What Helps Most When Reactive Tinnitus or Hyperacusis Creep Back In?

Hi all, I initially got tinnitus is back in January. It started about 10 days after I went to a really loud club and was dancing with my girlfriend next to a loudspeaker.

When I first noticed the tinnitus it was reactive, so to speak. That lasted for about 3 to 4 months and eventually calmed down to the point where it was not reactive anymore and the tinnitus was quite low.

About a week ago I went to a concert with some very cheap earplugs, that kept falling out and I kept trying to shove them back in (Provable causing some injury).

Now my right ear feels a little full and my reactive tinnitus/hyperacusis is back.

Are there any supplements that help this? Also what is the best course of action typically for this situation?

Thanks in advance.

 

Pound Magnesium, NAC, and people swear by curcumin or turmeric, it’s an anti inflammatory. Drink lots of fresh ginger, eat garlic, and rest your ears.

 

The point is to not seek out some supplements that can fix this (none truly will). Noise induced hearing damage is cumulative, and the cycle of further ear damage needs to be broken by avoiding further noise damage.

Rock concerts will induce further damage, even with hearing protection. That your earplugs fell out meant you were exposed unprotected to these high noise levels, so no mystery that the tinnitus/hyperacusis returned.

You need to avoid loud places, and get better earplugs. Everyone's ear is unique, yet we expect any and all earplugs to be effective, so be sure to try several brands of foam earplugs to get a good fit- and use them consistently for situations with noise that you can't truly avoid.

You healed once, and chances are you will heal again. At some point, the tinnitus becomes permanent, and loud, which is a terrible situation.

 

HI @alex1975

You are fortunate that your tinnitus hasn't got a lot worse but if you continue on your current path of going to concerts, other places where loud music is present or using headphones even at low volume then it's likely the tinnitus will increase, a lot I'm afraid. Sorry to sound so sobering but that is the truth as I see it. However, if you take precautions now the future could be much more promising for you. Below I will give you some suggestions, whether you decide to follow them is your choice and I wish you well.

Your tinnitus is reacting to sound because you are exposing yourself to overloud sounds so it's something that you need to stop. There is no such condtion as "Reactive tinnitus". This terminology was made up in tinnitus forums and has become a familiar term that some people use to describe their tinnitus. What you are experiencing is tinnitus with hyperacusis. Hyperacusis is having sensitivity to sound and often accompanies tinnitus due to loud noise exposure.

You need to stop going to places where loud music is present. This means clubs and concerts and I recommend doing this for at least 3 to 6 months or until the tinnitus reduces to a low or baseline level. If you continue there is the risk your tinnitus and hyperacusis will increase. I also suggest that if you use headphones then stop using them for now, for at least 3 to 6 months. I would rather you never use headphones again, not even at low volume.

Forget about earplugs because even the best will not protect your auditory system from further irritation if you do not stop going to clubs and concerts where loud music is played. The sound will pass through your "Head/Skull" and be transferred to your inner ear by "Bone conduction" this will probably cause irritation and you risk the tinnitus becoming worse. You need to give your ears a rest and if you do this the future could be a lot brighter for you. Please click on the links below and read my articles on tinnitus that I think will be of help.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

There is no condition of “Reactive Tinnitus”. Reactivity is a tinnitus property as is part of the noise. The tinnitus is produced by auditory networks that are damaged at many frequencies. When the damaged auditory system is exposed to noise on those frequencies it will tend to interact with the presented noise, in some cases will be negative (worsening), neutral or positive (masking, residual inhibition). The fact is that most people experience this naturally phenomena without having hyperacusis. That term should be reserved for people with extreme T sound reactivity. Unfortunately, for the rest of us “tinnitus reactivity” expresses the day-to-day interaction of our auditory system to external sound.

 

Do what noise generators calm down reactivity and fluctuations?

 

I do not agree with your comments although you are entitled to them. The word "Damage" is often used when tinnitus is discussed especially when it is noise induced. However, I do not believe such a thing occurs. The auditory system is indeed affected by loud noise exposure but I believe it can recover, because the ear is quite resilient even though it is delicate. With the right treatment if it is necessary, many people can make a full recovery from "Noise induced" tinnitus. I am not saying to be cured. It is the lack of treatment when it is required, that often makes tinnitus become a long term chronic problem and if one has hyperacusis and this is left untreated, the problem is exacerbated.

Tinnitus can be a complex condition and many things can cause it. Since my tinnitus was caused by "loud noise" exposure, this is the only type of tinnitus that I am prepared to discuss and attempt to help people with.

