A Test (Maybe Tympanogram?) at the ENT Department Made My Tinnitus Much Worse

What would you rate your tinnitus at now, on average?

 

@TBH hope you will come back. I've spent a lot of time looking at your thread. It seems yes you have hyperacusis but when you talk about noises ramping it up for days, it sounds like reactive tinnitus / sound sensitive tinnitus. What makes me think that is you are sensitive to the hoover, passing cars, shopping centers and the refrigerators at the grocery. I have these too and it's fairly common on the forum. I wish there was better news, but it's hard to find a success story. @dpdx - did you ever have reactive tinnitus to specific sounds (in addition to your hyperacusis)?

 

Hi people. Sorry for the absence, I just had nothing positive to say to help others and thought people would be bored of hearing me say... Nothing has got better for me.

Bill, yes and 7 months on, still feel that pressure now.

Capstan, do you just have the high ring, not the low boom with it?

I have come back tonight because the last few days are the loudest it's ever been and in 2 days time it will be exactly 7 months since this was inflicted on me.

I can't begin to describe just how bad this is for me now. I'm awake again because I can't sleep through it. I look terrible, feel terrible, and am just helpless. Had my specialist appoints cancelled for obvious reasons. But I don't think that anyone will be able to help me anyway. Certainly docs have their hands full but not one Dr will admit to me that the Tympanogram did this. IT DID DO THIS! No doubt in my mind, but... WHAT did it do to give me this constant hell every day.

Will it really improve in 12 to 18 months, I just don't think this will ever happen. I have full pressure in my head like it was done yesterday, it's not even remotely easier than it was. two high pitch tones and the low rumbling is the worst it's ever been, all three simultaneously. I really expected some improvement, but I can categorically say it's not improved one bit in 7 months, so how can this suddenly get any better? But, is this normal tinnitus, to have all those sounds at the same time, every single day?? And only since that test, which most certainly did this and has ruined my life for 7 months. I just can't catch a break. Is this tinnitus or is this physical damage from the test? This is normal tinnitus to have this consistently day and night, every day? I can't help myself, every day is torture. Still,

 

I have a second tone. It's not a low boom but a more of a squeaky wheel or a cricket. It changes speeds, sometimes slower, sometimes faster. I'm having the same troubles sleeping as you. 24/7. It only feels it's worsened over the past few months.

 

Hello TBH,

I found your post because I think the exact same thing happened to me. In February 2020 I had a loud percussive sound, and air hose burst near me, that caused a small amount of damage in my right ear. I'm an american visiting in Australia, so I went to see an ENT, probably a little too late really, but wanted to see what he could do. This is last Friday. Immediately after the tympanogram, which was exactly as you described, a little handheld wired device they put in both of my ears, I felt a constant ringing. It has not gone away since.

I'm only on day 4, so I feel this is a post I will likely visit over and over again, just as you have TBH. I did a tinnitus test online, looks like I'm hearing a 13,540Hz Triangle or BB wave. No sign of it cutting out.

I went back to the ENT on Monday, and he said it was impossible to get tinnitus from a tympanogram. Bullshit. He prescribed prednesol, and hopefully it does kick in.

Does anyone actually know of a tympanogram induced tinnitus success story? I would love to hear of one. Most of what I hear is just wishful thinking.

Now I know I'm early in this process, but I'm older. I'm in my early 40's, and I've had enough challenges in my life that I would like to think that even if this is the new me forever, that habituation will kick in. It will have to. It has for every hard thing I have ever gone through in my life.

I'm starting off with this Back to Silence exercise in hopes that I can at least retrain my perception of the ringing in my life.

Back to Silence

 

@dpdx recovered from some tests, but not sure if it was a tympanogram, or even something similar. Here's 3 posts of his where he mentions tympanogram.

1. 
   Post
   A Test (Maybe Tympanogram?) at the ENT Department Made My Tinnitus Much Worse
   Yup, mine was bad for 1.5 years as well now its better. I have other issues now to worry about. It sucks that you will loose 1 year of your...
   Post by: dpdx, Dec 22, 2019 in forum: Support
2. 
   Post
   A Test (Maybe Tympanogram?) at the ENT Department Made My Tinnitus Much Worse
   Tinnitus and hyperacusis will get better after 1-1.5 years... trust me. I will try the shampoo.
   Post by: dpdx, Feb 11, 2020 in forum: Support
3. 
   Post
   My Tinnitus Might Have Been Caused by the Tympanometry Test
   Oh they do know, they very well know, ,they just want $$$$$$. They see you as a dollar sign. They dont care that they are going to ruin your life,...
   Post by: dpdx, Jul 5, 2018 in forum: Support

 

@akirakurosawa Not to put too much of a downer on your experience, Sorry by the way, I wish you'd have read my thread first...

