This Time Around, the Level of My Tinnitus Is Unlike Anything I've Experienced in 13 Years

Hi, my name is Rick, I was first diagnosed with tinnitus close to 13 years ago. I've been a professional musician throughout my life, so it didn't come as much of a surprise. However, for the past 13 years it's been manageable.

Approximately 7 months ago, the ringing picked up a significant boost in volume, in its consistency, and it's been so difficult, I've been forced by my doctor to stop working immediately, which I've done, and I'm literally unable to function with this level of ringing in my head, it's considerably worse than ever before, and I sense it might not be easing up, like the previous bouts I've had. The way it interferes with my life is something I could not put into words. In the past, my ringing, and its velocity, would, over time, decrease to a somewhat tolerable level. However, in the past 7 months, this time around is unlike anything I've experienced or could've possibly imagined. This time around my tinnitus has rendered me unable to function, for the most part. I'm home every single day, trying to get by. It's unlike anything I could have imagined.

My activities of daily living have changed so dramatically, I barely leave the house. Most noises are bothersome. Brown noise can be helpful, as a distraction, but it certainly doesn't address the underlying problem. I've been using it daily for a good ten years. I'm beginning to think there are no other ways to address this.

I'm at a point where I have constant headaches, and I'm well aware that too much Tylenol can be a problem in and of itself.

Does anyone know of any possible way to help reduce tinnitus? I've gone to all the ENTs, audiologists, and specialists, I've tried all of the hearing aids, all the concoctions, and just about all treatments from any number of outlets. In addition, I've tried acupuncture and acupressure, and a few other Asian style pressure point treatments, which were probably the most helpful, but nowhere near the kind of help I need.

Any thoughts?

 

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that your tinnitus has become intrusive after many years of it being manageable. This same scenario that you describe has happened to many of us on this forum, me included.

The only thing that helped me to reduce my awareness of my tinnitus is through time and being careful within your environment. You may be able to habituate to this new level of tinnitus. Many have posted their success stories; you may want to read some of them now as they show a way towards healing.

 

How loud is your tinnitus? Does the shower mask it?

 

Sorry to hear of your worsening. Do you have any idea what caused it?

Could you try and describe what you hear? Tones, rhythms, noises?

And as for loudness, does your tinnitus block out external noises? Can you hear people talking, TV or planes flying overhead?

 

HI Rick,

I am sorry to know that you are going through such a difficult time at the moment with your tinnitus. Having been there myself, I know how disabling noise-induced tinnitus can be when it's severe. It is possible that it will reduce in time but for now, I suggest you talk with your GP/PCP/audiologist and ENT doctor, to see what medications are available to help lower stress. It's important your stress levels are carefully managed and when possible kept to a minimum, because stress makes tinnitus worse and tinnitus can make stress worse and therefore, it can become a vicious cycle.

You may find Clonazepam helpful. I am not in the habit of recommending medications, particularly a benzodiazepine, but if my suspicions are correct, you are suffering from what I call variable tinnitus. I have written about it at length which you will find in the link below. This type of tinnitus usually affects people that have habituated to noise-induced tinnitus, then after a second noise trauma or repeated exposure to loud noise, the tinnitus increases to very severe levels. Hyperacusis can accompany it too. This is a much more severe form of noise-induced tinnitus. This is the reason I have advised you to talk with your healthcare professionals.

Sorry to sound so sobering Rick, because I know what you're going through. I do think medication is the way forward for you to help with your mental and emotional well-being. I recommend that you start using low-level sound enrichment, especially at night, using a sound machine by your bedside. I realize your ears are very sensitive to sound at the moment, so try to keep the sound enrichment as low as possible and keep trying. This doesn't mean you should endure pain. If you can only tolerate sound enrichment for a few short while, that is enough. Just take things easy.

Your goal should be to very slowly work towards going out each day for 5 to 10 minutes to get used to normal everyday sounds. Please read my post: Hyperacusis, As I See It. This isn't a quick fix and will take time so be patient.

Take care and wishing you all the best,
Michael

Hyperacusis, As I See It | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Can I Habituate to Variable Tinnitus? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. A few things have consistently helped reduce tinnitus severity for me: Clonazepam occasionally, as @Michael Leigh is suggesting, and low dose THC edibles (5 mg or less). The edibles reduce the volume of my tinnitus almost every time, the effect hits the following day if I've slept decently too. I don't expect they help everyone but for a condition with no single truly effective treatment, I think it's worth a shot. Especially since it looks like you're in a legal state.

I take Trazodone for sleep and that's been super helpful in managing life overall.

I did not find it helpful to quit caffeine, alcohol, or THC. It made things worse. Long term outcomes be damned.