at least 3 months, 6 months would be better. Your tinnitus is likely to reduce to very low levels before 3 months have elapsed and you might be tempted to go to a live gig wearing noise reducing earplugs. Please don't do this as you risk the tinnitus returning with a vengeance that you won't believe is possible. In addition to this, I strongly advise that you don't listen to any type of audio through headphones, earbuds, headsets, AirPods, noise cancelling or bone conduction headphones, even at low volume, as you risk your tinnitus getting worse. When your tinnitus does reduce, my advice is never to listen to audio again through any type of headphones even at low volume.

It is not unusual for oversensitivity to sound to accompany noise induced tinnitus. Some people experience severe oversensitivity to sound or hyperacusis. More about this is explained in my post: Hyperacusis, As I See It. A build up of earwax can cause tinnitus but I don't think it's the cause in your case.

Try to avoid quiet rooms and surroundings especially at night by using low level sound enrichment. More about this is explained in the links below. Please go to my started threads and read the posts mentioned below:

• Hyperacusis, As I See It
• Will My Tinnitus Get Worse?
• The Habituation Process
• How to Habituate to Tinnitus
• Tinnitus and the Negative Mindset
• Acquiring a Positive Mindset

All the best,
Michael

New to Tinnitus, What to Do? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Tinnitus, A Personal View | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

[Tim123]

Thanks for your response Michael and your advice. I will read through your suggested posts.

 

[Stuart-T]

I had ear wax so bad that 1 month of ear drops several times a day would not move it. I ended up getting microsuction which failed and then used an oral irrigator to finally get it out. Still I think my tinnitus was caused by COVID-19 and I just happened to have serious ear wax.

It sounds to me like your ear wax would not have been serious enough to cause any issues and loud music was indeed the cause. It probably has a better chance of clearing than those of us who have non acoustic trauma tinnitus.

 

[NiMo]

@Tim123, my recent onset tinnitus (seems to be only right ear) concerns sound very similar to yours. Mine (age 56) came on due to prolonged studio headphones use when recording and playing back guitar, bass and drum tracks. Though I am pretty sure it was just the tipping point of lifetime of accumulated exposure (at times) loud noises and other ear trauma such as middle and swimmer's ear infections as a child and occasionally as an adult.

I also thought mine might be related to earwax impaction or fluid in my Eustachian tube. Primary Care Physician visit yesterday showed no earwax and only slight redness in both ears, but worse in the left. I explained to her my overuse of headphones recently and told her I started taking Claritin a few days ago to rule out fluid in Eustachian tubes. I also let her know I made an appointment (soonest available) to see an Audiologist in February. She prescribed Doxycycline to rule out/treat a possible infection. Though I've only had ringing for a week now, I don't foresee it as temporary.

 

[Tim123]

Hi @Stuart-T and @NiMo. Thank you for your responses. I think mine is from the live music, and not the wax. Probably from when I was younger, not protecting my ears, and this bar with live music was the last drop in the bucket, similar to you NiMo.

6 weeks in and no improvement. Strangely enough I had 1 day where it was very minimal. Reason? No idea at all. I watched a football match which I got into a lot the evening before. Adrenaline? Does anyone have any thoughts on that? Been using Ear Tone (contains Ginkgo biloba), Magnesium, Curcumin, teas (ginger, lemon, green), and apple cider vinegar. No results but can't do any harm I guess. Yesterday I felt the sound from the left ear jumping in the right for a few minutes, disappearing in the left. Now full stop just in the left one again. How crazy is that?

Merry Christmas all!

 

[Tim123]

Hi all,

2 months in and my tinnitus is still 24/7 in my left ear. However, it is quite soft in the morning and gets louder throughout the day. Anyone else have this?

I have started the "I hear my tinnitus, I feel xyz" from @I who love music and this seems to help. Thank you for this.

Hopefully things will continue to get better for me, but also for all of you. I am also doing 10 minute meditation sessions once or twice a day by just closing eyes and listening. For the rest, Curcumin, Magnesium, vitamins.

 

[Tim123]

Hi all,

I'm almost 4 months in and I still have 24/7 tinnitus. It is very mild in the morning but gets louder and louder throughout the day. It's more in my brain than my ears, sort of an electric whiz going through it. Totally unmaskable.

@Michael Leigh, your advice has helped a lot. Thank you.

I did a hearing test and it seems I have up to moderate hearing loss in high frequencies. Does anyone know if it makes sense to get hearing aids for this?

Thank you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi all,

I'm almost 4 months in and I still have 24/7 tinnitus. It is very mild in the morning but gets louder and louder throughout the day. It's more in my brain than my ears, sort of an electric whiz going through it. Totally unmaskable.

@Michael Leigh, your advice has helped a lot. Thank you.

I did a hearing test and it seems I have up to moderate hearing loss in high frequencies. Does anyone know if it makes sense to get hearing aids for this?

Thank you.

Hi @Tim123,

Thank you for your kind comments and I'm pleased that I was able to help you.

Your audiologist is the best person to advise you whether you need hearing aids. Many people that have tinnitus don't need hearing aids.

