Ringing seems louder again, I'd really love help and support

I'm so sorry Sahda that you have to through this. We are about the same age. Not that it matters, but always saddens me to see that this affliction is so wide-spread.

I actually could very well have talked with you on Skype about this, but my spoken English is somewhat lacking. It is mind-numbing if there aren't any tinnitus hotlines in the US. I guess the UK is the only English-speaking country with tinnitus hotlines...

What you have described sounds to me a lot like advanced hyperacusis. In things like this there are, unfortunately, never guarantees, but it's extremely unlikely that a couple of consecutive bus rides could make your tinnitus permanently worse. I just don't believe it.

You today experience an increase due to bus rides, and it's clear you've got some sort of hyperacusis, so I'm sure your ringing will calm down again.

How much so? I hope you aren't trying to limit yourself to almost too quiet surroundings?

For many patients, the first reaction to hyperacusis is to protect themselves with ear plugs, muffs or other devices. There is, however, reason to believe that such strategies to decrease the intensity of sound entering the auditory system may further increase the central gain, exacerbating rather than improving the hyperacusis.

After audiological and medical evaluation, the protocol11 requires classification of the patient according to the tinnitus and hyperacusis state, and then 'directive counselling' about the auditory system, about mechanisms of tinnitus and hyperacusis and about the distress associated with them. Binaural sound therapy, from ear-level wide-band generators, is undertaken even when the symptoms are unilateral. Treatment is based on the notion of desensitization, and the sound intensity is increased from a low level gradually over time.
(source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC539655/)

Wikipedia tells us the following about the treatment of hyperacusis:
The most common treatment for hyperacusis is retraining therapy which uses broadband noise. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), a treatment originally used to treat tinnitus, uses broadband noise to treat hyperacusis. Pink noise can also be used to treat hyperacusis. By listening to broadband noise at soft levels for a disciplined period of time each day, patients can rebuild (i.e., re-establish) their tolerances to sound. Another treatment method is the Berard Auditory Integration Training. When seeking treatment, it is important that the physician determine the patient's Loudness Discomfort Levels (LDL) so that hearing tests (brainstem auditory evoke response) or other diagnostic tests which involve loud noise (MRI) do not worsen the patient's tolerance to sound. Steroids are used to treat hyperacusis within 72 hours of the onset of the condition.


Have you tried treating your hyperacusis with any of the above? If you go to http://simplynoise.com/ - and choose pink noise - does that make your hyperacusis act up badly? Could you imagine trying to listen to some pink noise every day? No need to have the sound levels loud.

Maybe try that starting next week or so, by which time I suspect the ringing will not be as bad as it has today been for you. Still, I would use some sort of sound enrichment if at all possible. It's not good to be at home listening to the ringing... Some nature sounds (e.g. I like personally raining) could work in your benefit. Our member Jim has made available some soundscapes, check out http://mytinnitusmasking.com/

I'm happy for you (I deciphered from that that you may have used to do something like that in your teens, maybe I got the wrong impression?), as harming yourself in any way isn't any solution at all.

Yes, I suggest you try everything you can to keep your mind off of tinnitus, but understandably with the hyperacusis it is tougher than for those who have not got that additional problem, as if tinnitus only weren't enough.

I am not much of help here though I'm afraid,

as you basically knew all of this from before.

Very often hyperacusis gets better, it's nearly not as likely for it to be a lifelong problem as tinnitus itself is. After your hyperacusis gets better, you'll feel a whole lot better.

I'm just mumbling here, but I wouldn't be surprised if these high levels you mention would resume to those softer levels you were earlier accustomed to. It is rare for tinnitus to continually worsen without exposure to loud noise (which you really haven't had after the night club fiasco, 170dB, what the hell! I'm giving those organizers a virtual kick in their butts!), ototoxic meds or other things that might cause or worsen tinnitus. You have real hope to get better, I'm confident.


Do you have any anti-anxiety meds for situations like this? Xanax or Klonopin? I like Klonopin (Clonazepam) myself, it doesn't build up tolerance as quickly as alprazolam, and gives a nice almost day-length calming effect, for me at least. I wouldn't advise to lean on these drugs continually, but for infrequent flare-ups they can be great. I take maybe 2-3 of clonazepams each month.

I guess you have had an audiogram, do you have measured hearing loss?

What did the latest ENT suggest re: the treatment of hyperacusis?

I haven't myself suffered from hyperacusis. There are some people here who've battled with it so I hope they can chime in when they see this.

I hope your boyfriend understands the scope of the situation and that also he could give you the support you need. Sometimes people without tinnitus aren't just able to empathize well enough as they haven't got a clue what the torment can be like. It's not their fault per se, and of course most people try their best to help.

Let me know in a day or two how you are doing, I wish tomorrow is better for you already. Try not to think of the worst, i.e. the ringing being worse permanently.

Good night,
Markku

 

Wondering the same. Wish she came around telling.