Tinnitus

[bo_knows]

Interesting to compare that with my most recent REW scan:

I feel as though if my response was a bit less in the 4 Khz vicinity, the overall spectral tilt would look a bit more like an in-room prediction. But I don't think I get much in the way of sharply off-axis early reflections, which are usually what pull the "in-room" curve down a bit. I don't feel like the speakers sound bright at all, but that may be dark hearing on my part. The Redhead doesn't complain, though, and neither does the cat.

(The bumpiness in the left channel at 700ish seems to resist correction, so I'm dealing with a room mode despite the rather high frequency. That's on the exploration list for the future.)

But even with the rolled-off higher frequencies, playing music loudly will excite my tinnitus for a while.

Rick "no correction in this chart above 300 Hz" Denney

Hi Rick,

Are you filtering those hi frequencies or they are naturally slopping off? Looking at your in-room response, high frequencies are starting to roll off at 6khz. What is your listening distance from the tweeters? Never mind, I see you are using EQ. Nice even response.

 

[AdamG]

I also have suffered for years, perhaps decades with horrible ringing in both ears. Got so bad it would keep me awake endlessly. I would literally remain awake for three days, then just pass out from exhaustion and rinse repeat. After much consternation and denial I was sent to a specialist. After audio testing they knew pretty closely how loud it was to me. I was surprised they were able to find this out. At the time, this was several years ago. I had a constant ringing tone of about 55-60 db equivalent. I was advised to set up various ambient noise makers. I tried everything from background radio to Ocean/Wave sounds. Didn’t work. Then in desperation I bought a Stand Fan. Pretty large pedestal type. Bigger than my Speakers! It worked, having the fan running in the background provided just enough distraction noise, that I was able to not hyper focus on the Ringing sound. I now have fans all over the house. A big one in the Bed room that runs all night. My wife’s family call our house the “House of Fans”.

So don’t give up. Find your sound, that sound that will distract your brain from hearing the Ringing. It will give you relief and help you break the hyper focus that starts. This ailment can in some cases drive one to do the unthinkable. Artificial background sound or noise can and will help.

I can still listen to Music and Movies. My problems are when it gets quiet! My bedroom sounds like an Airport! LOL. Wife wears Ear Plugs. So lucky she is so supportive. That helps.

 

[Soniclife]

After audio testing they knew pretty closely how loud it was to me. I was surprised they were able to find this out. At the time, this was several years ago. I had a constant ringing tone of about 55-60 db equivalent.

That's interesting, I've sometimes wondered if this was measurable, mainly so I could tell if things were changing. Do you know how they did it?

 

[AdamG]

That's interesting, I've sometimes wondered if this was measurable, mainly so I could tell if things were changing. Do you know how they did it?

Not really, but I suspect they just measured what level of SPL it took to where I could hear that programmed tone to the one in my head. I know we spent some time with listening tests to determine the FR of my ringing. Then once they know the problem range they started testing how loud a test tone of equivalent frequency had to be for me to notice it. This is all assumption on my part. I should have asked how they did it. Just didn’t think of it at that time.

 

[Soniclife]

Not really, but I suspect they just measured what level of SPL it took to where I could hear that programmed tone to the one in my head. I know we spent some time with listening tests to determine the FR of my ringing. Then once they know the problem range they started testing how loud a test tone of equivalent frequency had to be for me to notice it. This is all assumption on my part. I should have asked how they did it. Just didn’t think of it at that time.

That's about the only way I could think of, test the volume that's required to mask it. I might have a try at doing this, as I often think it's got worse, when it probably hasn't, and if I could prove it hasn't changed I'd know it's just in my head.

 

[Soniclife]

I can still listen to Music and Movies. My problems are when it gets quiet!

Mine has been bothering me more during the lockdowns, as the ambient noise has dropped. I'm fortunate I don't notice it when trying to get to sleep, I've no idea why my brain behaves itself then, it's not normally cooperative.

 

[AdamG]

That's about the only way I could think of, test the volume that's required to mask it. I might have a try at doing this, as I often think it's got worse, when it probably hasn't, and if I could prove it hasn't changed I'd know it's just in my head.

But it is just in your head! I had to say it…..

 

[DubbyMcDubs]

I hope this post belongs here if not I apologize in advance.

I recently developed Tinnitus with constant high frequency ringing in both ears. Cause unknown and definitely not because of listening at high volumes. I always listened music <70 dB SPL measured with iPhone app.
As fate would have it this happened just when I purchased my new KEF R11s and setup my full system. (R11, X4700H, Parasound A31)
I only got to enjoy it for a week or so and then started hearing the hum/ringing. Initially I thought it was my speakers humming but then i disconnected power
supply to the house and still heard it. Now i can hear it everywhere and all the time.

I'm curious if I got it because I started listening to different music critically as I was trying to evaluate the speakers and different electronics like AVR and Amplifiers.

If anyone has similar experiences please let me know and any possible cures. I'm clearly very depressed about this so any advice or positive thoughts will help.

