Tinnitus getting worse or Hyperacusis?

[Eagerreader]

Hello everyone. I'm new here but have had tinnitus for a few years. I've labelled mine as low grade as I can only hear it when there is no other external noise. But that appears to hae changed in the last 4 weeks. I need some advice so the GP will refer me or do I need to be referred even? I was referred 2 years ago, had MRI to check for accoustic neuroma - all clear - & had hearing test. Tinnatus is unexplained as it appears to me to be in both ears.

About 4 weeks ago I was having trouble sleeping because I could hear a noise and feel vibrations throughout the night. Turns out the vibrations were caused by floor standing fan on floorboards next door (semi-detached) and also a ceiling fan. All sorted with neighbour. But I was and still am hearing intermittent droning noise throughout the day and then constantly at night from about 8.30pm until 7am next morning. I could/can hear it even when neighbours are out. They've assured me there is nothing on. I was convinced I could hear their central heating boiler as mine is off. I can hear it over the tv, but when I listen to music I can't hear it. The neighbour came round when I could hear his droning noise but they said they could not hear it.

It got so bad I decided to sleep in kitchen on a camp bed (as this room is furthest away from party wall). I woke up at 3.30am and could hear the noise. Once I hear it I have real difficulty getting back to sleep. I usually wear silicone ear plugs to get to sleep but I could still hear the droning noise.

So, last week I decided to spend night at mom & dad's house. I could hear similar intermittent noise while in living room with tv on and talking to mom & dad. I went to bed, fell asleep but then woke up at 3.30am to a loud droning noise. I couldn't get back to sleep. I first thought they must have same boiler as next door, but the boiler wasn't on during the night.

I initially thought it is hyperacusis as I thought I could hear the central heating boiler and when I've put my head out of the bedroom window at 4am on a couple of mornings I can hear a low level hum then as well and the noise is mildly annoying.

But now I think my tinnitus has changed because of hearing the same pattern of noise in two locations and I've even heard a lower volume of the noise when I've been sitting in my car on my drive, with no engine on.

During my waking hours at home I've started to use Ambient sound app and this stops me hearing the intemittent droning noise.

I've called GP twice this week and been given a mild sedative to help me sleep. Used it two nights so far. First & 2nd nights still woken up but gone back to sleep straight away and last night didn't use ear plugs for first time in years.

I spoke to different GP at practice on Friday and I explained about the noise but I was leaning towards hyperacusis. They are going to get back to me as to whether I will be referred to consultant. This is why I need some advice. Do I need to push for referral or do I just accept that my tinnitus has changed? My medication will be reviewed in a month - do I wait until then?

Thank you for reading and I welcome your comments and advice.

[Happyrosie]

Hello eagerreader and thanks for your comprehensive post.

Firstly, I think it’s great that you have good hearing - to have heard the vibrations from next door. You are in that sense lucky.

People experience T in such different ways. My T is exactly the same - but much louder - as it was fifteen or so years ago and I have learned to just put up with it.

When one suffers (and it IS suffering) from T one has to learn to live with it. Patience is all!

For your nighttime sleeplessness - and indeed when you have time during the day - please research breathing techniques to calm you. These do take a lot of practice. Like learning to drive or learning a foreign language, it takes time and persistence.

While you are learning and practicing, make sure you spend as much time as you can in nature. Can you go and sit under a tree and breathe its oxygen, for instance?

I feel that if you keep pushing your medication advisers this will agitate you, and that you should just wait and see. That’s just my opinion of course.

I wish you well.