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Rock Steady on neuroplasticity and related topics is an awesome book. I can recommend it as well. It is an easy read, inspiring, and interesting.

Great write-up, @SafeMusicFan, and I agree with everything you wrote. 👏 @Kam75, you asked about the therapy part in a post I wrote. Yes, CBT is a major component of this therapy, along with being mindful, creating new neural pathways, and supporting neuroplasticity. The post from @SafeMusicFan...

Sorry to hear about your struggles, @Kam75. I can relate to your story in many ways. Remember that you are not alone in this. Many people around the world are struggling too. I have been through hell and back, but I made it through. My first step was to accept what had happened, eventually...

I usually write, or should have written, “possibly” in regard to bioflavonoids. They have helped me with ear fullness when I have had issues with that. I’m not sure if there is any medical connection at all, but it seems worth a try since there are usually no side effects. I do know that...

I know exactly where you are coming from. I have moderate hearing loss myself. Having tinnitus completely silenced is very unlikely, although that is a natural and understandable thought when thinking about the process of habituation. For me, habituation is almost as good as silence. It means...

Your story sounds somewhat familiar to mine in terms of timeline and symptoms. I had it stable for 15 years, and like you, I experienced spikes, but they always returned to baseline. Even if it remains that way for 10, 15, or even 20 years, there are no guarantees it will stay the same. Once...

I’ve read your posts, and I understand that you’re frustrated. I can tell you with confidence that no ENT is likely to pinpoint the exact cause of your tinnitus. The reality is that the majority of cases are noise-induced, although there are also many other possible causes or contributing...

In most cases, there is no need to do anything about this unless you are experiencing severe physical pain. Resting your ears from loud sounds and allowing time to pass is usually enough. What is crucial for recovery is to train the brain to tune it out and stop treating it as a threat. Stop...

Natural muscle relaxants like Magnesium Glycinate and bioflavonoids (especially if you have aural fullness) are worth trying.

TTTS can present in many forms and with a variety of symptoms. Some people experience all of them, while others only have a few. What you are describing can, for some individuals, be one of the symptoms of TTTS. I have not personally experienced extreme ear pain due to TTTS. It is also commonly...

Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome, by itself, is not dangerous to my knowledge. Most of all, it is annoying and disturbing. I have had many bouts with it throughout the years, the last one lasting a few months if I recall correctly. TTTS tends to fade when you stop focusing on it. In other words...

This is not correct. There are several studies, including a large one from 2021 that was published in The Lancet in 2022, showing that tinnitus is reported by about 15 percent of the world’s population. Whether people remain aware of it over time is another matter. The number of severe cases is...

People with bothersome tinnitus are a minority, yes, but only when compared to how many people actually have some level of tinnitus worldwide. What do you include in the word “recover”? Most people who develop chronic tinnitus are stuck with it for life. However, it often becomes non-bothersome...

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your struggles. You are less than six months in with your tinnitus, so there is a great chance for it to improve significantly. What you describe sounds like some level of loudness hyperacusis—sensitivity to sounds or certain soundscapes. This condition...

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with this possible permanent spike, Joseph. Yes, hearing aids can be a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to hyperacusis and sound sensitivity. You need to address these issues with your audiologist. The hearing aids must be set and...

That is your definition and perception of it. You cannot label this on behalf of everyone else. No two people experience these conditions in exactly the same way.

Yes, one could call it that, @trevl. But in the end, labeling tinnitus is very much relative and subjective. Personally, I never label it, and I especially try to avoid words like “severe” (I know you were just answering a question about this). To me, “severe” is such a negatively loaded word...

In symbiosis with nature, where I thrive and find my strength. “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” - R. Carson

Heartfelt thanks, @Daniel Lion, for your kind words. 🙏 There is a lot of strength to be found in hope, positive thinking, and affirmations. I would certainly be lost without them, and I hope they can inspire and support others as well. Peace and courage.

Agreed—well said! 👏 If we tense up or remain tense (fight-or-flight mode), the ears and related muscles tense up too. That makes setbacks much more likely. No doubt. People can say what they want about positive thinking, but I know from personal experience that one thing that definitely...

I had 15 years of pretty much stable tinnitus before 2019, until “thunder struck me” late that year and brought me to my knees. It happened during a loud concert when I forgot to bring my earplugs. I misjudged the situation, made the mistake of staying, and paid the price. After that, I went to...

Sorry to hear about your loss and pain, @Lins12. Such immense grief and sorrow can really exacerbate conditions like tinnitus. It will get better with time, as time is what you need now to process the sudden loss of your beloved. Like @Hazel advised, I’d wait a bit before trying a hearing aid...

The use of Prednisone seems to be hit or miss in these cases, depending on whom you ask and their experience. If you’re experiencing all those side effects—some of which seem quite alarming—you should think twice before using it at all. Personally, I can’t recall Prednisone having a...

I know this was intended as a follow-up to @Michael Leigh, but I just want to point out that continuing to attend concerts, nightclubs, and other extremely loud events poses a significant risk if you have mild hyperacusis. This isn’t about stopping life altogether—we just have to adjust...

In my experience, this is overprotecting, which can further sensitize your auditory and central nervous systems. However, everyone is different, so it’s hard to say what will work for you.

I have reactive tinnitus and hyperacusis, and I go to the gym. Some days, my ears are more irritated by the noise level, but most of the time, I have no issues—it doesn’t make my condition worse. My reactivity and hyperacusis have improved a lot compared to before, but I’ve continued working...

@Luman, you should give Donald, the bully, a call. Maybe he has an open slot for you for a position in his administration. You'd be a great match 😅

This is quite common with hyperacusis (speaking from experience), and I don’t think you should place too much value on it or label it—especially by assuming the worst-case scenario. That will only make it worse, as hypervigilance, stress, and anxiety can make your nerves more tense, leading to...

Oh, really? Was it a joke? I got that, mate. 😅 I’m not sure what you’re trying to tell me. This isn’t a contest of who’s worse off. The trigeminal nerve is connected to the ear, so these mechanisms affect each other. Honestly, I don’t see much logic in what you wrote, except for the last...

For me, it was mostly a separate case. As I mentioned, it was 24/7 but worsened with cold weather, hot weather, wind, touch, and so on. And just to clarify, I’m referring to medical Botox, not cosmetic. If you keep looking for “horror stories” about people who didn’t improve, you’re only...

I had neuralgia in my face for more than two years, so I understand what you’re going through. I experienced constant facial pain, 24/7. When I was outdoors in the wind or strong sunlight, I had to cover my face because it felt like it was burning. Despite all the suffering, I had no choice but...

You are not feeling safe because this is still new to you, your brain, and your nervous system. This takes time. And like you said, it’s not the “end of the world.” With time, most people eventually learn to let go of their fears and fully accept it as it is for now. Once you reach that stage...

I have no experience with the drugs you mentioned, but I have a lot of experience with reactive tinnitus. It’s mysterious, but you might be onto something regarding hyperactivity. When my anxiety is lower and I’m out of fight-or-flight mode, the reactive component of my tinnitus usually calms...

It’s really difficult to give good advice when it comes to reactive tinnitus. But one thing I’m pretty sure of, having had reactive tinnitus for five years now, is that overprotecting isn’t the way to go. By that, I mean avoiding everyday sounds around the house and similar situations. The...