Tinnitus Worsened by Clap in Car Three Months Ago — Still No Sign of Improvement

Hi all,

After about a year of dealing with tinnitus and hyperacusis, I managed to get myself back on track with my mental health and it had reduced so much it wasn't really bothering me as much anymore. I was having less spikes and coping with them extremely well.

Then I was out in my car with a friend, he was telling a story and then suddenly he clapped his hands together and just like that my ringing went from 20 to 100. This happened back in October 2020.

Habituation seemed to take at least 8-12 months last time, so I know I've got a long way to go, but I seem to be struggling so much more this time round. Previously I was having 2 to 3 days a week where it had lessened slightly and that gave me some respite. But I've maybe had 3 or 4 days of lesser intensity since the acoustic trauma. My spikes are so bad now that it actually causes me an achy pain from time to time, I have to get in the shower to block it out, or listen to crickets in redwood on repeat (thanks to Spotify). Sometimes I even have to take half a Valium to knock me out. I know Valium is a bad call but I'm aware of its dangers and I only take it when absolutely necessary, usually once a week.

Has anyone ever got this bad from a clap and will my tinnitus ever reduce again? At the moment it seems like I'm stuck with this volume forever...

 

How far away were his hands from your ear?

 

There is a Tinnitus Talk user with the nick @I who love music. His tinnitus transformed into "super tinnitus" after he participated in a music event, without realizing that bone conduction would mess up his hearing despite his wearing heave noise protection.

The super tinnitus went down after two years, though. I guess that means yours might to.

Personally, I always wear foam ear plugs when interacting with others. There's no alternative. I can't go through tinnitus anxiety every time someone makes one loud noise or the other.

 

It will like require some time for the ears to settle. Try to avoid loud venues and protect your hearing when necessary. Some people will get reactive tinnitus for a while. If you feel it is too bothersome then try masking it, which can help.

 

Hey @Bill Bauer, he was sat right next to me in the front of my car.

 

I've been listening to as much masking as possible especially during spikes, but as for wearing any earplugs when its this loud it just makes it so much louder. I just find it really difficult to concentrate on anything else if I don't have any outside noise. I've had 2 spikes in the last week which have been the worst I've experienced so far. I've met so many people with the annoyance and they just don't seem to be bothered by it. I feel they must have some quiet gas leak sound.

I'm trying to stay positive though, I really appreciate your replies. Gotta stay strong I guess. Luckily my GF is super understanding and she helps in whatever way she can ☮

 

How are you doing now? It has been a few days since your last post?

 

It's obviously not that I don't believe you but how loud can 1 clap be to cause permanent extra damage (to, granted, already damaged, ears) ?

 

It's 3.51am and I haven't slept a wink this eve. How loud does a clap have to be? Think not of the volume, but the small space I was in, the vibrations had nowhere to travel.

I'm still suffering with some of the worst ringing I've experienced since the first time I woke up with it.

I have had 2 days of near quiet in the past couple of weeks. Which is the most positive thing I have to say about it. Other than that I'm struggling to say the least.

I did forget to mention that since the incident I've now got 3 different sounds going off in my head. 1 is the normal high pitched in my left ear which is now accompanied by a second low rumble that isn't always there but usually in the morning and night. And now a slightly higher pitch which seems to be coming into my right ear on most days as well. I mean they change whenever they don't really seem to have a pattern.

I have a video call appointment with a specialist in a couple of weeks so hopefully he can help me learn to deal with it better, otherwise I'm not sure I'll ever really be happy again.

I mean what's the point in life if you can't crack a smile? I hate sounding so defeated but I really have lost my spirit lately.

 

Hi, I totally understand what you mean that your tinnitus is back because I’m at the same spot at you!

Except mine came back because I recently used headphones (big mistake). I feel like I’m back to square 1 with hyperacusis being worse than it was.

But I wanted to ask if your hyperacusis also came back?

 

My hyperacusis is the worst it's ever been. Even a lightswitch makes my tympanic muscle vibrate. So you can only imagine what it's like everytime my neighbour comes home on his superbike.

That being said, the past couple of weeks I have had some more quieter days where I've been able to get on with doing nothing without feeling as down. I've been getting better at dealing with it again. Today is a really bad day though but I find after you let your guard down for a bit it strikes hard lol.

 

Fckng hyperacusis!

 

Diaz, from your picture it looks like you are a rock climber that appears to be in good physical condition. How do you find your tinnitus immediately after physical exertion?

I’m curious because I’ve read others comments on it getting worse and I’m still experimenting myself. If it does maybe that can somehow help point us in the right direction for treatment.