Acoustic Trauma (Loud Concert) Caused My Tinnitus (Finally Decided to Introduce Myself)

Hello everyone, the name is Shaqz and I finally had the balls to post about my tinnitus two month later...

My silence vanished on December 10th after a concert where the VIP stage was literally right next to the speakers. The stage was shaped where it was the speakers, the VIP stage, then the DJ, then the crowd so I was around 2-10 feet from the speakers for the 3 hours set. Mind you I walked out in and out for about 30 minutes total. I was under the influence where I took the usual x dose I do when I go to these things which I just wanted to add for reason that it might of made me not realize the damage it was doing to my ears. There was about 100 other people in the same area and some even closer to the speakers so I doubt I would have noticed even if I was sober but whatever.

The day after I had horrible ringing like I usually do after a concert but this time it stuck with me. I’ve been suffering since and I went to an audiologist who is very knowledgeable (been taking patients for 30 years and coincidentally also got caught with tinnitus 15 years ago). He started me on sound therapy and gave me hope and the first month it was tough but the masking helped me cope very well because I was able to mask the sound and not hear it even if I tried. Oh and let me add my tinnitus volume was measured and it was 30-40 dB which he told me was loud.

I thought I had a really high tinnitus frequency till I went on a trip that was desperately needed after going through this and asked my audiologist if it’s ok to fly and he said yes just wear noise cancelling head phones and you will be ok. I did on the lowest volume where my tinnitus was way louder and I could barely hear the music so it was basically like ear muffs. On the flight's descent I didn’t know to let go of the pressure in my ear so I just left it there because I was scared to take off the headphones and when I landed and they opened the door and I took them off, I got pain in my left ear, nothing to really cry about but I did feel it for a bit of a while. I felt no pressure after the ear popping for like 2-3 days. I did have mild pain for like 10 days but only if I focused on it so basically nothing if I didn’t and it was on and off.

But that’s not my point. The night of I had really loud ringing like after a concert that goes down the next day. I thought it was over there but I go to my usual next day and mask my tinnitus like usual where I can’t hear it even if I tried with the loudness that it is.

When I mask my tinnitus now 10 days after the flight it covers my usual tinnitus sound and now a even more high pitched sound comes out, not very loud but annoying because it’s basically not maskable unless my air condition is kicking pretty loud.

I want to know what I should do from now on. If anyone can shoot me any advice and if they think this “spike” or new tinnitus is temporary and if my initial tinnitus is temporary as well too. If not, what should I do to cope or eventually habituate?

I’m 21 years old just to add. Thank you for any feedback or support and to all my tinnitus sufferers out there I believe time will make all your situations better because yesterday’s suffering is usually always worse than today’s! May we all hear silence one day and god bless us all!

Thanks for listening and sorry for my grammar lol.

@Bill Bauer You seen pretty knowledgeable with acoustic trauma causing tinnitus so a response from you would be much appreciated. I’ve been reading your responses while I’ve been on these forums which is a bit of a while and I feel like you are forum famous at this point haha. Thank in advance!

 

Many people develop tinnitus after wearing noise cancelling headphones. I wear earplugs underneath my noise cancelling headphones (that I wear whenever I fly), those earplugs protect me from the headphones. I think your ears got hurt by the headphones and not as a result of you not taking the headphones off as the plane was descending.

If you don't experience any improvement for 4-6 weeks, your spike might end up being permanent. For now you can assume that it is temporary.

 

For high pitched tinnitus, try masking with heavy rain, shower, waterfall, cicadas, even faucet sounds.

Your smart phone should allow you to download APPs for tinnitus masking too. Hook it up with a Bluetooth speaker and you are good to go. Good luck. God bless.

 

So is this considered as a spike or a new tone tinnitus, the head phones were on volume 1 so the lowest possible so Is that even possible, and I heard many people getting tinnitus from baurotrauma and etd from pressure changes on a flight. Makes me doubt it was from the headphones which were on volume 1 and tremendously lower than my tinnitus @Bill Bauer

 

Normally people turn on the noise cancelling and don't play Any music. The damage is due to noise cancelling. (But it's good to wear noise cancelling headphones on a plane, just wear earplugs underneath.)

Given the multiple reports about it, it certainly seems possible.

