Tinnitus Spikes and Sound Sensitivity — Physiological or All in the Mind?

I do not believe I suffer from hyperacusis, but definitely have recruitment. It seems every time I have a tinnitus spike or a worsening, my sound sensitivity increases. Once either the spike decreases or I begin to habituate to the new level, my sensitive seems to decrease and the cycle continues.

I wonder if these symptoms might be physiological or all in my head... I do get very fearful of sound each time and my hearing feels very fragile. I've needed to go to the supermarket the past couple of days for groceries, but have been going hungry as I my ears feel too fragile to go. I don't feel I have hyperacusis, but just vulnerable that any sound will increase my tinnitus more. It's a strange and terrible state of mind.

Everything makes me wince and sounds too loud, but is it from damage or from fear?

My limbic system is going haywire at the moment. My conscious mind is trying to stay calm, but underneath I can feel anxiety and fear clawing to escape. I feel myself fighting frustration only to have it burst out every few minutes.

I've been through this many times, and it seems to be becoming more frequent. I can't figure out whether I should continue as I have been, but maybe wear greater protection, or to isolate for the moment.

 

I am sorry to know you are feeling this way @kingsfan. I think you need to see an audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management.

All the best,
Michael

 

Thanks Michael. I had to move out of California to the Midwest, so I'm really unfamiliar with everything here and will need to really search around. I'm in the middle of nowhere right now. I grew up here, but I've lived in CA as long as I lived here so it doesn't feel familiar anymore.

 

Similar situation -- I'm back in the Midwest after 23 years; but I left NYC, and I am scrambling to "get my Docs in a row." (Sorry, ZocDoc.) If you're close, or OK with the travel, the Cleveland Clinic has a Tinnitus Clinic. They are currently booking into 2023 - or so I was told - but I have an appointment in two weeks with a "tinnitus specialist" (an otolaryngologist) who also provides his services to the Tinnitus Clinic. The Tinnitus Clinic require patients be cleared by an otolaryngologist anyway, so maybe this specialist can get me started on "treatment" while I wait for 2023. Hope this is of some help.

 

I'm within reasonable driving distance of Cleveland, so I will look into it.

 

Isn't there a store that delivers in your area? If not, try finding a small grocery store to do your shopping & go at night when it's quieter.

For lack of better term you have what is referred to as phonophobia aka ligyrophobia & should seek counselling for it. I don't like the terms ending in phobia because it means it's an irrational fear which isn't true when one has hyperacusis or low sound tolerance or susceptible to tinnitus spikes. Best you can do is to mitigate loud sounds & know that in all likelihood no permanent damage will occur.