Stress, Headphones, Meditation, Hearing Aids, Migraines, Vitamins, Diet

Hey All,

In the event that anyone gleams anything from my journey thus far, I'm summarizing my current attack plan. I've selected the kick-ass mood because that's how I've been attacking this the past 7-days or so.

A little over a week ago things got really dark for me, I let this shitty 9840Hz tone rip me to the core.

Since then I got more doctor's appointments and pleaded that we need to find the underlying cause. For how loud and reactive my tinnitus is, simply noise-induced just isn't making sense to me.

I have a doctor that seems to be listening and digging in. I'd also like to give a shoutout to @Sevv for sharing the Matthew Renze video, it definitely inspired mindfulness! I may take a 2-week retreat as things progress. As well as @Michael Leigh and @Bill Bauer for helping in my first post, I read and researched much of what they wrote about.

As of today here's where I'm at.

Underlying causes

ENT's current underlying cause diagnosis = Vestibular Migraine due to stress. Right around the time this started, I was in the middle of an acquisition -arguably one of the most stressful things you can go through as an owner. I have been getting regular migraines since right around this starting (chicken or egg?).

Other possible causes some from my own research:

• I started using iPhone AirPods regularly about a year ago. Mostly on my commute, thus turning them up to beat road noise. FYI Road noise is ~76dB SPL A-weighted. Who knows where the earbuds were at, but I'd guess way too loud for 30+ minutes twice a day.
• Noise-induced. I experienced loud fire alarms 3x in a row within a few minutes of each other.
• Sensorineural hearing loss - I have a minor loss in my higher frequencies above 7kHz - not something that requires correction but is deemed slightly more than normal for a middle-aged male.
• Hyperacusis - Given my hears have been trained for critical listening in the audio field my brain could be more sensitive and reactive to changes, or shitty equipment like earbuds...

Treatment plan - Developed with the help of this forum and doctors.

• high dosage of B2
• high dosage of Magnesium
• Multivitamin
• Lipo Flavonoid
• Mindfulness Meditation (at least 10 min twice daily)
• Testing hearing aids with only a higher frequency enhancement
• 30-minute dumbbell workout at least twice a week.
• Starting a Vestibular Migraine diet (I think this will be my biggest challenge)
• Starting Paxil soon for those dark days and Verapamil for migraines as needed

That's it for now folks.

 

It is good to have a plan and I wish you well whatever you decide to do. Although you are not certain what the cause of your tinnitus was, I suggest you stop using AirPods, headphones and headset and keep away from overly loud sounds.

Best of luck
Michael

 

Michael, haven’t used those, or any headphone, for nearly a month. I’ve stopped listening to music since March, I can tolerate low level talk radio. I wear earplugs near anything remotely loud. But was advised not to wear earplugs too much as this can actually make the tinnitus worse. I was wearing them on my commute, as my tinnitus reacts to the road noise in a major way, although road noise is not ear damaging.

 

You can listen to music as long as it's not through headphones of any type even at low volume, and I suggest you never use them again, even after your tinnitus and hyperacusis improves, which I feel it will.

Regarding earplugs, you are right not to overuse them but if used with caution "noise reducing" earplugs that have filters in, will help make the recovery process for your ears and auditory system easier, especially if you're in noisy environments of the type that you have described. You might find my post: Hyperacusis, As I see it, helpful in the link below.

Take care
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

That's so regimented. I admire your resolve; I hope you find solutions.

 

Thanks, I must have hope...

 

Michael, unfortunately, with the reactive nature of my tinnitus, listening to any music is torture. My tinnitus skyrockets and the music turns to a muddied screech.

 

HI @MAnSV

I want to thank you again for you kind comments in your Secret sufferer Introduction post, and do understand your reasons for privacy. I suspect your tinnitus is noise induced, something you may already be aware of. From your first post I gather you were seen at ENT and the doctor you saw could have been more understanding, something that is not uncommon I'm afraid. I suspect you are living in the UK and my advice is to try and get a referral to Audiology if this hasn't already taken place. If you do have Noise induced tinnitus, then this is the department that needs to see you. Although your comments above mention ENT have diagnosed you?

Stress can cause tinnitus but going by the information in your first post to this forum gives me the belief it's not. Coupled with your oversensitivity to sound usually (but not always) means Noise induced tinnitus. I think a referral to Audiology is what's required. There, you'll likely see either a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management and treatment. As you have read my articles you'll know the kind of help that is available on the NHS and is also dependent on what treatment that particular hospital has to offer? However, I suspect Covid 19 will have an impact on certain NHS services but please don't give up. Have a talk with your doctor and see what help you can get. Please feel free to contact me by PM for any additional information regarding this matter.

All the best
Michael