 

HI @Shaqz

Since you have asked for advice I am going to give it and hopefully, if you listen your tinnitus will not get worse. I agree with @Bill Bauer advice. In addition to this, if I were you I would never use any type of headphones again including noise cancelling even at low volume, if your intention is to play audio through them. You have Noise induced tinnitus. This type of tinnitus improves for a lot of people over time and many people do habituate to it. However, if you are not careful in the early stages which you are in and beyond (after habituation) noise induced tinnitus can increase to a level that you wouldn't believe is possible. My intention is not to frighten you but to warn and hopefully, your tinnitus will reduce to a comfortable level that you hardly hear it or it may even go away.

Please do not mask the tinnitus with sound, by this I mean to completely cover it up so that it can't be heard, as it can make the habituation process more difficult. Use sound enrichment during the day and also the night at low volume. More about sound enrichment is explained in my articles in the links below, that I advise you to take time to read thoroughly and not skim through them.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

 

@Michael Leigh what about the hearing aids I got from the audiologist I use that to mask there basically like head phones should I use them? And when the pressure was changing on descent I literally left the pressure in my ears because I was scared of letting it go. Didn’t know that was the normal thing to do I thought I was being safe and then my ears hurt. So it was defiantly from the head phones and not the flight descent? And should I stop using the hearing aids aka sound generators as he calls it

 

HI @Shaqz

The only reason for wearing hearing aids is because you have hearing impairment? If your Audiologist supplied you with hearing aids then I suggest you use them. Hearing loss can cause tinnitus to develop. When a person has tinnitus due to hearing loss and they are fitted with hearing aids, the tinnitus will usually reduce over time.

If your Audiologist prescribed/fitted you with white noise generators, which look similar to hearing aids - they fit around the back of the ear and a small plastic tube that is connected to the WNG, wraps over the ear and enters the ear-canal. The white noise is controlled via a volume control on the white noise generators. If this is what you have? The volume of the white noise should be kept slightly below the tinnitus and not set to Mask it.

I am unable to advise you on what happened during your flight and descent. Try to forget about it and read my articles in the links that I have given you. As I have previously advised you: If I were you I would never use headphones again even at low volume. I also advise you not to listen to anyone even doctors or your Audiologist that might tell you, using headphones at low volume will cause you no harm. This is not true for everyone, especially those with Noise induced tinnitus.

Best of luck
Michael

 

Hi @Michael Leigh

I've been struggling with the value-prop on hearing aids. I'm at 45 db at 4000 hz, but my ENT didn't recommend hearing-aids due to the cost compared to my hearing loss. However my T has spiked in the last 3 weeks for no apparent reason other than allergies. I'm trying to figure out if the $4000-$5000 is worth the gamble of it possibly reducing my T. Do you have any opinion?

 

what If the white noise doesn’t mask it, the pitch is high so it mixes with the white noise rather than mask it? What do you recommend I do then? @Michael Leigh

 

HI @Capstan

I first want to thank you for taking time to read my posts and for your trophies. I am sorry but I do not know what value-prop on hearings aids are. I would appreciate if you can enlighten me? Also on 45 db at 4000hz? Many thanks.

I see that you have had tinnitus since 2015 so it's been quite a while and it was caused by IMAX movie? I will assume that your tinnitus was originally caused by Noise trauma/Noise induced tinnitus. If you have been managing to cope with your tinnitus since 2015 and you haven't any symptoms of hyperacusis? Yet 3 weeks ago you had a spike in your tinnitus - something usually causes a spike. There are usually two reasons for this taking into account that your tinnitus was relatively stable before the spike?

Before the spike were you a regular user of headphones or a headset? Have you been to venues such clubs, concerts, where loud music has been played? Have you been to the cinema and perhaps the sound was too loud? Do you regularly go to the cinema?

If the answer is yes to any of my questions above then it's my belief it is loud sound/noise that has caused your spike, providing there is no underlying medical problem within your auditory system that has caused it. Noise induced tinnitus, especially after a long duration where it has remained stable such as yours, a sudden increase or spike, is usually a result of headphone use or exposure to loud sound. Please remember, wearing earplugs is no guarantee that you will be safe. The reason being if external sound is loud enough it can pass through the head and transfer to the inner ear by bone conduction.

