What is reactive tinnitus?

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TammyAScuirus	What is reactive tinnitus?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 827 (06/07/09 6:23 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None What exactly is reactive tinnitus? Is it when a certain sound amplifies your t? Is it just that a certain sound hits the same frequency as your t and it makes it seem louder at the moment? For instance if your t is a tone of 500Hz, when a piece of equipment emits that frequency, there is a possibility that it would be additive and therefore the t would be perceived as louder. Is reactive tinnitus defined by a moment or does it refer to having amplified t for an extended period of time after the sound is withdrawn? The term is used a lot and I'm not sure I've been using it in the right context. Susan
swaddell		#1	[-]
Posts: 143 (06/07/09 6:26 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I wondered this myself.
Rob x 2		#2	[-]
Posts: 1489 (06/07/09 7:29 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	What exactly is reactive tinnitus? The term 'reactive tinnitus' is an Internet term, made up on support boards like this one. The tinnitus literature doesn't use the term. Instead, two other terms are used, and they refer to the same thing that some folks on support boards like this one refer to when they use the nonexistent term reactive tinnitus. The correct names for these terms are kindling and winding up. These terms describe two different things that lead to the same result. Reactive tinnitus is a nonexistent term, but there are two actual terms for the same thing that are used in the tinnitus literature. Is it when a certain sound amplifies your t? Kindling and winding up can cause one's tinnitus to sound louder. For individuals with hyperacusis, they would experience a further decreased sensitivity to sound. "Kindling" describes the prolonged worsening of tinnitus and/or hyperacusis due to exposure to moderate or loud sound for a short time. "Winding up" describes the prolonged worsening of tinnitus and/or hyperacusis due to continuous exposure to low levels of sound over a long period. When the sound is presented for a shorter period, it has no effect. Is it just that a certain sound hits the same frequency as your t and it makes it seem louder at the moment? No. It's not frequency-specific. For instance if your t is a tone of 500Hz, when a piece of equipment emits that frequency, there is a possibility that it would be additive and therefore the t would be perceived as louder. No. But good guess. Is reactive tinnitus defined by a moment or does it refer to having amplified t for an extended period of time after the sound is withdrawn? For an extended time and then it reverts to baseline. The term is used a lot and I'm not sure I've been using it in the right context. The term is an attempt by folks who aren't clinicians to explain what the tinnitus does in some cases (i.e., react to certain sounds or aural environments). But the term 'reactive tinnitus' doesn't exist. The terms 'kindling' and 'winding up' do exist, and when folks on support boards like TSMB talk about this subject, that's what they mean. rob x 2 Last Edited By: Rob x 2 06/07/09 7:32 PM. Edited 1 times.
DeeJay83		#3	[-]
Posts: 5 (06/07/09 7:52 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I can't help you with a correct definition, but I can tell you that I absolutely experience this phenomena. Often times I have to actually plug my ears and do a T check to make sure that the surprisingly loud ringing/whistling I hear above a masker or outside noise is actually my T. I think it could definitely that I'm hearing tones that are matching up with my T frequency and making it subjectively louder. It is really a strange experience though shutting off a masker and having my T feel half as loud as it was with the masker on. Last Edited By: DeeJay83 06/07/09 8:12 PM. Edited 1 times.
Sedgie		#4	[-]
Posts: 1073 (06/07/09 8:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Rob, Is it possible that winding up could occur when riding in a car on a lengthy trip?
quietatnight		#5	[-]
Posts: 177 (06/07/09 9:34 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Sedgie, I just did one of those long car drives and yes I did experience a perceived raise in my T . But I kept telling myself over and over "its just a temporary spike it will be fine in the morning after a good nights sleep". And that's exactly what happened. I went to work in the morning and when I got to my desk I just said to myself "its the same as before that drive I took yesterday". And went on with my day. that's the trick. Go on with your day and keep busy that really helps. Try and keep a positive attitude. I'm a firm believer that attitude is a big player in this T game. Like OCD, it can magnify a slight change and make you feel like or perceive your T is louder. When its not. Louis Quietatnight
Rob x 2		#6	[-]
Posts: 1493 (06/08/09 6:36 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Is it possible that winding up could occur when riding in a car on a lengthy trip? Yes, I believe it could, Sedgie. It's a good example of the prolonged worsening of tinnitus due to continuous exposure to a fairly low level of sound over a long period. Take a close look at what Louis wrote in the post above this one. It's a great example of how we can talk back to tinnitus and think more realistically about it even when tinnitus winds up. rob x 2 Last Edited By: Rob x 2 06/08/09 6:39 AM. Edited 1 times.
