What Is Going On? Do I Have Reactive Tinnitus or Hyperacusis? Needing Advice and Support...

[Michael Leigh]

Yeah, I will stop using them for now. I guess it was because I found that headphones didn't really cause any issues.

@Hariz Nonis

I am going to give you some advice. You can follow it or ignore it. Count yourself fortunate that your tinnitus has reduced to a level where you are able to carry on with your life doing everything that you want to. With the utmost respect, wanting to use headphones is a very silly idea because it is not a matter of if, but when your tinnitus will return with a vengeance. I believe the symptoms that you are experiencing are warnings that your ears and auditory system do not like music played through headphones.

Can the auditory system suddenly get oversensitive, though? Or must there be something that causes it to happen?

It is my firm belief the oversensitivity to sound that you are experiencing is caused by headphone use. If you stop using headphones now and never use them again then I think you will be alright. Continue using them or return to using at a later date you may not be so fortunate and get a warning, as your tinnitus may suddenly spike and remain at a high level.

All the best
Michael

 

[Hariz Nonis]

@Hariz Nonis

I am going to give you some advice. You can follow it or ignore it. Count yourself fortunate that your tinnitus has reduced to a level where you are able to carry on with your life doing everything that you want to. With the utmost respect, wanting to use headphones is a very silly idea because it is not a matter of if, but when your tinnitus will return with a vengeance. I believe the symptoms that you are experiencing are warnings that your ears and auditory system do not like music played through headphones.



It is my firm belief the oversensitivity to sound that you are experiencing is caused by headphone use. If you stop using headphones now and never use them again then I think you will be alright. Continue using them or return to using at a later date you may not be so fortunate and get a warning, as your tinnitus may suddenly spike and remain at a high level.

All the best
Michael

I understand. I guess it is time to stop using then for good. You actually gave the same advice to me a couple of years ago. I guess it's time to really listen. Hopefully, this will go away soon. The fact that it isn't always there is something that can only be positive, right?

On a side note, I'm having an internship, and my desk location in the office is surrounded by machines that make constant noise. I only started last Monday, so I don't think it's causing any issues, at least not right now. Is it still safe to wear the earphones but not use them, on order to reduce the volumes of the noises made by the machines?

 

[Michael Leigh]

The fact that it isn't always there is something that can only be positive, right?

Yes it is providing you stop using headphones now and never use them again.

Is it still safe to wear the earphones but not use them, on order to reduce the volumes of the noises made by the machines?

My advice is not to wear the headphones even without playing music as you will be tempted to play music at some point. Throw the headphones away in the rubbish/garbage. Use a sound machine or alternative music source on your desk to help distract you from the noise of the machines around you.

 

[Hariz Nonis]

Throw the headphones away in the rubbish/garbage.

Well that escalated quickly. Okay, I'll have to look at alternatives then. Thank you so much for your advices!

 

[Michael Leigh]

Well that escalated quickly. Okay, I'll have to look at alternatives then. Thank you so much for your advices!

You are welcome.