Tinnitus, Hyperacusis & Vertigo After Acoustic Shock

[GregB56]

Hi All, newly joined the forum today. Thanks for having me.

I experienced an acoustic trauma episode back in December last year and I'm now suffering with (read: going out of my mind with!) tinnitus, vertigo, ear fullness sensation and hyperacusis. I also get some ear pain but relatively mild.

To be honest, although still pretty devastating, the tinnitus is probably the most bearable of the symptoms. The most debilitating conditions right now are the constant dizziness (somebody on here described it perfectly as feeling like you've just stepped off a boat) and hyperacusis. Worringly, both of those seem to be worse now then at any time since the event and showing no sign of lessening, quite the contrary in fact.

It's probably the holy grail of all questions I know, but is this something that's likely to improve over time?

Would massively appreciate any help or advise or shared experienced from anyone. I'm kinda struggling to come to terms with things right now :-(

Thanks all, Greg

 

[Contrast]

I'm going to red pill you right now, your ultimate hope is literally just wait until there is a way to treat hearing damage in the near future. 5-10 years tops depending on how much integrity the community has. I'm aiming for 5 yeah model.


Some companies are already in the clinic figuring out how to regenerate cochlear hair cells this will help hearing loss and possibly tinnitus and pain from noise.

 

[glynis]

@GregB56,
Welcome to Tinnitus Talk.
Ask your doctor about putting you on Betahistine or Prochlorperazine or Cinnarizine 15mg and that should stop the dizziness.

love glynis

 

[GregB56]

Thanks Glynis..... I tried Betahistine already which didn't have any effect. I'm managed to get some of the Prochloroperazine and Cinnarizine prescribed. Hoping one of those manages to control the dizziness a bit a least x

 

[Jason C]

Hi Greg, what was the cause of the acoustic trauma?

I had very similar symptoms to you after acoustic trauma from a powerful external alarm sounder.

 

[GregB56]

Hi Jason, my acoustic trauma came from me being stupid back in December!.... I was scrapping off a load of old alloy wheels; chucking these things into an empty skip. Wasn't wearing any ear protection. Doesn't sound like much I know but these things reverberate like bells when they bang together! Was only exposed for about 15 mins but that was seemingly enough to do damage. It was the frequency of the sound as well as the volume that I think is the main factor in my case.

The tinnitus (very high pitched whistling for me), ear fullness and acousis started pretty much immediately. The dizziness came later but is worse now then ever. That and the acousis are the symptoms which get me down most. Strangely, after having tests with a specialist audiologist, it seems that there's no degradation in my hearing. Everything in that department is apparently 'working' OK although somehow it feels anything but.

I saw your other post on here about having similar symptoms which prompted me to sign up. Did your symptoms improve over time at all?

 

[dpdx]

Hi Greg, what was the cause of the acoustic trauma?

I had very similar symptoms to you after acoustic trauma from a powerful external alarm sounder.

How much hearing loss do you have? I have 15db on 3khz and 6khz.

 

[Jason C]

Hi Jason, my acoustic trauma came from me being stupid back in December!.... I was scrapping off a load of old alloy wheels; chucking these things into an empty skip. Wasn't wearing any ear protection. Doesn't sound like much I know but these things reverberate like bells when they bang together! Was only exposed for about 15 mins but that was seemingly enough to do damage. It was the frequency of the sound as well as the volume that I think is the main factor in my case.

The tinnitus (very high pitched whistling for me), ear fullness and acousis started pretty much immediately. The dizziness came later but is worse now then ever. That and the acousis are the symptoms which get me down most. Strangely, after having tests with a specialist audiologist, it seems that there's no degradation in my hearing. Everything in that department is apparently 'working' OK although somehow it feels anything but.

I saw your other post on here about having similar symptoms which prompted me to sign up. Did your symptoms improve over time at all?

Hiya

Yes my symptoms went away but it did take a long time, well over a year and it was really hard going.
It does seem odd that your activity was loud enough to cause your problems though, I was right in front of a very powerful external sounder rated at 125db within a 6ft range for about 10mins and it was so loud and constant I couldn't hear how loud it was but I could feel it!
Do you work in a loud environment?
My mechanic has tinnitus and didn't realise it was his work that caused it, air tools, grinders, sanders, hammers, metal saws etc all took their toll. Now he uses ear plugs.

 

[Jason C]

How much hearing loss do you have? I have 15db on 3khz and 6khz.

Thankfully now I don't have any hearing loss when tested up until 8k
I did have a dip at 4K (-5db from 10-15db) when tested 3 months after my acoustic trauma but the dip is no longer present.

 

[dpdx]

Thankfully now I don't have any hearing loss when tested up until 8k
I did have a dip at 4K (-5db from 10-15db) when tested 3 months after my acoustic trauma but the dip is no longer present.

for me its the opposite....

 

[GregB56]

Hi Jason, I know, I still sometimes can get my head around how something seemingly so innocuous has managed to cause damage. Although the volume was undoubtedly still very loud, I think it was more the frequency of the noise and the fact it was being repeated again and again (about 20-30 times I think) that was the biggest issue. I don't work in a noisy environment but I do also wonder if I may have already been sensitive to noise.
I'm really happy for you that you're recovered now. I know it would have been a really tough time. I'm on the same journey but hopeful at least from your story that things will also improve for me. Thanks for giving me some hope!

 

[GregB56]

Forgot to ask btw.... Did you take any medication or supplements etc or do anything (other than protecting your ears from further damage) which aided your recovery?

 

[Jason C]

Forgot to ask btw.... Did you take any medication or supplements etc or do anything (other than protecting your ears from further damage) which aided your recovery?

No I didn't do anything apart from give it a lot of time.
It didn't help that hearing "specialists" and doctors all told me it wouldn't go away and to just deal with it.
Hang in there, look after yourself and things should improve. Just give it plenty of time.

 

[GregB56]

Thanks Jason... Your story has certainly given me some hope even though, yes, I think it could be a long hard journey. All the best

 

[billie48]

Would massively appreciate any help or advise or shared experienced from anyone.

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you have to suffer from all these symptoms. I have had all 3 of them too. I first got hit by ultra high pitched T, then severe hypseracusis soon followed. I was in a mess and thought I would never be able to live a good life again. But today I am just doing that. I share my success story which you can read to see if some of the strategies will help you. For vertigo, mine was of the BPPV type. It came suddenly long after my T. So I am not sure if yours is of the same type. If yours is also of the same type, then try out a special postural maneuver called 'half sommersault' technique invented by a lady MD. It miraculously got rid of my vertigo in one day and it never came back. Below I list the link to my success story and the link to this special maneuver. Good luck. God bless.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...w-i-recovered-from-tinnitus-hyperacusis.3148/

 

[GregB56]

Thanks Billie... I read your success story with hope and heart. No doubt being positive must surely be the answer to so many of the symptoms many people on here are living with. It's hard, for sure..... I still struggle most days. But every now and then I do sometimes find just a glimmer of positivity from somewhere to keep the hope alive. Thanks for helping with that