Motorcycle Exhaust Backfiring Caused Massive Tinnitus Spike

Hi!

One week ago I was trying to start a motorcycle and it had an exhaust backfire. I was standing 1m away from the source. Definitely not as loud as a gunshot or a firecracker but loud nonetheless. I'd say around 130-140 dB.

It didn't seem to be that loud as it was very short and I had no initial spike or anything, however two days later after I did an ear candle wax removal and I noticed my tinnitus got louder.

I've been living with tinnitus for more than 13 years, and I learnt to cope with it quite well, but this is something I'm not sure I can endure.

Yesterday I visited an ENT that prescribed Betahistine and some corticosteroid nose spray because a of slight swelling in the ear. I had a hearing test, left ear high frequencies 50 dB, right ear high frequencies 40 dB hearing loss. He told me my ears have some slight negative pressure.

Now I have a bit of fullness in my left ear, but the tinnitus is just fking too loud now.
I had some hearing loss before this incident but maybe it got worse.

I'm scared shitless it is permanent...

Going back today for Nootropil/steroid IV injection as I read it can help with acoustic trauma induced hearing loss.

I would do anything at this point to get back my previous baseline level. Is there anything I can do besides praying that it will get better?

 

Hi Robin21,

Please click on the link below and read the entire contents of the thread to a member of this forum, whose tinnitus increased after a long habituation period similar to your own. I have replied with advice and think you might find it helpful.

All the best
Michael

I Was Habituated — Nine Years Later, Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, Headaches and Ear Pain Are Back | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

@Michael Leigh thank you!

 

You are welcome Robin.

Please go to my started threads and read the following articles:
The Habituation Process, Hyperacusis, As I See It, New to Tinnitus, What to Do, From Darkness to Light.

 

Robin it appears you are having your first spike. You will habituate to this spike. It is like starting over from the first time. You now know what to expect. Did you take medications the first time? Hang in and G-d bless.

 

@Ken219 Thanks for the encouragement.
Well initially my tinnitus was so low, I only heard it in a quiet room at night.

Actually, I had a kind of spike about seven years ago, which I couldn't connect with anything. But it wasn't this severe as I recall. Never took anything, the only thing I took was bio-melatonin, because I couldn't sleep for two weeks. I'm a very good sleeper, any disruption my sleep is a catastrophe in itself, tinnitus excluded.

Now, I take Betahistine, (I ditched the nosespray as it is an Antihistamine and I think it counters the Betahistine) as there's a slight ear inflammation and the ENT prescribed for me steroids (Metilprendizolone) as I requested, in case it might help; but on the other hand, all the nasty side effects make me double-triple guess myself. But if I don't I might lose the window of opportunity to have any remedy with it (if it has any effect at all) in case the spike is really exposure-related.

All the best!

 

Don't worry.