MRI-Induced Tinnitus Has Got Worse Along with Developing Pain Hyperacusis

I have noise-induced tinnitus from an MRI 2.5 months ago. It was getting better but at the end of August I got the COVID-19 vaccine and it has been all downhill since then.

Not sure if this is COVID-19 vaccine induced the spike or what. My tones have changed completely. I can hear it over everything. I developed hyperacusis. Sound burns my ears. Sends burning sensation in my face and scalp. Along with high blood pressure rapid heart rate. Random muscle spasms.

Please someone help me. What can I do? I’m deathly afraid of my tinnitus getting worse and the pain hyperacusis freaks me out so much.

Please help me and please pray for me. I’m so so so scared and cry all the time. I was in the ER on Saturday because I was feeling like I wanted to die.

 

I'm so sorry to hear this. May God bless and protect you.

May I ask, were you given any hearing protection in the MRI machine? If so, what kind? What was the scan for?

 

Hi @Jodiharing. 2.5 months is still early and your ears will likely need more time to settle. I was still walking around the house with industrial earmuffs at 3 months, but my hyperacusis was gone by the 6 month mark and for most people will disappear in under a year. I’m sorry this happened to you and I know how painful it is. Take some Magnesium supplements if you aren’t already, get good sleep and eat healthily. Looking after yourself, protecting you ears, giving it time and being patient for a recovery is your best bet.

 

Just foam earplugs. MRI was for tingling in my legs postpartum. I’m a new mom. I have ruined my life. I’m a school counselor and work is hard. I am so scared.

Do I have a chance of it getting better? It was getting better before the vaccine.

 

Do I have a chance to get better? I am sick to my stomach. Can’t eat. Can’t sleep. I have to be strong for my baby. This is so hard.

What kind of Magnesium?

Why would my hyperacusis come two months later? Did the vaccine do this?

My tones have changed completely. I was having hissing cricket and occasional ring now I have high pitch piercing ring and teapot kettle. What have I done. I have ruined my life.

 

Hey, I'm also a new mom, my little one is now 10 months. I also have multple tones, and I can hear them above everything.

You can do this and you are not alone in this!

 

Many people suggest Magnesium glycinate, I have personally tried this one and at least I did not experience any bad side effects even taking triple dose for some days (divided throughout the day);

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-ultra-albion-chelated-magnesium-glycinate-133-mg-180-caps

It is supposed to be a well regarded brand.

The anxiety makes it worse, especially if you do not sleep well (I suppose you do not, very understandable).


Also, the vaccine might have increased inflammation in you body which might affect this.

If you do not breast feed I would consider also trying anti-inflammatory supplements like Curcumin and the "antioxidant works horse" NAC. Maybe also Melatonin for sleep as well, but might be worth discussing this with a GP.

I have taken these myself, at least the Curcumin helped my TMJD somewhat;
https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-superior-herbs-curcumin-complex-350-mg-120-veg-caps
https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-premium-nac-n-acetyl-cysteine-600-mg-100-caps

 

I’ve found Magnesium supplements useful.

It’s not uncommon for there to be a delay based on my own experience and other stories I’ve read. Many people don’t know their cause and can only make best guesses.

For most people the tinnitus will either go away or reduce to a much lower volume. You are currently in the first few months which is the dreaded acute phase. You haven’t ruined your life and things will get easier. The sounds will change considerably while you recover.

 

Thank you for responding. I just thought it was getting better and I feel the vaccine worsened it.

What kind of Magnesium? Was it Glycinate?

 

I recommend oral Methylprednisolone and/or intratympanic steroid injections into your eardrums if you haven't yet.

 

Thanks so much for your reply! I will try NAC. I feel so depressed. My baby and husband would be better off with someone else I feel.

 

I’m taking a pill supplement at the moment. I’d also chat to your doctor about supplements if you’re breast feeding.

You are the whole world to your baby. While developing it is your body rhythms they’ve become accustomed to. They are in tune with and derive comfort from you alone. In short, they need you.

I can only imagine that sleep deprivation from tinnitus will be made that much harder when combined with a young baby. Whilst things are hard now they are very likely to get better. Ears get a very low rate of blood flow and take a long time to heal. You should be feeling a lot better after 3 to 6 months, but for some people it takes up to two years. The acute phase will pass, but you have to give it time. Do you have any family or friends to lean on for support? I’d suggest reaching out if that’s an option for you.

 

They would not be better off, I guarantee it. But I do understand were these thoughts come from, when tinnitus appears it causes an extremely anxious and difficult period for most people I think, at least many here have felt some of that completely helpless feeling.

Remember that you are in a very early phase, it will not be and feel like this forever. But to be honest it can take months, so don't give up hope too soon.

Might be worth considering talking to your GP about something for stabilizing the mood as well, but first of all focus on getting as much sleep as possible. Insomnia makes everything feel worse, even the tinnitus itself might become louder when you have had little sleep.

 

I believe she is curious of what exact type of Magnesium compound you have good experience with, always interesting to know others expediences with specific products;

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-magnesium

 

Thanks. I should have been more specific there. The tablet I’m taking looks to be mostly Magnesium oxide, but there are a few different forms of Magnesium in this tablet. I’m sure there are similar / generic products, but to avoid ambiguity I’m taking:

https://www.naturesway.com.au/product/nw-high-strength-magnesium-150s

 

I tried the oral pack 2 months after it happened. When I saw my ENT she kept saying it sounds like TMJ. Didn’t take me seriously Since I had no known hearing loss.

 

The COVID-19 vaccine made my pre-existing mild tinnitus (that I was habituated to) way worse and created a new intrusive tone.

It got worse momentarily with an MRI two weeks ago as well; that spike lasted 10 days.

It will get better, just need to calm the anxiety.

 

Welcome to the forums and congratulations on your newborn baby.

This can be shocking at first and a lot to get used to in the beginning but for the majority of people it gets better, sometimes mostly gone or you don’t care much about it. The reason why there are so many different treatment suggestions is because this is not a one size fits all condition. Trial and error is your friend, listen to your body to know what to avoid and what helps.

You have to relax the best you can, accept this for now and then believe it’s going to get better and find out what gives you relief, then time is your friend. Meditate, pray, relaxation techniques, positive visualization, whatever your in to. Fear and what ifs will keep you from getting relief. Obsessing about it makes it worse. Get enough sleep.

Visit some doctors to rule out fixable causes like infections or TMJ.

You don’t want to overprotect but I have found that earplugs in the shower, running the coffee grinder, driving, etc helps eliminate flare ups. Earmuffs for the really loud stuff and musicians earplugs for less dramatic noise where you need to still hear what’s going on.

Eliminate triggers like salt, sugar, caffeine, anything that raises your blood pressure, etc

Try different supplements as recommended by so many here. Magnesium Glycinate or citrate are good forms. I use solaray mag citrate.

Stay away from loud sound sources that are optional for a while like loud movies and music. Some like background noise when they sleep, I like it dead quiet. Experiment. A good day for me is something to keep my mind occupied and just the right amount of background noise to drown it all out for a few hours.

My tinnitus is actually louder than initially and now I don’t care about it most days. I’m still working on the ear pain and hyperacusis but we will make that better too.

George