Hyperacusis Came Along with Tinnitus Spike: My Ears Are Sensitive to Even Quiet Noises

Recently my tinnitus kicked up a notch and now I have nasty hyperacusis or ear pain or whatever. It’s extremely quiet, just a bit of wind and my ears feel like they’re going to fall off.

I can’t think of any loud sounds I’ve been exposed to recently, the hyperacusis just came out of nowhere.

Can anyone relate to this? Will it get better in time?

 

HI @Believin' Steven

Your tinnitus was originally caused by headphones, noise induced. It is not always easy to determine what has caused an increase in tinnitus and hyperacusis. If your hyperacusis has never been treated or improved on its own, then your auditory system might be sensitive to certain sounds which can cause a spike. Have you been using headphones even at low volume? Or playing loud music? The usual reason for what you describe is that your auditory system is hypersensitive and needs to be treated or you have been using headphones or been subjected to loud sounds or sounds that cause your auditory system irritation.

My guess and it's just that as I haven't got much to go on, is that you need treatment if your ears don't settle down. If you have never had the tinnitus and hyperacusis treated I think it is something you should explore. See and ENT doctor and get your hearing checked then a referral to a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment and management. If it is an overactive auditory system that hypersensitive to sound it's best to try and get some treatment.

Michael

 

I have been using headphones at a low volume for a while. I guess my ears finally gave and now the hyperacusis has taken root. I have been sitting in relative silence for the past few days and my ears still hurt like crazy. I don’t know what to do at this point, I can’t seek TRT treatment because it is expensive in Australia as far as I know, I’ve been to ENTs and Audiologists before and none of them have been of help. I’ve had a hearing test done in the past six months and my hearing is slightly damaged in my left ear, but not damaged enough to warrant any kind of hearing devices.

 

I noticed you reside in Australia. Do you live in Melbourne by any chance as this audiologist is great, she has helped many people and is usually recommended for her extensive knowledge by the Victorian tinnitus association. Her knowledge on hyperacusis sees her getting phone calls from people who even reside overseas.

I have posted a link to her website below, if you need any further advice I am happy to give you the contact numbers of some great people to speak to from the Victorian tinnitus association.

https://www.dineenwestcottmoore.com.au/about-us/profile/myriam-westcott

 

Unfortunately I’m in Sydney. Do you know if this treatment is covered by Medicare? There’s no way I can pay out of pocket atm.

 

You would need to ring and check what they may be able to offer through the Medicare system as you know it is getting less and less these days. Some audiologists offer free hearing tests only and others charge $200 with no rebate at all. Sorry I can't be more help, I just know she has a good reputation. You could always ring the tinnitus association of Victoria for advice, I think they practically merged with the NSW one.

http://tinnitus.org.au/Contact

0427 849 885 this is Sam's phone number. He has had tinnitus for over 30 years and he may be able to help you... I spoke with him a few weeks ago and I will be in contact with him again shortly as I know he is trying to get support group meetings face to face running again from early next year, they have not offered this service for years.

Anyway this does not help you though, as you reside in Sydney.

 

HI @Believin' Steven

I am sorry to know that you are going through such a difficult time at the moment. It is my belief the increase in the hyperacusis is caused by headphone use. I have a lot of experience dealing with people that have "noise induced" tinnitus and the number one culprit that causes it is headphones, closely followed by attending clubs, concerts frequently or subjecting their auditory system to other forms of loud noise exposure.

A lot of people with NIT are of the belief they can use headphones at low volume and this will do no harm. It is true some people with noise induced tinnitus use headphones at low volume without any problems. However, it is a risk, as I have mentioned many times in this forum. People challenge me and say where is the scientific proof that headphone use can make tinnitus worse. If people want to put their trust in medical professionals that have never experienced tinnitus and say using headphones is fine as long as the volume kept low, then I say please go ahead and follow their advice.

