Experiencing the Worst Tinnitus Spike After a Live Music Concert — I Could Use Some Support

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Long time lurker here. I acquired mild tinnitus in late 2020, following a combination of a loud cinema and an immense amount of stress. I was 23 then. I managed to habituate and cope with it fairly well, there were even times when I had relative silence at night. Ironically, I felt my best around 2 weeks ago. Life seemed to be back on track, my job, a girlfriend and some prospects.

However, I foolishly went to a live music concert a week ago and to my horror and despair had forgotten my earplugs which I normally carry. This wasn't complacency, just human error. I had washed my trousers and they must have fallen out. I should have just left, but it was a work event in front of my boss and I felt obligated to stay. You can imagine how much guilt and self-loathing I feel now as a result. I managed to stuff tissues in my ears to block some of the noise which was partially effective. However, as you might guess, my tinnitus has spiked to what I would say is a severe level (around 6-7/10).

Safe to say, I'm not coping very well. I feel everything important slipping through my fingers. My girlfriend, my job and my joy in life. I feel broken. I'm 25, I had so much in life I wanted to do. Now I feel like a shell of my former self with this new spike. I don't mean to be negative, this is just how I honestly feel right now.

I've been taking Omega-3, Magnesium and NAC. I tried getting steroids, but in the UK they only give you them if your hearing is severely affected.

It's been a little over a week since the noise exposure with no real change, I guess I just need support to help me through this very dark time in my life. Realistically will this spike pass? I had come so far with habituating my mild tinnitus, only to enjoy it for a mere week before it was robbed from me. Why is life so cruel?

My thanks and best wishes to you all,
Sam

 

[Mister Muso]

Hi, UK guy here too, I've been there arguing with doctors about Prednisone. No go.

You may well have made your tinnitus worse. But you don't mention hyperacusis. If you have no increased sensitivity, this is good news. I made the mistake of going to another concert after getting a severe tinnitus spike, and now I'm habituated to my tinnitus but the hyperacusis continues to make life difficult on a daily basis. So avoid further concerts, loud environments and headphones for 3-6 months and your spike may settle.

 

[Mr Joel]

Hi Sam, sorry to hear this! A week is still early so you never know, it could get better. I am also in the UK as is Michael Leigh who I am sure will be able to offer you some good advice. You are still young so that is in your favour.

As others will no doubt say, try not to panic and focus on the tinnitus to much (easier said than done).

I had a noise trauma well over a year ago which is still affecting me. Has it been difficult? Yes. Has it destroyed my life completely? No.

It could be worth booking an ENT appointment to rule out anything else and they will also be able to advise you on what you should do. Even if it turns out you can no longer tolerate noisy environments, there is so much more to discover and new hobbies to find

 

[Mr Joel]

UK crew... How long has your hyperacusis been troubling you for?

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Hi @Mister Muso and @Mr Joel, thank you for your kind words and information. It gives me hope that my life may still be salvageable, although in honesty right now I cannot see the way forward.

I had a brief run-in with hyperacusis for a week following a loud bang, which was a positive hell. It resolved, however, so I remain grateful that it is only tinnitus which I endure for now.

My main fear, as you both reference, is a permanent increase. I understand this is an individual thing, so it might be permanent, or it might not. From my research, it seems a spike can last from weeks to around 3 months, with the very outer limit being 6 months to a year. But, the longer the spike the more unlikely it is a spike I believe. It's not easy to type this grim prospect, as I want to remain hopeful it is just a spike. But at the same time, I want to make no delusions as to my predicament. Are you able to offer any advice or information on this?

On complacency, it is a difficult balance between trying to forget and move on from your tinnitus whilst remaining vigilant. To remain vigilant is not to forget I suppose.

In any case, I feel grateful for those of you reading this or talking to me who can understand what I am going through. It helps not to feel so alone during this time.

My thanks and best wishes to you all,
Sam

 

[Mister Muso]

UK crew... How long has your hyperacusis been troubling you for?

Hi,

I've had chronic tinnitus and hyperacusis since 2019. The two ENT doctors I saw were clueless about it, but I found one GP at my practice had some knowledge and prescribed me Amitriptyline which helped, and Beconase steroidal nasal spray which may or may not have done much.

Also the audiologist I saw was sympathetic and agreed not to set any levels too high during my tests on account of my hyperacusis. She had tinnitus herself which helped with my session.

 

[Michael Leigh]

It's been a little over a week since the noise exposure with no real change, I guess I just need support to help me through this very dark time in my life. Realistically will this spike pass?

