How to Use Pink/White Noise for Treating Reactive Tinnitus?

Thanks for this, man. Monday I'm going to get back in touch with the audiology clinic and try move things forward.

 

Hi Nick, I'm in Essex. My audiology clinic is actually in Cambridge. Last time I spoke with them, CBT was readily offered on NHS. Having said that, I am aware that services vary region to region so there's no hard and fast rule unfortunately.

I was actually going to suggest something similar to what @Eleanor89 has - to try and perhaps see if your local clinic can make a NHS referral. It's definitely worth a shot. You may even find they can offer an audiology clinic in the next county that can offer CBT face-to-face.

 

Hi @Eleanor89. I am so very grateful for your informative response. I will follow up your suggestions.

 

@Eleanor89, @MindOverMatter, @Michael Leigh:

Hope you all are fine

I just want to thank you for giving me support when I needed it the most. I have been using the sound generators now for 8 months with some good results. The reactiveness and the sound sensitiveness are definitely better but the tinnitus stayed the same or got a little worse. I know that could happen but I pushed trough. But then some days ago my tinnitus went from 8/10 to 4-5/10. Unfortunately just for a few days after I forgot my sound generators. I hope this could be a good sign for feature improvement. I also take an SSRI, and a benzo when needed. This has turned out to be a good combination for me.

I wish more severe sufferers could give sound generators a chance. For now I think that is all we have to treat severe tinnitus and I do not see anything changing that in the coming 5-10 years. I do not want to lose any more valuable time to enjoy life with my family.

Happy Christmas to you all,
David

 

Thank you for your comments @David S. I am pleased that you are making improvements. It is still early days so continue using the sound generators and keep the volume low.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Michael

 

So great to hear about your progression @David S - and that things are slowly getting better for you.

Supporting and helping each other, and try keeping our hopes up - even in the darkest of times - is so important. Without hope there is no life.

I wish you all the best and a Merry Christmas. A Christmas that can still bring us peace on a level - even though we don't get peace in our heads/ears.

 

This was a good post for me to read and it resonated with me. My biggest worry/concern with improvement, is feeling that I can't improve due to severe high frequency hearing loss in one ear. Although the tinnitus has become bilateral, I'm really not sure how to use sound therapy. It also reacts with external noise causing what I would describe as 'an epileptic fit of noise' in both ears. I have seen an ENT at Chesterfield, Derby and Nottingham. Good bedside manner and a hearing test at each as they cannot access results from other hospitals. Still pushing for CBT and still not there, but will keep going.

I'm not sure how they would address sound therapy given my audiogram? Would they use lower frequencies? My drops in right ear are 75-100 dB from 4000 Hz. Left ear normal. I read your hearing was largely normal @Michael Leigh.

 

Thank you for your comments about my post. Regarding your hearing loss and using sound therapy, I think you should discuss this with your ENT doctor and audiologist to find the best way forward for you. My hearing is normal although, my audiologist advised me at my last hearing test that my hearing has changed due to age, but not significantly enough to need hearing aids. I am not medically qualified to know how much your hearing loss will affect sound therapy treatment if at all. However, if I were in your situation I would do the following:

I would try not to focus on my audiogram or the amount of hearing loss I have at certain frequencies. The reason being, this can cause worry which you have mentioned and instil negative thinking, that could prevent you making any progress with CBT and sound therapy if you're not careful. In effect, convincing yourself before you've even started there are insurmountable problems to get over. This isn't good. In many of my posts I mention the importance of being positive or at least having an open mind, about any treatment one is about to start for tinnitus and hyperacusis.

I believe the important thing is to get fitted with hearing aid(s) to restore your hearing to optimum and take things from there. There are dual purpose hearing aids that come fitted with selectable white/pink noise. Since you have had satisfactory treatment at the two locations you mention, it is probably a matter of time when you will be seen by an audiologist, who will discuss what treatment is available.

I have never had to push for any treatment and don't think you should either but it's your choice. As I have mentioned before, one can come across as a know-it-all and telling doctors and medical professionals their job, which can rub them up the wrong way. I simply tell them my symptoms and let them decide the treatment.

I hope to be writing a piece on sound therapy using white noise generators in the near future, since it's often mentioned in this forum.

