Pulsatile Tinnitus Spike After Hairdryer Exposure at Hairdresser

[Morcroft]

Hi, I'm 74 years old and have had pulsatile tinnitus for 10 months now. I was given a hearing aid by the NHS, which helped me a lot. I felt I had come to terms with the tinnitus and had even begun to forget about it.

I always wore headphones at the hairdresser and at home when drying my hair. This last time, though, I just used wax earplugs. As soon as I left, the tinnitus started up much louder than usual, and I've been very upset and panicky since. I feel it will never return to its usual state.

It's been four days now, but it feels like a lifetime, and I really don't know how to cope anymore. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

[alwaysmasking]

Spikes can last for quite a while. When you are in the middle of one, it is hard to believe that relief is possible, but very often it is. It just takes time. Please protect your hearing moving forward, and try to live your life as fully as you can, while staying mindful of possible triggers.

 

[henkess]

Yes, I think it's just a spike. I also have pulsating tinnitus and TTS. After something like that, it usually gets better for me within a few weeks, at least.

 

[Duffy]

Hi, I'm 74 years old and have had pulsatile tinnitus for 10 months now. I was given a hearing aid by the NHS, which helped me a lot. I felt I had come to terms with the tinnitus and had even begun to forget about it.

I always wore headphones at the hairdresser and at home when drying my hair. This last time, though, I just used wax earplugs. As soon as I left, the tinnitus started up much louder than usual, and I've been very upset and panicky since. I feel it will never return to its usual state.

It's been four days now, but it feels like a lifetime, and I really don't know how to cope anymore. Has anyone had a similar experience?

OK, I'm 73 and have had it for about 15 months. It might have something to do with that COVID shot! Oh well.

Just before starting this post, my tinnitus was really, really loud. Last night's sleep was pretty bad. I just found this forum today.

But as I write this post, my tinnitus has stopped! OMG! So, we're talking maybe a five-minute span from really bad to nothing. As I continue typing, I do hear it again, but it's about a "1" compared to the "10" it was a few minutes ago.

What on earth did I just do in those few minutes? I got up from the computer, walked to the other side of the room, found some foam earplugs, and put them in my ears. It did sound different; there was an immediate change, but the sound was still there. Then I took them out after about a minute, sat back at the computer, and here we are.

Now the tinnitus is a "3." Acceptable, yes.

It seems that when we think about tinnitus, it rears its ugly head! By the way, it's a "5" now.

I plan on ignoring it. If I have to hear it, fine, I'll just have to go on. But I will not make it the center of my existence. As far as coping goes, at night I usually play a monotone radio station and have now moved on to using headphones. I find that not lying down to sleep helps a lot, since for me, it gets louder when I lie down.

During the day, I try to ignore it. Keep busy, and you will not hear it as much, and that "something" should not be the computer.

Good luck.