Tinnitus Got Better Over Time, Now It's Back Very Bad — Using Masking for the First Time in Years

I first got tinnitus when I was 17. At first I was horrified, but I've since learned to live with it. I didn't change my life because of it, I simply moved on.

The ringing, which was first inescapable, softened. It was still there, but I hardly noticed it.

But now I'm 21, and I just woke up ten minutes ago, and dear lord it's awful! In my left ear, mostly. It's like someone is shooting a laser into my brain. Serves me right for scratching the inside of it but in my defense it was very itchy.

Anyone have words of support?

 

Hey similar happened to me, got tinnitus 17-year-old and now at 21 tinnitus & hyperacusis got worse again. Do you have any noise exposure that can explain this spike? It's most likely just a temporary spike that will go away if you let your ears rest.

 

Yup, almost always temporary like @arctic loon said (though 'temporary' can last several days to several weeks, and even several months in extreme cases (see old poll by @Bill Bauer and newer poll by myself on this)). Just rest your ears, try to relax in the mean time. It does mean your ears aren't entirely happy with your "normal" lifestyle... but it's unlikely this is a permanent change.

 

All better now.

As for my "normal lifestyle", I use earbuds quite frequently, but I try not put the volume too high. I suppose I use them too often, though. I'll try to give them a break.

I'm partially deaf in my left ear, if that means anything.