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Six-Year Tinnitus Journey, Setbacks, and Questions About Triggers and Treatment

Mahii

Member
Author
May 16, 2021
7
Tinnitus Since
Aug 2018
Cause of Tinnitus
Chainsaw
Hello,

Let me start by thanking you for reading. I'll explain my story from the beginning, as maybe it can help others. In the end, I'm looking for opinions.

My tinnitus started 6 years ago when I was cutting down a large tree on my property with a chainsaw. The earplugs I wore weren't enough to protect my hearing. Afterward, both ears rang. I didn't think much of it at first since I'd had the same after loud concerts. A month later, my right ear improved, but the ringing in my left ear never stopped.

After months of sleepless nights from the high-pitched ringing, I sought help from the medical system. Unfortunately, what I found was a waste of time. Most of what was offered had no real treatment plan, and it led me down a very dark path where I felt all hope was lost.

Once I realized I was essentially on my own, I turned to the Internet. Like many of you, I found countless miracle cure claims that only required money. I don't want to discourage others if they've found success with them, but for me, they made my tinnitus worse.

I tried Lipo-Flavonoid for two months and my symptoms worsened. I took Amitriptyline, prescribed by my doctor for depression and ear symptoms, also for two months, with no benefit. I went through a wide range of supplements at different doses, but nothing worked.

Like many of you, I was desperate and willing to try almost anything, only to realize it isn't as simple as taking a pill.

What I've noticed about my tinnitus over time: certain foods like milk, alcohol, high salt, and red meat triggered spikes, so I cut them out or reduced them. My ears also became extremely sensitive to loud sounds, so I now wear earplugs whenever there's a risk of exposure. Naps or waking up from sleep always triggered flare-ups. Cold weather and changes in pressure, especially rain, made it worse. Exercise also made the ringing more noticeable.

Over the years, I eventually habituated and reached a somewhat tolerable level.

Still, there were occasional flare-ups that threw me into a spiral, especially when I couldn't avoid them:
  • A man wolf-whistled right into my ear: spike lasted 5 days, then settled.
  • Someone shouted near my ear during an improv show: spike lasted 2 days, then settled.
  • A slammed door: spike lasted 1 day.
Now to more recent events. One of my close friends was diagnosed with glioblastoma. That news, combined with an overwhelming workload, caused me severe anxiety. I took a few 0.5 mg Ativan doses (no more than 4 total) to calm my nerves. Each time, my tinnitus spiked the following day.

On top of this, while taking many photos with my friend, I realized my once sporty physique had turned into a "dad bod." I decided this had to change.

Three months ago, I began working out, eating properly, and drinking a protein shake (Vega Protein and Greens) blended with two dark chocolate squares, strawberries, bananas, and two teaspoons of a magnesium supplement. I lost 25 pounds and felt great physically, though not mentally. I also noticed that my tinnitus dulled somewhat. This felt like a small victory in the middle of larger mental struggles. I could even eat some ice cream or pizza occasionally without flares. I tolerated louder sounds without spikes, and waking up no longer triggered tinnitus as it used to.

That brings me to the most recent setback. Two weeks ago, my wife and I hosted a 50th anniversary party for my in-laws at our home. About 30 people were crammed inside, having a good time. I'd had a couple sips of wine, which is something I occasionally drink, and was only slightly tipsy. My in-laws asked me to give a speech.

I gave a lighthearted, comedic speech. My wife followed with a sentimental one, and my father-in-law said a few words. Everyone applauded.

Afterward, one of their friends came up to me and mumbled something. I turned my head slightly, trying to hear him with my left ear. Suddenly, he shouted directly into my ear, "YOU'RE F***ED." I jumped back in anger, knowing instantly it was too much for my ear. And honestly, what was the point of that cruel comment? I wasn't drunk, nor had I said anything that could justify it.

The next morning, I woke up to find my tinnitus had exploded, back to the same level as when it first started six years ago. Sleep made it worse, nothing muffled it, and even watching a movie quietly on my phone at night no longer worked. The shower or a fan couldn't overpower the sound. I was enraged and began to loathe that man. My wife reassured me it would improve, like the other spikes in the past.

But it has now been two weeks, and these questions weigh on my mind:
  1. Will this be permanent?
  2. Could the protein shake ingredients (protein, strawberries, bananas, dark chocolate) be the cause instead of the loud trigger?
  3. Is it simply the seasonal change, as "winter is coming"?
  4. My doctor thinks my tinnitus in the left ear is from anxiety and wants me to start Mirtazapine and Quetiapine (for panic attacks). Should I take them?
What are your thoughts?
 
1. Tinnitus often decreases somewhat over time. You may not return fully to your previous baseline, but you should see improvement if you take good care of yourself. Protecting your ears is crucial. You didn't mention whether you wore earplugs at the party, but I hope you did. They can make a huge difference in situations like that, reducing the noise by about ten to fifteen decibels.

2–4. I don't think these aspects are decisive. I don't use medication, so I can't give you any advice there.
 
