Worsened Hyperacusis, Sound Distortions, Reactive Tinnitus, Ear Pain: Should I Do All Online School?

I’m going into my junior year of high school and recently my hyperacusis has gotten much much worse and now it’s constant sound distortions, reactive tinnitus, occasional warmth and stabs of pain in and around the ear, etc.

Would I be better off doing the hybrid model of 2 days in school 3 days out, or doing all online, given my extremely sensitive hearing?

I’m “lucky” in the sense that online is an option for everyone at the same time as this dramatic worsening. Let me know what you guys think.

 

HI @weab00

I am sorry to know that you are going through a difficult time at the moment with hyperacusis. This condition usually gets worse when a person is exposed to sounds which doesn't necessarily have to be loud. If you have been using any type of headphones including a headset even at low volume this can make the tinnitus and hyperacusis worse for some people. I see on your Avatar that you are playing a guitar and therefore assume you play in a band? Even if you are not doing so at the moment and play this instrument through an amplifier for practice, it is loud enough to spike the tinnitus. In any case I believe the increase in the tinnitus and hyperacusis is caused by sound.

There is no such thing as Reactive tinnitus. This terminology was made-up in tinnitus forums many years ago and become common place in them. People that want to believe they have such a condition then it's their choice. However, this kind of thinking can do more harm than good, because it can make the person believe they have an additional problem when they don't and think their oversensitivity to sound is worse by having it.

People that have oversensitivity to sound or hyperacusis, are usually those that have Noise induced tinnitus. The tinnitus is Reacting due to an oversensitive auditory system brought on by Noise trauma. It can improve (cure) by itself with time but in some cases, treatment is required by seeing an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management.

You need to reduce your exposure to loud sound and if you are using headphones even at low volume, I advise you to stop as you risk your symptoms getting worse.

Michael

 

Haha that is Jaco Pastorius. I’m a music enthusiast but have never played in any bands. Yes I practice bass guitar at a very very low level from an amp, certainly not enough to spike anything, and I no longer use headphones.

I’ve been staying away from loud and artificial noises as much as possible, but it’s impossible to complete isolate myself from the unpredictability of everyday life and noise. My peers are going to parties, movies, loud venues and I’m holed up in my room protecting myself from setbacks... this is no way to spend your youth.

What are you supposed to call it when your tinnitus increases in volume around external sounds?

What are your thoughts on my question, regardless? This is the main pressing issue.

 

I know nothing about hybrid model you speak of. I only advise on tinnitus and hyperacusis. One thing is for sure, if you don't stop your exposure to whatever sound is causing your hyperacusis to increase, you risk not being able to do much at all because this condition can become very distressing when severe.

Best of luck and I wish you well.
Michael

 

It’s simple, we can choose between a full virtual course where we do online work and have video calls with teachers 5 days a week, or choose to go in 2 days a week and do 3 days online from home. I was wondering peoples opinions on the best course of action based on both their experience with how loud schools can be and hyperacusis. But at the same time, maybe I’d be fine with 2 days a week?

I’m really trying my best to limit myself from all unsafe sounds but am also trying not to isolate too badly.

Anyway, this is my predicament.

 

Thank you for the information. Sorry I am unable to advise you on this but whatever you decide to do, my advice is not to use any type of headphones or headset even at low volumes.

Take care
Michael

 

It’s a very personal decision I think as only you know how much you can tolerate and how bad your condition feels!

In my opinion, if you have the opportunity to let your ears rest then you should take it. Even if school won’t hurt your ears (which we can’t predict, you never know when they’ll have a surprise lockdown drill or someone honks their horn at you in the parking lot) it might be more relaxing to just be at home in a controlled environment for a bit!

It’s important to keep stress low & protect your mental health in addition to your ears during this time. I know for me I don’t think I would have been able to handle going to school with this but again it’s all personal! Good luck with whatever decision you make

 

I would choose a full online course. You can attend classes from home, in a controlled environment, with your own computer. You just need to get good quality speakers. It's the perfect solution for someone with hyperacusis as most very loud sounds happen when going to a place (driving, or using public transport) or being outside home (car horns, unexpected construction noise, sirens, alarms etc)

 

Okay. But what is the mechanism behind reactive tinnitus then? I’ve seen you say that many times but never explaining why. If reactive tinnitus does not exist then why does it react in pitch/volume to most external noises?

 

I attend this forum to offer advice to people asking for help with Noise induced tinnitus and hyperacusis. This advice is based on my experience with these conditions, corresponding and counselling people at forums, on the telephone and by email. I am not here to try and convince anyone in what I believe in. In my previous post I have said, there is no such thing as Reactive Tinnitus and I stand by it. This terminology was made-up in tinnitus forums many years ago and is now regularly used in them. Believing in this so called condition often causes more harm than good. People that say they have Reactive Tinnitus, are usually those affected by noise trauma and have developed an oversensitivity to sound known as hyperacusis. The tinnitus is indeed reacting but this is due to noise trauma and if it doesn't improve by itself over time, needs to be treated as there's a risk of the hyperacusis becoming a long term problem. A person can habituate to tinnitus but if the hyperacusis is still present a person will often experience tinnitus spikes.

Michael