Brittany95

I just had fleeting T where it ramps up high pitched then fades away in my right ear for the first time (the other 3 times was in my left). Each time this has happened, it's seemingly gotten quieter so hopefully that's a sign of healing? Like the absolute weirdest sign of healing but healing nonetheless lol

@Brittany95 That all sounds amazing. I'm glad to know your doing well! Things will only get better from here and rest assured, you are healing! I'm still doing great. I barely have T anymore.

Thank you, I hope it's a good sign too! And that's awesome it's barely there for you now! It should just keep on fading into nothing I'm sure :)

So I ended up wearing an earplug in just my right ear (the worse one) at the beginning, but the high pitch to the drill was absolutely HORRIBLE. I took it out after less than 10 minutes and the noise was better. It was still pretty loud, but I'm sitting in my silent house right now and it isn't any louder than normal. No spike!

I had brace bracket glue filed off my teeth last year. The sound was indescribably loud and high pitched. I though I’d be screwed, but actually, it didn’t do anything to my T. So hopefully, you’ll be the same :)

That's great to hear!! And yes, today is back to relatively quiet (especially after sleeping better last night too, woo!) with no spike still. This gives me hope if (and when) I need dental work in the future.

The fluctuations are so frustrating.

They really are! It just makes my anxiety spike because I think I'm doing something wrong, or my ear infections are coming back.

Ohhh I did not know that, thank you! I usually only take those with caffeine when I have a migraine but will do when it's just regular other pain lol

Oh it might just be with headache, I'm sorry. My main reason for taking pain medication is usually headaches so it's just automatic for me.

Just saw this now and no worries! I was taking it for back pain. 25 but I feel like I'm 85 lol

@Keith Handy thank you, I agree! I hope you find relief soon :) @kuromi thank you!! How is your ear doing??

@Brittany95 Pleased to report I've been at 0.5/10 tinnitus for awhile now. More or less back to normal entirely.

That is wonderful to hear! It should be gone completely in no time :) I would say these last two days have been 1-2/10. It's still weird how when I turn my head, my left ear changes pitch! But hey I'll take this over how it's been!!

I've had experiences where after a night of poor sleep it feels more prominent in the morning and levels out throughout the day. But recently it's been consistent!

Ahhh thats good to hear! Im thinking that yeah being tired just makes it seem worse than it is. I’m hoping tonight is better so fingers crossed!

Hi Bill, that's reassuring to hear <3 I'm just not doing great mentally right now (I feel like I'm at the same point anxiety-wise as I was in December), but I have to remind myself this just takes time. My "clock" pretty much reset back in March when I was diagnosed with 2 more infections, so I'm almost back at square one.

Once you notice any fading, it will be reasonable to expect it to continue to fade.

Thank you! I needed to hear that after the bad day yesterday. Today is already quieter, so here's hoping it stays quiet :)

Not hyperacusis. Your tinnitus just has a reactive element! :) That just means it reacts to external noises (like you've noticed with the sound increasing.) I think like most things when T is concerned, it abates with time. Hang in there.

Might be reactive tinnitus. Not sure what is the relation with hyperacusis

Thanks guys! I only threw out hyperacusis cuz I remember seeing a post where reactive tinnitus is technically considered hyperacusis, even if there is no pain. But I would definitely call it reactive!

Lying down is also worse for me! Woke up at 5:10 today and couldn't fall back asleep it was so loud -_- I hope you're improving! Did you decide on antibiotics? Have they helped?

I was on Amoxicillin but I am thinking my T might be because of NVC-C. Going to ask for a new rx tomorrow. Take care!

Thank you, and I hope you find out the true cause of yours, whether it is an ear infection or NVC-C! Hang in there!

I'm glad for your quiet. must be an amazing, surreal feeling. I'm almost envious. Enjoy it, I hope it lasts.

It is surreal that I'm this excited over something that was normal for me just 4 months ago and I'm beyond thankful it's gone down this much. I hope you are able to get some relief soon <3

Things are going to work out Brittany! Just keep looking forward. <3

Fingers crossed! It's a little louder/more prominent today because I again slept like crap. But it still is trending downward which is a miracle. A 4 month long miracle, lol. Hope things are still going good for you!!

