Hyperacusis / 8 kHz Tinnitus Pink Noise Settings?

Hi All,

I hope to garner some helpful expert advice here from anyone who might be further along than me in learning about treatments for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis? I'm rather new here, please forgive me if I've put this post in the wrong place, I hope I haven't?

I have rather loud constant pitch tinnitus (which is diagnosed as a high saw wave soundwave, at approx 8.15khz frequency) in both ears.

Worse though in my case, my tinnitus is accompanied by the rather charming Hyperacusis, which my hearing specialist tells me sits at a roughly medium level of severity (it feels a LOT more than medium severity to me when I can't even have the tv on at very low volume!). The TIN & HYP combination gives me immense headaches that the two regular pain relievers (paracetamol and ibuprofen) don't touch (apparently, they both work on two different pain pathways to this type of pain?). Anyway, chronic, immovable headache and rear high neck pain, radiating down to my shoulder blades. It also makes the areas around my ears feel bruised, swollen and battered. It's all generally linked in and affected. It only eases slightly if I get my neck cracked and massaged by a qualified Osteopath. Yes.. I know what you're thinking there, and I agree!

Anyway, my hearing specialist is apparently an expert in the various treatments available (he's a tinnitus specialist), and he's currently about to trial me on one of those background noise generator thingys.


What I'd like to know about the background nature sounds and/or mp3 song files that are used for the treatments is:

Regarding the pink noise file that gets mixed in with the track, with my hyperacusis and 8khz tinnitus combo deal, should the background pink noise be notched out (turned right down), or should I take a constant level of pink noise across all frequencies? The pink noise is mixed in just below the level of the background sounds/music.

In other words, does anyone here have a similar combo to mine, and if so, what was the best treatment for you that worked over time? It's a little tricky due to the hyperacusis.. I can't take anything much more than about 15db in the bluetoothed earbuds.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has something like my combination, and what worked for them?

Thank you for any advice,
StuMur

 

HI @StuMur

I am pleased to hear that you have a good hearing specialist. The background noise generator that you refer to are called: White noise generators. They can be particularly useful in treating tinnitus and hyperacusis when used as part of TRT: Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. I advise you not to use any type of headphones even at low volume. If you are going to be having TRT treatment and wearing the white noise generators. These should not be worn in bed at night. They should be taken off and a "sound machine" placed by your bedside to provide sound enrichment throughout the night until morning.

Please click on the links below and read my articles: Tinnitus, A Personal View, and Hyperacusis, As I see it. Please try to read them in full and not skim through them.

All the best
Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

Hi Michael. Yes, thanks, I did read those in full when I received them when I first joined up. Good information, thanks again for reposting them to me, always good to refresh on all information.

 

Hi StuMur, osteopathy can help, also exercise, a good diet, and listening to nature sounds, being outside, walking around nature, going to the beach. As for hyperacusis, it is quite unpredictable. It may get better or worsen depending on the sounds you are exposed to. It is important to listen to sound, but it is wise to avoid very loud sounds that, on the other hand, are common, sounds that can be heard at any main street, like the noises of traffic and city noises..