Tinnitus/Hyperacusis After Years of Loud Music — 3+ Months of Hell on Earth

[Monkee Man]

Hello everyone, apologies in advance for the long, rambling post.

I've been hanging around Tinnitus Talk for the past 3 months, and figured it's about time to make an account and tell my story. Back in November '21 I attended a very loud concert a bit too close to the stage and PA speaker, and it was a great time. My ears were ringing at a very low, nearly unnoticeable volume at home after the show, and unfortunately I did not take this too seriously, as my girlfriend's ears were ringing as well (I didn't even notice until she mentioned it), and I'd been to hundreds and hundreds of gigs in the past 15 years with more than a few causing temporary ringing in the ears that always subsided by the next day or two. I had no idea that would be the last night of life as I'd known it up to that point.

For the next two weeks, I barely noticed the ringing at all unless the room was dead silent, and in my blissful ignorance I continued life as normal, figuring it would fade at some point, and went to a couple more (lower volume) shows as well as a band rehearsal (with earplugs) without any change in the tinnitus level and continued to use headphones. Because I didn't dig deeper beyond surface-level Google results, and perhaps my own denial, I even imagined the lingering tinnitus could be from hardened earwax buildup due to the cold weather, and got checked out by an ENT after it hadn't budged for two weeks, and he assured me though this was due to noise exposure, I could continue as normal as long as I protect my ears at loud events going forward, and scheduled an audiogram. Two days later, I noticed my first instance of what of now know is reactive tinnitus, which lasted for only a second while listening to some low-level music (through speakers, I had abandoned headphones by this point) and it freaked me out a bit. The next day, I awoke with hyperacusis and a panic attack along with it, as I didn't even know hyperacusis was a thing (funny how spellcheck even underlines the word in red), and called up the ENT office to squeeze me in for another appointment. The same doctor explained what was going on, and said this is a common occurrence with tinnitus, and that it will fade as my ear is exposed to sound and reacquaints itself. That weekend, music started to sound completely different, much duller and mushier, along with the reactive tinnitus winding through it and my ears were now fatiguing quickly, and anxiety was building up.

By that Monday, all hell had broken loose as my hyperacusis and ear pain increased to an unbearable level, as well as my reactive tinnitus and sound distortions. My own voice even hurt to hear. My anxiety was now off the charts and I didn't sleep for nearly four days straight. I had my audiogram that week, and it showed my hearing was still in the normal range, though the damage couldn't be measured as I'd never had a previous audiogram done. Regardless, my hearing was way out of whack now and life had switched into an absolute waking nightmare.

I spent the next month in complete panic mode and would lie awake at night for hours mourning my happy life from just a month earlier, contemplating suicide as my only option as my world had become dark, ugly and hopeless practically overnight. I would spend all waking hours wallowing in deep regret, mentally punishing myself for being stupid enough to ruin my ears through years of loud concerts, playing in bands with no hearing protection and cranking headphones too loud. I felt my life was effectively over and I destroyed any chance of ever being happy again. As someone who had never really struggled with anxiety or depression, this felt like a roller coaster drop into the deepest pits of hell. The timing was atrocious, as my partner and I had just moved out of our home state merely three months before to a city known for its abundance of live music, I was just about to form a new band and get back to playing music after a 2-year pandemic-induced hiatus, and to top it all off I was just about to turn 30. How could my life just collapse so quickly after everything was going so great? I had suddenly gone from being a music-loving, happy/positive person, never bored, always having multiple exciting things to look forward to and feeling like the days were too short, to a morose, hollow shell of a person, unable to truly enjoy anything and feeling like a mental patient trapped in a life sentence of solitary confinement where the days feel like years, with my instruments and record collection that once brought me infinite joy now sitting idly gathering dust.

Three months have passed since things got really bad, and these days I am trying my best to be more positive though it is a daily struggle. Though my tinnitus is here to stay, the reactive tinnitus has calmed down a bit, and I feel the hyperacusis has slowly improved some as well, outside of a few setbacks here and there. I've started therapy and adopting a one-day-at-a-time mentality, as well as carrying custom molded earplugs with me everywhere I go. Music is still pretty dulled and wonky from the hearing loss, and I would easily turn down a winning lottery ticket just to be able to go to a concert or play in a band again, or listen to my headphones, or even go to a busy restaurant without earplugs. I greatly miss and pine for my life before tinnitus, but I am finding strength and comfort through my partner, my family, low-volume TV, and in knowing that I am far from the only person suffering from this terrible affliction. Thankfully I'm sleeping much better on most nights. I am also hopeful that there are at least a few treatments in the works (OTO-313/413, FX-322/345, etc.) that could possibly help to give us our lives back in the next few years. Life is harder than it's ever been and I've got a very long, hard road ahead, but I won't give up.

Thank you for reading.