I think mine is settling too after being up and at work for about 2 hours now. Still seems a smidge louder than yesterday but honestly it's getting hard to track/remember day-to-day levels. I just know it's better than it was in December so I'm thankful for that, but I'm just so tired all the time now though with this stupid noise :(

I totally understand how you feel Brittany :(
In terms of what I've read on here, people say you shouldn't be looking at the day to day differences because they're arbitrary - instead track it by weekly/monthly progress. If the trend has been good so far, nothing will happen to throw it off-course.

I've read that too, but my stupid worrisome personality won't let me NOT try and track it daily haha. I also worry the infection isn't actually 100% gone. Who knows what damage I did following my ENTs suggestion of "wait it out" when the infection was still there. I'll never know of course but I feel awful about it. I just wish this was something wrong with like my arm where I can see it, rather than deep in my ear.

Make sure to Post your experience in the covid vaccine experience thread: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/share-your-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-experience-any-impact-on-your-tinnitus-or-hyperacusis.43923/

It's really hard to tell either way. There's tinnitus concerns with getting COVID-19 and there's tinnitus concerns (less so, however) with getting the vaccines. Everything's a damn gamble. May you not experience any lasting side effects!

Hi Jack, I definitely will a few days after. So far, it's just been some nausea and arm hurting. And Drachen, I know and I hate how much a gamble it is! I feel any change from the vaccine would be temporary whereas getting the actual virus could wreck you permanently (my mom got it last June and STILL can't smell or taste correctly).

I'm so happy to hear that! I hope you only improve from here Brittany.

Thank you!! Hope your progress continues too!

It is completely normal for the volume to fluctuate. What matters is the monthly trend and the global lows.

I will say it was getting lower until last week when it appeared in my left ear and I learned I had a double ear infection. Now it's back to "normal" level, just in both now. I'm just really bummed about how quiet it got, thinking this was finally over, only for it to hit me like a train last night :(

Did you get amoxicillin to treat it? I hope it doesn’t affect your noise.

I got Amoxicillin CLAV to treat it, 10 day course. Right now it seems to be isolated to just the right again, and fairly quiet. It's crazy how easily it fluctuates and I'm worried it's just going to go back up again by tomorrow. If it stayed like it is now, I would be happy!

There were many times where my sleep was trash. Falling asleep, waking up and being unable to sleep...just...trash. I was already listening to rain sounds before this, so that kept me in routine. I did try melatonin, which somewhat helped. I also downloaded the Calm app and listened to one or two of the free stories on there, and that helped! Never made it to the end of a story.

Last night was not great as I did have anxiety over learning I have a double ear infection, but I think tonight will be better. I've also taken acetaminophen PM or benadryl at times which helps. Sudafed and Aleve PM spiked the noise for me. Overall, it's been trending in the right direction of being easier to sleep. Do you do any masking noises/sleep aids?

I don't use any masking noises or sleep aids! I've luckily been able to sleep in total silence just fine since all of this started. Though I am considering using a fan for when I'm a bit more anxious.

You would both be absolutely fine. It really doesn’t make a difference. <3 You both say your T is so quiet, I’m sure you won’t have it for long. And if you do, it shouldn’t impact you. X

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Steph. <3
It's only been 4 months but this situation has been very difficult to deal with, though with how much it's faded recently, I'm really trying my best to remain hopeful. xxx

Thank you Steph! I appreciate your kind words with this :) I really do hope it's gone in my right ear soon and that my left ear doesn't develop into anything worse!

That's surprising! I wonder how you managed to get a double ear infection. :( Hopefully it clears up with the amoxicillin. How's your left ear doing?

My appointment is next Wednesday and I'm hoping that it goes well. Part of me thinks I may still have a residual infection..

No idea! When I saw 3 people after my first round of amoxicillin in late Dec, they saw no sign of infection anymore. So that means it cleared up and came back, and in the left one now too? The only thing I can think of is we've had a lot of blowing dust/high winds around here lately (desert life!)?

And the left ear was worse when I woke up and was still in bed. Now that I'm upright, it's better but I still hear it. It's so strange.

And maybe that is the case! Then they can at least treat that while they clean the ears out too. I'm sure you'll be on your way to quiet soon :)