Hi Sam,

Loud noise and tinnitus do not go well together so keep this in mind. Even wearing the best hearing protection doesn't mean you can't be affected by loud noise. If external sound is loud enough, it will pass through the head and transfer to the inner ear by bone conduction and spike the tinnitus. If you are fortunate the spike will eventually calm down to its previous baseline level. However, it's possible the spike can increase the tinnitus to a new permanent level so you need to be careful.

I advise that you don't listen audio through headphones, AirPods, earbuds, headsets, noise cancelling and bone conduction headphones even at low volume, as there's the risk of making the tinnitus louder.

Please click on the links below and read my posts. Go to my started threads and read: Hyperacusis, As I See It, The Habituation Process, How to Habituate to Tinnitus, Will My Tinnitus Get Worse? Can I Habituate to Variable Tinnitus?

All the best,
Michael

New to Tinnitus, What to Do? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Tinnitus, A Personal View | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Thanks @Michael Leigh, as a long-time reader your posts are always informative and complete.

As an update, my spike has decreased somewhat. From a 7/10 to a solid 4-5/10.

Just another experience to demonstrate the dire need to protect my ears from harm.

I'll keep you all updated as to how my spike goes, as I know from experience this thread may provide reassurance to those going through one.

I should also note that I have TMJ issues which are being dealt with.

My thanks and best wishes to you all,
Sam

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thanks @Michael Leigh, as a long-time reader your posts are always informative and complete.

Thanks for your kind comments Sam.

Protecting the ears from loud noise is the right thing to do but try not to become obsessed by it as some people do.

Take care,
Michael

 

[Smaapti]

Hey mate,

I am dealing with the similar thing, although I got mine from a relatively quiet pub watching footy on TV... Go figure. Mine hasn't decreased in over a month and I have an added "hell" frequency in the right ear that pierces my head.

I am glad yours has subsided a little. I wish the same for me. I feel and share your pain.

Best of luck and look after those ears going forward, you don't want to add higher frequencies to the torture.

Scott

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Hey mate,

I am dealing with the similar thing, although I got mine from a relatively quiet pub watching footy on TV... Go figure. Mine hasn't decreased in over a month and I have an added "hell" frequency in the right ear that pierces my head.

I am glad yours has subsided a little. I wish the same for me. I feel and share your pain.

Best of luck and look after those ears going forward, you don't want to add higher frequencies to the torture.

Scott

Hey Scott,

Thanks for the comment, I'm very sorry to hear about your present circumstances. I pray for your health and recovery, and I'm sure time will heal your wounds.

I shall protect my ears as best I can in this life until a cure is found.

As a small update, my spike is slowly getting better, with it now being around a 3-4/10. However, it does increase at times during the day. I find myself more afraid of going outside or to the gym now, however maybe this fear is healthy.

Have hope, if my ears can get better - so can yours. Stay strong and find the enjoyment which can be squeezed from life, even if sparing.

My thanks and best wishes to you all,
Sam

 

[Forever hopeful]

Same boat and feel so stupid.

I am meticulous about protecting my ears. Even when I go into a restaurant I wear my earplugs.

I had bought tickets to a concert, an outdoor concert, a couple of years ago. It has been postponed several times due to COVID-19. I went with my family any celebrated my son's 18th birthday. I usually double protect when attending events like a musical which I attend very infrequently. When I first got tinnitus (after an AC/DC concert - no ear protection), I got custom made musician's earplugs and I was able to attend concerts and I was able to go to musicals and I never had any problems. Then my tinnitus went away after a few years. Then 2 years ago I had hearing loss in my left ear - probably viral. It improved and the associated tinnitus in my left ear went away. Then over the course of the last two years I've developed bilateral tinnitus that varies appreciably in intensity and loudness. Hearing is within normal limits although it has dipped as I've aged. ENT and otologist think it is multifactorial having to do with her Eustachian tubes as well as TMJ and allergies

I had just enjoyed a fairly decent period of time when it was quite low. Then I go through periods where it spikes and quite louder for no apparent reason at all. Then it goes back to baseline. I would say it's actually not very loud, it's more that it's so high frequency I can't mask it. It has the frequency of band saw. I just noticed over the last few days that I thought it was spiking slightly. It was more noticeable.

