How to Cope with Tinnitus After High-Frequency Hearing Loss?

[Sydnears]

I have been told that tinnitus associated with hearing loss is permanent.

I have bilateral high-frequency hearing loss and associated tinnitus. It has been 10 weeks now.

I am just looking for success stories from people who have hearing loss and have managed to habituate to their tinnitus to the point where it no longer affects their daily life in a negative way. I still have good hearing up to the mid frequencies, with moderate to severe loss at the higher frequencies.

I suppose I am just looking for some hope that things might improve. I am feeling very down at the moment. Thank you.

 

[SueX]

Hiya, I have high-frequency hearing loss. It is only mild, and I also have some brain issues, so at first I assumed my pulsatile tinnitus was caused only by those neurological problems. However, I went to see an excellent audiologist who very patiently explained that even if the brain issues are contributing to the tinnitus, the hearing loss is likely playing a role as well. The brain tries to compensate for the missing frequencies, which can also trigger or worsen tinnitus.

I followed her recommendation to try hearing aids, which serve two purposes: first, they provide slight amplification to help with the mild high-frequency hearing loss, and second, they generate background sound to partially mask the tinnitus.

They were expensive, and making the decision was difficult. At first, they hurt my ears and I wanted to throw them in the bin. But now, several weeks in, just as she predicted, the tinnitus has not disappeared, but my brain is hearing a richer sound environment and is less focused on the tinnitus.

It is not the most affordable solution by any means, but after going through about a dozen scans and seeing many different clinicians, I was desperate to try anything and everything possible.

 

[Chezten]

Hiya, I have high-frequency hearing loss. It is only mild, and I also have some brain issues, so at first I assumed my pulsatile tinnitus was caused only by those neurological problems. However, I went to see an excellent audiologist who very patiently explained that even if the brain issues are contributing to the tinnitus, the hearing loss is likely playing a role as well. The brain tries to compensate for the missing frequencies, which can also trigger or worsen tinnitus.

I followed her recommendation to try hearing aids, which serve two purposes: first, they provide slight amplification to help with the mild high-frequency hearing loss, and second, they generate background sound to partially mask the tinnitus.

They were expensive, and making the decision was difficult. At first, they hurt my ears and I wanted to throw them in the bin. But now, several weeks in, just as she predicted, the tinnitus has not disappeared, but my brain is hearing a richer sound environment and is less focused on the tinnitus.

It is not the most affordable solution by any means, but after going through about a dozen scans and seeing many different clinicians, I was desperate to try anything and everything possible.

Hi @SueX,

Just wondering how your hearing is going. Have they managed to stop the pulsatile sound?

I have similar issues.

There is a right-sided neurovascular conflict seen at the trigeminal root entry zone, caused by the ipsilateral superior cerebellar artery. And, like you, there is bilateral contact via AICA loops with the cisternal course of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerve complexes. However, this is commonly seen in most patients and is not usually considered clinically significant.

My tinnitus began eight years ago. I'm not sure if it started around the time I stopped taking an SSRI. It progressed into strange zapping sensations in my mouth, and then a clicking Morse code-like sound in my head upon waking.

It has now developed into full-blown pulsatile tinnitus, 24 hours a day, and often goes into spasms. My voice creates a metallic ringing sound that seems to synchronize with external sounds. I believe this is called somatosensory tinnitus.

Alongside this, I have a hissing noise in my left ear, and occasionally a musical whistling joins in.

I trialed a hearing aid for four weeks, but only noticed a slight improvement in my hyperacusis and sound sensitivity. I eventually returned it and received a refund of $8,000. Unfortunately, things now seem worse.

I hope you're continuing to improve. Any updates would be much appreciated.

 

[DimLeb]

Hi @SueX,

Just wondering how your hearing is going. Have they managed to stop the pulsatile sound?

I have similar issues.

There is a right-sided neurovascular conflict seen at the trigeminal root entry zone, caused by the ipsilateral superior cerebellar artery. And, like you, there is bilateral contact via AICA loops with the cisternal course of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerve complexes. However, this is commonly seen in most patients and is not usually considered clinically significant.

My tinnitus began eight years ago. I'm not sure if it started around the time I stopped taking an SSRI. It progressed into strange zapping sensations in my mouth, and then a clicking Morse code-like sound in my head upon waking.

It has now developed into full-blown pulsatile tinnitus, 24 hours a day, and often goes into spasms. My voice creates a metallic ringing sound that seems to synchronize with external sounds. I believe this is called somatosensory tinnitus.

Alongside this, I have a hissing noise in my left ear, and occasionally a musical whistling joins in.

I trialed a hearing aid for four weeks, but only noticed a slight improvement in my hyperacusis and sound sensitivity. I eventually returned it and received a refund of $8,000. Unfortunately, things now seem worse.

I hope you're continuing to improve. Any updates would be much appreciated.