 

[blamingeverything]

I can relate to this a lot. I'm a little older than you but that whole thought process and cycle you're describing... yep. Now anytime I'm in public I just think of everyone around me as being blissfully unaware of how good they have it, but I do keep grounded in knowing that most people do have struggles, many invisible, and some of these people probably even have tinnitus. I also cringe now when I hear people blasting music in their car, headphones, what have you.

What does your hearing test look like?

 

[Notplayingmytune]

Thanks for sharing your experience, mine sounds similar. I've had tinnitus for 8 weeks following seeing a very loud band.

The initial hyperacusis went as has most of the sound distortion.

Trying not to think of my life pre-tinnitus but for about a week was in a very dark place. Still having good and bad days both emotionally and with volume of tinnitus. I have more or less stopped listening to music as loud hiss and tone over it upsets me. I have stuck with 3 amateur orchestras using concert ear plugs but weak player to begin with and find the usual practising in silence hard. Trying not to burn my bridges but may drop 2 of the more demanding groups.

Also had no baseline for Specsavers' free hearing test (GP suggested it, mentioned that I'd cancelled appointment there between illnesses as ill again). Sore throat and sinuses. Negative for COVID-19, triple jabbed. First contacted GP after illness which had mostly gone, some fullness in left ear, and 3 days after the band regarding tinnitus. Requested audiogram after being told hearing is normal, 61 years old. There is high frequency loss in both ears but tinnitus in one. No earwax etc.

NHS moving very slowly and have had no face to face appointment with a GP though was prescribed antibiotics over phone. Have been referred to ENT.

Was very much looking for fixable solutions to begin with. Still haven't completely given up on residual fluid in ear going or hearing aids improving things but depression set in when I logically knew that tinnitus wasn't temporary.

Concerned that brain will rewire to new normal without high frequency hearing aids but not sure how this works.

Seems obvious to me that band destroyed hair cells from 6000 Hz but can still hear up to 8000/10000 Hz at higher decibels. Wouldn't recommend frequent testing! Wonder if speed of hearing loss in left ear resulted in tinnitus.

My next step is hearing aids but they weren't recommended, possibly because they knew main issue was tinnitus.

May try another provider with money back guarantee and not mention tinnitus? Just a struggle, getting tired very easily.

Sent GP copy of audiogram, no reply, cannot get through to ENT by phone and no email.

Am getting some quieter days but it is constant and cannot predict when it will be loud.

 

[Simon85]

@Monkee Man, I hope you start to feel better soon. It is likely that both the tinnitus and hyperacusis should fade over time. However, it will likely take a good deal of time. We all make mistakes - I also didn't use ear protection while gigging for years, but the final straw was some home DIY without ear protection. My head exploded with tinnitus, sound distortions and hyperacusis. The first 3-6 months were hell, the following 6 months were easier, another 6 months easier again. I'm now back to playing my (acoustic) guitar most days. The crippling hyperacusis is entirely gone and the ringing is a shadow of its former self. If you're having trouble sleeping then it may be worth leaning on some sleeping meds in the short term. For most people with this condition time is on their side and getting through the initial months is the hardest part. Best of luck.

 

[Benjaminbb]

Hey @Monkee Man,

Just wanted to let you know I'm a musician who went through the same thing about 13 years ago and it fully faded in around 18 months. I know it sounds like ages, but it really depends how bad the hyperacusis is. I still DJ'd and made/mixed music despite it hurting that whole time. I can't necessarily recommend doing that as I personally don't know how bad your pain is, so make sure you work with what's best for you.

Thankfully over time it went away. I had 13 years without a problem and had a full music career. Here are a few things to think about.

Wearing earplugs in a restaurant or not wearing headphones really isn't a big loss. I've been doing earplugs in restaurants without a question for that whole time and didn't really use headphones for 5 years. I didn't care about that either. Speakers are better anyway.

It's really about how you perceive not being able to do certain things that affects you. For example, having to wear earplugs or not use headphones seems pretty trivial when comparing to losing your legs or cancer. So don't learn that the hard way, live as best you can now. The pain will suck, and altered hearing will suck, but you're still young so don't let it dictate how you live. Just take your time to feel ok.

Your tinnitus is quiet. You can probably still do much of what I was able to. I don't even think I really avoided loud places during that time (obviously had earplugs). Again not suggesting you do all that, ears are slow as hell to heal/change. Given that this is your first episode I'm hoping things should be good for you!

 

[Monkee Man]

Thanks for the replies, y'all. As awful as the tinnitus/hyperacusis is in general, what really has me in the pits is having to miss out on so many concerts and events I'd been looking forward to as well as not being able to play in a band, as these things were a huge part of my life and I feel an enormous void from having to cease those activities to avoid further damage. I was also somewhat of a budding audiophile before this and hearing my favorite music in such a compromised state from the hearing loss is seriously gutting.

It's very painful to deal with the regret and imagining how different life would be right now if I had only been more careful with my ears, but I am trying to work through these feelings with therapy and having faith that at some point in the future an effective treatment will be available to help restore the damage done.