I recently had a 12 month period of persistent tinnitus, primarily in my left ear, which also included some pulsing when I was laying on my left side which is due to a narrowing of the blood supply.

After GP and ENT consultations, and an MRI, they couldn't find anything and the ENT just put it down to age and hearing damage. I didn't really accept that because of the circumstances of how it started, so I thought I would try and work it out myself. I tried all sorts of things suggested online like taking vitamin A etc, but none of that worked.

After some time I realized that a couple of months prior to it starting, I switched to drinking Coke Zero and was drinking about 1-2 cans per day. Coke Zero contains artificial sweetner (phenylalanine). After reading a few articles online regarding the effects of artificial sweetner, I started to experiment and sure enough it would subside when I avoided drinking it for a couple of days. I ran that experiment a few times. Now since eliminating aritificial sweetner completly the tinnitus and throbbing sound have gone. I mentioned this to my ENT on a follow up and he agreed that artificial sweetner should be avoided at all costs.

 

[Derek Hughes]

I occasionally get Tinnitus in both ears with the right being worse. It's more of a buzzing sound with me, sounds like a heavy vehicle from a distance. This started about 6 or 7 years ago and by accident I figured out a cure. I had been to the doctor, had my ears washed but within a few minutes it returned. I do get it regularly, had a bout last week but my cure always works. I won't bore you with how I found how to do it and, trust me, it was innocent but, I place a small hand held pulsating massager on my ear and leave it there for 30 seconds or so. It always works. My assumption is that I have a small amount of wax attached to a hair somewhere in my inner ear and the massager dislodges it. Every few months I do use mineral oil to clear the wax but I still get the tinnitus. Not sure if this will help but good luck because I know how uncomfortable and infuriating Tinnitus can be.

 

[Destination: Moon]

I have it too but its bearable unless Im exposed to some really loud noise or loud clattering of dishs. Then it will ramp up.
Mines from loud noise exposure - concerts, clubs and then a few years shooting way too many clay pigeons (that didnt deserve it )

If your ever exposed to noise that muffles your hearing or feels like your underwater for a few days - youve done some real damage...
I know from experience - and shoving toilet paper in your ears is virtually doing nothing. You need real ear plugs and know how to insert and test that they are inserted properly. I dont go anywhere anymore without a set of earplugs that are on all my car keys:
Most men will want the Large - on amazon they are 14 bucks

Etymotic Powered by Lucid ETY•Plugs® Earplugs

 

[Destination: Moon]

I occasionally get Tinnitus in both ears with the right being worse. It's more of a buzzing sound with me, sounds like a heavy vehicle from a distance. This started about 6 or 7 years ago and by accident I figured out a cure. I had been to the doctor, had my ears washed but within a few minutes it returned. I do get it regularly, had a bout last week but my cure always works. I won't bore you with how I found how to do it and, trust me, it was innocent but, I place a small hand held pulsating massager on my ear and leave it there for 30 seconds or so. It always works. My assumption is that I have a small amount of wax attached to a hair somewhere in my inner ear and the massager dislodges it. Every few months I do use mineral oil to clear the wax but I still get the tinnitus. Not sure if this will help but good luck because I know how uncomfortable and infuriating Tinnitus can be.

Be careful with that. Not sure how old you are but as we age we get calcifications in the vestibular canal and if you ever knock those loose you will most likely know it, and have some serious balance issues as a result. It happened to me a few years ago and it wasnt fun

 

[Chrispy]

I recently had a 12 month period of persistent tinnitus, primarily in my left ear, which also included some pulsing when I was laying on my left side which is due to a narrowing of the blood supply.

After GP and ENT consultations, and an MRI, they couldn't find anything and the ENT just put it down to age and hearing damage. I didn't really accept that because of the circumstances of how it started, so I thought I would try and work it out myself. I tried all sorts of things suggested online like taking vitamin A etc, but none of that worked.

After some time I realized that a couple of months prior to it starting, I switched to drinking Coke Zero and was drinking about 1-2 cans per day. Coke Zero contains artificial sweetner (phenylalanine). After reading a few articles online regarding the effects of artificial sweetner, I started to experiment and sure enough it would subside when I avoided drinking it for a couple of days. I ran that experiment a few times. Now since eliminating aritificial sweetner completly the tinnitus and throbbing sound have gone. I mentioned this to my ENT on a follow up and he agreed that artificial sweetner should be avoided at all costs.

Well avoiding artificial sweeteners my whole life didn't help in my case. Glad it was something you could nail down like that! Awesome!

 

[Rottmannash]

I have something odd , when the extractor fan in my bathroom or indeed in anyones bathroom is active and I'm out of that room but can hear it I get a pulsing in my left ear . Some sort of pressure distortion, quite unpleasant and not noticeable under any other circumstances.

Bizarre for sure.

 

[rdenney]

Hi Rick,

Are you filtering those hi frequencies or they are naturally slopping off? Looking at your in-room response, high frequencies are starting to roll off at 6khz. What is your listening distance from the tweeters? Never mind, I see you are using EQ. Nice even response.