TammyAScuirus		#7	[-]
Posts: 829 (06/08/09 9:39 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Rob x 2, Let me see if I understand this. So the experience that Louis describes while car driving is not kindling or winding up and is actually a spike? If a sound always amplifies a particular aspect of your t, is that winding up and an indication that your t will worsen? OK, now do I have permission to panic? Susan
Rob x 2		#8	[-]
Posts: 1494 (06/08/09 10:48 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	So the experience that Louis describes while car driving is not kindling or winding up and is actually a spike? The experience Louis describes is the winding up of his tinnitus due to the continuous exposure to fairly low levels of sound when he takes a long drive. Exposure to the same sound for a shorter period wouldn't cause his tinnitus to wind up. This is just the way his particular tinnitus responds at times and there is nothing to worry about, as you can see from his reaction to it. It's temporary. If a sound always amplifies a particular aspect of your t, is that winding up and an indication that your t will worsen? Let's take the first part of your question first. Winding up deals with exposure to fairly low levels of sound for a long period. Kindling deals with exposure to fairly high levels of sound for a short period. So, if exposure to a particular aural environment or sound exacerbates one's tinnitus, it could be kindling or it could be winding up depending on the circumstances. Now let's take the second half of your question. If a specific sound always produces winding up or kindling, it is not an indication that one's tinnitus is getting worse. All it means is that when exposed to certain aural environments, the tinnitus temporarily gets a little louder and then it returns to baseline. Some folks experience it and some don't. The important thing to keep in mind is that it is temporary and nothing to worry about. OK, now do I have permission to panic? Nope. You can only panic if we run out of lobsters on the Oasis. That would be a real cause for concern. rob x 2
jinglear		#9	[-]
Posts: 766 (06/08/09 10:59 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	"Winding up" describes the prolonged worsening of tinnitus and/or hyperacusis due to continuous exposure to low levels of sound over a long period. When the sound is presented for a shorter period, it has no effect. Could it be I'm keeping a spike going by listening to a Marsonna set to "waterfall" at low level all night long?
quietatnight	Try not and Panic	#10	[-]
Posts: 178 (06/08/09 11:07 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tammy, Maybe the term spike was a poor choice of words, The meaning is the same I drove 100 miles each way to my summer place when I got there after the firts 100 miles I did noitce a slight raise in my T but I did NOT panic. I just reminded myself its just a temporary increase LIKE a spike. And open the summper place move the boats had some fun ect. As I did that I could tell my T was going back down a perfect exsample of Winding up. But It was NOT a permant increase change. Then later that night I drove the same 100 miles back to Chicago. Again by the time I got back my T was really loud. It had winded up again. So I DID NOT panic. You already know that when you Panic you just make T seem to be louder so we don't want to go there. In my case Like ROB said I talked back to my Winded up T. And gave it NO power and just reminded myself its only temporary and after a good night sleep I will be OK. So I went to sleep and like I said before I was fine in the Morning with NO permanent increase and I was back to my normal T sound. I feel its the same for you. I know its hard not to worry or panic. But you really need to tell yourself "Its OK this is a low normal sound while driving and it wont permanently hurt me" By doing that you gain some control and that WILL help you recover and get back to your base line. I hope this makes it more clear. Remember Don't Panic And best of luck to You Louis Quietatnight Last Edited By: quietatnight 06/08/09 11:12 AM. Edited 1 times.
Rob x 2		#11	[-]
Posts: 1496 (06/08/09 11:25 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	jinglear writes -- Could it be I'm keeping a spike going by listening to a Marsonna set to "waterfall" at low level all night long? Assuming the waterfall sound has helped you in the past, jinglear, and I'm guessing it has, there is no connection between the spike and the waterfall sound and the waterfall setting isn't creating a winding up of tinnitus. If in doubt, you can adjust the volume just a bit or try another sound at bedtime and see if anything changes. ****** Quick comment on what Louis wrote. First of all, it's brilliant. Second, we can't force ourselves to not feel anxious or stressed. But what we can do is to think in more realistic ways. When we do that, it can have a big impact on our feelings. For a great example of how its done in the major leagues, look at the sorts of things Louis thought and the actions he took. In thinking and doing these things, he took back some control over tinnitus and rather than feel anxious or upset about the winding up of tinnitus, he took power away from tinnitus. And the more practice we get, the better we become. rob x 2**
jinglear		#12	[-]
Posts: 767 (06/08/09 1:51 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Assuming the waterfall sound has helped you in the past, jinglear, and I'm guessing it has, there is no connection between the spike and the waterfall sound and the waterfall setting isn't creating a winding up of tinnitus. If in doubt, you can adjust the volume just a bit or try another sound at bedtime and see if anything changes. About the only way it has helped is to provide a relaxing sound to slip into sleep with. It doesn't mask my type of t at all, and in fact, kindles the 't' be it low medium or high tones. I was doing fine until we got in the car and went to the store. The more sound I hear since this started back up on me last week, the louder the tone. I guess a spike tone can do this? Yet when I woke up this a.m., I wasn't hearing the tone at all with the Marsona. If there is even a remote chance that it's worsening my ears, I'll turn it off! It sure isn't that loud, is turned down to a very low level. I've been through this before and it would improve where the tone wasn't there in public. What can be done to toughen the ears to where this kindling effect (?spike?) might end sooner? If this is a spike, it's always quieter when I'm in a quiet area.