My proof is based on experience having "noise induced" tinnitus for many years and corresponding and counselling people with this condition and so I rest my case. I am not here to argue with anyone. Those that have NIT and choose to play Russian Roulette with their health may one day regret their decision to use headphones. There are many posts in this forum, written by people with noise induced tinnitus, that have returned to using headphones and regretted it.

My advice to you is not to use headphones ever again even at low volume. Try using low level sound enrichment, nature sounds to be precise, during the day and particularly at night by your bedside. Keep the volume below the tinnitus. Try to avoid sitting in silence as this will make your brain focus more on the tinnitus. If you find your ears sensitive to sound turn the sound down to a level that you are comfortable with. Relaxing music such as classical can also be useful during the day but try to avoid using music at night for sound enrichment.

Ideally a referral to a Hearing Theapist or Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment and management I feel would be best for you, as some counselling would help. The use of white noise generators would help to desensitise your auditory system. Try my self help suggestions if you're unable to see the health professionals that I have recommended.

Take care and I hope things improve for you soon.

Michael

 

Hyperacusis sometimes strems from neck problems, and also a bad throat may have a role there. I would advise to wait a good 2 months to see really how you feel, taking into account that you cannot link your current hearing problems to any known cause. It would be different advice if you said "I was exposed to a firecracker exploding close by and now I have these hearing problems".

Hearing gets stable very slowly.

 

@Juan Yeah I’m starting to realise I have to give it some time. The past week it’s gotten a little better, but only slightly. I believe my ears are just generally fatigued and overworked from stupid shit like headphones, work and general haphazard behaviours. It’s hard not to get bent out of shape but this has happened before with similar symptoms and I bounced back after a few months. I’m just fed up at this point. Having to constantly put things on the back burner fucks with my state of mind like nothing else. I’m ready to make some massive lifestyle changes to stop this stupid fucking cycle.

 

When my hyperacusis was really severe I had to make major adjustments such as moving somewhere quieter. I moved to a beach town and never regretted it.

 

Make the changes... member Juan knows his stuff... he's a great resource for hyperacusis issues and advice. I also have hyperacusis, I think I will always have it since my ears have been damaged, but it's in what I call remission now. I am careful, diet, exercise, protection, patience are all really important. Michael Leigh likes TRT and has very sound advice as well. I have never done sound therapy. Just never had access to it or the resources. I found diet, exercise, patience, protection, all helped me. Hang in there Believin'Steven... it takes time to heal.

 

My location isn’t so bad atm. I’m on an acre of land out in the sticks, nice quiet nights. But the beach sounds fucking great, I’ve listened to ocean sounds when I sleep for the past 3-4 years. The best natural relaxation I get is the rain, and it’s rare in Aus. I think you’ve given me a new life goal just from that one sentence.

 

I had a bit of an episode last night. I had massive ear pain, worst it’s ever been. Went to the ER and they gave me a dose of Clonazepam and it took the pain away within the hour. It’s still calm now but the pain is still constant. It felt like (and still does to some extent) acid being poured into my ears. I can’t believe this is happening. How has my hearing tolerance collapsed so far in such a short amount of time. I think it’d be different if the pain only hit on the initial impact of the sound, but it last for hours on end.

Does this get better over time? Has anyone else been in this position. At the time of the pain I’m so convinced that it would never go away, it’s that bad, so I work myself up into a frenzy and the pain keeps feeding into itself. What do I do? Do I take it slow? Do I try to reintroduce sound this early on?

 

I've gone through hyperacusis spikes and they can indeed calm down. Stay hopeful and protect those ears, maybe try curcumin or turmeric supplements.

 

You really have to protect your ears with plugs and muffs. Peltor X5A is the best one if you're needing very good protection. Your ear pain might get better with time, silence and patience, if you don't get exposed to additional noises. I'd say cut all noise from your life and see how you're feeling in a couple of weeks.