I don't think I can help much, but I'd like to ask because it sounds similar to some episodes I've been experiencing. About the metallic ringing, do external sounds trigger it inside your ear, like with reactive tinnitus? For example, when you hear running water, other people's voices, music, and so on?

 

[SueX]

Hi @SueX,

Just wondering how your hearing is going. Have they managed to stop the pulsatile sound?

I have similar issues.

There is a right-sided neurovascular conflict seen at the trigeminal root entry zone, caused by the ipsilateral superior cerebellar artery. And, like you, there is bilateral contact via AICA loops with the cisternal course of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerve complexes. However, this is commonly seen in most patients and is not usually considered clinically significant.

My tinnitus began eight years ago. I'm not sure if it started around the time I stopped taking an SSRI. It progressed into strange zapping sensations in my mouth, and then a clicking Morse code-like sound in my head upon waking.

It has now developed into full-blown pulsatile tinnitus, 24 hours a day, and often goes into spasms. My voice creates a metallic ringing sound that seems to synchronize with external sounds. I believe this is called somatosensory tinnitus.

Alongside this, I have a hissing noise in my left ear, and occasionally a musical whistling joins in.

I trialed a hearing aid for four weeks, but only noticed a slight improvement in my hyperacusis and sound sensitivity. I eventually returned it and received a refund of $8,000. Unfortunately, things now seem worse.

I hope you're continuing to improve. Any updates would be much appreciated.

I hope I have now posted this in the right place. You replied to me, and for some reason I cannot figure out, I was then unable to reply to you.

Anyway, I am sticking with the hearing aids. It has been about five weeks now. I would say they have helped, but it is hard work. I think they have taken the edge off the tinnitus, though only marginally.

I saw the audiologist who supplied them this week, and she said it can take months for hearing aids or sound generators to make a significant difference with tinnitus. Still, I will persevere.

I am sorry you did not get on with them. If the tinnitus remains bad, maybe try again? Perhaps they would offer you a discount on the devices the second time around.

 

[Chezten]

I don't think I can help much, but I'd like to ask because it sounds similar to some episodes I've been experiencing. About the metallic ringing, do external sounds trigger it inside your ear, like with reactive tinnitus? For example, when you hear running water, other people's voices, music, and so on?

Hi @DimLeb,

I am not exactly sure what triggered my MEM spasms. They are now ridiculously fast and feel like sparks being blown out of my ears, with a whistling ear and Bell's thrown in. The only way I can stop it is by putting on very slow rhythmic delta wave music or something similar. According to AI, this is called "Somatosounds."

I have the feeling of blood rushing through my ears and head, and if I am near a fan or other sounds, my ears pick up that sound and play it in a tune of "Ch Ch churr" super fast. Then, if I stop the music, it comes back and goes berserk, like a steam train going around in my head at supersonic speed.

I tried hearing aids for the MEM for three weeks, but they did not stop the morning spasms. They may have helped the hyperacusis a little, but we did not trial any masking noise options. I plan on going back, as these spasms are now out of control.

How are you doing?

I think mine, which started as tinnitus in my left ear, then progressed to vibrations in my ears like rattlesnakes and distorted speaker sounds when talking or in loud places, was made worse because I became so stressed over it. My nervous system has gone into alarm mode. I am trying cross-body exercises and anything that might help my parasympathetic nervous system reset.

The strange thing is, I do not feel stressed before it happens. For example, the MEM started on waking. However, high cortisol in the morning may have contributed. Also, if I stretch and swallow, it can awaken the monster.

I am having an upper cervical chiropractor do some adjustments with his method called the Octogonal Atlas technique. His X-rays showed my atlas way out of alignment, which, according to research, can put pressure on nerves and create turbulent blood flow. I certainly have both.

I also have Hashimoto's, and he recommended that I have a full blood panel done, as my body could be getting too much T3 from my medication and making me hyperthyroid.

Any updates on your treatment journey would be appreciated.

 

[DimLeb]

Hi @DimLeb,

I am not exactly sure what triggered my MEM spasms. They are now ridiculously fast and feel like sparks being blown out of my ears, with a whistling ear and Bell's thrown in. The only way I can stop it is by putting on very slow rhythmic delta wave music or something similar. According to AI, this is called "Somatosounds."

I have the feeling of blood rushing through my ears and head, and if I am near a fan or other sounds, my ears pick up that sound and play it in a tune of "Ch Ch churr" super fast. Then, if I stop the music, it comes back and goes berserk, like a steam train going around in my head at supersonic speed.

I tried hearing aids for the MEM for three weeks, but they did not stop the morning spasms. They may have helped the hyperacusis a little, but we did not trial any masking noise options. I plan on going back, as these spasms are now out of control.

How are you doing?

