Poll: For How Long Can Ears Continue to Heal After an Acoustic Trauma?

It seems like there is little data about how long the ears can heal after an acoustic trauma (and thus, for how long tinnitus and hyperacusis can continue to improve).

Some sources simply claim 6 months or 12 months, but don't provide any evidence for these claims. I've also seen users on Tinnitus Talk claim even longer time periods.

Based on your experience or belief, what do you think is the answer here? Please let us know by voting! Please also feel free to reply with your own personal anecdote.

 

The divergences of responses is interesting. 45% of people say less than a month, and 50% say more than a year!

 

Very good question. It would appear nobody knows the answer or if they do, they are keeping it secret. So many affected yet so little research. My ENT told me last week “just about everyone gets it eventually”. First time I’ve heard that.

 

Sorry, I was discussing tinnitus with my ENT. “Just about everyone gets it eventually”. It must be frustrating for a doctor and especially a specialist when you have to tell so many patients that there is basically nothing you can do. He did suggest CBT and to stay away from tinnitus forums.

 

The suggestion to stay away from forums is odd to me. Are there other illnesses for which "avoid support groups" would be suggested? I don't know of any...

 

I agree and am also 100% convinced Tinnitus Talk saves lives.

I think he was just suggesting I not obsess on it and to think about other things. The CBT approach.

I hope it wasn’t because he, the expert, felt challenged by the alternative information source. That can happen I’m sure.

 

Would the poll be the same if ears were damaged by something other than acoustic trauma? I don't know what damaged my ears in December. There was a lot going on at once... the perfect storm maybe, but it wasn't acoustic trauma. Would 3 years still be the consensus?