Hyperacusis, reactive tinnitus

[Alfonso42]

As the title says my tinnitus worsens if there is noise around (reactive). On top this I have hyperacusis.

I think reactive tinnitus= tinnitus+ hyperacusis

Do you have tinnitus and hyperacusis?

Have you tried pink noise? Did it help or make things worse?

Many thanks and good luck to all

[sds111]

Hi, I’m trying to work out if some of my symptoms are Hyperacusis. I something get what you have mentioned and I think this could be a description. (I’ve noticed this more recently, music, tv, shower)

Do you suffer with:

Ear pain with some noises - feels like burning

Ear fullness

Ears clicking when moving jaw, talking or swallowing?

Not sure about the pink noise, I do struggle with white noise.

[Golden_Star]

Hey! Yes this is me.. I lost total hearing on left side after surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma, 2 years ago. Since I have suffered with hyperacusis and tinnitus that worsens with noise.. it feels like a gong that builds in resonance throughout the day with any noise exposure.. and my tinnitus improves with quiet rather than worsens..I have a huge aversion to noise and white noise is like torture! Never tried pink noise! I just crave deep silence all the time… which I don’t have!! I have two high needs kids at home 24/7.. I wear my noise cancelling headphones a lot! They are the only thing that I have found helps.. and I now have anxiety leaving the house without them.. it is really affecting my life and is worse with poor sleep, stress and noise exposure… I get the fullness and aches in my deaf ear as well which is misophonia..

sorry this post isn’t helpful but I just wanted to join the conversation.. I’ve been meaning to post for ages and when I saw your combo of reactive tinnitus and hyperacusis… I jumped in! Sending compassion for your journey 🌿

[HMS70 in reply to Golden_Star]

hi, are you see anyone about CBT and any assistance to help?

[AussieHeart]

Yes sadly but at least it has lessened compared to when it first struck two years ago. When my neighbours throw surprise parties (often) with box beat (doof) that vibrates my house for 7 hours plus, I suffer badly with combo of hypercussis and pulsatile tinnitus for days even weeks. Suped up cars do the same. Planes flying over, high pitched noises like toddlers screaming at the top of their lungs. Can’t go to the movies anymore due to surround sound being so loud. My world at times is like a nightmare. If had a particularly bad day the only way I can get to sleep is playing waterfall music. The audiologist told me I have some right hearing loss but not bad enough to refer me to an ENT. I was on the cusp and she got so frustrated testing me, as my results didn’t fit into a clear box. She said try CBT. My GP refused to send me for a second opinion because they discovered around the same time I had an arrhythmia. How atrial fibrillation and reactive tinnitus is linked I still don’t know (vagal nerve?). Cardiologist doesn’t think so. Hence I put up and shut up because anxiety is the usual response now. Mmmmmm, so helpful NOT! The upshot to all the above is like you… pink noise helps

[bournville]

I also have both - don’t swear much but the two of them together are a right bastard!

The commonly held belief seems to be that once Hyperacusis is fixed tinnitus reactivity also improves. The one thing I have always struggled with about pink noise treatment is that mid to high frequencies set off my reactive tinnitus so pink noise will too right? Must admit I have not given pink noise a proper go as guidance around pink noise use & reactive tinnitus is so very very vague.

One of the things I think all of us with this subset of tinnitus would find helpful would be cold details for treating reactive tinnitus with pink noise - some basic durations & levels chart would be so helpful. Let’s get some helpful guidance info out there to share - anybody reading this got any?

By the way are you under the care of an audiologist?

[Jabbey in reply to bournville]

My ENT who has suffered with hyperacusis herself in the past did say once that subsides the tinnitus will also.

[Ajay112 in reply to Jabbey]

May I ask who your ENT was? It's a struggle to find the right provider for this condition