Michael

 

In most cases, the word “damage” is associated with hearing loss, when the correction to sudden hearing loss goes the maladaptive neuroplasticity pathway, one has tinnitus. In some cases, the tinnitus will improve and in other cases, it will stay as a reminder of the neuronal damage left behind. Again, reactivity to external sounds is just a property of tinnitus as is loudness, pitch, fluctuations...... and hyperacusis should left for the most extreme reactivity cases.

 

You keep pushing this" headphones even at low volume" will worsen tinnitus. Please provide evidence or stop it!

 

I do not wish to discus this matter further and turn this into a long winded debate.
Good day and I wish you well.

Michael

 

Thanks for getting back to me everyone. I hope I didn’t do damage that is irreversible. My T is currently quite high and definitely keeps me from going back to sleep easily if I wake up a bit too early (say 5am)...
What would be considered a safe maximum DB level? Also. Are there any apps for the iPhone that have a reliable DB meter?

 

I have met many people such as yourself that do not like to hear the truth. I do not take instructions from them or indeed you. You have had tinnitus for 2 mins I have had it for 23 years.
Goodbye

PS: My advice not to use headphones is for people with: Noise induced tinnitus. If your tinnitus was not noise induced, this does not apply to you. However, I still advise caution.

 

@alex1975

I do not believe you have caused any "damage" to your auditory system or hearing. Yes, it is affected without doubt but if you follow my advice as someone that has had "noise induced tinnitus" for 23 years, you will make a recovery. There are other seasoned veterans in this forum that have "Noise induced" tinnitus and will tell you the same. Try not to stress yourself out as stress is one of the biggest problems for NIT. Please follow my advice in the links that I have given you and click on the links below and read further articles. Use sound enrichment at night as mentioned in my articles and keep away from loud music at clubs and concerts and don't use headphones even at low volume.

You will be fine believe me. If you haven't been seen at ENT for a hearing test yet then I suggest you make an appointment. Please don't worry give it time and things will improve.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

 

My 2cents is that is no wise to use headphones while having T. They increase the risk of worsening by misuse or sometimes by silly accidents changing volume. Now I am only using headphones with noise cancellation for long flights.

 

I use decibel X and I found it to be very convenient and accurate. Definitely a good addition to the sound application family, The new Apple Noise App seems to cut the frequency at 8 kHz and that is not a good idea.

 

Headphone is undoubtedly among the worst inventions of human being. I wish people understand that they do harm them, I see people using their headphones everywhere like in street, while working ... and sometimes i can also hear what they are listening to!

No surprise nowadays more and more people face hearing loss and they attribute it to their age or genetic! While it is simply the result of years of using headphones, going to concerts, clubbing, shooting, using power tools without proper protection, oto-toxicity and ...

 

Well said @eagerUser Headphones are one of the most dangerous devices on the planet and should be banned in my opinion. Anyone that has "Noise induced" tinnitus and chooses to use them even at low volume is playing with fire.

Take care
Michael

 

1) I do like to hear the truth. Truth needs to be backed up by scientific evidence. There is plenty of evidence that loud noise can cause hearing loss. There is plenty of evidence that hearing loss can cause tinnitus.

2) So far ZERO evidence has been given for the claim "headphones even at low volume can worsen tinnitus".

 

Thanks Michael, I really appreciate the input. I have gone to an ENT and audiologist and did a hearing test. My hearing loss is at high frequency, it starts dropping off at around 7500-8000 Hz. My normal hearing is perfectly fine, conversations and such are not a problem.

 

Science has very little to do with tinnitus that I assure you. You are new to this condition and I can understand that. Furthermore, I note that your tinnitus was not caused by "exposure to loud noise" so continue to use headphones if that is what you want to do. I have a lot of experience with "Noise induced tinnitus" counselling and corresponding with people with this condition. Science, cannot compete with personal experience and dealing with people with this condition. Before you and others quote whether I have any medical qualifications to back up my claims on headphones use and NIT. I will say this: having medical qualifications or Phd in medicine doesn't make one a Tinnitus expert or indeed knowledgeable in tinnitus.

Unless a person has tinnitus they cannot be an expert in it or have an in-depth knowledge about the condition. I hasten to add, I do not mean to be disparaging or disrespectful towards medical science on the contrary, it has it's place. ENT doctors for instance are experts in their field in knowing about the anatomy of the: Ear, Nose and Throat. They can treat these organs medically or surgically, particularly when there is an underlying medical problem associated with them that is causing the tinnitus. However, this does not make an ENT doctor a tinnitus expert or specialist in tinnitus.

