Hi @geg1992 -
Because Tinnitus is a neurological condition (unless if it's pulsatile, in which case, there is usually a chemical or vascular cause for it), there unfortunately isn't any clear cut-and-dry answer to your question about "why does it get worse over time?" However, @Alex Senkowski is right in that he points out that stress tends to exacerbate and worsen Tinnitus.
Here are a few common factors to consider, but understand that the etiology of your Tinnitus has to be well-established for you to be able to hone in on what might be making it worse:
I'm not sure if these generalities are really helpful to you, because really Tinnitus is hard to pin-point what exactly has caused it. But I hope these thoughts will help you consider what you might be doing that can follow a worsening of your condition, as the general pathology of this condition is resolution in 3 months for acute sufferers (a minority); or, a gradual improvement over the first 6 months, and eventual total habituation within 12-18 months for the vast majority of chronic sufferers.
- If your Tinnitus was caused by auditory over-exposure, or damage to your hearing through either loud noise or some other impact to your hearing organs, continued over-exposure will make your tinnitus worse with time; protecting your hearing is the best hedge against this because this sort of damage is generally unidirectional (i.e., irreversible).
- If your Tinnitus was caused by ototoxicity, you are more prone to further damage from ototoxic chemicals than someone who has never had an ototoxic reaction. Your mind and auditory system, because it has been damaged, is also more susceptible and sensitive to changes in your chemical intake.
- If your Tinnitus was caused by neurovascular compression, such as a cerebral loop, arterial conflict with a nerve, or something similar, certain foods, medicines, and behaviors - like additional salt intake - which exacerbate the circulatory system and blood pressure, in general, will make your tinnitus worse.
- If your Tinnitus was caused by neuromuscular conflict, such as inflammation in the muscles in your head, neck, jaw, or upper back, then any strain to your endocrine system (including stress, lack of sleep, and poor posture) will make the neuromuscular conflict more pronounced.
- If your Tinnitus was caused by a neurological deficit, such as a brain tumor or a stroke, then it will progressively follow the pathology of the underlying disorder (i.e., it will get worse as the deficit worsens, or improve if the deficit is addressed).
