Warning for People with Noxacusis: For the Love of God, Protect Your Ears!

[Brian Newman]

I also have Eustachian tube problems.

It's possible that they accentuate the (pain) hyperacusis by aggravating the contraction of the tensor tympani muscle. They are also linked to the jaw muscles and the tensor palate muscle, which, if contracted too much, can affect the Eustachian tubes.

But the opposite effect can also occur. Sound trauma that causes dysfunction of the tensor tympani muscle then affects the Eustachian tube mechanism.

@Brian Newman, have you tried Rimegepant? As it works by blocking CGRP (migraine-pain) receptors, perhaps it might help. By the way, do you also have tinnitus that reacts to movement/contraction of your jaw and neck muscles?

I might eventually try those CGRP drugs people keep telling me about. I can modulate a couple of my tinnitus tones with my jaw but the other 6 ones I can't. It doesn't affect my ear pain though. There's definitely some horrible damaged nerves in my left ear, the thing just doesn't want to heal.

 

[May86]

I might eventually try those CGRP drugs people keep telling me about. I can modulate a couple of my tinnitus tones with my jaw but the other 6 ones I can't. It doesn't affect my ear pain though. There's definitely some horrible damaged nerves in my left ear, the thing just doesn't want to heal.

Have you also tried Lutein supplements? Somewhere I heard someone try those or anything else equivalent to Lutein such as eggs.

The days of fighting to find the right dr for my middle ear infection has finally come to an end. I eventually ended up having an anxiety attack last October from a middle ear infection and then the following week, after about 2-3 weeks searching for a doctor to give me antibiotic ear drops, fell out of work due to my fever breaking, which meant my eardrum ruptured.

I found a place that made me earplugs, but I think they cause more damage than protect my ears. So, I'm trying to find earplugs that protect more than 25 dB. They're a clear silicone. I'm considering Loop ones. I don't think I can continue going to the gym and have taken time off work to find a good earplug, but even if earmuffs would be the best option, I can't necessarily work with earmuffs on at my current job. So, trying to find something better as soon as possible.

I'm sorry you've still not have had your breakthrough with your ear concerns. It's so frustrating when you've tried everything under the sun to heal and protect your ears. And people be like, well, why didn't you try and take care of yourself better. It's like, Dude! I tried. The healthcare system is a joke, at least the hospital in my area is for sure. I don't feel like I would've lost my job if the healthcare workers would've been more vigilant in truly helping me get better. I think I found a healthcare facility with a few other healthcare issues to address, fix and heal. But my ear is just as important and I miss sleep.

I hope one day you truly get the breakthrough you deserve. Thank you for being a part of this community. I'll be rooting for you!

 

[Brian Newman]

Have you also tried Lutein supplements? Somewhere I heard someone try those or anything else equivalent to Lutein such as eggs.

The days of fighting to find the right dr for my middle ear infection has finally come to an end. I eventually ended up having an anxiety attack last October from a middle ear infection and then the following week, after about 2-3 weeks searching for a doctor to give me antibiotic ear drops, fell out of work due to my fever breaking, which meant my eardrum ruptured.

I found a place that made me earplugs, but I think they cause more damage than protect my ears. So, I'm trying to find earplugs that protect more than 25 dB. They're a clear silicone. I'm considering Loop ones. I don't think I can continue going to the gym and have taken time off work to find a good earplug, but even if earmuffs would be the best option, I can't necessarily work with earmuffs on at my current job. So, trying to find something better as soon as possible.

I'm sorry you've still not have had your breakthrough with your ear concerns. It's so frustrating when you've tried everything under the sun to heal and protect your ears. And people be like, well, why didn't you try and take care of yourself better. It's like, Dude! I tried. The healthcare system is a joke, at least the hospital in my area is for sure. I don't feel like I would've lost my job if the healthcare workers would've been more vigilant in truly helping me get better. I think I found a healthcare facility with a few other healthcare issues to address, fix and heal. But my ear is just as important and I miss sleep.

I hope one day you truly get the breakthrough you deserve. Thank you for being a part of this community. I'll be rooting for you!

