Does Anyone Else Have Chronic Music Distortion?

[sophia1688]

I developed this in January 2022. I have no idea what caused it, but I suspect it might have been the COVID booster vaccine, which I received three weeks earlier. I had no issues with the first two doses.

It is mild. I can listen to most songs clearly—more or less. I really thought it would go away, but it has been three years now. It is sad because my favorite song still sounds distorted.

As far as I know, most people get this symptom from acoustic trauma. I have not found anyone who suffers from it chronically. Most of the stories I have read describe full recovery.

I guess I have gotten used to it, but it is still annoying. I just feel alone with this particular symptom. I was only 22 when I developed music distortion.

 

[momus]

I didn't get my tinnitus from acoustic trauma. Mine started after a sinus infection, along with taking an antibiotic for the infection and sleeping with earplugs because I lived in a noisy environment.

In the beginning, my tinnitus was extremely loud all the time. Over the past 30 years, it has fluctuated—from being barely audible to roaring inside my head. I have to be extremely careful with things like riding on Amtrak, because you never really know what kinds of sounds you might encounter.

Earplugs only make things worse.

 

[delta784]

I didn't get my tinnitus from acoustic trauma. Mine started after a sinus infection, along with taking an antibiotic for the infection and sleeping with earplugs because I lived in a noisy environment.

In the beginning, my tinnitus was extremely loud all the time. Over the past 30 years, it has fluctuated—from being barely audible to roaring inside my head. I have to be extremely careful with things like riding on Amtrak, because you never really know what kinds of sounds you might encounter.

Earplugs only make things worse.

@momus, have you tried Clonazepam?

 

[Bobby 84]

Hi @sophia1688,

I'm four weeks into the same situation, although my sound distortions occur with many things—leaves rustling, paper bags being crumpled, water running, and so on. Mine started after an acoustic trauma, even though I was wearing both earplugs and earmuffs. The exposure should have been within safe listening limits.

I'm scheduled to see an ENT on Monday to find out if I can get any help or support.

After three years, have your distortions stayed exactly the same, or have you noticed any improvements? Or, as you mentioned, do you think you have simply gotten used to it?

When I see the ENT, I can update you on anything he suggests, if you'd like.

 

[Tex]

The term "chronic music distortion" is new to me, but yes, I suppose I have it. I often feel like I'm the only one who doesn't understand the lyrics in most of the newer music these days. I don't really consider much of it to be music, but that's just my opinion.

For me, it isn't just music that's affected. I frequently have to ask people to repeat what they've said, especially if it's something important.