Why Do I Get Spikes with Some Sounds and Not Loud Music?

[Sash]

My tinnitus spiked when mowing the lawn around six weeks ago - I wasn't wearing ear plugs and looks like it's a permanent spike.

I do go out to nightclubs but much less now after getting tinnitus around 9 months back. I don't get any spikes with loud music though I wear ear plugs.

I remember getting spikes when watching a football match, again I forgot to take my earplugs.

I am trying to protect my ears when I can but it's so hard to try curb all sounds and often you get unexpected sounds like sirens.

Are there certain sounds likely to cause spikes - are they temporary or permanent for you?

 

[Michael B]

Some people play their tinnitus sound (tone) via the internet and supposedly get temporary relief as a result. It does just the opposite for me. Sets off my tinnitus big-time. The good thing is that it's always temporary. Best of luck to you.
Mike

 

[JohnAdams]

Some people play their tinnitus sound (tone) via the internet and supposedly get temporary relief as a result. It does just the opposite for me. Sets off my tinnitus big-time. The good thing is that it's always temporary. Best of luck to you.
Mike

Yeah medical science knows jack shit about this.

 

[HollowZer0]

I find anything that sounds like machine violence sets it off for me, with STRESS being a big factor as well:

Mine was initially triggered by noise from a power tool, and probably built up to that from years of wood/metal work as a kid, before the initial trigger.

Loud music does set it off for me as well, but not as much as engine noise, power tool, cutting, etc. Any loud machinery will get me, no matter what. I wear plugs + muffs with my gas mower even though it measures hardly over 90dB. (Not saying it's fine without protection, but only one or the other would be fine in theory, based on the dB reading.)

Wind noise on my bicycle does not, even topping 50km/h down a long steep hill.
Human voices alone does not either, like at social events, but if it gets rowdy and people (especially girls) start screaming at a high pitch it sets it off. Lower-pitched yelling seems not to.



Above all, I find that the level of stress is related to the spikes after noise exposure. Since my T started after power tool use, my guess is that now, machine volume stresses me out the most.
I don't think it's actually any louder than a party when I walk by a construction site, for example.
When people scream at high pitch it stresses me out because it reminds me of my mom screaming at my dad.
Flying down a hill on a bicycle doesn't, my guess being because when I get on the pedals all stresses fade away. Especially because I'm typically coming back from the mountain trails when I'm getting that fast on a bike. Nothing like rough trails and jumping off rocks to get your mind off of life.

Maybe music doesn't spike you because you enjoy it? That is, the music is a source of stress relief for you, even if loud.

 

[Sash]

Maybe music doesn't spike you because you enjoy it? That is, the music is a source of stress relief for you, even if loud.[/QUOTE]

You are probably right and maybe I don't want to admit that loud music could just slowly breakdown the resistance and become vulnerable to other sounds. Yes its really hard to give up music as its always been my solace in tough times. Though I am just being selective and reducing the frequency to say around once a month night out. The danger is my Tinnitus is gradually getting worse not due to music but due to unexpected loud sounds.