How Loud Is Your Tinnitus?

Hope you feel able to come back to the piano in a while. I took a break from it for a few months, but lately I manage to play a little most days. It can still take me out of myself and improve my mood. I've found the right earplugs that protect me enough whilst still allowing me to enjoy the sounds I make.

 

This good-day bad-day cycle is annoying. Also, it is not just the volume that changes between the days. On bad days there are many different sounds and sounds in both ears, buzzing, bells, morse code, fleeting tinnitus, etc. In good days there is just a low high pitched hiss in my left ear. If I have a couple of good days in a row, then I also get delusional and start thinking that I will get cured permanently. I dream of writing a success story to Tinnistalk etc. Of course in the next day T is back with all of its bells and whistles.

Overall, I am mostly fine. Maskers cover enough so that I can concentrate on work. While doing the chores or with hobbies, I hear it but it does not interfere.

 

I would say mine is moderate, but thanks to habituation it´s gone down to mild.

 

Hi everyone, mine might be considered maybe a 2 out of 10 on good days. However it is easily aggravated by amplified sound, any high pitched sound, sudden noises, stress, television above a certain level, public transits. So the spikes are fairly regular and on these days I would give mine a 4 out of 10.

 

I have many sounds (unfortunately), which I can rate on a scale of 1 to 10 of how annoying it is. A low bass sound that often appears in quiet moments (3), a whistle sound that sometimes is intrusive (6) and a fleeting morse code tone (4).

 

Very good post. It explains it perfectly although words are never enough.

 

Why is the tinnitus so much louder and intrusive at night?!?

 

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but lately I started noticing that the fans in my PC had gotten quite loud when I run certain programs. I downloaded an app to measure dB, and I found that my PC is 30 dB in idle and around 50 dB when it's working really hard.

This made me start comparing my tinnitus to the PC and with the measuring tool I think I can say that my tinnitus is 10-15 dB when it's really quiet, around 30 dB when it's moderate, which is most of the time, and during spikes it's around 40-45 dB.

My tinnitus is louder than I thought actually and it's been going up and down a lot lately.

 

Does the computer fans bother you?

I don't know if this theory is feasible but I suspect noises like a loud fan contributes to reactive tinnitus. It results in tinnitus spikes or what we perceive as louder tinnitus. It's like our damaged ears can't process certain sounds or frequencies properly and that is "translated" to tinnitus 'changes.'

If you have any money to spare, buy some Noctua fans, use SSD (solid state drives) for storage/OS to lower your computer's noise. See if your tinnitus is any different or more 'stable' when using your computer.

 

They bother me a little bit when they're at full load. However, that only happens when I run one particular computer game. I've tested with 10 different games and the computer is completely quiet unless I run this program.

My tinnitus isn't reactive in nature. At all. Sounds doesn't affect it. I haven't exactly experimented with extremely loud sounds, obviously, but in December I was exposed to a very loud fire alarm. Nothing happened to my tinnitus. Ambulances have driven past me, I've walked through construction sites, I've listened to metal through speakers. Didn't spike the tinnitus one bit. Stress and anxiety will usually make it worse, though. I have extremely strong suspicions that my tinnitus has nothing to do with my hearing at all, that its mostly a "brain thing".

And yes, I have an SSD for Windows and I did very recently install an M.2 chip, that is when I began to notice that the fans were louder when I'm running that particular game. Could be a coincidence.

 

I used to classify my tinnitus as 'mild', but I started thinking that it is not that mild. I am probably in the lower spectrum of moderate. My tinnitus is either an high pitch pure tone or some atonal indescribable bullshit. Since it is mostly high pitch I can detect it everywhere: malls, airplanes, trains, cars. I could easily hear it in a 80 dB airplane cabin. However it does not take much to mask it with the correct frequencies bands: a barely running faucet or this with the Windows volume bar set to 20 (and using the laptop speakers).

I am almost 8 months in and it did not lessen.

 

Yeah I used to have it like that and I thought it was severe, but you are right, it is not yet severe, because it can get much worse with multiple sounds and cutting through faucets.

