starrynights

Tinnitus is just way too mentally exhausting to deal with. Knowing that it could potentially worsen for reasons out of your control is the most draining aspect of this affliction to me. You can do everything in your power to keep yourself safe, and somehow that still isn't enough.

We'll emerge bigger, better and stronger than ever. Everyone here will kick back against their shackles and live fucking amazing lives. I truly believe that.

I just make sure to cover my ears really well. I haven't experienced any issues or fullness after a day out :) I have made some modifications to my life though. I think I've pretty much sworn off concerts or any loud events. If I do go to bars, they're outdoors. No spike afterwards! So that's working for me. (2/3)

And wow I haven't really considered that! @aot I figured my posts would be kind of like a point of reference to my success and habituation? You can kinda see the progression throughout the months. It was pretty intentional too :) I feel I am still on that journey to success. (3/3)

Yes!

@AfroSnowman Glad everything went well. <3

Quick update: Got my first dose of the vaccine two days ago! Went with Moderna and have not experienced any changes to my tinnitus thus far! Was feeling super nervous but realized that my chances of having my tinnitus worsen were much higher from COVID then from the actual vaccine. Also there are different variants of the virus now and I didn't want to take the risk. Hope this helps! @kuromi

@starrynights Thank you so much for the update! I'm relieved you didn't have any bad side effects. My shot's coming up this Tuesday and I feel the same way - COVID is much more of a risk in my opinion so I feel like I need to go ahead with the vaccine. :) Best of luck with your second shot.

I got Pfizer. It did not impact my tinnitus at all. Going in for the booster later today.

@twa I’m so sorry you’ve been experiencing those issues. Has your T or H improved? I am set to get my first dose on Friday and am feeling extremely nervous. I don’t think I am mentally equipped to handle a T increase.

Tinnitus, not so much. I have noticed the hyperacusis is better, still there, but better. Trucks passing by my house are not as bothersome as they were 3-4 months ago. I can tolerate noises in the house better. My T had gotten louder, but also changed to more of a ringing after the 2nd vaccine. I'm starting to have more airplane engine days (high pitched electric static).

How is it going with the skateboard :) ?

Its going really well! I always make sure to wear high fidelity plugs when I'm out skating but sometimes its safe not to when I'm just cruising around in a quiet park. I've gotten pretty good since I started, I'm already learning tricks and I've never been one to go to the gym so its keeping me physically active and my legs have toned up a lot, so thats an added benefit (: @convolution

That's amazing! @starrynights I'm so happy to hear that.

Their owners are :D
I see it as a way to signal their stupidity to other drivers.

Don't forget about screeching brakes.

When I was young(er) and idiot I had a 125cc Husqvarna 2-stroke. I loved its loud exhaust, but it was not modified :)

If not, I hope you are coping at least a little better.

Information Experience Design! It is a blend of the Information Science (IS), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and User Experience (UX) disciplines. @Charburchar :)

I see! How long does usually a PhD last, in the US?

It can range anywhere between 4-12 years! It all depends on the area of study, university/program, etc. The average amount of time to complete one would be 5-6 years @convolution

Video games, illustration and writing!

Nice :) Love going for walk longs in nature, making playlists and discovering music is also a hobby of mine! @arcanesystem

Nowadays I only feel a tiny bit normal playing with my dog (earmuffs on), but I used to play handball and loved reading. Trying to learn to cook better and healthier.

@starrynights I totally understand your message, I've felt that way too if I'm on here for too long. Don't let it drag you down, you're doing so well!

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement - <3 I honestly felt so down about it. I am just trying to have some normalcy in my life again for the sake of both my physical & mental health. I am only 23, I don’t want to feel like my life is over. I am really trying my best! @kuromi

I totally understand where you're coming from. <3 I'm 19, and even though I haven't been dealing with this for that long, I really don't want to lose out on normal life experiences before of this. I understand the struggle. @starrynights

I don't think its fully habituation either, I really listen for it at night and just honestly seems extremely quiet.

Congrats!

Certainly good news even if it increases again, you will know that it can go back down.

Feels like having a major part of your youth taken away from you. I can no longer enjoy live concerts, taking long walks with headphones on, going to parties, or theaters without the anxiety and risk of inducing a major spike in my tinnitus. I try not to think about it too much but it's the daunting reality. I really hope there is a viable treatment on the horizon. @twa

I am in my late 20s and totally understand this feeling.

Just turned 30. Yah what a gift. Haven't had a family or finished my career getting yet. All these plans just felt dumped for T and living in fear.

I do and have no issues as long as I use earplugs. I measured how loud an ollie is and it spiked around 101 decibels so you will need some protection.

Thank you so much! Do you wear foam earplugs or high fidelity plugs? And wow that is incredibly loud, was not expecting that. @martinberryhorse How long have you been skating?

You bet. I wear Mack's 33 NRR foam plugs. Cheap and work for everything I do. I've been skating off and on since I was a little kid, but picked it up again about 3 years ago. Give it a shot, you might like it.

Glad you're feeling better!

Thank you so much! I’m so grateful and glad too. @aot Hope you’re doing well today :)

Thank you for sharing this with us.

I had always held sneezes. I won't be doing that again.

With forceful blowing my nose, I felt that I got mucus into my ear, ear clogged, so in panic I tried to Valsalva it out, which resulted in sharp pain and even more clogged feeling and a new tone. I went to an ENT in fear of messing up my eardrum, but it was intact and I was told that there was no fluid. Clogged feeling, pain, and the new tone went away after a couple of days. Hope yours will too.

@Bill Bauer No problem! Glad you haven’t had any mishaps.

That's fantastic

Just wanted to let everyone know since I know that people who get better typically start visiting this site less frequently. So maybe this can serve as some hope to someone who comes across this. I was nearly suicidal back in Sept '20, and I am in a completely different headspace. It can and will get better, somehow, someway. @BrOKeN_1

May these improvements indicate recovery and total satisfaction for you in the future. Keep up the good work!

Could just be confirmation bias but I find that it was helping with my H/sensitivity/reactiveness. Helped me relax and sleep a lot better as well! @weab00 Sorry for the late reply btw ^^ Hope you're doing well.

What kind of magnesium? I've been taking threonate since October haven't really noticed any difference. I think maybe I'm getting less headaches though.

Magnesium Carbonate 325mg CALM supplement

I hope this is true. Sick of playing the waiting game.

Riiiiight...

I bet we will be remembering 2020 fondly and yearning to go back to it. (Maybe not in 2021, but certainly by 2030 or 2040.)

Congrats. I had near silence about a month ago for maybe 20 minutes. No idea what caused it. Sounded like faint hiss

You will end up being ok.

Are you noticing more of these variations between high and low as time goes on?

Forgot to answer this but its fluctuating a lot less these days and if/when it does its not as extreme as when I first suffered my setback. It wont be dramatically louder than usual. The first 1-2 months after my setback is when it fluctuated A LOT. I think my cortisol levels were also much higher at the time so that could've also been a factor. @tbuzz89

@weab00 Basically that is how it was. No care in the world and we had no idea what kind of damage we were doing. I feel like the education system failed us in a way as well, no one ever tells you about tinnitus or hyperacusis.

Before I thought the worst that could happen would be that you would just go deaf, but this only happened to veterans and people who suffered really severe noise traumas. Didn't think it was possible through ear plugs and concerts.

Hyperacusis sure does kick your ass