Thank you so much Dr. Nagler for the help you've given me. I'm hoping I can get your insight on something.
I've had tinnitus for over 15 years from noise exposure (started after a concert in '04). I believe I've experienced habituation at various levels during this time. I've had periods of time where it wasn't a problem and other times where I've struggled (even after 15 years).
About a month ago I was hit with a vertigo episode that was pretty alarming. I ended up in the ER and was given an MRI. Of course I wore foam ear plugs but it was still so loud that I fear my tinnitus has been worsened permanently. Since then I've had some terribly loud days (where I was certain its worse permanently) but also some days where my tinnitus was pretty low (where I felt that I was fine and did not damage my ears worse). On the tough days I wonder if the plugs were enough protection, or if they were not seated in my ears well enough after the MRI operator stuffed the pillows around my head. On the quiet days I reassure myself that all will be ok and to move on and stop sweating it. I did have my hearing checked today (I was due) and have not lost any hearing since my last hearing test in 2018. The same high frequency loss as before, no need for hearing aids.
Dr. Nagler, I'm not sure if you can answer this question or not, but if my hearing was further damaged and my tinnitus was permanently worsened would I have these quiet "good" days? Would it not be more obvious that I've experienced a tinnitus increase? After all these years I feel like I should not be this distressed but this event has really knocked me back. I've been reminding myself that I had good and bad tinnitus days prior to this MRI and I'm stressing myself out needlessly.
Thank you again Dr. Nagler and I wish you a great 2020 sir.
I've had tinnitus for over 15 years from noise exposure (started after a concert in '04). I believe I've experienced habituation at various levels during this time. I've had periods of time where it wasn't a problem and other times where I've struggled (even after 15 years).
About a month ago I was hit with a vertigo episode that was pretty alarming. I ended up in the ER and was given an MRI. Of course I wore foam ear plugs but it was still so loud that I fear my tinnitus has been worsened permanently. Since then I've had some terribly loud days (where I was certain its worse permanently) but also some days where my tinnitus was pretty low (where I felt that I was fine and did not damage my ears worse). On the tough days I wonder if the plugs were enough protection, or if they were not seated in my ears well enough after the MRI operator stuffed the pillows around my head. On the quiet days I reassure myself that all will be ok and to move on and stop sweating it. I did have my hearing checked today (I was due) and have not lost any hearing since my last hearing test in 2018. The same high frequency loss as before, no need for hearing aids.
Dr. Nagler, I'm not sure if you can answer this question or not, but if my hearing was further damaged and my tinnitus was permanently worsened would I have these quiet "good" days? Would it not be more obvious that I've experienced a tinnitus increase? After all these years I feel like I should not be this distressed but this event has really knocked me back. I've been reminding myself that I had good and bad tinnitus days prior to this MRI and I'm stressing myself out needlessly.
Thank you again Dr. Nagler and I wish you a great 2020 sir.
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