I am coming up to 8 months since the worst decision of my entire life, having that test done. Doctors protect doctors and the usual crap they talk. I've never been more sure of anything in my life. It's not a coincidence. They've damaged me, and I am at my wits end. I'm lying here now at 1.40 am, I'm usually up most nights till 4 since this happened, when I should be trying to sleep listening to low and high sounds on a phone app which is making no difference to me. If anything I can safely say that mine has got far worse and is now every day and night. Everyone I talk to ever since tells me to sue them. I'm not interested in that, and you can imagine how that would go down now against the 'saintly NHS'. I had the most disgusting treatment by the NHS, and they were incredibly rude to me, from the admin to the audiologists to the doctors, It will come as no surprise to anyone that the hospital that did this to me has the highest Covid death rates in the UK. It was a filthy shite hole. But I digress... as Lane points out above, dpdx has improved over time. I'm not so optimistic because I have two horrendous sounds day in day out, and they are now more consistent and far worse, so I don't see an end. I never had a high tone screeching prior to the test, now it's daily, I had a very faint low thump, which is now 20 times louder. If anything your end changes, let me know and how you get on with the back to silence.

@Capstan, what are the two tones, both high?

 

I hope your tinnitus has settled by now? I truly understand how frustrating it is to go to ‘professionals’ for help for it to be made worse. I had very mild tinnitus but after a micro suction procedure by a bumbling audiologist it left me with intrusive tinnitus and hyperacusis. I think our ears are so delicate it’s best to leave them be x

 

Yes very high. I am struggling to make it these days.

 

@TBH -- It took until about the 8 month mark for me to "start" to get a minor respite from feeling that tinnitus related "things" would never keep "piling up" on me. Up until then, new tones would constantly come up, and then somewhat diminish; intensities and loudness would do the same. But then things began to shift--ever so gradually--until I allowed myself to start to have a "bit" of optimism.

That fragile optimism would be tested many times over, but as the months went by, I couldn't deny that things were gradually getting better, but an an almost painfully slow pace. By the time I was approaching my 2-year mark in Feb., 2020, I even thought I might be able to post a semi-success story.

Not to be. I happened to go into a down cycle at that very time, with my former optimism taking one of its bigger hits. But after about 3 weeks, things seemed to stabilize again. At this time, I can say I'm definitely coping with this much better than I was in the first two years, and especially those first 8 months. Just thought maybe this perspective will help.

I'm really sorry how your life got so upended by a stupid, senseless test. But based on dpdx's experiences, and my own, I think there's still hope for your situation to improve. -- BTW, I'm always looking for things that might help with my physical and psychological resilience. I recently discovered that eating 2-4 oz. of chia seeds (which are high in brain supporting Omega 3 fatty acids) have given me a new modest (but helpful) degree of calming. -- Take care...

 

@TBH I think that we should try and compare notes to see what has worked and what hasn’t. Same for everyone following this thread. Please chime in with anything that has worked or not worked!

Things that have provided a little bit of benefit:

-Magnesium Chelate (helps with calming)
-Vitamin B12 (always take with the magnesium so I assume it helps with calming)
-Zinc (clears sinuses mostly)

Things that have had no noticeable impact:

Prescriptions:
-Prednisone, 25MG for 7, 12.5MG for 3 days - NO EFFECT
-Serc - NO EFFECT

Supplements:
-Ginkgo - NO EFFECT
-CoQ10 - NO EFFECT
-NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) - NO EFFECT. Was calming for a bit, but ringing still there. But holy hell did anxiety kick in worse than anything I have experienced before.
-GABA - NO EFFECT. Same anxiety as NAC.
-Picamilon - NO EFFECT. Same anxiety as NAC

 

Did the NAC give you anxiety after taking it for a bit or when you stopped?

