Tinnitus spiking after car journey

[norcar]

I have had right sided tinnitus for 4 months brought on initially by a virus and consolidated by Covid 2 months later. I am still trying to understand how it works. So far, I can deal with it during the day although it does spike at times. I have seen GP (quite helpful), ENT consultant (pretty useless) MRI scan (all OK except quite high amounts of mucous in antra), started acupuncture (too early to tell if it helps), mindfulness (again too early to see if it helps although could be promising). I am due to have hearing tests and due to go to the Tinnitus Clinic in London soon. The worst for me is night time with sleep coming sporadically. Have tried listening to radio, playing water sounds in one ear and both. Sometimes noise seems to be worse than hearing the tinnitus. I am tired of feeling tired.

Yesterday I spent approx 1.5 hours in a car and found it has triggered a spike that is still with me. Is this hyperacusis? I now don't want to repeat the experience so I wonder if anyone has tried noise-cancelling headphones coupled with an ear plug(s) to cut out almost all input to the affected ear(s) while travelling or doing something that brings on spikes. Any suggestions would be helpful.

By chance I had an appointment with the GP this morning and he has prescribed Mirtazapine for depression (I am v. depressed about it) which apparently also helps with sleep and fluticasone to help with mucous build up. The only drug that helps with sleep is zopoclone but is no good for long term use and addictive unfortunately.

[marigold60]

I read that antihistamine can sometimes help tinnitus plus it can make you feel drowsy, so I've been taking one at night. Even though the noise from my tinnitus doesn't keep me awake, the antihistamine does help me sleep

[Darren6]

Hi, sorry to hear you are going through, i hope you will find some useful help from this forum.I have very loud tinnitus and hyperacusis onset a few years back and car journeys were horrific. It would cause a spike that would last for days. Over time though the spikes lasted less time to finally not having spikes at all.

4 months is still a relatively short time after the onset so there is probably a lot of progress you will have as your auditory system gets used to sounds. it could be hyperacusis, my personal non medical view, is that it probably is a linked to a level of hyperacusis.

I found for car journeys wearing some silicon earbuds, mine were from Loop, lowered the sound of the journey enough to negate any spike and as my hearing system recovered over time i could wear them less and now driving has no effect on me. Careful to not wear ear protection all the time as it can make hyperacusis, the sound sensitivity, worsen. you should only wear them when you know you will be in a loud or uncomfortable situation.

My main take away is that it WILL get better over time, tinnitus and hyperacusis. There are many things you can do to manage your day to make the T and H less of an intrusion to you.

Happy to answer any other questions you have as im sure others will be too.

Darren

[Sassyjax1 in reply to Darren6]

Good advice for car travel, I only recently started to suffer with T and dread driving - even though it’s integral to my daily life. I’m concerned the constant T will distract me as my left ear/face seem so sensitive. It’s almost like nerve sensitivity and the sensitive in hearing worries me. GP told me that even constant T fades over tone and becomes less noticeable. In my head, if it’s nerve damage, I don’t see how that can happen. It’s good to hear your advice.

[norcar in reply to Sassyjax1]

Not wearing ear protectors all the time is good advice (Darren6). However, there is another issue I would like to float. Just as there isn't just one type of cancer, there may not be just one type of tinnitus from reading all comments on this site. I have had mine for 4 months and I know that this is not long term for a lot of people. During that time my ear has always felt partially blocked but without much effect on my hearing if at all. The GP said it was an effect of the tinnitus. The MRI scan showed mucous in the antra however. I asked what antra were but didn't get a very good answer. I believe they are air spaces in the mastoid bone behind the ear. Does anyone else know about this? I do not know how this area drains but was told that they can fill with fluid. Interestingly, the GP prescribed fluticasone spray to reduce inflammation of the nasal passages in response to my concern about blockage and that evening I felt a release and the high pitched sound diminished almost to nothing. A general low level noise continued but with the help of newly prescribed Mirtazipine, I had the best night's sleep for a long time. Has anyone else suspected or found fluid to be a major component of the reason for their tinnitus? Today my ear feels as if it is continuing to drain.

[Sassyjax1 in reply to norcar]

This sounds encouraging. Please update us on your progress.

[norcar in reply to Sassyjax1]

I have been reading about draining of the air sacs in the mastoid bone. One article mentioned that with infection you can get an effect on the facial nerve. It also says that a small but significant number of people with tinnitus do have fluid in the mastoid area. Have you asked your GP if you might have an infection as you mention tenderness in the face on that side which seems unusual?

[Sassyjax1 in reply to norcar]

I had 2 lots of antibiotics. My face was compressed by a procedure during a recent surgery and my tinnitus started after that.

[Kellythecat-74]

Hi , I also used to get spikes during car rides. Wore wax ear plugs which helped. Also used them for the computer , music , shows, cinema etc. Trouble with T is, its trial and error. Everyone has different spikes.

[GEDB1]

Hi Norcar

So i'm new to this and not that qualified but I found the Vik Veer thing on Tinnitus on you tube. Quite positive but also difficult to follow fully.

Vik said about the 5 hours of shipping forcast on youtube to be good to help sleep and I have to say it did help me for a while.

Wishing you every success.

[EnzoMonty]

Hi there,

I have had noise sensitive tinnitus, which can also be termed reactive tinnitus for 18 months now. My T will spike if exposed to things such as the noise of my central heating system, washing machine, TV, car rides. It is quite debilitating at times. Most times the spikes go down after minutes or in the case of car journeys hours or days. What has happened to me is that my baseline T sound has over time increased where prolonged exposed to these noises which has made me reluctant to go on car journeys say over 1 hour. Its really limited my world. What I have tried to do is ensure I wear earplugs where there is likely to be loud noise for example mowing the lawn. Which seems to help. I have not tried ear plugs for car journeys which I think I will from now on. I have subscribed to the Quieten App recently which aims to teach you to focus on your body more through meditation and yoga rather than listening out for T. I have also had reflexology sessions which have provided a relaxing experience even though the T may be ringing in the background.

[Fairywing]

Mine too. How is it going now?

[Fairywing in reply to Fairywing]

My car ride triggers are only random though causing me to be at a loss for what it could be. 🤦‍♀️

[Kellythecat-74]

I had about 8 or 9 of acupuncture . lady said she'd cured lots of Ts . Sadly not me .

However I am contemplating trying it again for this" return of T ". Just delaying because its the last thing left on my list !