So I get to the concert last night and all of a sudden I realize that my double ear protection method is not going to work. Not because of the volume but more because the percussion was so loud that when I put the earmuffs on, it distorted the sound and I could really feel the vibration of the percussion. Fearing bone conduction hearing loss, I took them off and just used my custom earplugs with a sealant to ensure a good seal. Halfway through, I even went to the ladies' room and reapplied the sealant. Upon consultation with my ENT she thinks it's very very unlikely I would have suffered bone conduction hearing loss. So, I repeatedly removed myself and went to the concession stand area, which was covered and slightly quieter or retreated to the bathroom taking repeated breaks from the show.

Prior to going, I had told myself this will be my very last concert. I actually haven't been to a concert in years. But this was a special one for our family. It was a favorite band celebrating their 50th anniversary and playing at Fenway Park in Boston.

Today I noticed that my normal tinnitus is a lot louder. I will admit I've had louder spikes, particularly in my right ear, but it's definitely louder than usual. I don't believe I have any new sounds and I don't have any hyperacusis or ear fullness. Absolutely no threshold shift because my ears had some decent protection. About 30 decibel. I used my dB app and the music covered between 77 to 100 dB, but more consistently in the 80s. I know that I have phonophobia. While I have no hyperacusis, I am very fearful of noises that I perceive to be loud or think is loud that other people don't necessarily respond to. That's a consequence of tinnitus.

I've had spikes like this before based on no sound exposure and for no reason.

I went to urgent care and started on Prednisone today.

Any support anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Honestly, if any respondent is just going to tell me that what I did was stupid or that you can still have noise exposure even with my ears protected, I have already read that. I don't really need to hear it again. I thought it was a really good plan that has worked in the past and it didn't work last night. It's also possible that the spike has nothing to do with the concert and I have randomly spiked like before.

If you have words of encouragement, please share.

Thanks.

 

[Ngo13]

@Forever hopeful, I'm sorry you are dealing with this spike. I think you did all you could do at the concert and you shouldn't beat yourself up over it. It's done now, and you even have Prednisone. I'm still relatively new to tinnitus but I know that I do experience real spikes from anxiety and stress (I also have phonophobia since my onset). It's possible you are spiking from the hyperawareness/stress from the concert and not the noise itself since it doesn't seem like you were exposed to damaging levels with your ear protection.

Regardless of the why, I'm sure you will go back to baseline. You admitted yourself that you have spikes, but they have always returned to baseline. Just give it some time and try to distract yourself. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Well, now I am in another spike.

I was just driving back home yesterday (I have a 10 minute drive home from work) and a loud car went past me. Windows were up and all, so whilst loud, it was muffled. It cannot have been more than 85 dB. But nope, in my left ear my tonal tinnitus is louder than ever today. I estimate the noise cannot have been for more than 1-2 seconds.

I've taken NAC, and will rest my ears (aka be a hermit at the ripe old age of 25), but god this condition can be relentless sometimes.

Sorry for ranting, just need to vent to those who understand.

Wishing you all well, particularly @Forever hopeful - I hope things have improved since your post.

Sam

 

[Stuart-T]

I took earplugs to a ballet and put them in after 2 minutes as my tinnitus suddenly spiked. I stayed for the whole performance with earplugs in. I can tell you though had I forgotten my earplugs - and became aware of the spike as I did - I would have gone home. Not worth the risk. I am a plane spotter - I like to go to airports and video planes taking off. I went last week with no earplugs - so I improvised - some tissue paper in my pocket. I screwed it up and plugged my affected ear. It muffled the sounds of the jets and I was ok.

25 is no age to have this condition. I hope things improve for you.

 

[tiniturk]

Hi @Samwise_The_Loud,

I just stumbled upon this thread. How are you now, my friend? I am also relatively young (24) with tinnitus in my left ear after visiting an indoor festival. I'd rate it around 5-6/10 as I can still do my daily chores, but at night it is dreadful.

I also have another party coming up on New Year's Eve, and I really am debating whether I should go (with protection, of course) or not. There are so many stories about tinnitus worsening after a party.

Anyway, enough about me. I hope you are OK and pray that a cure will be found asap so we can live our lives to the fullest.

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

How are you now, my friend? I am also relatively young (24) with tinnitus in my left ear after visiting an indoor festival. I'd rate it around 5-6/10 as I can still do my daily chores, but at night it is dreadful.

I also have another party coming up on New Year's Eve, and I really am debating whether I should go (with protection, of course) or not. There are so many stories about tinnitus worsening after a party.