I will not be commenting further.
Goodbye and I wish you well.

Michael

 

That is good to hear. Just give it time and things will improve for you.

 

This comment you keep making – science has very little to do with tinnitus. It does not sound like you understand what science is.

 

You and others in this forum spend your time reading reams of data about tinnitus which is mostly written by people that have never experienced it in their life. Even when they do, it is probably mild and never affects their quality of life to any significant degree. When I first got tinnitus many years ago I also followed this trend and believed ENT doctors and other medical professionals, knew all about tinnitus and the way it affects an individual's state of mind. Alas, I have learned nothing more could be further from the truth. Scientific research has its place in tinnitus and certainly looks good when a person wants to impress others in a forum, repeating information they have acquired from a website or medical book. However, to truly understand this condition and know how it affects an individual is to live with it and experienced when it is severe and problematic. Sadly, I do not believe this is the case for the majority of medical professionals that work in ENT.

I respect they are medical professionals and know all about the anatomy of the ear and can treat it medically or surgically, and any underlying medical problem causing the tinnitus but that is where it ends. Tinnitus is ninety percent mental, it is intrinsically linked to our mental and emotional wellbeing. To truly understand it is to know this essential fact.

Michael

 

The quality of many papers may be questionable but the scientific method remains the only logical way to try to arrive at the truth. Everything in the universe has a scientific explanation and tinnitus is no exception; for any reasonably intelligent adult to fail to understand that is surprising. Whether that explanation has been arrived at through the current scientific method is quite a different question.

I don't doubt those who've had a poorly understood chronic condition for many years can have knowledge that is more useful that what is currently in the scientific literature on that condition. I believe I could give most newbies better advice on a different chronic condition which I have had for 18 years than they would recieve from their GPs and even from some specialists. This is because the quality of the reasearch on that condition is poor, and so it is with tinnitus. However I do not state my opinions on that condition as facts which others should not disagree with; I recognise the uncertainty. And I would never say my other condition had nothing to do with science.

 

You have explained yourself quite well and I have nothing more to say on this issue.
Goodbye and I wish you well.
Michael

 

I ended up doing a bit of research and funny enough, when it comes to earphones, not all are created equal. It seems that the over the ear models are "safer" than ear buds. I've always used the earbuds, shoot! Just as a precaution, I won't be using any from now on, at least for the next few months, why take the risk is my thinking... The only time I would consider wearing any, after I heal my ears, is on a flight with some noise cancelling and over the ear type.

https://audiorecovery.com/blog/do-headphones-increase-your-risk-hearing-loss/

 

I've seen 6 doctors and they all know next to nothing about our conditions. Only one has been any help at all. Audiologists know a bit more as they are often tinnitus sufferers themselves.

 

My actual real tinnitus has improved to the point where it's not a great bother to me anymore. Sometimes I can barely hear it. But I'm struggling SO hard with the somatic buzzing. You would imagine once the Tinnitus fades that you'd get over that... seems it's going to take a long time.

 

HI @alex1975

Although research can be beneficial and does have it place be careful of reading too much about tinnitus. I believe you are wanting to use headphones and that is entirely your choice even though I and others with "Noise induced" tinnitus have advised you not to use them even at low volume. It is true some people with NIT use headphones and have no problems, but it is a risk that many have chosen and regretted.

People have with NIT have told me whilst reading up on headphones, that some are safer than others and that they are not all equal. My belief is that they want to use headphones and hope researching "headphones & tinnitus" they will finally get confirmation that they cause no harm, and are perfectly safe for anyone with Noise induced tinnitus, to use providing the volume is kept low. That is fine for there are a lot of people that want to be told what they want to hear.

However, please remember the advice that I and others have giving you. If you use headphones even at low volume and your tinnitus spikes, it may not reduce to its previous level. You will be the one in the misery and distress. The people that told you it's safe to use headphones, as long as the volume is kept low will not be there is help you.

Shortly before last Christmas, a member in this forum contacted me by PM message in a lot of distress. She has "noise induced" tinnitus and habituated for 6 years and the tinnitus was kept low. She was able to work and life good. She decided to return to using headphones and kept the volume low. Within one week her tinnitus returned with a vengeance that has turned her life upside down and now she is unable to work.

Michael

 

Hi Micheal,
Thanks for all the info once again. I definitely see your point. It sounds like there is definitely more up side on giving up the ear phones. The only time I used them was to play my T masking sound, at a low volume. But lately I’ve been just playing it on my laptop or ipad and that seems to work even better actually.