Wondering... Hyperacusis and TTTS Relationship

[ozgeA]

Hi everyone..

I am just new around here and I honestly say I am not as fluent speaker as you guys.. so lately I am thinking that I have this TTTS syndrome (not confirmed by any specialist yet).

Just because I have some symptoms like fluttering sensation (when I hear loud voice, because of the fear of any damaging to my ears) or whatever does it mean that I have hyperacusis in some way?

Is there any relationship between these two? OR does it have to be a relationship???

Thanx a lot...
Wish all the best..

 

[MajaC]

Welcome here!
What is at TTTS? I've searched and find something about a twim syndrom.

 

[ozgeA]

Welcome here!
What is at TTTS? I've searched and find something about a twim syndrom.

tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS)

 

[MajaC]

Oh ok! Hyperacusis! I have that sometimes (ironicly, I also have hearing loss ahah). If you wanna talk, don't hesitate to come in private!

 

[sjtinguy]

Yes I believe there is a relationship.. TTTS is caused by the muscles in your ear becoming overworked, because your brain thinks everything is too loud. The pain/odd sensations from the TTTS makes you think that the sound you heard is causing damage, further reinforcing in your mind that the sound was too loud! But just feeling TTTS does not mean any damage has occurred, at least that is what I have read. Learning this really helped me out and reduced both the TTTS and hyperacusis. Here is an article that really helped me http://www.hyperacusis.net/other-factors/tensor-tympani-syndrome/

 

[ozgeA]

@sjtinguy @MajaC

The point is i actually dont think all sounds are too loud. This stiuation that i am going through is funny cause i cant describe it even to myself. My LDL(loudness discomfort level) decibel are between 90-100. I become strongly think that i develop PHONOPHOBIA . the fear of having H. or something. :/

Thanks a lot for your replying.
Wish all the best .

 

[sjtinguy]

if your LDLs are in the normal range then you probably don't have hyperacusis.. when mine were checked a few months ago they were like 70db

 

[ozgeA]

@sjtinguy
There is always hope out rhere my friend... ı have read this page over and over again..

http://www.hyperacusis.net/what-to-do/success-stories/

 

[Wenno]

I was diagnosed with TTTS a few weeks ago. This followed Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss some months back. Re TTTS and my internet searches of this term, I find it very hard to believe in my case. Yes I have Hyperacusis, Diplacusis and low-impact Tinnitus ( all in one ear). But I don't spend my days 'readying myself' for unexpected loud sounds, nor do I have any pain as such. What I have is no fun, and I wish to hell I were not stuck with this, but the implication that my 'reaction to loud sounds' has caused me to be on the 'emotional look out' seems to be a somewhat subjective observation. Sure, in restaurants I carry earplugs in case- because the physical discomfort CAN be unbearable, same in live theatre or cinema, but I'm somewhat sceptical about HOW TTTS is diagnosed.

 

[Taylorslay]

Yes they do. Hyperacusis is believed to be in the brain or the auditory nerve. Or both! (Depends on who you ask and if its loudness or pain Hyperacusis.).

TTTS is related to the facial nerve. The muscle in the middle ear are connected to the facial nerve. A quick Google search will tell you that. But I've also found that in my case, if I brush my something lightly against my cheek that my eardrum contracts. Further telling me it as to do something with the facial nerve.

You don't need a specialist to tell you anything. They are generally useless when it comes Hyperacusis and Tinnitus. It's safe to assume if you have Hyperacusis and symptoms of TTTS then you have TTTS. I remember doing some small research on TTTS when my Hyperacusis was still bad. From what I can recall, hyperacusis and some other condition are the only ailments that trigger TTTS.

Some speculate, since many of hyperacusis cases are induced related thaat TTTS is related to the muscles in the middle ear constantly contracting over and over. But this is a very debatable speculation. I can think of 3-4 arguments for this right now.

I want you to know that TTTS is believed to be relatively harmless.

 

[Coffeebean]

TTTS is related to the facial nerve. The muscle in the middle ear are connected to the facial nerve. A quick Google search will tell you that. But I've also found that in my case, if I brush my something lightly against my cheek that my eardrum contracts. Further telling me it as to do something with the facial nerve.

I have the exact same thing! On the basis on what I have been able to research, the TTTS symptoms (which are indeed believed to be a psychosomatic, subconscious, harmless, but annoying 'defense' response of the ear in anticipation of loud noises) can irritate the facial nerve due to the close proximity of this nerve to the muscles/nerves that are involved with TTTS. I hypothesize that in their sensitized state, stimulating the facial nerve by touch can also sent a signal back to the nerves/muscles in the ear, causing more rumbling in your ear. I had not come across anyone though who experienced this as well, until I read your message.