Another reason for tinnitus spiking for people that have noise induced tinnitus, is because they have hyperacusis which hasn't been treated. Some people with NIT habituate to the tinnitus but they still experience hyperacusis (oversensitivity to sound). If this isn't treated, usually under the care of an Audiologist and wearing white noise generators, to help to desensitise the oversensitivity to sound - spikes in tinnitus can be a recurring problem.

Before paying out any money for devices such as white noise generators, I think you need to be properly assessed by an Audiologist, someone that is experienced in Tinnitus and hyperacusis, that can advise you on the best way forward.

As I have said, something usually causes noise induced tinnitus to spike and you need to find out what it is. If it is any of the reasons I have mentioned above, then a experienced Audiologist that specialises in Tinnitus and hyperacusis should be able to help you.

Hope this helps.

Michael

 

@Shaqz

The white noise should Not mask the tinnitus. Make sure you can hear your tinnitus above the white noise. Please click on the links below and read my articles on TRT. How to use white noise generators is mentioned.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/trt-as-i-see-it.19555/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-is-trt-and-when-should-it-be-started.19024/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-happens-in-trt-sessions.18195/

 

Thank you Michael

When I mentioned value-prop, I use it from a business perspective. The value to the proposition. It's almost like a risk based decision - the value is T might be improved, the proposition is that it costs possibly $5,000 to find out. Its a sizable investment given our income. The question is it worth $5,000 to find out. I'm trying to decide.

My audiogram shows that my left / right ear needs about ~45 db before I hear a frequency at 4000hz. I'm normal at 2000 hz, dip down at 4000 hz, then return to normal-ish around 8000 hz. Please see below. I have no idea above 8000 hz.

Yes, back in 2015 my T started a few days after a IMAX movie that left me with a full aural feeling. It scared me when I left the theater then a few days later the fullness was gone, but woke up with T. However, like many I think it was the accumulation of years of headphone usage.

My T had been completely stable, reliable, predictable, loud, but manageable. I've always worried that allergy season and spikes. Yes, I have some hyperacusis, that has come and gone through the years. I've used headphones on flights through the years but my most recent was in December. I had been using a headset when talking on my cell, but only used it in my right ear (my better / non-hyperacusis ear).

My spike 3 weeks ago came after going to a camp with my daughter. There was building a birdhouse with a small hammer and finishing nails. It wasn't loud at all. I had a lot of congestion that day and the next day my T was very loud. I stopped taking my antihistamines too b/c my sneezing stopped but my ears started having a full feeling the rest of the week. My T became very loud and I went to the GP and ENT.

Headset yes, in my better ear, and only few times with headphones, mostly on flights (couple times a year). I don't go to the cinema anymore, but listen to music from my computer speakers daily (very low volume / no headphones).

I'm a little worried about a medical problem and sinuses because it really doesn't feel like I had any loud noise exposure right before the increase in loudness. I've started focusing on my T and I've had some normal days but many non-normal days now. I've taken Prednisone which also gave me some relief to the noise, but I can't remain on that forever. I'm having very bad sleep now. I used to sleep through my T but now it's proving difficult.

My left ear has hyperacusis, but not bad - it comes and goes through the years. I've never had multiple days like what I'm experiencing with my T - and I don't know if it's partly self-stress induced.

I will need to find one where I live. My ENT wasn't helpful at all and didn't seem to treat my T with much seriousness. Thank you for taking the time to answer me in such great depth. I would welcome any added feedback with the new information I've provided.

Thank you.

 

Yea before the flight I was able to mask it and now I’m not even able to if I put it on the highest volume it actually mixes with it but my tinnitus doesn’t seem louder, does this mean I have 2 tones and if so how do I “almost mask i” @Michael Leigh

 

HI @Capstan

Thank you for the explanation about value- prop and for the additional information you have provided. Someone I know that is having TRT treatment at the moment, was told by his Audiologist who specialises in Tinnitus and Hyperacusis treatment, that the brain has only one central auditory processing centre not two. Therefore, his Audiologist said he only needs to wear one white noise generator not two for treating his hyperacusis. I thought this strange as I have never heard of this before and believed, the auditory system needed to be balanced when using white noise generators. When I was having TRT I was given two white noise generators.

If what the Audiologist said is true, then it might make no difference if you were using the headset in your good ear, as this might still cause some irritation to your auditory system. Before anyone says why are people issued with 2 hearing aids, therefore the Audiologist is wrong. I hasten to add, the Audiologist was referring to treating hyperacusis not hearing impairment.

