Even White/Pink Noise Is Too Much for My Ears to Handle

It just feels uncomfortable listening to any sort of noise now, it's ridiculous. There's no point in trying masking anymore, my ears are just broken and can't react well to sound now.

After 5 minutes of pink noise my ears feel full and my tinnitus flares up. I don't know what the point of that 5 minutes was anyway since I could clearly hear the screeching of the tinnitus over it.

This is just the worst existence.

 

Clearly pink noise was too much for you. No matter, the simple thing is to not do it again. I have learned to loath that feeling of ear fullness, and that it simply means something was too loud for me. It happened to me that I woke up in a quiet room after a nap with it, and wondered what did it that did not wake me up. I am not a fan of pink/white/brown or other noise, but rather do listen to some music sometimes at low volume.

Hope you don't spike from this.

 

It's strange how white noise was so soothing to me when I first got T, but it gradually became irritating. As I moved to pink noise, then brown, and finally nature sounds, the irritation followed. These days I favour carefully chosen music at low volume, or "acoustic modulation" or "random bell melody" sounds. If I do listen to nature sounds then I like the sound of bamboo wind chimes (not metallic ones), ocean waves, rain if it's not too harsh.

Also I much prefer frogs to crickets.

 

Good info. The few times I listened to white noise, it sounded more like noise to me than anything else. I prefer quiet at this point, and especially when things get out of control, so white noise is not the answer for me.

 

I did experiment with notched noise and music, but because I have multiple tinnitus tones that are so changeable, I was never sure if I was notching correctly. I am curious about the possibility of playing sounds close to the tinnitus frequencies to create a residual inhibition effect, and possibly even stimulate damaged hair cells. Not sure how the science of any of that stands up. I did pay the $20 for the HushTinnitus.com personalised downloads which I do find quite helpful to reduce my tinnitus from time to time.

 

HI @Chipdip

I am sorry to know of the discomfort that you are feeling at the moment and see that you have had noise induced tinnitus since 2010 which is quite a long time. Many people do eventually habituate to this type of tinnitus and may need specialist treatment with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist to facilitate this. There are usually three specific reasons for "noise induced" tinnitus to either remain problematic or to become worse over time, two of them are related to sound, providing there is no underlying medical reason for it worsening. When hyperacusis is present as in your case, it can make a difficult situation even more untenable, so you do have my sympathy as I have been there.

In a lot of circumstances, people with noise induced tinnitus find the condition improves naturally over time without treatment. This can take 6 to 18 months perhaps longer to occur. Sometimes specialist treatment is needed as I have previously mentioned. If natural habituation does not happen and specialist treatment is not sought, the tinnitus can become a long term problem and at some point a person will need to seek help to find relief.

Another reason for noise induced tinnitus to become worse over time, taking into account that you have at it for almost ten years, is exposure to loud sounds and or using headphones. If you have been a frequent user of headphones even at low volume. Attend clubs where loud music is played or go to concerts etc, this is probably the reason your tinnitus and hyperacusis hasn't improved. I do not know your full history so my comments are just based on what I have read in your post. You have had noise induced tinnitus a long time and also have hyperacusis. I therefore believe, the reasons for them not improving and getting worse, is caused by not seeking professional treatment or continuously been exposed to loud sounds that your auditory system isn't comfortable with. If you have been a frequent user of headphones this has probably contributed to the tinnitus getting worse.

Please try and seek some professional help with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist, that specialises in treatment and management of tinnitus and hyperacusis. You probably need counselling too with these health professionals.


Please click on the links below and read my posts.
Hope you start to feel better soon.

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/

 

It only got worse because I used nitrous oxide for a period of time. It was almost non existent before then. I don't know exactly what the nitrous did but it's completely wrecked my body. The tinnitus is accompanied by nerve damage and a permanent eye pain. It's horrendous

 

Thank you for the additional information.

As I have said, my comments were based solely on your post which did not mention Nitrous Oxide. I do not know anything about Nitrous Oxide as I only advise on tinnitus that is specifically related to exposure to loud noise. This does not include underlying medical conditions that could make it worse or what you have mentioned Nitrous Oxide.

Hope you are able to get some help.
Take care

Micael

 

Yeah I didn't think to mention the nitrous as I was kind of just impulse ranting. Anyways I still appreciate what you and everyone else had wrote up. Sucky thing is my GP has kind of given up on finding a solution after explaining the whole situation. This whole thing has been a life changer it's a weird existence I'm living now. I couldn't even fathom the nerve pain I felt until I actually experienced it. It's unbelievable

 

If it is possible, as your GP if you can be referred to Audiology to see a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in Tinnitus and hyperacusis management and treatment.

Best of luck.
Michael

 

Most important right now is to let your auditory system rest so it can heal. Really try to limit the amount of noise you're exposed to daily. I'm really sorry you have to go through this, its a horrible condition. With time and quiet you will improve, if you can avoid noise (easier said than done)

Good luck, you can do this

 

I'm doubting improvement at this point. It's been well over a year since the damage happened and nothing has gotten better if anything my symptoms are getting worse.

 

I'm so sorry to hear that. Have you been limiting your sound exposure for that time? If you've been listening pink noise, chances are it has been too much for your ears. I'd stop it if I were you.

Hyperacusis is so crap to deal with, since there's no guidebook and you can never know how much noise is too much. I got massively worse this year too and I can really symphatize with your frustration. If your symptoms are getting worse- it means you're doing something wrong. You need to cut all noise from your life, become a hermit... Not fun, but there are no other options. I really hope you can find a way to manage your hyperacusis.

 

Yeah I'm definitely noise concious now and try to limit everything. I just think the nitrous gas physically broke something in my ears as I feel a bunch of pressure problems along with the crackling, rumbling sensations I can do with them.

 

So sorry to hear that I hope it would get easier for you. Know you're extremely strong for fighting this. It's not easy, but you can do it!

 

Thanks. Mentally strong, physically weak.

 

That's great! I feel I'm both mentally and physically weak lol. But I'm still hanging onto life.

 

Like you said, you're strong for fighting it. We're going through stuff that most of the world doesn't even know exists. The nerve pain too as a result of my actions is something I couldn't even begin to fathom until it happened to me. It's a crazy existence

 

Yeah I feel you. It's a heavy burden to carry. It's truly absurd. But one day at a time my friend