This is a bit lengthy so I apologize to and thank anyone who reads it!!
Hey everyone, I'm new here but have been lurking since January 2019 when I first got tinnitus. To my knowledge it is not noise induced (waiting on audiogram still), my suspicion is that it is related to a wisdom tooth extraction (or ototoxic meds from the extraction) and/or TMJ. Since January there have been peaks and valleys but overall I feel that the volume and tone has improved, I also feel that I am getting close to habituation.
However, recently after dealing with a short cold about two weeks ago (I no longer "feel" sick by the way, no nasal congestion, etc) I'm occasionally experiencing ear fullness, as well as my tone has been changing almost constantly. My baseline hiss is still there, but on top is a variety of tones, occasional Morse code, whirring, etc. I also believe I'm experiencing some Hyperacusis or Dysacusis(?) as certain noises such as wind or water noises trigger a type of Morse code sound on top of them. The strangest part is that the T seems to mimic my environmental sounds sometimes (I.e my fridge running, the water in my fish tanks, the Xbox fan's whirring and beeping). I notice the mimicking in quiet rooms or when I (obsessively unfortunately) plug my ears and check.
So I suppose I have a few questions;
1.) Is it possible that this is a spike of sorts due to remaining congestion in my sinuses or something? Even if I don't have a stuffy nose anymore?
2.) Is it possible that I have unhabituated and become obsessive and hyper aware of every noise? Inducing some kind of hyperacusis?
3.) Should I be avoiding these noises that my tinnitus mimics? Am I doing permanent damage? The noises it mimics are very soft and honestly help mask my existing tinnitus.
I'm very careful with my ears these days, so this is all very confusing and upsetting to me. It's interfering with my ability to go to class and focus on Uni. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated (and has been appreciated for the full year I've been lurking reading others posts). Thank you so much in advance!
Hey everyone, I'm new here but have been lurking since January 2019 when I first got tinnitus. To my knowledge it is not noise induced (waiting on audiogram still), my suspicion is that it is related to a wisdom tooth extraction (or ototoxic meds from the extraction) and/or TMJ. Since January there have been peaks and valleys but overall I feel that the volume and tone has improved, I also feel that I am getting close to habituation.
However, recently after dealing with a short cold about two weeks ago (I no longer "feel" sick by the way, no nasal congestion, etc) I'm occasionally experiencing ear fullness, as well as my tone has been changing almost constantly. My baseline hiss is still there, but on top is a variety of tones, occasional Morse code, whirring, etc. I also believe I'm experiencing some Hyperacusis or Dysacusis(?) as certain noises such as wind or water noises trigger a type of Morse code sound on top of them. The strangest part is that the T seems to mimic my environmental sounds sometimes (I.e my fridge running, the water in my fish tanks, the Xbox fan's whirring and beeping). I notice the mimicking in quiet rooms or when I (obsessively unfortunately) plug my ears and check.
So I suppose I have a few questions;
1.) Is it possible that this is a spike of sorts due to remaining congestion in my sinuses or something? Even if I don't have a stuffy nose anymore?
2.) Is it possible that I have unhabituated and become obsessive and hyper aware of every noise? Inducing some kind of hyperacusis?
3.) Should I be avoiding these noises that my tinnitus mimics? Am I doing permanent damage? The noises it mimics are very soft and honestly help mask my existing tinnitus.
I'm very careful with my ears these days, so this is all very confusing and upsetting to me. It's interfering with my ability to go to class and focus on Uni. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated (and has been appreciated for the full year I've been lurking reading others posts). Thank you so much in advance!
