Hello,
I've never posted here before, but I've had reactive tinnitus in both ears since 2014, when I was 17, likely from an infection. I also have some Eustachian tube dysfunction. I went to an ENT, and he told me I just had to live with it, which I did. According to my hearing test, I didn't have hearing loss.
The tinnitus has been relatively stable over the years—one tone in my left ear and two in my right—and it has always been reactive to certain sounds such as fans, refrigerators, kettles, or driving on roads. I've tried to protect my hearing as much as I can, even though that has not always been possible, and I've continued to expose myself to the sounds my tinnitus reacts to, since I thought overprotecting would not be good. My tinnitus reacts to so many sounds that avoiding them all would be impossible.
For the last couple of weeks, though, I feel like the tinnitus has become louder. It used to be masked by the TV or conversations, but now I hear it in between words being spoken. It is often more high-pitched, and sometimes I even notice it in stores. At times I'm not sure if I'm hearing it or feeling it. I also experience strange sensations in and around my ear, in my nose, or under my jaw. I have a history of stiff muscles in my neck, shoulders, and back, and I had occasional somatic tinnitus before the infection.
This summer, I went to a few loud places (with earplugs), and I've also taken some medication. I don't know if this recent worsening can be linked to anything specific or if it's just gradually getting worse for multiple reasons. Other than stress and lack of sleep, I've never been able to pinpoint what exactly spikes my tinnitus.
Right now, I'm scared of making it worse. I've had a lot of anxiety and haven't been to work for a week. I have an appointment with an ENT later this month, but until then I'm not sure what I can do about the reactive tinnitus. Should I rest my ears as much as possible, or try to gradually expose them to sound? I feel mentally exhausted since I hear it most of the time, and it's affecting my relationships and my work.
Thank you for reading.
I've never posted here before, but I've had reactive tinnitus in both ears since 2014, when I was 17, likely from an infection. I also have some Eustachian tube dysfunction. I went to an ENT, and he told me I just had to live with it, which I did. According to my hearing test, I didn't have hearing loss.
The tinnitus has been relatively stable over the years—one tone in my left ear and two in my right—and it has always been reactive to certain sounds such as fans, refrigerators, kettles, or driving on roads. I've tried to protect my hearing as much as I can, even though that has not always been possible, and I've continued to expose myself to the sounds my tinnitus reacts to, since I thought overprotecting would not be good. My tinnitus reacts to so many sounds that avoiding them all would be impossible.
For the last couple of weeks, though, I feel like the tinnitus has become louder. It used to be masked by the TV or conversations, but now I hear it in between words being spoken. It is often more high-pitched, and sometimes I even notice it in stores. At times I'm not sure if I'm hearing it or feeling it. I also experience strange sensations in and around my ear, in my nose, or under my jaw. I have a history of stiff muscles in my neck, shoulders, and back, and I had occasional somatic tinnitus before the infection.
This summer, I went to a few loud places (with earplugs), and I've also taken some medication. I don't know if this recent worsening can be linked to anything specific or if it's just gradually getting worse for multiple reasons. Other than stress and lack of sleep, I've never been able to pinpoint what exactly spikes my tinnitus.
Right now, I'm scared of making it worse. I've had a lot of anxiety and haven't been to work for a week. I have an appointment with an ENT later this month, but until then I'm not sure what I can do about the reactive tinnitus. Should I rest my ears as much as possible, or try to gradually expose them to sound? I feel mentally exhausted since I hear it most of the time, and it's affecting my relationships and my work.
Thank you for reading.