 

[CRGC]

Thanks for the replies, y'all. As awful as the tinnitus/hyperacusis is in general, what really has me in the pits is having to miss out on so many concerts and events I'd been looking forward to as well as not being able to play in a band, as these things were a huge part of my life and I feel an enormous void from having to cease those activities to avoid further damage. I was also somewhat of a budding audiophile before this and hearing my favorite music in such a compromised state from the hearing loss is seriously gutting.

It's very painful to deal with the regret and imagining how different life would be right now if I had only been more careful with my ears, but I am trying to work through these feelings with therapy and having faith that at some point in the future an effective treatment will be available to help restore the damage done.

Hey man, how are you doing these days?

 

[Monkee Man]

Hey man, how are you doing these days?

Hey there, I would say overall I am doing better these days. My tinnitus is 100% here to stay and is still loud as hell if I focus on it or find myself in a quiet room, but otherwise I can usually tune it out and would say I'm pretty much habituated to the tinnitus itself, unless it has spiked for whatever reason. I don't usually have any trouble these days sleeping with my ears to the pillow, even though it is crazy loud in that setting. The reactivity has subsided a good bit, aside from certain sounds like supermarket freezers, lawnmowers outside, loud A/C window units, etc.

My loudness hyperacusis has largely calmed down aside from a few setbacks here and there that have leveled out, though I still have very sensitive hearing and startle very easily, and I do experience mild noxacusis/ear pain on and off throughout the day, as well as pain around my ears, on my neck/jaw, and the back of my head. I also still experience dysacusis/distortions, particularly when someone is raising their voice or I'm talking over speakerphone. These symptoms have become less intense over time, though they do flare up for 2-3 days if I overdo listening to moderate noise levels.

Luckily, I am able to listen to music at low volume, watch TV, drive around town, go to the beach, and do most stuff around the house without hearing protection. I still need earplugs when I am outside around traffic, going to the store, driving on the highway, or talking to people with louder voices. Concerts, movie theaters, large crowds, any loud places, etc. as well as headphones of any sort have unfortunately been cut out of my life, which is honestly the most difficult part of dealing with this condition and does throw me in the dumps more often than I'd like it to. I am doing emotionally better overall than I was in the first few months, or the "shock" phase when everything went upside down.

 

[CRGC]

Hey there, I would say overall I am doing better these days. My tinnitus is 100% here to stay and is still loud as hell if I focus on it or find myself in a quiet room, but otherwise I can usually tune it out and would say I'm pretty much habituated to the tinnitus itself, unless it has spiked for whatever reason. I don't usually have any trouble these days sleeping with my ears to the pillow, even though it is crazy loud in that setting. The reactivity has subsided a good bit, aside from certain sounds like supermarket freezers, lawnmowers outside, loud A/C window units, etc.

My loudness hyperacusis has largely calmed down aside from a few setbacks here and there that have leveled out, though I still have very sensitive hearing and startle very easily, and I do experience mild noxacusis/ear pain on and off throughout the day, as well as pain around my ears, on my neck/jaw, and the back of my head. I also still experience dysacusis/distortions, particularly when someone is raising their voice or I'm talking over speakerphone. These symptoms have become less intense over time, though they do flare up for 2-3 days if I overdo listening to moderate noise levels.

Luckily, I am able to listen to music at low volume, watch TV, drive around town, go to the beach, and do most stuff around the house without hearing protection. I still need earplugs when I am outside around traffic, going to the store, driving on the highway, or talking to people with louder voices. Concerts, movie theaters, large crowds, any loud places, etc. as well as headphones of any sort have unfortunately been cut out of my life, which is honestly the most difficult part of dealing with this condition and does throw me in the dumps more often than I'd like it to. I am doing emotionally better overall than I was in the first few months, or the "shock" phase when everything went upside down.

Thanks for the update. Wishing you a quick and steady recovery!

 

[Benjaminbb]

Hey there, I would say overall I am doing better these days. My tinnitus is 100% here to stay and is still loud as hell if I focus on it or find myself in a quiet room, but otherwise I can usually tune it out and would say I'm pretty much habituated to the tinnitus itself, unless it has spiked for whatever reason. I don't usually have any trouble these days sleeping with my ears to the pillow, even though it is crazy loud in that setting. The reactivity has subsided a good bit, aside from certain sounds like supermarket freezers, lawnmowers outside, loud A/C window units, etc.

My loudness hyperacusis has largely calmed down aside from a few setbacks here and there that have leveled out, though I still have very sensitive hearing and startle very easily, and I do experience mild noxacusis/ear pain on and off throughout the day, as well as pain around my ears, on my neck/jaw, and the back of my head. I also still experience dysacusis/distortions, particularly when someone is raising their voice or I'm talking over speakerphone. These symptoms have become less intense over time, though they do flare up for 2-3 days if I overdo listening to moderate noise levels.