Anyone that has noise induced tinnitus I recommend that they do not use any type of headphone, headset, earbuds, sleephones, NC headphones etc. I believe they can make tinnitus worse for some people with NIT.

From what you have described I believe your spike was caused by sound. Since you still experience some hyperacusis and may find some sounds irritating, I think you need to try and get this treated. You could first try self help by following some of my suggestions in my post: Hyperacusis as I see it, in the link below. If the spike doesn't reduce then you may need professional help. I don't believe seeing an ENT doctor will do you any good. ENT doctors do not treat tinnitus or hyperacusis. They treat underlying medical problems within the auditory system and elsewhere in the body that is causing the tinnitus.

When a person has tinnitus with or without hyperacusis and it was noise induced, they need to be referred to an Audiologist that specialises in Tinnitus and Hyperacusis management and treatment. A variety of treatments are usually available: TRT, CBT, Counselling, Sound Therapy, Mindfulness, relaxation therapy and medication. I believe medication would need to be prescribed by your GP or ENT doctor.

Try self help first and see how you get on.
All the best

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

As I have previously told you: You must NOT mask the tinnitus. Keep the volume of the white noise below the tinnitus.

Michael

 

@Bill Bauer hey if I hear my tinnitus in my brain rather than in my ears does it still mean it’s from acoustic trauma? (Got it after a loud concert under the influence)...?

 

Hi Michael

I've finally come around to realize that I probably did injure my hearing in my right (better) ear while building my daughter's bird house. It's the most logical explanation. I wanted to blame allergies, drugs, ent, etc. I think your right though. I started experiencing a new sound in my right ear and now it's started to have a dysacusis where some frequencies are creating feedback. It's pretty scary when it happens. I probably agitated my bad ear's hyperacusis but it's improving. I even thought the new sounds in my right ear was starting to improve / resolve last week until I went to a loud mall food court and undid any progress. The dysacusis occurs with humming sounds (like the refrigerator or a running fan). I am beyond gutted.

I tried pink noise but think it's actually aggravating the dysacusis. I thought it was getting better but it feels worse now.

Do you have any tips to give it a better chance to improve?

 

What if someone just deals with their tinnitus... no background sounds... will your brain still try to adjust... or will it “memorize” the sound and make it etched into the brain?

 

HI @Capstan

I am sorry to know that you are going through such a difficult time at the moment with sound sensitivity and tinnitus. Although following some of the suggestions in the links that I have given can be beneficial, self help does have it's limitations. When this point has been reached as I believe it has with you, taking into account everything that you have relayed to me, professional help needs to be sought. Otherwise you will be going from pillar to post and not getting anywhere. Therefore, think about the advice that I mentioned to you in my previous post and will place it below for convenience.

When a person has tinnitus with or without hyperacusis and it was noise induced, they need to be referred to an Audiologist that specialises in Tinnitus and Hyperacusis management and treatment. A variety of treatments are usually available: TRT, CBT, Counselling, Sound Therapy, Mindfulness, relaxation therapy and medication. I believe medication would need to be prescribed by your GP or ENT doctor.

I hope you are able to get the professional help that I think you need.
All the best

Michael

 

Each person is different. If someone wants to deal with their tinnitus without using background sounds then that is their choice. It depends on how intrusive the tinnitus is? In most cases when tinnitus becomes intrusive and problematic for a person to cope with, not using "sound enrichment" is not a good idea. The purpose of using background sounds is not to Mask the tinnitus or cover it up so that it can't be heard. The background sound also called Sound enrichment, is to have nature sounds or music playing at a level that is lower than the tinnitus. Music should not be used for sound enrichment at night as it draws attention to itself. Nature sounds are usually better.

Michael

 

This is really weird to me, why when I’m in a closed area my tinnitus is crazy loud but I can be in a quiet area outside and then my tinnitus is not that loud.

Can some one explain this....

 

When you wear earplugs for flying don't you get problems with pressure between the eardrum and the earplug or is that not an issue?

 

It hasn't been an issue for me (and I've kept my earplugs in during take-offs and landings during something like 20-30 flights).

@Alue flies a lot for work. He also wears earplugs during take-offs and landings and hasn't had any problems:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/search/4716135/?q=flight+earplug&o=relevance&c[user][0]=13359