Sudden Onset of Bilateral Tinnitus While Listening to Apple AirPods and Enjoying a Delta-8 Gummy

Hello everyone,

Let me just start by saying, this forum has helped drive my anxiety to new levels but it has also brought a wealth of knowledge and understanding.

Like most people, I’ve always had a little tinnitus, but it never really bothered me. That all changed one week ago. I feel kinda ashamed considering how long some of you have been suffering, but I know you understand what I’m going through.

Exactly one week ago, I was sitting outside listening to some tunes on my AirPods (enjoying a delta-8 gummy) when I noticed the ringing in my ears was competing with the music. I thought this was odd but I had noticed over the last few weeks my hearing hadn’t seemed up to par. I went to bed, the ringing was very loud but right as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard what sounded like rushing water. I got out of bed thinking a sink was on or the dish-washer had kicked on. Nothing. I went back to bed but couldn’t go to sleep because the tinnitus was so loud. I think I went into fight or flight mode at that point and haven’t come back down.

The next few days were the usually story, panic, anxiety, depression. My tinnitus has stayed the same ever since. It’s constant, unwavering and high pitched.

This was during the Fourth of July weekend, so lots of loud booms and fire truck parade sirens post tinnitus induction.

I was lucky enough to see an ENT a few days ago, he put me on prednisone (currently day 3) with no change at this point. An audiologist did a hearing test and compared to a 2013 test, I had lost some hearing but was considered “normal”. Apparently I went from amazing hearing in 2013 to normal hearing in 2022. I go back in three weeks for a follow up.

I think my tinnitus is probably about a 6/10 or 7/10, I know is not bad considering other people but I’m not handling it well. I have anxiety issues anyway and this has sent me through the roof. I can sleep at night with 5mg of melatonin and a mask sound. I look forward to going to bed, it’s an escape from my current prison.

I’m not in a good place but I think I can make it if it doesn’t change. I can’t hear it outside (it’s the same frequency as the insects and ambient noise) but I have a hard time drowning it out inside.

I’m really hoping I’m one of those rare cases that sorts itself out after a couple of weeks. If not, I’ll be seeing you around.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read all that, I would appreciate any advice you can send my way. I never thought I could learn so much about a condition in under 96 hours.

 

Hello Boone. You got on some early treatment and since there was loud noise and headphones involved, good chance it's just a spike. Getting lots of rest and sleep and getting your stress down is what everyone is telling me is the key to recovery! Don't use any headphones. Not even at a low volume. I really hope we don't keep seeing you around!

 

Well here's your problem. I would hardly call your onset sudden. These things are the devil. They caused all my issues as well.

You should know from reading the forum that these tests are very imprecise, don't show frequencies above 8,000Hz, and do not show "hidden hearing loss".

I totally get you. I was an anxious wreck at onset, just like you, it took a couple of weeks to get out of my "fight or fight" mode (tinnitus "specialists" like throwing this phrase around, but in your case I think it does matter).

Don't lose hope yet. It's a good thing that you do not have hyperacusis (I know, the "be happy, there are children are starving in Africa" logic isn't really useful, but I digress) and only single tone, stable tinnitus. You still have a good chance at remission.

My advice? Finish your steroids course, see if it helps. Do not, and I repeat, do not "continue living life as normal" (at least for now) , like many doctors (and even some people here) will recommend. I tried doing that and it made me catastrophic, as well as giving me disabling hyperacusis. You don't want that. It's absolutely crucial you avoid dangerous noisy environments and let your ears rest.

If you have issues with anxiety, as much as it's difficult, try to distract your mind as much as possible, seeing as your case is mild it definitely should be possible with time. If you find it absolutely unbearable and want to rest a bit, just hop in the shower for 20-30 minutes and relax (you most likely won't hear it there). If it stays stable, and you stay away from dangerous and noisy environments for the time being, you have a good chance of remission.

Throw our your ear buds. Throw out any headphones. Forget about them forever. Don't go crazy with masking. Eventually you'll calm down and you won't go apeshit about your tinnitus. Try to get outside to some nice quiet parks. Stay away from hazardous areas, like city centers with sirens and other things (for now at least).

Stay away from doctors. As much as it sucks to admit, there is absolutely nothing they can do. They give terrible advice and absolutely don't know what they're talking about. They might offer you something called "tinnitus retraining therapy", which is basically a scam. You don't need to spend copious amounts of money on that pseudoscience. If you're really having an issue with anxiety some CBT sessions with a professional psychotherapist can help you currently.

And most importantly, give yourself time. You still got a huge chance for remission. Keep it up bud, you'll definitely make it. This this is coming from a guy with disabling hyperacusis and 20+ tone tinnitus louder than music. Still alive and kicking, enjoying life as I can.

Cheers

 

I didn't handle it well at first either. But after a while I sort of forgot about it. Then it came back with a vengeance and somehow I went through the same cycle of not handling it well. I hope for your sake it sorts itself out and we never see you again, but we'll all be here to support you if it doesn't. My advice - don't expect too much from doctors, and give it time.

 

Weed definitely makes mine any many others’ tinnitus way worse. If you’re using regularly just know that to be the case! It does settle down though.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I’ve stopped using the AirPods all together, I think they are bad, plus I’ve always wondered what the “Bluetooth directly into the skull” is really doing.

When I got my latest hearing test, they also performed a “high frequency” test. It was this device that goes into your ear, pulls suction and makes all sorts of weird noises. I didn’t have to do anything. The audiologist said it was normal.

I do have some hyperacusis, but I think it’s due more to fear of loud noises making my tinnitus worse i.e. anxiety than anything else.

I’m trying to take it easy, hopefully it will clear up.

 

The test you are referring to is called a tympanometry. It's not an UHF test. Idiot ENTs love performing this to people with tinnitus and hyperacusis absolutely clueless that this thing can make tinnitus and hyperacusis worse.

Hyperacusis is definitely not anxiety. This is why you should be extra careful. Hyperacusis can very easily get worse and cause your tinnitus to react to even milder noise. For now I think you are reasonably safe (I'm guessing you have mild loudness hyperacusis - dishes clanking, cars driving by are uncomfortable).

Stay safe

 

Love seeing the positivity from you, despite being one of the worst. Right on brother

 

Stay away from all loud noises for a long time and protect your ears like they are fine China... I wish I could go back to my mild hyperacusis and 7-8/10 tinnitus.

 

Hey Boone, how are you? Just checking in and hope you have had some relief.