Good evening, and thank you for having me.
I have been following this forum daily for almost two years. Like many here, my story is similar, but I hope to ask a few questions that haven't been raised repeatedly (I have used the search function consistently over the last two years!).
My story: I am 57 years old, with mild but constant tinnitus for the last 30+ years. This is likely due to past exposures, including loud bars, live bands, hobbies, and work involving loud noises (guns, tractors, chainsaws, etc.). I never used earphones, thankfully. The tinnitus never bothered me much, though I would notice it in completely quiet rooms. I became strict about using hearing protection decades ago and, up until two years ago, had excellent hearing. But then things changed.
Two years ago, I encountered a loud, high-pitched hissing from barber's clippers in both ears, which I foolishly endured, not knowing better. After that, my tinnitus became bothersome and constant, along with a sensation of fullness. For about nine months, I was adjusting to it and was still able to cautiously engage in some of my usual noisy activities with double hearing protection without experiencing spikes.
Then, around 15 months ago, both my wife and I caught COVID-19, followed three weeks later by RSV. RSV affected my ears, leading to sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in both ears, though primarily in my left ear. I received injections in the left ear, and after two or three weeks, my 80% hearing loss improved to a "normal" range (nothing over 20 dB up to 8 kHz). However, the tinnitus worsened, and I developed hyperacusis, which has persisted since.
I've consulted two university-level tinnitus and hyperacusis specialists here in North Carolina. One was disappointing, but the other I'll discuss later. I also saw the top neurotologist in the state, who previously founded a tinnitus department at one of these universities before transitioning to private practice. This neurotologist likely helped preserve most of my hearing with the injections. Additionally, I've seen three other ENTs and have had multiple tests from at least six audiologists.
My case is probably similar to others here, with several complicating factors beyond high-frequency hearing loss (above 8 kHz). I have severe TMJ, significant upper cervical and neck issues, and a long history of allergies, sinus problems, and viral infections. I do not have a history of anxiety or depression, though I know some ENTs often attribute symptoms to these conditions.
Over the last two years, my test results have been fairly consistent, showing thresholds of 20 dB or lower up to 8 kHz but a sharp decline (90 dB) up to 16 kHz. My hair cells don't respond above 5 or 6 kHz, and my loudness discomfort level (LDL) is in the 50 to 60 dB range.
So, what's next after the typical runaround from medical professionals? Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) with in-ear noise generators (essentially hearing aids) is the only therapy any audiologist has recommended, specifically at one of the universities. All other doctors offered vague, dismissive advice or no real guidance at all.
Here are some of my questions:
Thank you for reading my long-winded introduction. I look forward to hearing your insights about TRT—ideally, from more than one advocate (nothing against specific advice; I just need a broader sample, so to speak).
I have been following this forum daily for almost two years. Like many here, my story is similar, but I hope to ask a few questions that haven't been raised repeatedly (I have used the search function consistently over the last two years!).
My story: I am 57 years old, with mild but constant tinnitus for the last 30+ years. This is likely due to past exposures, including loud bars, live bands, hobbies, and work involving loud noises (guns, tractors, chainsaws, etc.). I never used earphones, thankfully. The tinnitus never bothered me much, though I would notice it in completely quiet rooms. I became strict about using hearing protection decades ago and, up until two years ago, had excellent hearing. But then things changed.
Two years ago, I encountered a loud, high-pitched hissing from barber's clippers in both ears, which I foolishly endured, not knowing better. After that, my tinnitus became bothersome and constant, along with a sensation of fullness. For about nine months, I was adjusting to it and was still able to cautiously engage in some of my usual noisy activities with double hearing protection without experiencing spikes.
Then, around 15 months ago, both my wife and I caught COVID-19, followed three weeks later by RSV. RSV affected my ears, leading to sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in both ears, though primarily in my left ear. I received injections in the left ear, and after two or three weeks, my 80% hearing loss improved to a "normal" range (nothing over 20 dB up to 8 kHz). However, the tinnitus worsened, and I developed hyperacusis, which has persisted since.
I've consulted two university-level tinnitus and hyperacusis specialists here in North Carolina. One was disappointing, but the other I'll discuss later. I also saw the top neurotologist in the state, who previously founded a tinnitus department at one of these universities before transitioning to private practice. This neurotologist likely helped preserve most of my hearing with the injections. Additionally, I've seen three other ENTs and have had multiple tests from at least six audiologists.
My case is probably similar to others here, with several complicating factors beyond high-frequency hearing loss (above 8 kHz). I have severe TMJ, significant upper cervical and neck issues, and a long history of allergies, sinus problems, and viral infections. I do not have a history of anxiety or depression, though I know some ENTs often attribute symptoms to these conditions.
Over the last two years, my test results have been fairly consistent, showing thresholds of 20 dB or lower up to 8 kHz but a sharp decline (90 dB) up to 16 kHz. My hair cells don't respond above 5 or 6 kHz, and my loudness discomfort level (LDL) is in the 50 to 60 dB range.
So, what's next after the typical runaround from medical professionals? Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) with in-ear noise generators (essentially hearing aids) is the only therapy any audiologist has recommended, specifically at one of the universities. All other doctors offered vague, dismissive advice or no real guidance at all.
Here are some of my questions:
- After reading @Michael Leigh's post on TRT, I wonder: if earphones and earbuds are supposedly harmful at any volume, what makes in-ear generators safe and beneficial for me?
- There's a lot of mixed opinion on TRT. Is there anyone here, besides @Michael Leigh, who has found success with TRT for tinnitus and/or hyperacusis? Am I just wasting my money on this, given that I'm scheduled to start TRT in a week?
- My audiologist is adamant about distinguishing between my constant spikes, which never return to baseline, and my brain's "heightened attention" to the tinnitus. According to her, any noise exposure around 70 to 75 dB (whether raw or protected) changes the pitch, adds tones, or increases the loudness of my tinnitus, but it supposedly doesn't actually increase—my brain is just more focused on it. She suggests that this perception is what drives the apparent increase in volume.
Thank you for reading my long-winded introduction. I look forward to hearing your insights about TRT—ideally, from more than one advocate (nothing against specific advice; I just need a broader sample, so to speak).
