MemberWhat Causes a Tinnitus Spike and Can It Be Cured?
Spikes are a regular topic of discussion in tinnitus groups. Some people regard them as a minor inconvenience due to the fact they have learnt to accept it over time. Others not so fortunate find the sudden increase in tinnitus much more than a mere nuisance, especially when it lingers on for days or even weeks in some cases, that can render a person unable to carry on with their daily affairs in the way they would like. The longer this continues the more frustrating and problematic it can become. Two questions often asked about this peculiar anomaly: what causes a spike and more importantly can it be cured?
There is no definitive answer I can give to these questions but I have opinions on what I believe causes a spike and possible treatments that a person might find helpful, in making their life easier and possibly stop them from occurring. Tinnitus is a complex condition that comes in many forms and intensities that no two people experience it the same. Because of this my focus will primarily be on spikes that affect people with noise induced tinnitus with or without hyperacusis, as this is one of the most common causes of condition. Most of the posts that I have read concerning spikes and the people that I have corresponded with have this type of tinnitus.
This is not to say people with tinnitus that wasn't noise induced aren't affected by spikes and don't find them distressing, on the contrary they do. However, I have noticed the spike is usually associated with other things and not usually caused by sound. For instance the consumption of certain foods or beverages, even changes in atmospheric pressure can affect the way their tinnitus behaves. Again this is not a generalization for we are all different but more often than not the increase in tinnitus for these people, will after a while subside and return to baseline level and won't last for days or weeks at a time or increasingly get worse because of oversensitivity to sound.
Stress is an integral part of our lives and we are unable to separate ourselves from it. Neither directly or indirectly for the simple reason few of us live completely isolated, our lives are interwoven by associating with other people at least to some degree. Therefore, whatever affects their life intern will affect ours. Whether this is a partner, relative or friend. Stress needs to be managed otherwise it can make the perception of tinnitus worse or cause spikes. Stress makes tinnitus worse and tinnitus makes stress worse. It can become a vicious cycle which I have covered in other posts available on my started threads.
When a person develops tinnitus caused by noise trauma, it's not unusual to experience some oversensitivity to sound, or in more severe cases hyperacusis which can be painful. Some people habituate to the tinnitus naturally over time and find their oversensitivity to sound reduces to more acceptable levels or goes away completely, without the need to see an audiologist specialising in tinnitus and oversensitivity to sound. Whilst a person is able to habituate to this type of tinnitus, if oversensitivity to sound is left untreated then spikes can become a long term problem. Not only having to endure the sudden increase in tinnitus from its baseline but the psychological effects it can have on a person's mental and emotional well-being. Over time this yo-yo effect can wear a person down considerably.
Some people take to wearing hearing protection thinking it's best to avoid sounds that will spike the tinnitus. This may provide relief in some instances but it's not an ideal long term solution and in the process, one risks lowering the loudness threshold of the auditory system, which will make it more sensitive to sound. I am aware there are conditions such as noxacusis, where a person has very acute oversensitivity to sound. If you have been diagnosed with this or hyperacusis then try and get some professional help with an audiologist that specialises in this field. One can also try self help which I have covered in my thread: Hyperacusis, As I See It.
My ENT doctor and Hearing Therapist diagnosed me with severe hyperacusis. It was so bad when in conversation with anyone, I politely asked them to lower their voice as my ears were in pain. The hyperacusis was completely cured in two years wearing white noise generators as part of TRT and having regular counselling. It has remained this way and I haven't had a spike in over twenty years.
Michael
Spikes are a regular topic of discussion in tinnitus groups. Some people regard them as a minor inconvenience due to the fact they have learnt to accept it over time. Others not so fortunate find the sudden increase in tinnitus much more than a mere nuisance, especially when it lingers on for days or even weeks in some cases, that can render a person unable to carry on with their daily affairs in the way they would like. The longer this continues the more frustrating and problematic it can become. Two questions often asked about this peculiar anomaly: what causes a spike and more importantly can it be cured?
There is no definitive answer I can give to these questions but I have opinions on what I believe causes a spike and possible treatments that a person might find helpful, in making their life easier and possibly stop them from occurring. Tinnitus is a complex condition that comes in many forms and intensities that no two people experience it the same. Because of this my focus will primarily be on spikes that affect people with noise induced tinnitus with or without hyperacusis, as this is one of the most common causes of condition. Most of the posts that I have read concerning spikes and the people that I have corresponded with have this type of tinnitus.
This is not to say people with tinnitus that wasn't noise induced aren't affected by spikes and don't find them distressing, on the contrary they do. However, I have noticed the spike is usually associated with other things and not usually caused by sound. For instance the consumption of certain foods or beverages, even changes in atmospheric pressure can affect the way their tinnitus behaves. Again this is not a generalization for we are all different but more often than not the increase in tinnitus for these people, will after a while subside and return to baseline level and won't last for days or weeks at a time or increasingly get worse because of oversensitivity to sound.
Stress is an integral part of our lives and we are unable to separate ourselves from it. Neither directly or indirectly for the simple reason few of us live completely isolated, our lives are interwoven by associating with other people at least to some degree. Therefore, whatever affects their life intern will affect ours. Whether this is a partner, relative or friend. Stress needs to be managed otherwise it can make the perception of tinnitus worse or cause spikes. Stress makes tinnitus worse and tinnitus makes stress worse. It can become a vicious cycle which I have covered in other posts available on my started threads.
When a person develops tinnitus caused by noise trauma, it's not unusual to experience some oversensitivity to sound, or in more severe cases hyperacusis which can be painful. Some people habituate to the tinnitus naturally over time and find their oversensitivity to sound reduces to more acceptable levels or goes away completely, without the need to see an audiologist specialising in tinnitus and oversensitivity to sound. Whilst a person is able to habituate to this type of tinnitus, if oversensitivity to sound is left untreated then spikes can become a long term problem. Not only having to endure the sudden increase in tinnitus from its baseline but the psychological effects it can have on a person's mental and emotional well-being. Over time this yo-yo effect can wear a person down considerably.
Some people take to wearing hearing protection thinking it's best to avoid sounds that will spike the tinnitus. This may provide relief in some instances but it's not an ideal long term solution and in the process, one risks lowering the loudness threshold of the auditory system, which will make it more sensitive to sound. I am aware there are conditions such as noxacusis, where a person has very acute oversensitivity to sound. If you have been diagnosed with this or hyperacusis then try and get some professional help with an audiologist that specialises in this field. One can also try self help which I have covered in my thread: Hyperacusis, As I See It.
My ENT doctor and Hearing Therapist diagnosed me with severe hyperacusis. It was so bad when in conversation with anyone, I politely asked them to lower their voice as my ears were in pain. The hyperacusis was completely cured in two years wearing white noise generators as part of TRT and having regular counselling. It has remained this way and I haven't had a spike in over twenty years.
Michael