Luckily, I am able to listen to music at low volume, watch TV, drive around town, go to the beach, and do most stuff around the house without hearing protection. I still need earplugs when I am outside around traffic, going to the store, driving on the highway, or talking to people with louder voices. Concerts, movie theaters, large crowds, any loud places, etc. as well as headphones of any sort have unfortunately been cut out of my life, which is honestly the most difficult part of dealing with this condition and does throw me in the dumps more often than I'd like it to. I am doing emotionally better overall than I was in the first few months, or the "shock" phase when everything went upside down.

Great news mate!

If it makes you feel better, I kind of need earplugs in all the places you mentioned (although I won't constantly wear them for all of those lower things - so sometimes get peaks/distortions on some sounds like you). For everything else I did wear them for the last 13 years and I honestly just thought it was normal/safe because everything sounded loud to me. Didn't upset me at all once I stopped wearing them for driving etc. I think you'll get there. But perspective is a big player in how you feel about this stuff. Loud sounds always cracked out my left ear and I just thought that's what happens when things are loud. If you think you've fucked up your ears then it mentally hurts a lot more and you live in greater fear as well. Because of your fear you're going to be scared of sounds for a while but hopefully, like me, you forget why you're even wearing plugs in restaurants and bars and that fear subsides. Then those lower level things like someone's voice jumping up a notch or traffic won't bother you as much (but probably still have a slight distortion).

So much of this is mental suffering. But understandable, especially for us musicians.

 

[CRGC]

Great news mate!

If it makes you feel better, I kind of need earplugs in all the places you mentioned (although I won't constantly wear them for all of those lower things - so sometimes get peaks/distortions on some sounds like you). For everything else I did wear them for the last 13 years and I honestly just thought it was normal/safe because everything sounded loud to me. Didn't upset me at all once I stopped wearing them for driving etc. I think you'll get there. But perspective is a big player in how you feel about this stuff. Loud sounds always cracked out my left ear and I just thought that's what happens when things are loud. If you think you've fucked up your ears then it mentally hurts a lot more and you live in greater fear as well. Because of your fear you're going to be scared of sounds for a while but hopefully, like me, you forget why you're even wearing plugs in restaurants and bars and that fear subsides. Then those lower level things like someone's voice jumping up a notch or traffic won't bother you as much (but probably still have a slight distortion).

So much of this is mental suffering. But understandable, especially for us musicians.

Hi Benjaminbb,

From reading your recent posts, I understand that you've been dealing with tinnitus and hyperacusis for many years but managed to produce music and DJ despite all this? Could you tell us your story and how you managed? Also, how are you doing today?

 

[tniuf]

Hey there, I would say overall I am doing better these days. My tinnitus is 100% here to stay and is still loud as hell if I focus on it or find myself in a quiet room, but otherwise I can usually tune it out and would say I'm pretty much habituated to the tinnitus itself, unless it has spiked for whatever reason. I don't usually have any trouble these days sleeping with my ears to the pillow, even though it is crazy loud in that setting. The reactivity has subsided a good bit, aside from certain sounds like supermarket freezers, lawnmowers outside, loud A/C window units, etc.

My loudness hyperacusis has largely calmed down aside from a few setbacks here and there that have leveled out, though I still have very sensitive hearing and startle very easily, and I do experience mild noxacusis/ear pain on and off throughout the day, as well as pain around my ears, on my neck/jaw, and the back of my head. I also still experience dysacusis/distortions, particularly when someone is raising their voice or I'm talking over speakerphone. These symptoms have become less intense over time, though they do flare up for 2-3 days if I overdo listening to moderate noise levels.

Luckily, I am able to listen to music at low volume, watch TV, drive around town, go to the beach, and do most stuff around the house without hearing protection. I still need earplugs when I am outside around traffic, going to the store, driving on the highway, or talking to people with louder voices. Concerts, movie theaters, large crowds, any loud places, etc. as well as headphones of any sort have unfortunately been cut out of my life, which is honestly the most difficult part of dealing with this condition and does throw me in the dumps more often than I'd like it to. I am doing emotionally better overall than I was in the first few months, or the "shock" phase when everything went upside down.

Your recovery was very good, I'm sure you will find other activities to fill the void left from the large crowds and noisy places. Something I was wondering, how would you describe your tinnitus in the first few months? High frequency hiss/tone? Could you hear it over the TV and other ambient sounds?

 

[Marshall]

Your recovery was very good, I'm sure you will find other activities to fill the void left from the large crowds and noisy places. Something I was wondering, how would you describe your tinnitus in the first few months? High frequency hiss/tone? Could you hear it over the TV and other ambient sounds?

When mine started, I could hear it over the shower. After 8 months I have days where I have to search for it, days when I can hear it inside, and days where I hear it everywhere. And then I have demonic days where it's at its worst. But that's less and less over time.