Michael

 

@Nick47, I am sure you have read @Marin’s post regarding her recovery. She had sudden hearing loss in her right ear and cannot hear above 4,000 Hz in that ear. At her worst, she had multi-tone reactive tinnitus, musical tinnitus, and severe hyperacusis. Currently, she has non-reactive tinnitus which is a static hiss in right ear that she only hears over things when looking for it, and a very quiet sound in left ear only heard in a silent room. And she did not do a formal TRT protocol, she was able to carry out her own sound therapy at home. Just thought I’d put that out there so you don’t count yourself out. There is also @Darrenb111 success story, he lost hearing above 5,000 hz right ear from severe inner ear infection. He did follow a TRT protocol due to reactivity and hyperacusis. He now has non-reactive tinnitus, sound in left ear is gone, and he said right ear tinnitus is 1-2/10 volume. He said he is back to living normally and doesn’t even use hearing aid anymore.

I just had a TRT consult today through University of Pittsburgh, their TRT specialist has been doing this for 11 years and it is her passion, she has very good reviews. She was thorough, honest, and told me I have to be committed to the process and protocols, while giving me hope that we can “deactivate” the reactivity over time and get me to a place with livable tinnitus. I know there are a lot of “TRT haters”, but when I have reactive multi-tone tinnitus and nothing else is working, I will absolutely put in the work and try what I can. I will never fault myself for giving this my all in the acute stages.

After I have my in-depth testing, I can share what my protocol will be if you’d be interested. I know I have ultra high hearing loss in my right ear from an ear infection (around 12,000 Hz) and I know that’s very different from yours, but given the fact we both have the beautiful reactive/spiking to sounds multi-tonal fun, I’d be happy to share once I get to that point.

@Michael Leigh, I have yet to converse with you, but just wanted to thank you given your posts on TRT and your outcomes. Although my tinnitus was not noise induced (ear infection entered the inner ear and caused damage), I am dealing with sensitively spiking (reactive, I know you don’t like that term!) multi-tone tinnitus for almost 5 months now, and although I have not overprotected by any means, the reactivity is not getting any better. So, I am ready to commit to TRT and see the progress that it can bring!

 

@ErikaS, thank you for taking the time to write to me with an inspiring long post. I know how hard it can be to put something useful together when you have this cacophony of noise. It's much appreciated!

 

Thank you for your kind comments and wish you every success with TRT.

Michael

 

Before you begin, find out how much this will cost. I can guarantee you that no American Health Insurance Carrier will provide coverage for this. They classify it as "Investigative and Experimental." I have also heard about quotes for this that will total $6,000.00.

I have never seriously considered TRT because it is virtually unavailable anywhere in the Chicago area.

Sincerely, the best of luck to you on this endeavor. I am certainly not a "TRT HATER"; I just regard it as being no more efficacious than what you would receive from a visit to an Astrologer.

 

I get the impression people who constantly rag on TRT have never actually tried it. Don’t knock it before you try it I always say.

That said, I can’t even afford TRT, so it’s a pass on me. Regular do-it-yourself sound therapy should suffice I suppose.

 

You are correct @ZFire.

The counselling part of TRT is important @ZFire. When it's administered correctly, preferably by a therapist that has tinnitus, it helps to remove and demystify the negative thinking that is often attached to tinnitus and hyperacusis. Some people need this in order to habituate to tinnitus and move on with their life. I have explained this in my posts on TRT.

I have had the treatment twice. Each occasion I wore white noise generators and had counselling for two years. I agree with you, some people can help themselves using sound therapy alone and may not require TRT, CBT or any other treatment with a tinnitus therapist.

Michael

 

I completely agree, @ZFire. Furthermore, I personally would never take the time to rain on someone’s journey or efforts when they are just trying to better themselves. I’m a 33-year-old woman who went from busy life, working, trying to build a family through IVF, to doing pretty much none of that now for 5 months, and what holds me back the most is the reactivity. So, I am going to research and attempt what I can in the acute time frame to try to better myself, my mind, and my ears. Too much negativity and “downsides” sometimes on here, but I appreciate you and many others who push for positivity and support. Thank you

 

You have the right attitude @ErikaS. Your approach and positive outlook will help you on your path to habituation. Take your time and try not to push yourself too hard. Please go to my started threads and read: Tinnitus and The Negative Mindset. Acquiring a Positive Mindset. If possible print and refer to them often. This will help to reinforce positive thinking.

