Tinnitus for Almost Three Months Now After an Acoustic Trauma (Headphones on a Film Set)

[Beep Boop Bop]

Thank you for your question @Beep Boop Bop.

I have taken a brief look at your post history and see that we have corresponded before. Sorry to bring this up but you mentioned having a pre-existing anxiety disorder and OCD. Tinnitus is an integral part of our mental and emotional wellbeing and cannot be separated from it. Stress makes tinnitus worse, and tinnitus makes stress worse. It can become a vicious cycle if stress is not managed.

If you have fully recovered from anxiety and OCD, that is good as I don't think this would have been easy having tinnitus. If you still have some issues with anxiety and OCD, they could be contributing to you noticing loud sounds more. I am not saying this is the case but it's something to consider.

Since your tinnitus was brought on by noise trauma, you may have symptoms of an oversensitive auditory system or even hyperacusis, both can accompany noise induced tinnitus and needs to be treated. There are various ways this can be achieved, either with self-help or seeing an audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management. Please click on the link below and read my post: Hyperacusis, As I See It.

Wearing earplugs when exposed to loud sounds is the right thing to do but they shouldn't be overused. They are needed when using noisy gardening equipment or electric power tools. Noise reducing earplugs can be used at venues where loud music is played but one shouldn't put total trust in them. If the venue is too loud my suggestion is to leave.

One gets the feel for when they are in an environment that is too loud. Sudden bursts of loud sounds, a siren for instance, shouldn't be cause for concern, providing a person hasn't got hyperacusis or is suffering from an oversensitive auditory system. If they are, then the oversensitivity to sound needs to be treated, because wearing earplugs is not the answer and will usually make the condition worse by overusing them.

Hope this helps.

All the best,
Michael

@Michael Leigh, thank you for the article. I do have sound sensitivity and phonophobia. I have also always had manageable anxiety and OCD, but it completely spiraled out of control when I got tinnitus. I am in a constant state of stress due to both the ringing and the fear of it worsening. I'm at a loss of how to manage my mental health now, as the tinnitus is the driving force behind it. Being in most public settings makes me very uncomfortable, as there is no telling what kind of loud noises can sneak up on you. I'm glad to hear that short bursts of noise shouldn't be harmful, but I can't help but think back to all the horror stories I've read on this forum of people who have gotten permanent spikes from sudden loud noises. Clearly this condition is different for everyone and there are no definite answers, but it makes me nervous hearing stories like that.

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh, thank you for the article. I do have sound sensitivity and phonophobia. I have also always had manageable anxiety and OCD, but it completely spiraled out of control when I got tinnitus. I am in a constant state of stress due to both the ringing and the fear of it worsening. I'm at a loss of how to manage my mental health now, as the tinnitus is the driving force behind it. Being in most public settings makes me very uncomfortable, as there is no telling what kind of loud noises can sneak up on you. I'm glad to hear that short bursts of noise shouldn't be harmful, but I can't help but think back to all the horror stories I've read on this forum of people who have gotten permanent spikes from sudden loud noises. Clearly this condition is different for everyone and there are no definite answers, but it makes me nervous hearing stories like that.

Thank you for your kind comments @Beep Boop Bop.

If it is possible, try and see an audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management. Try not to read posts that are likely to make you nervous and read those that encourage positivity. You will find some on my started treads, which I advise you to print instead of reading them on your phone or computer screen. Posts in the Positivity thread in this forum are also good. Please click on the link below and read my post: The Complexities of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis.

It does highlight some of the problems associated with tinnitus and hyperacusis which you have mentioned. However, my reason for writing it, was to try and convey to people that there is a way of overcoming these difficulties and improving their quality of life by seeking help.

Take care,
Michael

The Complexities of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum