White Noise in Earbud... Make It Worse?

I'm considering doing TRT through my audiologist so I figured I'd listen to some white noise (very low) in my earphones.

After the first session, which was about 1 hr. and so low I could barely hear it, I now have an audible hiss in my ear in addition to my pure tone. I may have had the hiss before, but its definitely much louder. I did one more 1 hr. session and I believe the hiss became even louder. It's been several days since doing any listening in earbuds (I listen to white noise without them all the time) and the hissing has remained at the high level.

I'm worried that I'm making myself worse. I'd rather just deal with it as it is than make myself worse off. What do you think?

 

@Mike34 See a specialist rather than do it yourself. That said, it is unlikely that you would have permanently made it worse. Do you not think you're just focusing more on it now?

 

@Mike34, I started doing ACRN using do-it-yourself methods described in this thread and after ~10 minutes of listening to the ACRN rhythm, I started also noticing a hiss-enhancement to my mostly tonal (and largely pulsatile) Tinnitus. However, I also noticed that the tonal aspect of my T had started to diminish somewhat. I suspect that this is a natural consequence of the neurons in the auditory centers of the brain being stimulated and recalibrating; ACRN's fundamental and proven theory of action is that over time, tonal T can be reduced or even eliminated by reprogramming the neurons in the brain to become less sensitive to the phantom signals.

In my case, however, I stopped so that I could meet and discuss this approach with my ENT, and see if she recommends that I proceed. In my case, I listened to my tons at a moderate volume, so that it would be louder than my T, but not loud enough to hurt me (so around a 60% volume on my Mac).

I would get advice from an audiologist or an ENT about how to self-administer this treatment safely, and that's what I plan on doing later this week.

 

@Kaelon can you let us know what your audiologist or ENT says?

 

Absolutely. I will be seeing her at Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary this Friday and will report back.

 

Constant noise, even if its low makes my T and H worse.

 

No. I didn't have a hiss at all before that and if so it was unnoticeable. It's gotten even louder since I posted.

 

Sounds similar to my situation. Im interested in what your ENT says.