Anyway, enough about me. I hope you are OK and pray that a cure will be found asap so we can live our lives to the fullest.

Hey @tiniturk!

I've been enjoying Christmas! Hope you have too!

Hey snap on the tinnitus! That's similar to what mine is! Left ear 5/10 and right 2-3/10.

My tinnitus definitely spiked over Christmas (crackers, screaming children etc). I used ear protection but nowadays I don't react so badly to mild spikes that come and go. I know the most risk-averse way to live my life would be to insulate against all noise. But then I figure I wouldn't have a life, I'd just be in my room 24/7. I still adapt in that I do not attend obviously loud settings such as concerts or shows, but when it comes to family gatherings, these are things that give my life joy and meaning so I would rather take the risk.

Anyway, I do find myself in the same spot coming up to NYE on whether to go to a party. For me, the key is letting people know beforehand and also not drinking alcohol. With ear protection, I am okay with conversational noise but loud artificial noise is too much. Alcohol also spikes me and makes you more susceptible to spikes I think. It also messes with my Visual Snow Syndrome. In any case, it is much harder to enjoy yourself always being worried about noise - but it is what it is.

Hope you have a fab NYE regardless, and a great 2023!

Wishing you all well,
Sam

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Hi all,

A somewhat brief and unfortunate update.

I was playing Monopoly with some friends when a girl landed on Mayfair and decided to let out the loudest banshee scream for maybe 2 seconds. I wasn't wearing protection, because I thought playing a board game would be harmless. Lesson learned.

In any case, it's been a week and I'm still in midst of an awful spike in both ears. I did experience aural fullness for a week, which makes me think this spike may be permanent.

Anyone have any experience with things like this? Looking for hope.

Wishing you all well,
Sam

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Hi all,

Another update.

Not sure how I'm here as there have not been any really loud noises following the scream but my left ear is going wild. I keep feeling a tightening or pressure in the muscles around the ear?

Someone was talking to me the other day (normal speaking level) and I felt this pressure along with increased tinnitus. Doing my best to avoid a spiral, but does anyone have experience with this physical sensation and it means?

Wishing you all well,
Sam

 

[Ngo13]

@Samwise_The_Loud, could it be TTTS? Or possibly jaw clenching from stress? My tinnitus was caused by a scream in my ear but it was only inches away. I have TTTS in that ear too.

Has your spike settled at all? Did you go to a doctor and get your hearing tested?

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

@Samwise_The_Loud, could it be TTTS? Or possibly jaw clenching from stress? My tinnitus was caused by a scream in my ear but it was only inches away. I have TTTS in that ear too.

Has your spike settled at all? Did you go to a doctor and get your hearing tested?

Hey, thanks for your message @Ngo13! Quite possibly, it definitely feels somatic and I could physically feel the muscles move in and around my ear for a couple of days after. My friend spoke to me in a car and my muscles all tensed up. It is a very strange sensation.

The spike did settle, although both my ears still feel 'fresh', in that the baseline is higher and it takes less sound to provoke it now. I guess I just need to live like a hermit for a few weeks

Hearing tests came back normal. Seem like the acute TTTS settled down but I suspect I have underlying TTTS (as well as TMD) - any thoughts on how to help cure it?

Wishing you all well,
Sam

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Hello, everyone (if anyone is even reading this).

A minor update since June 2023 (time flies!). I've been trying to stay off Tinnitus Talk for recovery reasons. It's nothing personal, but I seem to get stuck reading the suicidal threads, which ultimately makes me worse. Things have been strange; life is a bit odd like that. I went through a fairly normal period where things seemed to stabilize, with the odd spike. As I write, I am going through a spike, which has likely been the thing to bring me back to the site.

It's a bad one, although I know where it has come from: my proclivity to try and have a normal life. In this case, a friend's stag do. I know the risks, fully informed. I read horror stories and suicides. But I refuse to live a life as a hermit. My soul won't permit it. That said, I will end up living carefully for a couple of months now. And I don't take silly risks (clubs, movies, concerts, etc). But going for drinks with an old friend before his wedding? Yes, I will take that risk.

I salsa, do improv comedy in London, am currently in a play, play acoustic guitar (with accompanying wailing), have a full-time job, go to the gym, date, and see friends—all the while with tinnitus.