1. Tinnitus often decreases somewhat over time. You may not return fully to your previous baseline, but you should see improvement if you take good care of yourself. Protecting your ears is crucial. You didn't mention whether you wore earplugs at the party, but I hope you did. They can make a huge difference in situations like that, reducing the noise by about ten to fifteen decibels.

2–4. I don't think these aspects are decisive. I don't use medication, so I can't give you any advice there.
Thanks for the reply, Vincent.

Since my baseline was so low, I made the wrong choice in thinking that the majority age of 70+ among the attendees would allow me to go without plugs. In part, I was mostly correct until the incident happened.

Sadly, I made the wrong choice, which I'm sure many would say was "putting myself at risk."

Maybe the question I should ask is, how long have people had spikes last?

I still find it hard to believe that someone wolf-whistling in my ear lasted four days, while yelling in my ear lasted two weeks.
 
Thanks for the reply, Vincent.

Since my baseline was so low, I made the wrong choice in thinking that the majority age of 70+ among the attendees would allow me to go without plugs. In part, I was mostly correct until the incident happened.

Sadly, I made the wrong choice, which I'm sure many would say was "putting myself at risk."

Maybe the question I should ask is, how long have people had spikes last?

I still find it hard to believe that someone wolf-whistling in my ear lasted four days, while yelling in my ear lasted two weeks.
A member of TT, @I who love music, once participated in a music event while wearing hearing protection. It was only later that he realized sound can also travel through bone conduction. He suffered what he describes as severe tinnitus for two years, but eventually it became lower. Your wife's optimism isn't unfounded.

I strongly dislike noise incidents, especially the unexpected ones, so I never leave home without foam earplugs in place.
 
A member of TT, @I who love music, once participated in a music event while wearing hearing protection. It was only later that he realized sound can also travel through bone conduction. He suffered what he describes as severe tinnitus for two years, but eventually it became lower. Your wife's optimism isn't unfounded.

I strongly dislike noise incidents, especially the unexpected ones, so I never leave home without foam earplugs in place.
I keep reading that we're not supposed to overuse earplugs with tinnitus in social spaces, since it can possibly lead to hyperacusis. That's why, every now and then, I try to leave them off.

I also remember reading about a user who wore earplugs for a year and found that it almost silenced his tinnitus.

I usually use Hero earplugs, or something similar, in environments where there's a chance of a loud acoustic event.

Have you noticed your ears becoming more sensitive since you've been using foam earplugs?
 
I keep reading that we're not supposed to overuse earplugs with tinnitus in social spaces, since it can possibly lead to hyperacusis. That's why, every now and then, I try to leave them off.

I also remember reading about a user who wore earplugs for a year and found that it almost silenced his tinnitus.

I usually use Hero earplugs, or something similar, in environments where there's a chance of a loud acoustic event.

Have you noticed your ears becoming more sensitive since you've been using foam earplugs?
There are different philosophies about earplugs. I'm sure constant use contributes to sensitivity, but I see the risk of noise accidents as a bigger problem. Sooner or later, they always seem to happen.
 
Your tinnitus story sounds a lot like mine, and like many others. We somehow learn to habituate over the years, even though there are bumps along the way.

It's only been two weeks since your incident. That's far too early to know if it's permanent or what the future might look like, especially since most of your previous spikes have been very short.

I first got tinnitus eight years ago, and it took me a few months to habituate fairly well. After two years, life was very good again. About eight months ago I got new damage, and this time it's been harder to get back, but I've seen slight improvements each month, at least for the past three months. You just need to hang in there and not stress about a specific timeline for habituation.

Like @Vincent R says, "Sooner or later, they always seem to happen." I agree with that. It feels impossible to live with tinnitus and not experience setbacks. :(

My recommendation is to try to relax. It's only been two weeks. Give it a few months. You can't change it right now anyway, and don't overprotect. I did that for the first four months, and it turned my life into hell.
 
Your tinnitus story sounds a lot like mine, and like many others. We somehow learn to habituate over the years, even though there are bumps along the way.

It's only been two weeks since your incident. That's far too early to know if it's permanent or what the future might look like, especially since most of your previous spikes have been very short.

I first got tinnitus eight years ago, and it took me a few months to habituate fairly well. After two years, life was very good again. About eight months ago I got new damage, and this time it's been harder to get back, but I've seen slight improvements each month, at least for the past three months. You just need to hang in there and not stress about a specific timeline for habituation.

Like @Vincent R says, "Sooner or later, they always seem to happen." I agree with that. It feels impossible to live with tinnitus and not experience setbacks. :(

My recommendation is to try to relax. It's only been two weeks. Give it a few months. You can't change it right now anyway, and don't overprotect. I did that for the first four months, and it turned my life into hell.
Thanks. A part of me thought the shout was not part of the damage, but sadly it only makes sense that it was.

I am in a bit of a dilemma as well. I perform on stage, and this has me thinking that I may have to retire after my next show. Or should I quit now before the show and let them find another performer, since it is usually loud on stage?

Since the initial damage, I have worn Heroes on stage. It is not my favorite thing, as I like to hear the audience, but unfortunately it has been a necessity.
 

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