Tinnitus Spike After 12,000 Hz Noise Exposure Through Foam Earplugs

[El BUZZ]

I have had noise-induced tinnitus for almost 10 years now, with many spikes over the years—some lasting for weeks at a time. My tinnitus is severe and can be heard anywhere, although my mind has somehow learned to ignore it for long periods. The last four months have been really smooth, and I've navigated them easily.

A week ago, a loud tone started around my home. My wife noticed it immediately and found it very bothersome. I could only hear it in certain areas of the house, and even then, as a faint tone. I'd estimate it was around 12,000 Hz, as that's where my hearing cuts off. I wore earplugs and went to sleep. My wife had a night shift, so she wasn't home that night.

Since then, I've been experiencing a major spike, though it has fluctuated with some good days. Could this have worsened my tinnitus? I couldn't hear the tone at all with earplugs in and barely heard it without them. Could the sound have pierced through the earplugs and caused further damage?

 

[frischky]

More than likely, your brain started focusing on the tinnitus because the earplugs blocked ambient noise.

If you're still hearing that pesky tone in your house, try downloading a real-time sound spectrogram app on your phone. Your wife can use it to search around and see if she can locate the 12 kHz culprit.

 

[El BUZZ]

More than likely, your brain started focusing on the tinnitus because the earplugs blocked ambient noise.

If you're still hearing that pesky tone in your house, try downloading a real-time sound spectrogram app on your phone. Your wife can use it to search around and see if she can locate the 12 kHz culprit.

The thing is, I have always slept with earplugs because I live in an area where the morning noise starts early and loudly. Despite my tinnitus being loud, I have never had trouble falling asleep while wearing earplugs.

There are occasional nights when I do not wear them, but my tinnitus always fluctuates—from barely noticeable to a deafening, shrill sound. After ten years, I can say that sleep plays a major role in how it behaves.

Could I be more conscious of my tinnitus during the day simply because I slept with earplugs the night before?