So this is a perfect example of how one person think it's even mild while to another it seems severe with suicidal thoughts.

It's awesome you consider it mild/moderate, because another person in your shoes might be thinking suicide.

 

Mine is mild, but multitonal. However, the high frequency ones cannot be masked by almost anything (16 kHz tone), so I always hear them. They are also reactive, so a running tap gives me loud beeping, etc.

 

Mine ticks up when I do bad stuff. It is in the zone when I eat and drink right. Getting a good night's sleep is critical, which will always tone it down.

 

@dan, I once had a fleeting tinnitus episode that cut through the shower; I solid, impressive and unbearable pure tone. That one is something I would personally consider as 'severe' (without taking into account possible complications such as reactivity, multiple tones etc...). The high frequency is a curse. I do not consider mine as particularly loud - I do not even mask it to fall asleep. However most of the daily noise =< 80 dB does not mask it; it's always there, maybe "shy", but it's there.

 

I have the multi tone mild tinnitus but it fluctuates so much. It sucks.

I get mini spikes where I can hear the electric buzz anywhere. It’s always buzzing when I hear the radio or fans.

 

You are getting these spikes because you are doing something wrong that you're not aware of. The usual cause is related to sound, especially when the tinnitus is noise induced. If you are not careful you risk the spikes making the tinnitus worse.

Michael.

 

Yeah mine sucks as well. I just go with it because I can't fix it. Life is good.

 

My tones react to most electronics/fans/buzzing, too. Sometimes I get a loud shriek on top of the actual sound, sometimes I get a beep. Usually louder than the sound that caused it. It ceases when the sound ceases.

 

I’m still trying to figure out what to do. I protect my ears and I don’t use headphones. My tinnitus for some reason calms down at night, however I can still hear it squeaking or buzzing. Certain positions can make it worse sometimes as well.

I tried crickets and nature noises last night low volume, no headphones, and after a while I can feel my tone buzzing in my head like it’s trying to compete or something. Just weird stuff and not sure how to treat it.

 

Yeah I hear the squeaks (it’s really a super high frequency tone that’s intermittent), however it becomes a straight tone sometimes.

I can feel it buzzing my brain sometimes when it tries to compete. It’s not this reactive every day though.

When watching TV it’s just like bzzz bzzz squeeeeeak… buzz bzzzzz squeak squeeeeak. Faint for the most part, I can hear it over most things though.

 

You have had noise-induced tinnitus for many years. This type tinnitus will usually remain stable once habituation has been achieved but recently it has become problematic. I have mentioned reasons for this in my post: Will My Tinnitus Get Worse? Please read it as it refers to people that have noise-induced tinnitus.

I have looked at some of your early posts to this forum, as this can give an indication of what might have caused the increase in the tinnitus, how it is affecting you and so see what treatment you have tried and whether you have been seen at ENT? You have been given some good advice and support by some forum members, so please accept my apologies if I happen to mention some of them again.

The most common cause for a resurgence in noise-induced tinnitus after a long habituation period such as yours, is listening to music through any type of headphones even at low volume. Listening to loud music through speakers or being exposed to other types of noise trauma. This could be work related or a hobby such as firing a gun on a shooting range. If you have participated in any of the things I have mentioned, their effect would have taken some time to reach full manifestation and therefore, would probably go unnoticed for quite some time because of your long habituation period. This happens and is particularly relevant to people that have noise-induced tinnitus.

Another indication of noise being the cause of the tinnitus increase is experiencing spikes, which usually means, noise trauma to the auditory system that has made it oversensitive to sound.

If noise isn't the cause there are other things to consider. Some people with tinnitus are adversely affected by aerobic exercises. Running on hard ground or treadmill due to impact underfoot. It travels up through the feet, legs into the upper body head and auditory system and can cause spikes. Some people find lifting weights can affect tinnitus too. Stress can also make tinnitus worse but as you're a veteran, you have probably learnt to manage this quite well over the years.