I think the roll off is the effect of the Harman curve, where the sum of sound includes high-angle reflections outside the tweeter central directivity (which is pretty wide, but not infinite). If anything, the curve shows some elevation at around 4K—draw a line from 1K to 10K and that would fit the Harman model.

There is more I intend to do eventually, but I need to clean the processor loop switch. That will have to wait—I need to be away from home for a few weeks.

Rick “not noting a bright sound at all” Denney

 

[sailor2005]

I recently had a 12 month period of persistent tinnitus, primarily in my left ear, which also included some pulsing when I was laying on my left side which is due to a narrowing of the blood supply.

After GP and ENT consultations, and an MRI, they couldn't find anything and the ENT just put it down to age and hearing damage. I didn't really accept that because of the circumstances of how it started, so I thought I would try and work it out myself. I tried all sorts of things suggested online like taking vitamin A etc, but none of that worked.

After some time I realized that a couple of months prior to it starting, I switched to drinking Coke Zero and was drinking about 1-2 cans per day. Coke Zero contains artificial sweetner (phenylalanine). After reading a few articles online regarding the effects of artificial sweetner, I started to experiment and sure enough it would subside when I avoided drinking it for a couple of days. I ran that experiment a few times. Now since eliminating aritificial sweetner completly the tinnitus and throbbing sound have gone. I mentioned this to my ENT on a follow up and he agreed that artificial sweetner should be avoided at all costs.

Was the MRI done with contrast? In my case it had to be done with contrast because small brain tumors won't show up on a regular MRI. I was lucky the Navy paid for the treatment. The first civilian ENT I saw dismissed my case altogether saying it was something I had to accept, the sudden hearing loss on one ear. The military ENT said that I had to get that MRI ASAP. Got the gamma-knife radiosurgery done at a civilian hospital since the naval hospital did not have the machine at the time. Still in the Navy

 

[DubbyMcDubs]

Was the MRI done with contrast? In my case it had to be done with contrast because small brain tumors won't show up on a regular MRI. I was lucky the Navy paid for the treatment. The first civilian ENT I saw dismissed my case altogether saying it was something I had to accept, the sudden hearing loss on one ear. The military ENT said that I had to get that MRI ASAP. Got the gamma-knife radiosurgery done at a civilian hospital since the naval hospital did not have the machine at the time. Still in the Navy

Thanks for your reply.

Look I cant tell you for certain, but its that sort of thing the ENT was looking for. He is a well respected senior ENT so pretty confident that he ordered the right test. Besides, all my symptoms are gone and cant imagine if I had a tumor that quitting sweetners would resolve that issue, which was over 6 months ago now.

Edit: Glad to hear you are doing well!

 

[Derek Hughes]

Be careful with that. Not sure how old you are but as we age we get calcifications in the vestibular canal and if you ever knock those loose you will most likely know it, and have some serious balance issues as a result. It happened to me a few years ago and it wasnt fun

Thanks, good advice.

 

[ernestcarl]

artificial sweetner (phenylalanine). After reading a few articles online regarding the effects of artificial sweetner, I started to experiment and sure enough it would subside when I avoided drinking it for a couple of days. I ran that experiment a few times. Now since eliminating aritificial sweetner completly the tinnitus and throbbing sound have gone. I mentioned this to my ENT on a follow up and he agreed that artificial sweetner should be avoided at all costs.

Interesting. What is the biopharmacologic mechanism behind the effect? Gotta look it up later... wanna know if there really is something to it -- although I don't really drink Coke Zero or softdrinks. I'm more of a tea person.

 

[ernestcarl]

I have had tinnitus in my left ear for a couple of years now and background noise and music at lower levels helps in the home. When I’m cycling it’s annoying and I get tired, but when I’m walking I can drown out car noise with the QC35, only reason I have them. If I have a rough night the tinnitus can be unbearable and I’m still on the fence if I should sell my speakers and headphones because of it, can’t figure out which gives me most fatigue.

Hope you find out what can help you.

Just make sure not to listen too loud esp. for extended periods with headphones/speakers. If HP are used to lower city noise pollution heard when outside, one doesn't even need to be playing audio with good sealed headphones on. I use a noise machine (Alexa dot device) all the time in my bedroom... but my tinnitus is louder than my noise machine sometimes! The volume of the ringing in both my ears changes all the time. Sometimes it shoots up in loudness for no apparent reason at all when I'm just sitting in couch doing nothing at all. But then it later slowly subsides to nothing in the background. When I'm having a migraine, fever, or infection (physical triggers) it perceptually can get worse to almost maddeningly unbearable. I'm sure there are neurophysiological connections at play...

 

[ernestcarl]

(As for earing loss, I don't know, perhaps I have some. I'd rather not want to know.)

Was it j_j that said that most children are expected to have some HF loss as they grow up and go to school etc. anyway... since there's so much noise pollution in the modern world. There's almost no way to completely avoid over-exposure nowadays if you use public transportation and live in the city and so on.