 

About 3 hours after I took it. I was amazed about how relaxed I was initially, but for some reason my body over corrected and I had a horrible bout of anxiety. I am done playing with nootropics.

 

Unfortunately, I think worse than when it was done 8 months ago, but thank you, and very true words. When did you have this done? Like we don't have enough to cope with Hyperacusis is an added non bonus

Thanks for this Lane, and I wish the best for you too. I suppose because I've not had any downtime from this, and every night and morning is torture, I'm of the opinion that this is the rest of my life.

I know what I wake with, after very little sleep is the start of yet another miserable day with this high scream, and low thump simultaneously. I am not on here as often as I should be because it's driving me mad and the motivation to write anything is knocked by this affliction. Dare I go out and make it even worse, or just sit at home and listen to it incessantly. I have to have radio/music/TV on all day and night now. Is this normal tinnitus? No respite, and low and high noise continually every day. Don't most people just have the one tone? I am amazed it does continue all day and night and doesn't switch off. How is it doing this so continually?

That's what we're all here for, but it's not going to be easy, but we ALL understand you, and the outside world have no clue what we are going through on a daily basis. The comparing notes below is a great idea and well thought of.

This is a great idea, and appreciated too. Thank you. I'll have to see what gives and should have taken note, but I can tell you nothing I've tried has worked so far. Magnesium, Ginko(think it made it worse), B Complex, Zinc, I've tried since this started in September. No difference whatsoever.

I've just bought some CBD oil capsules. Mixed reviews, some say it makes it worse and some say it helps. I will report back on them. What are you still taking? And the top 3 in your list you think is worth still taking I assume? I did drop the Magnesium.

Also like to point out, that if you are going through this, food and drink you enjoy...? Go for it. I have tried.... milk chocolate, dark chocolate, coffee, cappuccino, tea, green tea, beer, Jack Daniels, wine.. and nothing makes a difference when I DON'T have any of these things. I really think food and drink are just luck of the draw. Does it genuinely affect anything, Maybe it does, but I do know that when I gave all up, it didn't make any difference, hence why I think you should not torture yourself anymore than we already are. Anyone think alcohol or chocolate, cheese affects anything? Let me know. I also know Paracetamol escalated it for me, but sometimes you need it.

Thanks for all responses, always appreciated. Stay very safe out there, Like we've not got enough problems eh!

 

@TBH I had it done 4 years ago and not a day has gone by I have not regretted it. It has completed sucked the life from me and screwed my ear up. Truly wish I’d have never gone near the idiot of an ‘audiologist’ x

 

I am sorry, yes, it’s truly unbearable, I’ve not had one day in 8 months without this thumping and high whine going on. Each day is just filled with anxiety and as if it’s not bad enough to cope with, we’ve got selfish neighbours to contend with as well, heightening the hyperacusis. It's a real life ender. Like I’ve said prior, I don’t see this going or improving if it’s still just as bad as it was when it was done, 8 months ago. Maybe if I’d had some improvement, but even now as I type it’s thumping like a sledgehammer in my head. I will never find anyone to help me because they are all protecting each other and nobody will say anything bad about the NHS, and it’s easier for them to do nothing rather than admit malpractice and help me. My faith in the medical profession is at an all time low, and that goes for ALL staff and doctors I’ve seen. They’re an absolute disgrace. The place where I had this life sentence done which (big surprise) has the highest COVID-19 death rate, was actually filthy.

 

@TBH I’m so sorry that you too are suffering at such an intolerable level that truly kills your soul and drains the essence of life from you. I absolutely get it. That’s not so good about your neighbours either, a stress you could really be doing without. It’s hard enough to cope with never mind they too.
It’s most definitely the most challenging thing I’ve faced in my life... the incessant noise and anxiety is truly debilitating and soul crushing, having no way of helping ourselves out of this massive hole is soul destroying. Never in a million years would I have imagined such an evil, underhanded condition... it’s heartbreaking xx

 

Oh man, I don’t know how I missed your reply! I think I didn’t dive into your post deep enough!

For the supplements, I stopped taking the Vitamin B12 just because I forgot really. There was no noticeable difference to the Magnesium without it. I did start taking Lipo-Flavonoid which seems to have a similar calming effect to the Magnesium. I wouldn’t bother with that, and just stick with Magnesium if you’re looking for something to help take the edge of the stress of dealing with this.