If none of the above resonate with you then you could have developed an underlying medical problem within your auditory system, as I note that you have been experiencing dizziness and vertigo? I see you have been examined at ENT, so if there was anything untoward going on I would have thought it would show up in tests. However, if you are still experiencing this perhaps it would be a good idea to get a second opinion. I also see that you have ETD issues? As you know that can cause problems with tinnitus and really needs the intervention of an ENT doctor for treatment.

You have mentioned noticing an increase in the tinnitus after the COVID-19 vaccination. This could also be a factor and should be investigated after the other things I have mentioned have been ruled out as the cause for tinnitus increase.

I suggest that you see another ENT doctor for a full examination including hearing test, ETD and MRI. If you are given the all clear, then you should be referred to Audiology and see an Audiologist that specialises in Tinnitus and Hyperacusis treatment and management. Treatment can involve: counselling, medication, sound therapy or a combination of all three. This is the right health professional for you to see, once your ENT doctor has decided there is no underlying medical problem responsible for the increase in tinnitus or spikes.

Continue using low level sound enrichment something that's soothing. Please remember not to overprotect your ears. Read my post: Hyperacusis, As I See It.

I wish you well.
Michael

Will My Tinnitus Get Worse? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Hyperacusis, As I See It | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

Yeah I did use headphones on low volume for a good while. I have ETD symptoms but that doesn’t mean I have ETD. ENT said my ears check out fine but my right ear has moderate hearing loss and left ear seems good, maybe slight normal range hearing loss. He said I qualify for hearing aids and they may help. I’m probably certain mine may be noise induced but months before the vaccine I was getting vertigo episodes randomly.

ENT scheduled an MRI but I declined due to the horror stories here. I am going to try to get a CT instead. I used nature noises last night and I think I was ok. I do have a spike from the chiropractor I saw earlier.

My tinnitus bounces around so much it’s hard to pinpoint what’s causing it to change during the day. I have the regular ringing that spikes due to noise or stress, then I have the new left ear high pitch electrical tone that just squeaks or goes up and down, haven’t figured that one out yet. Worse when sitting, or with white noise. Usually better lying flat at night in the quiet. Most of my tinnitus other than my old one quiets down at night (didn’t last night though).

Thanks.

 

I was using headphones for years after I got my first tinnitus. It was fading, headphones had no negative effect. But then I got a new pair and started listening to music at too high a volume (they are open-back cans, so I wanted more volume). A month and a half of that made my tinnitus increase dramatically.

 

I suspected all along that the increase in your tinnitus and the spikes you have been experiencing are the result of listening to audio through headphones, or being exposed to some type of loud sounds. A similar thing happened to me after a long habituation period, although it was caused by listening to music at too high a level through speakers one evening without realizing it. I know what you're going through and it's not pleasant. Things will improve but you may need professional help. Please read my post: My Experience With Tinnitus.

Your hearing needs to be at optimum so hearing aid/s should help. If you are able, get a referral to an Audiologist, that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management I think this would be best for you. This is not the area of expertise for an ENT doctor. You need to see an Audiologist and preferably one that has tinnitus. It is my belief you will benefit from tinnitus counselling and using a combination of hearing aid/s with white noise generators - these devices have hearing aid and white noise generator within the same unit. Medication may be needed to help with stress.

If you can, please stop keeping a daily journal of how your is affecting you. Go to my started threads and print my articles: Tinnitus and the Negative Mindset, Acquiring a Positive Mindset, The Habituation Process, Tinnitus, A Personal View, Tinnitus and Negative Counselling. Take your time and read them and refer to them often. This will help to reinforce positive thinking.

Try to engage in things you like to do. My advice is to never use any type of headphones again even at low volume.

Take care and all the best.
Michael

My Experience with Tinnitus | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

Thanks Michael. The tinnitus I had before didn’t morph like this one, nor cause my extra tones to spike up and down. It’s just weird lol.

I’m experiencing an electrical buzz now which is really high pitched.

 

You are welcome Wrfortiscue.

When my tinnitus changed in 2008 after a second noise trauma it was completely different, so I understand what you're going through.

You need to give it time and if possible, seek the help of an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment.

 

Will do.

 

I thought mine was mild, but from this quiz I guess I’m in the moderate category.