Is My Experience with Amplified and Doubled Noises from Dysacusis, Hyperacusis, or Something Else?

[KristianFI]

I've been suffering for about one and a half years now with different hearing and ear problems. I can write more later, but for now I'll start with this:

One of my biggest problems at the moment is with hearing certain objects and sounds. For example, with my laptop's external fan, I hear the basic rotating sound, but then I also hear a much louder, almost electric sound along with it—sometimes more than twice as loud. It changes at times: sometimes it isn't too loud, but other times it gets much louder. If I unplug the fan, the extra sound stops. I've tried several times to check whether it's only in my head, but I can't say for sure whether it's just the fan itself or something else.

Something similar happens outside when there's little wind. I hear freeway noise and ambient background noise, but it feels amplified or doubled in some way. At times it's almost normal, but I still feel that something is off.

Do you have any ideas about this? I have a long history with these issues, and life has been very difficult during this time. Doctors have given me many different guesses, from SCDS to hydrops, but I've mostly been left feeling alone and uncertain about it all.

 

[MindOverMatter]

I've been suffering for about one and a half years now with different hearing and ear problems. I can write more later, but for now I'll start with this:

One of my biggest problems at the moment is with hearing certain objects and sounds. For example, with my laptop's external fan, I hear the basic rotating sound, but then I also hear a much louder, almost electric sound along with it—sometimes more than twice as loud. It changes at times: sometimes it isn't too loud, but other times it gets much louder. If I unplug the fan, the extra sound stops. I've tried several times to check whether it's only in my head, but I can't say for sure whether it's just the fan itself or something else.

Something similar happens outside when there's little wind. I hear freeway noise and ambient background noise, but it feels amplified or doubled in some way. At times it's almost normal, but I still feel that something is off.

Do you have any ideas about this? I have a long history with these issues, and life has been very difficult during this time. Doctors have given me many different guesses, from SCDS to hydrops, but I've mostly been left feeling alone and uncertain about it all.

What you describe is reactive tinnitus, possibly in combination with dysacusis. In my opinion, reactive tinnitus is a subset of hyperacusis.

 

[Sydnears]

What you describe is reactive tinnitus, possibly in combination with dysacusis. In my opinion, reactive tinnitus is a subset of hyperacusis

Do you think reactive tinnitus often improves with time?

 

[MindOverMatter]

Do you think reactive tinnitus often improves with time?

Yes, I do think time matters with this. Time, but definitely also mindset, in terms of how you react to the reactivity. The longer you try to fight it, the longer it will stay with you, with many negative emotions attached to it.

 

[Sydnears]

Yes, I do think time matters with this. Time, but definitely also mindset, in terms of how you react to the reactivity. The longer you try to fight it, the longer it will stay with you, with many negative emotions attached to it.

Can I ask for further advice, if you don't mind?

I had a systemic infection that spread to my ears about four months ago, and since then I have developed tinnitus. I do have high-frequency hearing loss, but my low frequencies are fine. They did drop initially, but later fully recovered to "normal" on an audiogram.

My most irritating tone behaves like this:

• It is a low-pitched hum.
• In a quiet room, it stays as a steady tone.
• When exposed to passing traffic, the dryer, or similar sounds, it "converts" into a chaotic Morse code–like hum that jumps all over the place.
• As soon as I plug both ears, or return to a quiet room, it converts back to a steady humming tone.

I have been told this could be dysacusis, or recruitment, or maybe just a form of reactive tinnitus.

Is there any chance this could improve with time? I am really struggling with this aspect of my hearing, as it is so variable and intrusive. I try to ignore it, but right now it feels impossible. Thank you.

 

[MindOverMatter]

Can I ask for further advice, if you don't mind?

I had a systemic infection that spread to my ears about four months ago, and since then I have developed tinnitus. I do have high-frequency hearing loss, but my low frequencies are fine. They did drop initially, but later fully recovered to "normal" on an audiogram.

My most irritating tone behaves like this:

• It is a low-pitched hum.
• In a quiet room, it stays as a steady tone.
• When exposed to passing traffic, the dryer, or similar sounds, it "converts" into a chaotic Morse code–like hum that jumps all over the place.
• As soon as I plug both ears, or return to a quiet room, it converts back to a steady humming tone.

I have been told this could be dysacusis, or recruitment, or maybe just a form of reactive tinnitus.

Is there any chance this could improve with time? I am really struggling with this aspect of my hearing, as it is so variable and intrusive. I try to ignore it, but right now it feels impossible. Thank you.

Sure.

This sounds a lot like how I was for a long time. I can still have bad periods where this may show up in some form, even six years down the road, but most of the time I'm good.

Even in those periods, when I get those "Morse code" sounds or whatever you may call them on top of other noises or certain frequencies, it doesn't affect me in the same way it used to. I know it's just temporary. If not today, then tomorrow. The brain understands there is no real danger attached to it.

I believe there is a great chance for you to get much better with time. Four months is not a long time, even though it may feel like a lifetime at this point. Don't be afraid to expose yourself to normal, everyday sounds even if you get a reaction. Just don't overdo it, and take a step back when needed.

You could also try Flare Calmer earplugs. I've used them a lot myself, as they slightly dampen some of the harsher frequencies. They are fully open but can also be bought with replaceable dB filters.