Michael

 

Hi @David S, I just read your journey on here with using sound therapy with reactive/sensitive spiking tinnitus. I myself have been dealing with this for 4-5 months now. My tinnitus presents as 2-3 sounds in left ear, and 3 sounds in right ear. These sounds are always coming in and out with some being more prominent depending on the noise around me, but I always have 2-4 sounds going at all times. My most reactive/intrusive is a very high frequency pitch hiss/squeal/wine glass in and out sound that can just be so piercing and present in both ears, but mainly in my right ear which is where I had ultra high frequency damage from ear infection. It literally feels and sounds like those hair cells or fibers are hanging on for dear life and trouble shooting sound/electric pulses. My tinnitus can change just hearing my heater running, and it spikes/changes when hearing constant sounds like shower, car, fan, etc. So it is very sensitive, was/is yours that sensitive?

Also, I read that you very much protected and did not let sound in for quite a long time and still did not see improvement. I have not protected much using ear protection, but I have very much limited my environments. I am not working, I don’t go to restaurants and bars, and only drive when needed to therapy or a quick store run. I do not wear protection in the home and let all the ambient sounds of home in. However, this also has not shown me any improvement with reactivity. No worsening, but also no improvement.

Anyway, I have the opportunity to do TRT. I had my initial consult, testing, and first session going over therapy plan and which sound generating devices would be recommended. However, I have been warned by others here on Tinnitus Talk and directed to “horror stories” of those who had reactive/sound spiking tinnitus who tried sound therapy and got permanently worse. This of course scares me, and also makes me feel hopeless and just want to cry. Like you said before, life is so precious and you want to try to do what you can to help make yourself better along with time, but when everything has an argument for and and against it, it becomes overwhelming and too much.

So. I wanted to see how you are doing now with your reactive tinnitus and tinnitus in general. Still seeing decrease in reactivity? Tinnitus calming down?

Anything you can share is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

When wearable sound generators are used correctly, they will not make tinnitus and hyperacusis worse. They treat tinnitus and hyperacusis. They should be introduced slowly and ideally the patient should be having regular counselling with a tinnitus therapist.

Some people are unable to use wearable sound generators for various reasons. Not introducing them slowly which can result in spiking the tinnitus and hyperacusis. Giving up on the treatment too soon. This treatment takes time, usually 12 to 24 months, so it's not a quick fix.

If you are going ahead with TRT treatment and wearing sound generators, my advice is not to read negative comments about TRT, as this can instil and reinforce negative thinking which can halt or completely stop you making any progress with this treatment.

Eighteen months ago, @Eleanor89 had very severe hyperacusis. She had difficulty wearing white noise generators. She followed my advice and introduced them slowly and her hyperacusis has significantly improved.

Michael

 

Has anyone on Tinnitus Talk successfully treated reactive tinnitus with sound generators?

 

I don't believe there is such a thing as reactive tinnitus. By this I mean as a recognized medical condition. I believe reactive tinnitus is hyperacusis or at least, a subnet of the condition as some people believe. Most people that complain of reactive tinnitus, usually their tinnitus was noise induced. Tinnitus can and does react to certain sounds. This oversensitivity can only be successfully treated using sound enrichment, to desensitize the auditory system. One of the best treatments is wearable white noise generators. Counseling with a Tinnitus therapist is advised.

My once severe and very painful hyperacusis has been cured for over 20 years, using white noise generators as part of TRT.

Michael

 

if you read @OnlyUP’s last post in the below linked thread, you will see she felt noise generators along with other things really helped her over the hump with hyperacusis and reactive tinnitus. That was months ago, when I spoke with her more recently she said she was doing even better.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/posts/660682/

 

Hi @Michael Leigh, when you experienced hyperacusis with tinnitus, would your tinnitus be erratic and spike to things such as constant running noises like a fan, heating system, shower, car, etc and even conversation? And when I say spike, I don’t necessarily mean louder.

My tinnitus is very interesting. It doesn’t get louder and compete with those sounds all the time, however those sound can change the quality of the tinnitus; make it go higher frequency, more piercing and intrusive to where it feels like it has more energy, but not always louder. At baseline, my tinnitus isn’t very loud, but I do have multiple tones.

