Sointu

Today I have experienced some ear pain, also COVID has triggered vertigo. I lost my sense of taste and smell almost completely two days ago and I just hope they return soon :(

Went to doctor who told me I had a mild concussion.

Yeah be careful that gets me every time

That's wonderful to hear, hopefully your hyperacusis will continue to improve!

Thanks, @Leila. Yes I really hope it does.

I used to be that guy too and I am a music producer. If you told me that there were such disorders, I would think that you're crazy or just "too easily annoyed" by normal things. Tragically ironic how things can change. I got no hyperacusis tho, only some TTTS so I can't really speak.

@Sointu Funny thing is most people never get ear problems, no matter how much torturous blasting they do. Personally I have done it with headphones, live gigs, car etc, but it never affected me tbh. My T came about with minor balance issues, so I believe noise isn't always the reason. That doesn't mean that people shouldn't be careful with noise and there must not be more regulations for noise pollution!

@Marshall Yes they definitely should

I haven't had much I go up then come back crashing down . Any suggestions?

I cant say I've had much or any improvement in a month yet unfortunately. But hoping time will make it better

I am doing a bit better but I get setbacks easily if there is any louder sound. Yes, there have been a bit of improvements with my distortions.

I just joined this board and Im wondering if you tapered off benzos and how that affected your tinnitus? Im struggling with that now.

@Alycat I got acoustic trauma while tapering benzos. I decided to take a break in tapering while my symptoms (hyperacusis especially) were really bad. And then I continued tapering few months ago but have took another break after I got setback. It has been hard, I must say.

I am not sure how benzo tapering has affected my tinnitus. I haven´t recovered from my tinnitus after my acoustic trauma. But I am pretty certain benzo taper made me more vulnerable to get worse hyperacusis and tinnitus because of acoustic trauma.

@Jerad Yes. It is so weird. Do you have similar symptoms?

Also external noises cause this same needle sensation in my ear. But also my tinnitus does it. When I use earplugs, this type of tinnitus drives me crazy.

@Sointu i didn’t see your message before. I have this type of tinnitus too. It causes physical sensations of pain I’m guessing due to the frequency of the t. How is yours doing now?

Unfortunately this journey has many setbacks.

The sleep is still acceptable though. I go to bed at 3-4 AM. But at least i m getting a few hours of sleep.
Reactivity sucks.

What meds have you tried for sleep? Trazodone?

I have tried similar stuff like mirtazapine in the past and I mostly get RLS symptoms from drugs like that. Not worth it. But thanks.

I regret trying In-Ear-Maskers. I will not ever put those maskers anywhere near my ears again. This is intolerable at the moment. I just hope this setback resolves.

What prompted you to try the in ear mask? Sorry it caused the spike!

Therapist specialized in hearing issues recommended them at first. I hoped they would help with tinnitus and hyperacusis.

I am feeling suicidal thoughts too. I can cope better if I can sleep and mask my tinnitus and sounds don't hurt.

I try to concentrate on things I can do and what I am grateful of instead of what I can't do and what is missing. It has helped.

But during setbacks and spiked hyperacusis or tinnitus I sometimes have major issues to cope and I have suicidal thoughts.

You need to find a sound that works. White noise does that and apparently I think pink is doing that for me too. Keep at it

My tinnitus climbs on top of pink noise too. It is more gentle for my hyperacusis ears though.

Unfortunately there aren't a lot of masking sound options available in these cheaper ear-maskers. I have to pay a lot of more to get better ones with more sound options. I have a possibility to try and use these for free. Unfortunately white noise hasn't ever worked for me during my hyperacusis and tinnitus.

Can you work? Or are you on fmla? I am working but I constantly check my ears

I was studying before I got acoustic trauma. I am not able to do it at the moment. I have been thinking about restarting my studying if these hyperacusis symptoms would get more tolerable

I also have been trying to learn to concentrate with tinnitus for months. Still major issues with it too.

I have to use earplugs outside because of my hyperacusis at the moment. I am not sure would I hear it without them. Now my right ear has started to ring and it has rang for days.

Is your t constant or on and off?

I think it more constant but the volume changes. Sometimes it is louder and sometimes quieter. How is your T?

If you think negatively about the maskers not helping you then they won't. You should also be having counselling for best results. This treatment is not a quick fix, it takes time.

I used to have really bad hyperacusis and I was not even capable of masking my tinnitus some time ago because of hyperacusis. My tinnitus is also reactive. That is why I am not sure will maskers work for me.

I still have hyperacusis. I also feel like my tinnitus is not easily masked because there are multiple tones. Of course I really hope the maskers would help me.

I also have noticed my tinnitus is a bit quieter after taking a benzo but I think they aren't worth it when thinking of adverse effects/benefits.

I saw your original post, how loud were the music when you were at the concert? How long were you there?

It was a rock concert. I dunno the decibels. I went too near the stage/speakers without earplugs, it triggered pain. Spent there only minutes until I decided to leave further away. At the festival area I spent hours, maybe it played a part too but I did not go anywhere near speakers but was standing far away. How did you get your T?

@JPGL yeah but my ears were already going down the tube

I have felt too scared to take the covid vaccine because of these worsening symptoms I am experiencing at the moment. I am sorry you got harm.

I have a theory about the benzo hissing/electrical tinnitus. I have had it when tapering. Some random days I still get that sound, I measured my blood pressure in that days, it is above my baseline values. The theory is that that sound is caused by withdrawal vasoconstriction in the ears. It improves a bit with ginger tea, two-three bags in a cup. If you try this I am curious to know if it also works for you.