When Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Spikes & What To Do When It Happens

 

When tinnitus and hyperacusis spikes, you usually get a setback, it's really frustrating right? For me personally, it definitely is. 

listed below are some things that spike tinnitus & hyperacusis, and how to deal with them to the best of my knowledge. 

Medications - Either stop the medication or see if a different brand of the medication won't spike your tinnitus, or hyperacusis. From my personal experience, I have had to try multiple medicines, and different brands to get the right one that will not have a negative effect on my auditory.

Noise - Whether it's a baby crying, the sounds from AC / Heating systems in households, digital audio, lawnmowers, leaf blowers outside etc. Try your best to get away from the noise source, and to use protective earmuffs or ear plugs, or both to try to drown the noise out. Move to another part of your residence where it could be less noisy, still wearing hearing protection. 

Foods - Certain food can spike tinnitus and hyperacusis for some people, all of our bodies are unique, have different pathology and chemistry etc. Some may find that eating gluten helps, some may find that gluten worsens them. I would suggest creating a diary / journal and recording the foods / medications that aggravate the ailments, so you know for the future.

Depression - When not knowing how to deal with these ailments it can be hard and send some into serious depression. Some medications can help, getting up and staying busy doing quiet things, can help to a certain degree. Forcing yourself out of bed in the morning, or whenever you get up during the day, getting dressed, have some breakfast, coffee if you can handle some caffeine (Caffeine spikes some people), Have a tea, take a bath or a shower if you can handle water noise. Getting outside to take a walk in quiet, talking to someone who understands these conditions: someone who also suffers can help some people. 

Anxiety - Staying in the now as much as possible, forget about the future, forget about yesterday, and try to stay present as much as you can. Meditation really helps, reading books, watching a show / movie, medicine can help to a degree, taking a hot bath. Basically, just trying to stay in the present moment as much as possible. 

Noise from people you know - Whether it be your spouse, child, friend, family member etc. It's important to let them know how noise affects you, and which noises are your worst triggers. If they don't know, they can't really help. Some close ones can be understanding, some may not. For the people who are having difficulties with people making noise, them not listening etc. Try to "gently" occasionally keep reminding them that certain sounds hurt, that they may be engaging in near you. Some are understanding, some may get frustrated a bit, and some may blow up, it's about not getting them to blow up I feel. This can be tricky when navigating these ailments, because I feel like we are always on alert / in fight or flight mode. Also, if you need, sometimes go and silently cry it out, let the tears tun, and after you may feel a bit better. Get your feelings out speaking to another sufferer, trying to figure out solutions together, maybe someone has experience with a certain thing, and can help. Try journaling, meditating on it etc. Also, when having a serious setback, staying in a dark, cool, quiet room, if one is available is a good idea, until the spike or setback settles a bit. 

I hope that the above material, can help when your tinnitus and hyperacusis spikes, or when you have a setback. I also, certainly hope that the more severe cases, can find some happiness in each of their days, even if is just a smidge, it is a win! 

May we all heal one day!

Nothing but love, as always.