I can imagine its a sort of feedback loop, whereby the T, H, and related anxiety caused the muscles in the ear to contract more easily, in turn irritating the nearby nerves such as the facial nerves and the jaw. In turn, the tension in the jaw and the face can keep the muscles in the ear in their hyperactive state. I've often heard of TTTS disappearing only after H has been treated and the related anxieties been brought under control.

 

[Taylorslay]

I have the exact same thing! On the basis on what I have been able to research, the TTTS symptoms (which are indeed believed to be a psychosomatic, subconscious, harmless, but annoying 'defense' response of the ear in anticipation of loud noises) can irritate the facial nerve due to the close proximity of this nerve to the muscles/nerves that are involved with TTTS. I hypothesize that in their sensitized state, stimulating the facial nerve by touch can also sent a signal back to the nerves/muscles in the ear, causing more rumbling in your ear. I had not come across anyone though who experienced this as well, until I read your message.

I can imagine its a sort of feedback loop, whereby the T, H, and related anxiety caused the muscles in the ear to contract more easily, in turn irritating the nearby nerves such as the facial nerves and the jaw. In turn, the tension in the jaw and the face can keep the muscles in the ear in their hyperactive state. I've often heard of TTTS disappearing only after H has been treated and the related anxieties been brought under control.

For me my TTTS got better as my H did. And I thought everyone with TTTS felt the muscles in their ears moving when brushing their face. I guess not? Haha the more you know!

 

[Contrast]

I am wondering the same thing if tinnitus, hyperacusis and ttts share a direct relation but we won't know until more research comes in. Personally I'm pretty sure they do

 

[TLion]

My Hyperacusis is 90% gone but the TTTS symptoms are not. The problem is that I feel a kind of move in my ear even when it is very quiet. It feels like a switch. After this switch the ear is a little more "cramped". I'm already taking magnesium, zinc and Ginko. I really don't know where this comes from. Is it the neck? I also have TMJ. What can I do? My ear is not reacting to loud noises.

 

[TLion]

If I have a day of twitching it happens 3-4 times during the day. On other days not once.

 

[Contrast]

Oh ok! Hyperacusis! I have that sometimes (ironicly, I also have hearing loss ahah). If you wanna talk, don't hesitate to come in private!

that's not ironic at all, do you have pain hyperacusis or do you notice noises sound too loud, or both?

The problem is there is no one and only "hyperacusis" it's a vague word for 2 or 3 separate issues.

 

[Juan]

I was diagnosed with TTTS a few weeks ago. This followed Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss some months back. Re TTTS and my internet searches of this term, I find it very hard to believe in my case. Yes I have Hyperacusis, Diplacusis and low-impact Tinnitus ( all in one ear). But I don't spend my days 'readying myself' for unexpected loud sounds, nor do I have any pain as such. What I have is no fun, and I wish to hell I were not stuck with this, but the implication that my 'reaction to loud sounds' has caused me to be on the 'emotional look out' seems to be a somewhat subjective observation. Sure, in restaurants I carry earplugs in case- because the physical discomfort CAN be unbearable, same in live theatre or cinema, but I'm somewhat sceptical about HOW TTTS is diagnosed.

What caused the sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

 

[Geekysugar]

For me my TTTS got better as my H did. And I thought everyone with TTTS felt the muscles in their ears moving when brushing their face. I guess not? Haha the more you know!

Did this ever improve for you? I also have this and it drives me crazy! I havent found much info on it, though. I plan to ask a maxilofacial surgeon I know about it. He treats innervation of the face so hopefully he gives me some answers.

 

[Taylorslay]

Did this ever improve for you? I also have this and it drives me crazy! I havent found much info on it, though. I plan to ask a maxilofacial surgeon I know about it. He treats innervation of the face so hopefully he gives me some answers.

Yeah it rarely happens now.

 

[Melike]

Yeah it rarely happens now.

Hi @Taylorslay . I've read somewhere that you get ear spasms sometimes when you touch certain places of your face area. Did it improve for you? And do you have typewriter tinnitus (morse code) ?

 

[Taylorslay]

Hi @Taylorslay . I've read somewhere that you get ear spasms sometimes when you touch certain places of your face area. Did it improve for you? And do you have typewriter tinnitus (morse code) ?

Yeah it improved. My ttts all together doesn't happen much now. And no I got ringing and a little bit of what I assume is hissing.

 

[Juan]

Yeah it improved. My ttts all together doesn't happen much now. And no I got ringing and a little bit of what I assume is hissing.

Do you have hyperacusis too?

 

[Taylorslay]

Thing is ttts is not as annoying and hurtful as tinnitus. Try not to focus on ttts so much because it's harmless

 

[tjajmich90]

Yeah it rarely happens now.

hi Taylor, how long did it take for your H and TTTS. Been about 34 days for me with no improvement. My ear will thump to people talking nearby, myself speaking, when I touch the side of my head, doors closing etc. any feedback is appreciated