A normal life isn't possible; this condition, unfortunately, is too all-changing to delude yourself into thinking you will go back to square one. But a liveable life is within reach for most. Again, this is not "go live your life as you were" advice. This is to go live a life without silly risks and take precautions. But don't forget to do the living part. Ultimately, we're all dead anyway. Some may choose to meet their maker earlier rather than later, and I do not judge them for doing so. This condition tests you to unimaginable depths. We walk a fine line between life and death all of our lives; all my thought is that the closer you come to the edge, the more you start to see the flowers in the garden.

Wishing you all well,
Sam

 

[RunningMan]

Definitely use good hearing protection when you're out around these noises, regardless of what your "soul" tells you. If you forget your earplugs again, you should leave as soon as possible so that you don't risk permanently worsening your tinnitus. Spikes come down until they don't, and they become permanently worse. At 3-4 out of 10, it sounds like your tinnitus is relatively mild, like mine was years ago before I ever came to Tinnitus Talk. Still, at your young age, you have a lot of years to go for it to worsen, so you don't want to end up like those of us with severe tinnitus, where it can become debilitating and impossible to really habituate to. Live your life, but be smart about it and minimize those risks.

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Definitely use good hearing protection when you're out around these noises, regardless of what your "soul" tells you. If you forget your earplugs again, you should leave as soon as possible so that you don't risk permanently worsening your tinnitus. Spikes come down until they don't, and they become permanently worse. At 3-4 out of 10, it sounds like your tinnitus is relatively mild, like mine was years ago before I ever came to Tinnitus Talk. Still, at your young age, you have a lot of years to go for it to worsen, so you don't want to end up like those of us with severe tinnitus, where it can become debilitating and impossible to really habituate to. Live your life, but be smart about it and minimize those risks.

Hello there, @RunningMan.

I do use custom earplugs when I'm out and about, and as I say, I avoid loud places. However, I do know my soul; I do know myself. The most risk-averse approach would be to isolate 100% of the time. But I wonder if that's a life worth living for the rest of my long years. I have many years for it to get worse, as you say, but also for it to improve (or perhaps for me to better adapt to it). If it got so catastrophic that it was debilitating and I could not adapt to it, I think I would take steps. I couldn't live like that, deprived of human contact and in constant suffering. I've suffered a fair bit in my life, more than most - so I would draw a swift line on my own terms. This is why I pass no judgment over those in that place, for it must be a place beyond comprehension to a somewhat mild/medium sufferer like me.

Wishing you well,
Sam

 

[Samwise_The_Loud]

Hello All,

Here's an update in this quasi-diary of sorts. Once again, my periods of absence from the forum are not out of ill will but rather a result of trying to leave a troubled past behind. Incidentally, I believe that's the ultimate goal for anyone with trauma: to forget the circumstances that haunt them.

My ears have been unpredictable—good periods followed by setbacks, then bad periods leading to slow recoveries. I'm not taking unnecessary risks and am being cautious where I can, but sometimes life is unavoidable, and spikes happen. My baseline is still around 3/10–4/10, and on some quiet nights, I even get down to 2/10, which feels like progress. At the moment, I'm at 5/10 because of using mold remover (unsurprisingly, as it's toxic, this caused a spike), but I think it will settle.

My overriding goal remains the same: to live a life worth living without causing further damage that would make life unbearable. I still pursue theatre, improv, D&D, and music occasionally. I'm also renovating an old motorhome to travel across Europe this summer. Wins like these are worth celebrating. That said, every endeavor has its challenges—there are moments of regret when spikes happen, but they don't erase the joy, purpose, and happiness that come with them. That's why we live. In my mind, the price paid is worth it, even fully aware of the risks, having read countless difficult stories on this forum.

So, armed with this knowledge, my often-faltering motto is to kick life in the teeth. I don't succeed every day. Just the other day, the mold remover spike ruined my plans, and I spent the day indoors. But even then, I managed to do some writing, and it wasn't so bad. Tomorrow, next week, and next month will be better.

To anyone reading this: stay strong and hang in there. I've managed this condition for nearly five years now. I'm not living a "normal" life by any means, but who truly is? The point is, I live a life—and a liveable one is within reach for most of us. Even if it isn't forever, it's still worth it. After all, who lives a life indefinitely? Just don't take unnecessary risks and manage your condition with care.

To those who are deeply and truly suffering beyond the metrics of normality, my heart goes out to you. I naïvely say that I still believe life is worth living, even though my tinnitus has worsened over time and likely will continue to do so. However, I respect that this is a judgment only you can make. I don't fool myself into thinking I might not one day find myself in your position.

To better shores. Now, I think I'll grab lunch.

Wishing you all well,
Sam