Take care,
Michael

 

[momus]

Yesterday I felt the sound from the left ear jumping in the right for a few minutes, disappearing in the left. Now full stop just in the left one again.

Mine has worked like that more than once. Once, it was as if I could feel it going from the left ear to the right. "Feel" is not the right word though. It's hard to describe, just felt like the tinnitus was moving physically, arching over my head or through the upper part of my head.

Getting back to the mention of earwax in your thread's title, that has been the cause of mine amping up in the past. I probably should see a specialist because using some OTC earwax removing drops doesn't seem to be working.

 

[Tim123]

Mine has worked like that more than once. Once, it was as if I could feel it going from the left ear to the right. "Feel" is not the right word though. It's hard to describe, just felt like the tinnitus was moving physically, arching over my head or through the upper part of my head.

Getting back to the mention of earwax in your thread's title, that has been the cause of mine amping up in the past. I probably should see a specialist because using some OTC earwax removing drops doesn't seem to be working.

@momus, I understand what you mean. This still happens to me once every few days. When it's in the other ear, it's actually more pleasant.

How is yours developing?

Mine is overall like it is in the middle of my head, not really specific to one ear. Not sure how to mask it. There are random days where it is more quiet. No idea why.

 

[Tim123]

I wanted to ask others here if they have the same as me.

In the morning, my tinnitus is usually a bit lower. I then have regular work calls (not via headsets, but via speakers). When listening to people talking, I literally "feel" my ears on the inside and my tinnitus gets louder during the day.

Is this evidence my hearing is damaged and that my tinnitus is caused by noise?

 

[momus]

Yes, mine is quieter in the morning, or I am less aware of it because my brain is not fully awake yet. The thing about this disorder is that it is predictably, unpredictable. I was at the point of suicide when I first got it years ago. Then I go through periods when it is almost gone. Then I wake up like I did a few days ago and it is very loud.

But here's the thing... nothing has changed. Diet, stress, weather, none of that. But it goes up, goes to another ear, all this around in my head for no identifiable reason. Which in a way, makes sense. There are more possible synaptic connections in each human's brain than there are atoms in the known universe. So why wouldn't it be one set of connections today and a totally different set of connections tomorrow. Or a minute from now?

That unpredictability is what gives me strength because it's a fact, not a belief or a hope. The heart of my Zen practice is the realization that all things are impermanent. So if it is screaming today, it may be quiet tomorrow. If not tomorrow, perhaps the next day. It has always gone up, and it has always gone down.

 

[Jammer]

Yes, mine is quieter in the morning, or I am less aware of it because my brain is not fully awake yet. The thing about this disorder is that it is predictably, unpredictable. I was at the point of suicide when I first got it years ago. Then I go through periods when it is almost gone. Then I wake up like I did a few days ago and it is very loud.

But here's the thing... nothing has changed. Diet, stress, weather, none of that. But it goes up, goes to another ear, all this around in my head for no identifiable reason. Which in a way, makes sense. There are more possible synaptic connections in each human's brain than there are atoms in the known universe. So why wouldn't it be one set of connections today and a totally different set of connections tomorrow. Or a minute from now?

That unpredictability is what gives me strength because it's a fact, not a belief or a hope. The heart of my Zen practice is the realization that all things are impermanent. So if it is screaming today, it may be quiet tomorrow. If not tomorrow, perhaps the next day. It has always gone up, and it has always gone down.

I agree. For me, healing has come from acceptance that I will have horrendous tinnitus every moment and realizing that only acceptance is my one true action.

 

[Tim123]

After 5 months, my tinnitus is now 24/7 coming from the brain. I am in the UK and have been referred for further research to an ENT.

Does anyone know what sort of tests I can expect? I have seen a doctor at the start that simply looked in my ears and said "all looks good."

Anything I need to be careful with at this visit? I am sensitive to sounds, dishes, restaurants etc. However, not as bad as in the beginning.

Thank you.

 

[tniuf]

After 5 months, my tinnitus is now 24/7 coming from the brain. I am in the UK and have been referred for further research to an ENT.

Does anyone know what sort of tests I can expect? I have seen a doctor at the start that simply looked in my ears and said "all looks good."

Anything I need to be careful with at this visit? I am sensitive to sounds, dishes, restaurants etc. However, not as bad as in the beginning.

Thank you.

Usually follow-up tests that have to be booked at another time with an additional cost. If they want to remove wax, tell them to use a manual tool because their machine is very loud.

 

[Tim123]

I wanted to give an update after having tinnitus non-stop for 7 months now. I had my hearing test and got confirmation on hearing loss in higher frequencies, both ears. My tinnitus is a constant high-pitched screeching sound, I have no idea how to mask it and don't even try anymore.

It is currently quite warm and with a fan on, it seems my tinnitus wants to beat the volume. I've always had this. Driving, watching TV, the screeching wants to be louder. I haven't heard anything more from my audiology test and wonder if I should follow up.

Would hearing aids make a difference?

An MRI is still an option but am not that keen.

Most of the time I live my life and ignore the never ending sounds but some moments it just pisses me off...