That's funny you mention that no food seems to have an effect. I have only found one thing that seemed like it MIGHT have had an impact, and that was Ramen. I was convinced all of the sodium had triggered a spike. In hind sight it seems to have really been stress induced.

And that’s the one factor I seem to keep returning to during spikes: 100% stress related. If work is going a bit crazy, I find myself getting pushed to nervous breakdown levels anxiety. I talk myself out of it. But sometimes my anxiety will just spiral. Trying to catch those before they get out of hand now.

I now have some good days and some bad days. Last week I was doing great for 3 days. And now I seem to be on a 3 day stress induced spike. Things are not as scary as they were when it first started, but still not used to this new part of my life.

How are you holding up these days?

(PS - I don’t drink alcohol anymore, so not really sure if it would have an effect. Chocolate and cheese seem just like other foods to me. I eat almost anything with no impact on the ringing.)

 

Lipo-Flavonoid is a scam, why would you support a scam company like that?

 

This entire thing is new to me @ajc. I am willing to try anything that works for me. This did not, and I will not be buying it again. Is there some list of scam companies that is published here? I'd love a quick flag on potential scams.

 

Hey all

just wanted to say I think I am on the same boat. I’ve had tinnitus for a while and it has been reactive but it was tentatively adjusting. Had a tympanogram yesterday (where they put a tool in your ear and it buzzes loudly) and since then have had horrible distorted sound / noise sensitivity. Wish I hadn’t had it done! I think that there must be a link to my tympanic muscle and that’s been aggravated. The only thing helping right now is reading success stories.

 

@TBH any change in your tinnitus?

 

Sadly, it's as bad now as it was 11 months ago. I really don't know what I can do now. One other on here has said 12 - 18 months and it should get better, but when it sometimes gets even worse, it's very hard to imagine it ever improving or going away, which is obviously ideal. The worst day of my entire life was that test.

Food, drink, alcohol, etc. No difference, sleep or very little sleep, no difference. Zinc, Magnesium, etc.etc. no difference.
I think it would be hard enough to cope with just one sound in my head, but generally it's 2 or 3 and high and low. The banging low when trying to sleep makes it a battle every single night of my life to get to sleep.

 

So sorry you're going through all of this. I can relate to the loudness, as I can hear mine over an idling semi-truck. It was having some letup prior to the last couple of days, but that seems to have gone away for some reason. And I also have various and varying (quite often, sometimes) sounds. Hope you find some answers soon!

 

My bilateral sounds in order in frequency high to low:

tzz tzzz zzzzztzzztssss tzzzsss...
sssssssssssssssssssssssssssss...
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...
buuu bu bu buuuuu bubu bu...
glglglg lglglglglg llglg lglglglg...

(24/7 non-stop)

 

Thanks, I don't hear much from people with different varying sounds. It doesn't look great if I'm honest. It was a year Saturday just gone, and there is no improvement whatsoever.

I think anger takes over most when it's inflicted on you by a so called medical professional when in reality, there's not much professional about what was done to me. I never really truly understood the expression 'hell on earth' until this happened to me. Bereavements aside, that does get better, you never forget, but it tones down. With this.... not so much, not at all if you're me.

As I've said, I don't read much about very loud thumping and the very high screech which I have. I read plenty about the one tone, but never very low and very high. Or people don't mention it as much.

 

Jesus Christ...

Are all these sounds of tinnitus from noise-induced tinnitus / trauma or somatic as well? Has anyone ever wondered why their tinnitus gets progressively worse? Is there an etiology for it?

 

As stated in this thread, mine was induced by an audiology test, not self inflicted by sounds. All of the sounds I now have a year on, were not there until the day of the test. Despite my doctor insulting my intelligence by saying it might be a 'coincidence' that it happened the same day as the tests. The lengths some doctors will go to to protect the NHS I feel.

 

@TBH, how are you doing now?

 

@Chinmoku, did you do the tests after all?

I was scheduled today for ECochG, but when I asked how loud it would be, they told me that it's 100 dB!

This is way too much for me.

I have tinnitus and hyperacusis.

I refused, but I don't know if this was the right thing to do. I assume this test was very important for the diagnosis. Now I'm back in the bginning, struggling with tinnitus and not knowing what is causing it.

Any opinion on this? What do you think I should do?