What the Heck Is Going On? (New Reactive Sounds Developing)

So I have had 4 separate diagnoses of eustachian tube dysfunction due to allergies.

In November, I got ringing in my ears, that was the first tinnitus I got.

In December, my right ear began having a low humming noise as well.

In early February I got a single, high tone that flutters, sort of like in a morse code pattern. It only happens when there is some sort of background noise.

In mid-February this became several different tones that do this. As well as a solid high tone if I'm around anything with a motor, like the fridge, or something like that.

When there is silence in the room, I don't hear the tones. It's ONLY when the heater is running, or any type of electronics device is running (air purifier, etc.) As soon as silence happens, the T is gone.

I have tried googling this and haven't come up with much. I don't understand why my tinnitus has changed so much. I agree with the ETD/allergies diagnosis, this winter my allergies have been worse than ever before, and I've had ear pain and pressure, and popping. It seems like every time it's gotten really cold this winter, my ears hurt more and tinnitus gets worse. I have indoor allergies (mainly cat) and it makes sense that when it gets colder, the heat runs more and stirs up all the dander in the house.

Also, whenever my ears are bad (hurting, pressure), I've also had a muscle contraction in my left ear that happens in response to loud, sharp sounds. When my ears settle down and aren't hurting & feeling pressure so much, this lessens.

Have been dealing with PTSD from something that happened in 2015. Have had more anxiety that I've ever had in my life. When the T arrived (and with each change of it), that has also caused high anxiety.

Any insight into why my T has gotten reactive and more sounds have developed would be appreciated!

 

I have had all manner of sounds come and go. Some last a few days, others weeks, or even months. I often describe mine as Morse Code like and at first (not something I have discussed on here), it was purely reactionary. Put me in a silent room and I didn't hear it, but I could be sitting in the living room and although I could barely hear the washing machine in the kitchen, the very slight tinkling from a metal zip or button hitting the glass would be louder in my (then left) ear in a sort of echo like fashion. Over time, the noises in my left ear have become less severe and less frequent. Sadly, my right ear became blocked later and 13 months on, I still have problems with tinnitus in my right ear, but then I still have problems with intermittent blockage, so perhaps it isn't surprising.

 

It's so strange, 10 days ago I first started getting the tone that fluttered like morse code. One tone. And now all of a sudden, it's morphed into 3 or 4 different tones that have the morse code pattern, plus 1 solid tone. It has been startling to have had this change into something more. I have been sick to my stomach about this.

 

Some degree of reactive tinnitus is not unusual. For example, my tinnitus volume increases when the fan in my computer goes into high gear.

Anxiety is definitely playing a large role. Anxiety causes muscles to tense, whether you're aware of the sensation or not, especially tiny muscles. I urge you to seek a professional's assistance in obtaining some sort of anti-anxiety medication. Research "anxiety" on this board and you'll find lots of helpful threads.

You can also look for natural supplements if you prefer not to use prescription meds. L-theanine can be relaxing. Also magnesium is good for muscle relaxation. Lots of people take it to avoid leg cramps at night.

 

I don't know why your tinnitus has changed but I wanted to say I have reactive tinnitus also. When it's quiet my tinnitus is super quiet or almost gone all together but when I watch tv, have the car radio playing, the water running etc my tinnitus competes with it and gets really loud. It's pretty annoying.

 

In that case, it might be good for you to avoid quiet environments. Always have a bit of sound enrichment going on, even if it's very low volume. Try audio that mimics the sound of rain or a meadow, something soft and soothing that is playing in the background without seeking your attention. That will help your brain adapt to the change in your sound environment when you go from quiet to, say, watching TV.

 

Thanks I used to avoid noises and not watch tv but I said screw it! I do everything like I did before and just ignore the T.. I do wear earplugs for movies and things like that but otherwise I just expose myself to normal sounds.

 

Hello Hil, I hope you are fine!

I also have this "morse code" type of Tinnitus sometimes. I also have a constant ringing like a dog whistle 24/7.

I have found that, my morse code Tinnitus is mostly present in the mornings, and it is not my regular ringing, is another sound, another frecuency. I related it first with bad sleeping, or neck problems ( I also have a bunch of neck, temple, head and forehead pain).

But recently I have discovered something new. My older son has been sleeping with us because his allergies are bad this days (I also have allergies), and he has been dealing with problems breathing.

I found that, when he is so congested, he snores a little, and this snoring activates my morse code Tinnitus. When he snores, my morse code sound frecuency increases with it, and then, when he stops snoring, I keep the morse code for alot of hourse after.

I have a theory, that sounds while I'm sleeping activates my morse code Tinnitus. I have been a snoring guy, so must be related.

I have read here in TT some people that any sound while sleeping made their T very worst, like a fan, a computer on, refrigerator, etc...

I don't think my regular Tinnitus is affected by the sound while sleeping, but I'm almost sure that my morse code Tinnitus does, it reacts to the sound while I'm sleeping.

Hi Natalie!

I have experienced this, but, funny, it was worst when I was not habituated to my Tinnitus, and avoiding noises at all. As soon as I started to introduce myself to regular sounds (and louders like being in the bus without earplugs) I started to have less and less reactive Tinnitus.

By the way! My older son was a newborn when I started to have this intrusive Tinnitus, for many months was aweful, a nightmare, but I recovered, my childs gave me the force to overcome this, I wish you the best, and enjoy your baby as much as you can, because they grow very fast!

Wish you all the best!
Johnny.

 

That will help you habituate, for sure. You've got a lot on your plate right now, and I think you're doing super!

 

Thank you

 

Hil, what you're describing is exactly the same as what I've been experiencing the last few weeks, which I posted about a week ago:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/weird-new-phenomenon.13616/

I also found it to be ungoogleable, as every search I did just brought up results for tinnitus in general. I'm not sure it’s even actually tinnitus at all.

Many users here keep referring to it as “reactive tinnitus” but I've learned that this term seems to mean whatever each person wants it to mean—it’s not a medically recognized term. Tinnitus researchers use the terms “kindling” and “winding up,” the definitions of which I find very different from what you and I are describing here.

I have a sense that what's happening is that the brain is amplifying certain frequencies out of the real sounds the ear is receiving, to an exaggerated degree. in fact, I suspect the sounds might actually be otoacoustic emissions (real sounds generated by the outer hair cells).

 

I'm hoping my tinnitus gets less reactive as time goes on! And I know what you mean about our children changing our priorities and giving us hope for the future! After having my daughter I feel much better about everything. I have my three girls and although my life is hectic and stressful I wouldn't change it. I hope my tinnitus will continue getting better as time goes on!
I hope for you too also!