Tinnitus Spike After a Combination of MRI / Head Injury / Loud Noise Exposure

[Gateway]

Backstory: I have had tinnitus for around 5 years now. I was more or less habituated with a couple of bumps here and there until a little over 3 weeks ago.

I had a lot of trauma all at once, I suppose. I got an MRI for issues with my shoulder (I wore double hearing protection), I went to this camp for the weekend and I hit my head really hard (almost felt like I had a concussion), I went to my brother's birthday at a baseball game (the game wasn't that loud), and lastly went to a bar after (I wore hearing protection inside).

The next day after that I noticed that my ear felt weird and it has slowly been getting worse, it feels like. I have taken Prednisone after every one of these events pretty much, because I feel like it sometimes helps the tinnitus, but even the Prednisone seems to bother it more. I went to an ENT and audiologist; my hearing is all within normal range.

I just don't know what to do, I was doing good and this spike is just getting me into a suicidal mindset. This new tone is just so intrusive, it's like a pulsating hiss and I can hear it over a lot of stuff. I just really need some prayers and support.

Questions I have:

1. How long do spikes usually last?
2. Could the Prednisone be doing this, because I took some even before the spike started?

 

[dan]

Roughly, chances of a spike being completely resolved after major trauma:

0-3 months: 70%
3-6 months: 25%
12 months: 5%*

*At 12 months there is 50% chance the spike will decrease by 50%.

 

[Jammer]

Spike length is hard to predict and can resolve over time or become part of your new normal.

You've protected yourself as best as anyone can, but I think it might be time to ratchet back your activities for a bit.

I'm currently in a month long spike from a Harley slowly coming by within three feet while rev bombing my wife and I. I also just got blasted by an ambulance while picking up my MIL at the hospital. It really sucks and it's difficult to evade random acoustic trauma.

I hope you recover.

 

[Gateway]

Spike length is hard to predict and can resolve over time or become part of your new normal.

You've protected yourself as best as anyone can, but I think it might be time to ratchet back your activities for a bit.

I'm currently in a month long spike from a Harley slowly coming by within three feet while rev bombing my wife and I. I also just got blasted by an ambulance while picking up my MIL at the hospital. It really sucks and it's difficult to evade random acoustic trauma.

I hope you recover.

Do you think I should take Prednisone or could it be a contributing factor?

 

[Jammer]

Do you think I should take Prednisone or could it be a contributing factor?

I've no experience with Prednisone so I cannot say.

 

[Gateway]

I've no experience with Prednisone so I cannot say.

Is there anything I could try that maybe has worked for you? It's just gotten to the point where it is affecting my sleep and it hasn't done that much before.

Roughly, chances of a spike being completely resolved after major trauma:

0-3 months: 70%
3-6 months: 25%
12 months: 5%*

*At 12 months there is 50% chance the spike will decrease by 50%.

Have you had bad spikes that have come back down?

 

[Jammer]

Is there anything I could try that maybe has worked for you? It's just gotten to the point where it is affecting my sleep and it hasn't done that much before.

Giving yourself time to to habituate again and accepting that your new tinnitus level may be permanent is the only thing that worked for me. It really sucks that there is no recovery "recipe".

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Spike length is hard to predict and can resolve over time or become part of your new normal.

You've protected yourself as best as anyone can, but I think it might be time to ratchet back your activities for a bit.

I'm currently in a month long spike from a Harley slowly coming by within three feet while rev bombing my wife and I. I also just got blasted by an ambulance while picking up my MIL at the hospital. It really sucks and it's difficult to evade random acoustic trauma.

I hope you recover.

Agh, I live in London. I bloody hate the sirens and motorbikes. The bane of my existence.

Do sirens need to be that loud? Not sure.

@Gateway, stay strong. Probability suggests you will recover. Have a hot bath and relax, that usually helps me.

Wishing you all well,
Sam