I've also noticed icing the ears 10-15 mins eases the burning for a while. Be patient, you can get through this

 

I've had H for 4 years now. I'm now much better than I was even a year ago. 3 years ago I thought I was going to have to cease working. I did nothing aside from work on getting healthier and rehab my spine. If you're young you stand a great chance of getting better if not overcoming it completely. Fear is the worst enemy.

 

I don’t know what I’m looking for but basically I’m trying to figure out if anyone had the same symptoms I had at the start of their hyperacusis.

The pain gets so immense that I shake, sweat and cry. It’s impossible to sleep or even think about anything but ending it. It usually happens at night. Like I protected my hearing with muffs and earplugs all day, in relative silence but I still have crazy pain and I know it’s going to get worse. Even the crickets outside my window are too loud so I have to use ear plugs. Surely this cannot be.

A week ago when I first started I thought it was the worst it’s ever been, but it keeps getting worse. The pain is not that of burning but of throbbing and pulsing that feels like my nerves are on fire.

After I took that clonazepam the other night the pain disappeared. Why could this be? But the unfortunate fact of the matter is that drug is unsustainable and you’re sure as hell not getting an indefinite script here in Australia. Doctors are so stingy with pain medications that they are reluctant to give out codeine infused paracetamol for anything less than broken bones.

 

Those symptoms are very normal for hyperacusis. I'm sorry you're going through this. It's a very special type of hell. During nighttime your ears are tired from the days noises, yes even if you did protect yourself. Good amount of sleep helps a lot with hyperacusis. I notice the difference in my ears immediately if I haven't slept enough.

You have to do all you can to stay all day in as quiet as you can so your ears can rest. So this means quitting working/studying asking others to help with cooking, etc. Going to doctors won't help, it will just put you in risk with more harmful noise reaching your ears.

It's very sad to give up things in your life, but you have to give yourself a proper chance to heal. Key to progress is preventing setbacks, so this means staying away from all harmful sounds. Many talk of overprotection but its a myth. Dangers of underprotecting in your situation are much much worse, so wear protection a lot.

Benzos alleviate hyperacusis pain for a short period of time, I really don't know why but many have noticed it too. I wouldn't advice you to use them daily, since benzo addiction will be gasoline to the flames. I'm not a doctor but i think you can use them sometimes, like every 15 days so you get a little break from the pain.

Don't give up yet! You're early on with hyperacusis. Things will change for the better if you manage your noise exposure well. Hyperacusis heals very slowly, usually progress is seen in months or even years. And sadly all progress can be lost in minutes, so be careful.

Your pain is terrible now, but I'm confident it can fade away. Stop going outside and fill your days with quiet hobbies. Stop talking on the phone, and IRL if that hurts you (for me internal sounds are bad too). You can improve a lot with time and quiet

 

Yes, as mentioned what you are experiencing is all normal. H sucks in that it's a crap shot as far as overprotection and allowing your brain to retrain itself. This is something you'll have to figure out on your own. I no longer plug after setbacks and every time I come back stronger. The last setback took me three months to get back to, and surpass baseline. I'm actually one week into a new setback, but by now I'm use to the pain. For me this means burning in the face, "coals" in the ears and general over-all headache. I've let go of the life I have to give up (gigging musician) and this really helped (psychological aspect). When I could return to restaurants unplugged I felt as though a was "cured." I know I will get there again, but when, don't know. I know it's hard, but don't let fear get to you. The fear leads to muscle tension making things worse. I know it sounds crazy, but my drug for H is cigars due the the calming nature of them; I have not taken a single OTC or Dr. prescription in 4 years/H onset. I hadn't smoked tobacco, let alone a cigar until this past summer in my 45 years on this earth. I'm not saying you should, but they for sure take the edge off for me. Problem is, a good cigar is not cheap and cheap units are gross.

You may want to check out: http://www.hyperacusis.net

Again, if you are young, chances are you'll be fine given time. Patience is key.....I'm terrible with it.