 

[SmallRonnie]

When mine started, I could hear it over the shower. After 8 months I have days where I have to search for it, days when I can hear it inside, and days where I hear it everywhere. And then I have demonic days where it's at its worst. But that's less and less over time.

Mine was getting better just like that until I had a setback and it went back to square one. Very frustrating but at least this time I'm not freaking out so much because I know it'll get better again if I'm just careful around loud noise.

 

[Marshall]

Mine was getting better just like that until I had a setback and it went back to square one. Very frustrating but at least this time I'm not freaking out so much because I know it'll get better again if I'm just careful around loud noise.

I just had a setback that took me back a bit, but it's calmed down a lot. I know if it can get better once, it'll get better again. Just avoiding loud sounds and being smart with my ears.

 

[Benjaminbb]

Hi Benjaminbb,

From reading your recent posts, I understand that you've been dealing with tinnitus and hyperacusis for many years but managed to produce music and DJ despite all this? Could you tell us your story and how you managed? Also, how are you doing today?

Hey, yes, I had it for 18 months in 2007 - so almost 15 years ago. It was a dull ache, even from extended low-level listening. I had the immediate reaction to block out all medium-ly loud sounds for 6 months. I slowly stopped over-protecting and things got better.

I have managed ever since as a full-time DJ and musician, with earplugs. I haven't had any pain for all those years until recently, although not major.

I guess you could say it healed with time and avoiding over-protecting. If you need any more details, hit me up.

 

[CRGC]

Hey, yes, I had it for 18 months in 2007 - so almost 15 years ago. It was a dull ache, even from extended low-level listening. I had the immediate reaction to block out all medium-ly loud sounds for 6 months. I slowly stopped over-protecting and things got better.

I have managed ever since as a full-time DJ and musician, with earplugs. I haven't had any pain for all those years until recently, although not major.

I guess you could say it healed with time and avoiding over-protecting. If you need any more details, hit me up.

Hey Benjamin,

Thanks for the reply. As a music lover and producer with recent onset of tinnitus + hyperacusis, your story is encouraging. I'll ask you a few follow-up questions here.

Do you have measurable hearing loss? And do you have any tricks for managing music production with tinnitus and hyperacusis?

 

[CJCP]

Hey, yes, I had it for 18 months in 2007 - so almost 15 years ago. It was a dull ache, even from extended low-level listening. I had the immediate reaction to block out all medium-ly loud sounds for 6 months. I slowly stopped over-protecting and things got better.

I have managed ever since as a full-time DJ and musician, with earplugs. I haven't had any pain for all those years until recently, although not major.

I guess you could say it healed with time and avoiding over-protecting. If you need any more details, hit me up.

Hey Benjamin,

Been seeing your posts around here and it's inspiring me a lot. Thanks for posting.

 

[Benjaminbb]

Hey Benjamin,

Thanks for the reply. As a music lover and producer with recent onset of tinnitus + hyperacusis, your story is encouraging. I'll ask you a few follow-up questions here.

Do you have measurable hearing loss? And do you have any tricks for managing music production with tinnitus and hyperacusis?

I do have some hearing loss in one ear at 4-8 kHz, about 25 dB, but it is considered mild. That loss was not there in 2008 when I had hyperacusis so I'm not sure that the two are related.

My right ear has had zero testable hearing loss up to 12 kHz, even now, despite being the more painful ear by a mile back in 2008.

The left ear with hearing loss is the one that has a distortion/resonance above 75-80 dB and which I associate with regular "immediate' hyperacusis most people talk about. Everything sounds sharp, immediately loud and starts to clip above that volume.
Earplugs save me with this. I could not go out without them. Earplugs have helped me to sustain a career with good protection and limited headphone use.

I have musician's earplugs with 26 dB reduction, audiologists laugh at how high this is for a musician. So I'm sure you could get away with less but I'm a fan of trying to extend the life of your ears as long as possible.

A lot of my friends don't like earplugs, but they are great and relatively easy to get used to, even the foam ones. So if you don't yet use them, please get used to them, they're great and essential.

Beyond that, time healed hyperacusis for me and I didn't overprotect in day-to-day scenarios. I do believe the ear can become sensitive by doing this, even a regular ear. If you only had an acoustic trauma, time will likely heal you. However, if your ear is highly damaged it probably requires greater measures as many people on here have mentioned.

Tinnitus for me comes and goes in several forms and is relatively quiet, which makes it easier to manage. I've only noticed it more as I've gotten older.

The real difference between being a broken human and someone managing really comes from within and how much anxiety you have about the situation, people can react completely differently to the same scenario. I found: Slowly training your brain to move to other thoughts, sound enrichment, and focusing on your breathing instead of the sound help to stifle the anxiety. Most of all, trying to live a normal life and ultimately doing as much enjoyable things as possible helps resolve the fear and proves that you can have a happy life. At the time I didn't think that would be possible. Tinnitus has helped me get control of my mind and emotions. I suggest using it as an opportunity to build mental resilience and appreciate what you do have.

