Tinnitus Increasing When Music Played

[rhettyj]

Hi all,

I've had tinnitus for 6 months, suuuuuper mild, I can only hear it when there are plugs in (like before I play the music after the earbuds are inserted) or when I'm going to sleep.

It presented after a battle with a 3 month long blocked ear that cleared one afternoon. Went to the ENT prior to clearing and he had no idea why my ear was blocked, basically gave me allergy meds and wished me luck. After it cleared I visited an audioligist who said that there was a good chance that it would disappear.

Although it hasn't completely disappeared, it has subsided substantially and only seems to present when I'm stressed or have been listening to music. I am looking for advice on how to get it to subside further.

I love music but the problem seems to be that the tinnitus gets substantially worse when I listen to music. Which is bloody irritating! I exclusively listen at moderate volumes.

My question is whether I should go cold turkey and not listen to music for 6 months? Does that work?

 

[Steve]

Hi and welcome.

I have the same problem, I spike from most music.

I believe that a part of the issue is in production methods, where music is produced for mixes / radio / listening on portable devices or earphones, there is a tendency to make sure that a song sounds loud and therefore as good as or better than competition. Perceived loudness is associated with a song having punch or drive. How many songs have you heard in a playlist mix that you think sound flat or dull that you thought were big tunes before?

Main way this is done is by cutting off higher frequencies and boosting the mid ranges (where our hearing us most sensitive). I can listen to certain music, ambient and chill out generally, without too much issue.

I know I haven't given a solution, but maybe you can try different styles of music and see how they affect your tinnitus? You may also fare better with headphones, where there is a better quality of sound across the audio spectrum.

 

[racerfish]

I have the same problem as you and just listen to music at a lower volume than I used to. I still get a mild increase in my T, but it doesn't last long.

 

[rrf]

Reactive tinnitus? For me it's the same, also when I am in a car, maybe the low frequencies? I've tried with notched music cutting my tinnitus frequencies and there is no differences.
I suggest you to try with white noise for a while and see if your tinnitus calm down, for me it works but I still don't know why.

 

[Kelvin]

Hi all,

I've had tinnitus for 6 months, suuuuuper mild, I can only hear it when there are plugs in (like before I play the music after the earbuds are inserted) or when I'm going to sleep.

It presented after a battle with a 3 month long blocked ear that cleared one afternoon. Went to the ENT prior to clearing and he had no idea why my ear was blocked, basically gave me allergy meds and wished me luck. After it cleared I visited an audioligist who said that there was a good chance that it would disappear.

Although it hasn't completely disappeared, it has subsided substantially and only seems to present when I'm stressed or have been listening to music. I am looking for advice on how to get it to subside further.

I love music but the problem seems to be that the tinnitus gets substantially worse when I listen to music. Which is bloody irritating! I exclusively listen at moderate volumes.

My question is whether I should go cold turkey and not listen to music for 6 months? Does that work?

A similar problem here too. Not sure cold turkey is good as i think you need to keep on being exposed to sounds - just the right kind and level not to irritate your T. Personally I wouldn't use headphones or earbuds. Mine also reacts to metallic sounds like cutlery and bizarrely flushing toilets - figure that sh*t out !! No pun intended !

I have worked out its certain high Frequencies it hates and so I listen to music real low volume with lots of Bass input. Sound like a 70's Bob Marley gig in here now. This dosent seem to make my friend T mad.
I live for music.
Figure out what type of sounds it reacts to and try and reduce exposure I guess.
I wish you a world of luck as its a bit of a quest.

 

[LillianLexicon97]

I know this is an old post but I just wanted to chime in anyway . . . I personally find dance/electronic music irritates my ears. I haven't a clue but I like Steve's theory most.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I personally find dance/electronic music irritates my ears

Since your tinnitus was originally caused by loud noise you probably also had hyperacusis? If this is the case and it hasn't improved or never been treated then it's still present and this is the most likely reason you find dance and electronic music irritating to your ears and auditory system. Tinnitus and hyperacusis can be complex. Even if a person habituates to their tinnitus, if the hyperacusis doesn't improve through natural process or with treatment many people find they have problems with certain sounds as you've described including tinnitus spiking. You might find my post in the link below helpful: Hyperacusis, As I see it.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/