So, I guess I’m asking if you can relate to anything I am saying and if your noise generators eventually worked / mixed with this kind of thing? Like I know as soon as any sound comes through the ear pieces, it will affect my tinnitus, whether it sends it higher frequency or make it more sharp, but is that to be expected?

 

Is this the same TRT that the American Tinnitus Association recommended many years ago? The science behind this is one of the few out there that sounds well documented and scientifically sound. I first read about it in the pamphlets I picked up in their office 15 or 20 years ago when I got my tinnitus. It absolutely makes sense that it could work.

 

Hi @ErikaS.

When I developed tinnitus with painful hyperacusis almost 27 years ago, I experienced everything you describe in your post and a lot more! In addition to this, the whole of my head felt completely numb. I could hear but it felt like my head was under water. This was very frightening and something I kept to myself, although my family were aware I had tinnitus and hyperacusis.

I was fortunate to meet a herbalist that knew a lot about noise-induced tinnitus. She explained the nerves in my auditory system had become hypersensitive caused by listening to audio too loud through headphones over a long period of time, which eventually caused tinnitus with severe hyperacusis. I was advised to take Magnesium tablets for at least 2 years and Ginkgo biloba. She said the numbness would eventually go as the nerves begin to heal. She was right. Magnesium is known to help repair nerves. My ENT doctor told me this was good advice and said he advises all his tinnitus patients to take magnesium and Ginkgo biloba.

Back then I didn't have Internet access which was still in its infancy. I learnt a lot about tinnitus and hyperacusis from reading library books and those I bought at book shops. Reactive tinnitus was never mentioned nor did I see it online when I got on the Internet. This terminology started to appear in tinnitus forums in early 2000.

My advice to you is to try and keep tinnitus and hyperacusis simple. The more complex one makes these conditions, the more difficult it can be to overcome them and get along with your life, especially when starting tinnitus treatments such as TRT, CBT or having counselling with a tinnitus therapist.

Michael

 

Thank you for your input, @Michael Leigh. Very much appreciated. What Magnesium did you take, or was it a mix of different Magnesiums?

 

You are welcome @ErikaS.

I took pure Magnesium as my herbalist advised and it wasn't mixed with anything. It is readily available online and at health food stores. Buy a good brand and take as instructed on the bottle. Try and incorporate positivity into your life as much as possible. Perhaps start a new hobby or interest, anything to help take your mind away from focusing on tinnitus. Give yourself time and try not to rush things when you start TRT.

Michael

 

This is sound advice, and it works. Like everything in life, it doesn't work all the time, but has gotten me through the rough spots for 2 decades. Focusing on it makes it worse, or makes us more aware of it. Either way, it amounts to the same thing.

 

@ErikaS, as you've been reading, I had some severe tinnitus periods a couple of times after stupid noise incidents. A few times i totally lost faith in life. My tinnitus used to be exactly like yours, reacting badly to anything, like frying pans, vacuums and hair dryers. Out of everything I ever tried (and believe me, I tried a lot), only a few things really helped.

1. Sound generators (helped by far the most)
2. Drugs (for me an SSRI and a benzo)
3. Therapy
4. Time (severe tinnitus can take more than 2 years to notice significant improvement)

Above could be combined as TRT but it does not necessarily have to be that. Just get going with the sound generators. Improvement with sound generators will come gradually over a long period of time. You do not have to believe in the treatment. It will happen as a natural process.

If you are sound sensitive like me, it could take a couple of months just to get used to the sound generators. There will be setbacks during that period and it is easy to lose hope. But I was greatly rewarded when I pushed through. My reactive and sensitive part of tinnitus greatly improved over the last 6-9 month. For the tinnitus itself, I am not too sure if I had any improvement even if I have had some really good days lately. I do not care to much about tinnitus in itself. Severe reactive tinnitus and severe sound sensitivity are a complete different ball game.

We have a few advocates for sound generators on Tinnitus Talk. I just wish more people could give them a try. It is no magical cure but for now the best we have. Sound generators gave me my life back twice.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to advise. I am here to help!

 

Hi @David S - did you have loudness hyperacusis too, or just sound reactive tinnitus?

 

@DeanD, yes, quite bad hyperacusis. I used to protect inside of my house from some quite normal sound coming in from the surroundings.