If you're a musician who worries about this stuff, it might be helpful to know that I don't have many friends with significant tinnitus despite doing music their whole life with little protection. It does appear to be starting to appear around the age of 35 for some though so I guess we'll see where things go from here.

 

[Benjaminbb]

Been seeing your posts around here and it's inspiring me a lot. Thanks for posting.

Thanks! Are you a musician? What is your current scenario?

 

[Authier]

I do have some hearing loss in one ear at 4-8 kHz, about 25 dB, but it is considered mild. That loss was not there in 2008 when I had hyperacusis so I'm not sure that the two are related.

My right ear has had zero testable hearing loss up to 12 kHz, even now, despite being the more painful ear by a mile back in 2008.

The left ear with hearing loss is the one that has a distortion/resonance above 75-80 dB and which I associate with regular "immediate' hyperacusis most people talk about. Everything sounds sharp, immediately loud and starts to clip above that volume.
Earplugs save me with this. I could not go out without them. Earplugs have helped me to sustain a career with good protection and limited headphone use.

I have musician's earplugs with 26 dB reduction, audiologists laugh at how high this is for a musician. So I'm sure you could get away with less but I'm a fan of trying to extend the life of your ears as long as possible.

A lot of my friends don't like earplugs, but they are great and relatively easy to get used to, even the foam ones. So if you don't yet use them, please get used to them, they're great and essential.

Beyond that, time healed hyperacusis for me and I didn't overprotect in day-to-day scenarios. I do believe the ear can become sensitive by doing this, even a regular ear. If you only had an acoustic trauma, time will likely heal you. However, if your ear is highly damaged it probably requires greater measures as many people on here have mentioned.

Tinnitus for me comes and goes in several forms and is relatively quiet, which makes it easier to manage. I've only noticed it more as I've gotten older.

The real difference between being a broken human and someone managing really comes from within and how much anxiety you have about the situation, people can react completely differently to the same scenario. I found: Slowly training your brain to move to other thoughts, sound enrichment, and focusing on your breathing instead of the sound help to stifle the anxiety. Most of all, trying to live a normal life and ultimately doing as much enjoyable things as possible helps resolve the fear and proves that you can have a happy life. At the time I didn't think that would be possible. Tinnitus has helped me get control of my mind and emotions. I suggest using it as an opportunity to build mental resilience and appreciate what you do have.

If you're a musician who worries about this stuff, it might be helpful to know that I don't have many friends with significant tinnitus despite doing music their whole life with little protection. It does appear to be starting to appear around the age of 35 for some though so I guess we'll see where things go from here.

Regarding the distortions, could you go into more about what that was? For me, it's reactive in the sense that when I listen to some music or some sounds I hear a tone that shouldn't be there. Like how people say that when a fan or the AC is on it hovers above it. It's been about 4 months since the incident and I overprotected for about 3.5 months the normal tinnitus is back to normal-ish but after I stopped overprotecting I noticed the reactivity which was about a few weeks ago. It was reacting a bit at the beginning though but not as much at the 0 month mark.

I did have tinnitus from being a musician about 10 years ago or so and abusing headphones but the regular tinnitus never really bothered me thankfully. The reactivity doesn't so much either but my biggest concern is it getting worse. I know it's not likely but still haha.

 

[KP26]

Regarding the distortions, could you go into more about what that was? For me, it's reactive in the sense that when I listen to some music or some sounds I hear a tone that shouldn't be there. Like how people say that when a fan or the AC is on it hovers above it. It's been about 4 months since the incident and I overprotected for about 3.5 months the normal tinnitus is back to normal-ish but after I stopped overprotecting I noticed the reactivity which was about a few weeks ago. It was reacting a bit at the beginning though but not as much at the 0 month mark.

I did have tinnitus from being a musician about 10 years ago or so and abusing headphones but the regular tinnitus never really bothered me thankfully. The reactivity doesn't so much either but my biggest concern is it getting worse. I know it's not likely but still haha.

For those 10 years, was your tinnitus mild? And when your tinnitus reacts to certain noise now, what does it sound like? Do you have any ear fullness or pressure with it?

 

[Benjaminbb]

Regarding the distortions, could you go into more about what that was? For me, it's reactive in the sense that when I listen to some music or some sounds I hear a tone that shouldn't be there. Like how people say that when a fan or the AC is on it hovers above it. It's been about 4 months since the incident and I overprotected for about 3.5 months the normal tinnitus is back to normal-ish but after I stopped overprotecting I noticed the reactivity which was about a few weeks ago. It was reacting a bit at the beginning though but not as much at the 0 month mark.

I did have tinnitus from being a musician about 10 years ago or so and abusing headphones but the regular tinnitus never really bothered me thankfully. The reactivity doesn't so much either but my biggest concern is it getting worse. I know it's not likely but still haha.

Hey dude.