Thanks. I hope you start feeling better too. This is not fun at all. Try Mack's Ultra Comfort earplugs, the skin colored ones, they protect way more than Loop earplugs. It depends how bad you are but Loop is OK if you're a mild case and just need a slight filter. The Mack's Ultra Comfort earplugs are really good, and when I was wearing them around, nobody knew I was wearing them.

 

[Travis Henry]

Damage is damage to ears. We should be told to always protect, all throughout our lives. Thank you for preaching the truth, @Brian Newman.

 

[RunningMan]

Thanks. I hope you start feeling better too. This is not fun at all. Try Mack's Ultra Comfort earplugs, the skin colored ones, they protect way more than Loop earplugs. It depends how bad you are but Loop is OK if you're a mild case and just need a slight filter. The Mack's Ultra Comfort earplugs are really good, and when I was wearing them around, nobody knew I was wearing them.

I bought some Mack's earplugs a few months ago but didn't see "Ultra Comfort." I got some "Ultra Soft." I think they will be ok, but they are shorter than the Flenst Quiet Time foam earplugs I have been using for quite a while, so I have to be careful not to push them in too far as they are not as easy to get a hold of to remove as the longer Flents earplugs were. They are both rated -33 dB NRR. The Mack's might be better for biking or breezy weather since it's less likely to be sticking out and catching the wind. I used them for that just two days ago.

 

[ZFire]

I bought some Mack's earplugs a few months ago but didn't see "Ultra Comfort." I got some "Ultra Soft." I think they will be ok, but they are shorter than the Flenst Quiet Time foam earplugs I have been using for quite a while, so I have to be careful not to push them in too far as they are not as easy to get a hold of to remove as the longer Flents earplugs were. They are both rated -33 dB NRR. The Mack's might be better for biking or breezy weather since it's less likely to be sticking out and catching the wind. I used them for that just two days ago.

I use Mack's Ultra Slim Fits. 31 dB NRR. I really like them. Unfortunately, when it comes to foam earplugs, I can't tolerate them for more than an hour without experiencing excruciating ear pain. The Slim Fits extend my comfort period before the pain kicks in, though. So that's a plus

If the earplugs are too deeply inserted, I usually use a pair of tweezers to remove them slowly. Pull your earlobe down and gently grab the base of the foam earplug with the tweezers. I like to pinch the tweezers as I insert them inside my ear canal for better control and safer entry. You could try this if you push them in too far next time.

 

[AverageJoe12]

I use Mack's Ultra Slim Fits. 31 dB NRR. I really like them. Unfortunately, when it comes to foam earplugs, I can't tolerate them for more than an hour without experiencing excruciating ear pain. The Slim Fits extend my comfort period before the pain kicks in, though. So that's a plus

If the earplugs are too deeply inserted, I usually use a pair of tweezers to remove them slowly. Pull your earlobe down and gently grab the base of the foam earplug with the tweezers. I like to pinch the tweezers as I insert them inside my ear canal for better control and safer entry. You could try this if you push them in too far next time.

Have you tried Honeywell's Howard Leight Laser Lite® Earplugs? I find them to be good along with Macks.

 

[beefling]

@Brian Newman, I haven't seen you post in a while, so I'm checking in to see how you're doing, my guy. I hope you're still fighting the good fight. Hang tough.

 

[Brian Newman]

@Brian Newman, I haven't seen you post in a while, so I'm checking in to see how you're doing, my guy. I hope you're still fighting the good fight. Hang tough.

Hey, same as usual, hanging in there, I'm still around. I don't go to forums much; I keep distracted by Xbox all day.

 

[tiniturk]

Hey, same as usual, hanging in there, I'm still around. I don't go to forums much; I keep distracted by Xbox all day.

Good to hear, man What have you been playing?

 

[Zigs]

Hey, same as usual, hanging in there, I'm still around. I don't go to forums much; I keep distracted by Xbox all day.

Have you had any improvements at all? Or any learnings you could share? You're one of the most knowledgeable people here about ear pain!