I think mine, which started as tinnitus in my left ear, then progressed to vibrations in my ears like rattlesnakes and distorted speaker sounds when talking or in loud places, was made worse because I became so stressed over it. My nervous system has gone into alarm mode. I am trying cross-body exercises and anything that might help my parasympathetic nervous system reset.

The strange thing is, I do not feel stressed before it happens. For example, the MEM started on waking. However, high cortisol in the morning may have contributed. Also, if I stretch and swallow, it can awaken the monster.

I am having an upper cervical chiropractor do some adjustments with his method called the Octogonal Atlas technique. His X-rays showed my atlas way out of alignment, which, according to research, can put pressure on nerves and create turbulent blood flow. I certainly have both.

I also have Hashimoto's, and he recommended that I have a full blood panel done, as my body could be getting too much T3 from my medication and making me hyperthyroid.

Any updates on your treatment journey would be appreciated.

That sounds a bit like MEM spasms of the stapedius muscle. I have not experienced that much myself, but people who have describe high-pitched sparks or a rattlesnake-like sound when the stapedius spasms or flutters. I have the type of MEM that causes a low, muted thumping, probably from the tensor tympani muscle. These episodes are often triggered by yawns, hiccups, and similar actions.

I do not believe in the whole narrative about stress, nervous system alarms, and so on. It has become a catch-all explanation that some doctors or scammers use without ever addressing the root cause of the problem.

The cervical explanation makes much more sense to me. I also have a misalignment or scoliosis in my spine, leaning to the right side. I have not tried any treatment for that, because even though I thought the problem was in my right ear, I suddenly had a very intense episode in my left ear. This makes it seem like the issue is bilateral.

I generally have mild tinnitus, ETD, and ear fullness most of the time, and I get MEM thumping episodes lasting about an hour every few days. I have mostly gotten used to those, but the real problem is the occasional sudden episodes of intense pressure, more severe tinnitus (often reactive), and sometimes changes in hearing. These last about one to four hours. It sounds like hydrops or something similar. One of my doctors has also mentioned vestibular migraine or ischemia, but so far my audiological tests have all been normal.

Anyway, I am sorry I cannot be of more help, but in your case it might be worth looking into antiepileptics like Carbamazepine or muscle relaxers. There is a Facebook page for MEM that might be able to offer more guidance: https://www.facebook.com/groups/middleearmyoclonus

 

[Kleb]

I am looking for help from someone who has tried a DMSO formula. I purchased a 99.9% pure solution, which I understand needs to be diluted to some degree. My symptom is a very high-pitched squealing that is quite loud.

 

[delta784]

I am looking for help from someone who has tried a DMSO formula. I purchased a 99.9% pure solution, which I understand needs to be diluted to some degree. My symptom is a very high-pitched squealing that is quite loud.

How old are you, Kleb? Thank you.

 

[Kleb]

How old are you, Kleb? Thank you.

Good morning. I am 55.

 

[GregCA]

I have been told that tinnitus associated with hearing loss is permanent.

I have bilateral high-frequency hearing loss and associated tinnitus. It has been 10 weeks now.

I am just looking for success stories from people who have hearing loss and have managed to habituate to their tinnitus to the point where it no longer affects their daily life in a negative way. I still have good hearing up to the mid frequencies, with moderate to severe loss at the higher frequencies.

I suppose I am just looking for some hope that things might improve. I am feeling very down at the moment. Thank you.

Have you tried hearing aids? You might find that they help you significantly in managing your tinnitus.

 

[Sonia554]

I have been told that tinnitus associated with hearing loss is permanent.

I have bilateral high-frequency hearing loss and associated tinnitus. It has been 10 weeks now.

I am just looking for success stories from people who have hearing loss and have managed to habituate to their tinnitus to the point where it no longer affects their daily life in a negative way. I still have good hearing up to the mid frequencies, with moderate to severe loss at the higher frequencies.

I suppose I am just looking for some hope that things might improve. I am feeling very down at the moment. Thank you.

It should be considered malpractice for doctors to tell people their tinnitus is permanent. It can get better or even go away, even with high-frequency hearing loss. Your brain can learn to filter out the ghost signals.

I have mild high-frequency loss in my left ear and had very mild tinnitus for a long time that I rarely noticed, but it eventually went away. Then, in January 2025, I experienced an acoustic trauma that left me with screaming tinnitus in both ears. I still have it, and honestly, I'm still terrified it won't go away, but compared to where I was in January, it has improved. I'm hoping it will fade over the next month or two to a level I can live with more easily.

I didn't notice the first sparks of change until July, but once they came, they came quickly. I stopped using sound support at night in mid-July and have only used it occasionally since.

Don't let anyone tell you it's permanent, especially after only ten weeks. Honestly, I think anyone who says that is being cruel. If you need more stories, ChatGPT is actually a good aggregator. You can find recovery stories that match your situation without having to sift through all the horror stories. Sometimes it feels like people almost revel in telling others their tinnitus is permanent, even if they've only had it for a week.