Gist of it was that I guess you could classify it as reactivity as well as a distortion but it only happens above a certain volume 78 dB or so and from a certain frequency. Does your reactivity happen even over lower volumes? I always thought reactivity happened at all volumes while distortion only seems to happen at louder peaks. It ties into my perception of hyperacusis in that ear.

Over loud music it sounds like a distortion and screechy tone. Some loud voices sound like a robotic rattle, kinda like a phone speaker clipping.

I've had it for 15 years and just like you I'm hoping it doesn't start to happen at lower volumes.

Has anyone been able to determine a difference between reactivity or distortion/esonance? Never really looked into it as it was manageable.

 

[Authier]

Hey dude.

Gist of it was that I guess you could classify it as reactivity as well as a distortion but it only happens above a certain volume 78 dB or so and from a certain frequency. Does your reactivity happen even over lower volumes? I always thought reactivity happened at all volumes while distortion only seems to happen at louder peaks. It ties into my perception of hyperacusis in that ear.

Over loud music it sounds like a distortion and screechy tone. Some loud voices sound like a robotic rattle, kinda like a phone speaker clipping.

I've had it for 15 years and just like you I'm hoping it doesn't start to happen at lower volumes.

Has anyone been able to determine a difference between reactivity or distortion/esonance? Never really looked into it as it was manageable.

I guess I just have the reactivity. It happens at low volumes too. It is not super loud though thankfully but it is noticeable for sure.

 

[AnthonyMcDonald]

loud as hell if I focus on it or find myself in a quiet room

Lol

 

[SmallRonnie]

Lol

Why do you go out of your way to laugh at people who are not suffering as much as you are? It's all I see you do around here. In this case, your belittling doesn't even make sense since OP says he is doing good.

 

[AnthonyMcDonald]

Why do you go out of your way to laugh at people who are not suffering as much as you are? It's all I see you do around here. In this case, your belittling doesn't even make sense since OP says he is doing good.

Sorry, I just couldn't help laughing reading "loud as hell" , "quiet room", "if I focus on it" in the same sentence.

Of course he's doing good, and I'm glad that he is.

 

[CRGC]

I do have some hearing loss in one ear at 4-8 kHz, about 25 dB, but it is considered mild. That loss was not there in 2008 when I had hyperacusis so I'm not sure that the two are related.

My right ear has had zero testable hearing loss up to 12 kHz, even now, despite being the more painful ear by a mile back in 2008.

The left ear with hearing loss is the one that has a distortion/resonance above 75-80 dB and which I associate with regular "immediate' hyperacusis most people talk about. Everything sounds sharp, immediately loud and starts to clip above that volume.
Earplugs save me with this. I could not go out without them. Earplugs have helped me to sustain a career with good protection and limited headphone use.

I have musician's earplugs with 26 dB reduction, audiologists laugh at how high this is for a musician. So I'm sure you could get away with less but I'm a fan of trying to extend the life of your ears as long as possible.

A lot of my friends don't like earplugs, but they are great and relatively easy to get used to, even the foam ones. So if you don't yet use them, please get used to them, they're great and essential.

Beyond that, time healed hyperacusis for me and I didn't overprotect in day-to-day scenarios. I do believe the ear can become sensitive by doing this, even a regular ear. If you only had an acoustic trauma, time will likely heal you. However, if your ear is highly damaged it probably requires greater measures as many people on here have mentioned.

Tinnitus for me comes and goes in several forms and is relatively quiet, which makes it easier to manage. I've only noticed it more as I've gotten older.

The real difference between being a broken human and someone managing really comes from within and how much anxiety you have about the situation, people can react completely differently to the same scenario. I found: Slowly training your brain to move to other thoughts, sound enrichment, and focusing on your breathing instead of the sound help to stifle the anxiety. Most of all, trying to live a normal life and ultimately doing as much enjoyable things as possible helps resolve the fear and proves that you can have a happy life. At the time I didn't think that would be possible. Tinnitus has helped me get control of my mind and emotions. I suggest using it as an opportunity to build mental resilience and appreciate what you do have.

If you're a musician who worries about this stuff, it might be helpful to know that I don't have many friends with significant tinnitus despite doing music their whole life with little protection. It does appear to be starting to appear around the age of 35 for some though so I guess we'll see where things go from here.

Thanks for the answer. Just got my custom earplugs. I went for the higher protection filter (25 dB) after reading your post. I agree about your comment on the attitude toward the situation although it's been hard for me to put this thinking into practice so far.

My hearing loss is similar to yours: 25-30 dB measured around 6 kHz. As a music producer I really notice this notch and it's made listening to music and producing way less pleasurable than it used to be. I'm convinced mine came on suddenly, in tandem with my tinnitus and hyperacusis, and it definitely makes every sound in my right ear more grating and just plain worse for lack of a better term. I'm really hoping I'll get used to it with time, especially if my hyperacusis mellows out.

Do you notice your hearing loss when making music?

 

[Benjaminbb]

Do you notice your hearing loss when making music?

Not really. I remember vaguely thinking one of my speakers was missing highs for a while, until I found out. But most of all I don't notice. I can notice if I play a 6 kHz tone in headphones and put it on the lowest possible setting and on one side only, but as soon as I get up to 2/10 on phone volume it sounds equal to me. I think this is due to volume being logarithmic, i.e. it doubles in volume quite quickly, so 25 dB is extremely quiet, 40 dB is very quiet. So for the most part it shouldn't affect you at medium volumes.

I have a friend who does music and was born deaf in one ear, he only hears from one side - so I always use that as a reference point. It's what you get accustomed to. Pain is another level, but missing some frequencies only affects you depending on how much you care or pay attention in my opinion. Won't be great if you're a full time mixer, but to create and write, as long as we're able to hear most of it, it's fine. You can do some panning tests when you're unsure of what is there and isn't.

I think you will get used to it with time. I understand how hard it would be to push through the hyperacusis though. I think I was able to because I was young, and positive and nobody really knew what it was.

Why are you convinced it came on suddenly, have you read much about that happening?

I'm also wondering if mine is a delayed onset from my youth or just the long term whilst using earplugs. Might be good to monitor things that seem to move fast.

Do you have significant tonal tinnitus yet?

Do you have a reason why it could be that one ear?

Also, have you experienced/read much about fluctuating loss? I've seen people on here mention it.

I've had interesting scenarios where one night I can hear crickets outside in both ears equally and then the next only in one - measured them both at the exact same frequency and seemingly volume. Only difference was I had slight fullness the second night and had been working on music quickly for half the day.

If you have a project you're working on, just take it one step a time. Don't dwell on potential issues of your future - just focus on finishing that album/project for now and reassess after.

 

[CRGC]

Not really. I remember vaguely thinking one of my speakers was missing highs for a while, until I found out. But most of all I don't notice. I can notice if I play a 6 kHz tone in headphones and put it on the lowest possible setting and on one side only, but as soon as I get up to 2/10 on phone volume it sounds equal to me. I think this is due to volume being logarithmic, i.e. it doubles in volume quite quickly, so 25 dB is extremely quiet, 40 dB is very quiet. So for the most part it shouldn't affect you at medium volumes.

I have a friend who does music and was born deaf in one ear, he only hears from one side - so I always use that as a reference point. It's what you get accustomed to. Pain is another level, but missing some frequencies only affects you depending on how much you care or pay attention in my opinion. Won't be great if you're a full time mixer, but to create and write, as long as we're able to hear most of it, it's fine. You can do some panning tests when you're unsure of what is there and isn't.

I think you will get used to it with time. I understand how hard it would be to push through the hyperacusis though. I think I was able to because I was young, and positive and nobody really knew what it was.

Why are you convinced it came on suddenly, have you read much about that happening?

I'm also wondering if mine is a delayed onset from my youth or just the long term whilst using earplugs. Might be good to monitor things that seem to move fast.

Do you have significant tonal tinnitus yet?

Do you have a reason why it could be that one ear?

Also, have you experienced/read much about fluctuating loss? I've seen people on here mention it.

I've had interesting scenarios where one night I can hear crickets outside in both ears equally and then the next only in one - measured them both at the exact same frequency and seemingly volume. Only difference was I had slight fullness the second night and had been working on music quickly for half the day.

If you have a project you're working on, just take it one step a time. Don't dwell on potential issues of your future - just focus on finishing that album/project for now and reassess after.

I was asking because I feel I notice my hearing loss in most settings even though it is considered as mild and unilateral. Most sounds sound shrill and slightly distorted in my right ear at just about any volume. So when I try to listen to music it's not just that some frequencies are lost, but more so that those around the damaged frequencies sound wrong. I hope that perception mellows out or that I'll eventually be able to not care about it too much, but so far this has really been putting me off any kind of music activities. Maybe it's more related to hyperacusis than to my hearing loss per se.

I also noticed that I have a harder time understanding speech in that ear. Lying on my left side and watching movies or TV makes it significantly harder for me to follow dialog. This has been very distressing to me as well for some reason.

As far as tonal tinnitus, yes I have it in my right ear. It's not super loud for the time being, but it's present and bothersome. I have not experienced nor read about fluctuating loss. Funny you mention crickets though, because that is one sound I noticed I am clearly able to hear from my left ear and not from my right. The difference is constant and trips me out every time.

I'm convinced the "main" damage to my right ear happened suddenly because all my symptoms appeared one morning. I had had fleeting tinnitus before but nothing like what I'm experiencing now. I don't know why it's that one ear and not the other. One possibility I've pondered is that fragility could have come on as a result of head trauma, as I've had a few concussions in my life. I have no way to know for sure though.

I hope I will be able to enjoy music the way I used to before all these ear problems came up. It has been the hardest loss to mourn by far.