Rob x 2		#13	[-]
Posts: 1497 (06/08/09 2:57 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	About the only way it has helped is to provide a relaxing sound to slip into sleep with. Then it is doing its job and you have nothing to worry about. In fact, you should give yourself credit for using it. Good job. It doesn't mask my type of t at all, and in fact, kindles the 't' be it low medium or high tones. jinglear, go back to earlier in the thread and read the definition of kindling. Then, cross it off your list of worries. The Marsona unit that you use is just fine. Yet when I woke up this a.m., I wasn't hearing the tone at all with the Marsona. Which proves my point. The Marsona that you use at night is fine. It isn't causing any problems whatsoever and it is, in fact, a very good thing for you to use while you sleep. Well done. If there is even a remote chance that it's worsening my ears, I'll turn it off! It sure isn't that loud, is turned down to a very low level. There is no chance whatsoever that it is worsening your ears. It is actually helping your ears by providing background sound -- what Dr. Jastreboff and Mr. Hazell refer to as 'sound enrichment'. What can be done to toughen the ears to where this kindling effect (?spike?) might end sooner? When you are reading the book you bought, the answer to this excellent question is literally in your own hands. rob x 2
TammyAScuirus		#14	[-]
Posts: 830 (06/08/09 2:58 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Lobsters are all in order Rob. No panicking yet. After reading all the explanations, maybe I have a different situation going on. I don't think the background sound actually makes my tinnitus louder, but it just makes it more noticeable since I hear the tone both in the background and in my head at the same time. Yes/no? It always happens, and doesn't correlate with any event such as driving after which it settles back down. Susan
cpw151		#15	[-]
Posts: 182 (06/09/09 3:50 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Rob x 2 I certainly do not have your background or training when it comes to tinnitus that you do. However, the term "reactive" tinnitus may not be in the literature or medical journals describing a certain "type" of tinnitus yet. But words have a way of changing their meaning or coming into existence. I have a mouse at my computer and it certainly does not have four legs or a tail. There are thousands of examples in words that change. The most recent is that tinnitus has now been referred to as a "disease." It wasn't very long ago that it was never mentioned in that context and was indeed quite frowned upon by those of use who did. The term only refers to those of us whose tinnitus is made worse by sound. As for specific sounds, one that comes to mine for me, is violins. Terrible increase in tinnitus while a bass doesn't have much affect on it at all. I now know audiologist or two that are beginning to use and recognize the term "reactive" tinnitus. I suspect, that while you might be correct at this time, that the term reactive will soon be a recognized term for a certain type of tinnitus as well as it is now going to be more and more referred to as a disease rather than a syndrome. Just my two cents worth. CPW
rosey		#16	[-]
Posts: 79 (06/11/09 10:16 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have reactive tinnitus. Two years ago I had sudden hearing loss in my left ear from an ear infection and only got back 50% of my hearing in that ear. At first my tinnitus sounded like a high pitched siren a water faucet running and a loud hissing noise. Every time someone would speak or other noises were going on especially the sound of the TV the hissing sound of the tinnitus would get louder and seemed to react to every word that was spoken. If that makes sense. It's hard to describe these sounds that are going on in your head. Now I only have the annoying hissing sound and it is still reactive. If someone is making a lot of noise with paper at work or if the printer is printing a lot of copies the hissing gets louder. It also still happens when people are speaking to me. Sometimes I notice it getting louder and other times I don't. I sometimes think that it has to do with what I am doing at the time. If my mind is really involved with something I don't notice it at all. I still look at TV and go to the movies with the sound of the hissing tinnitus. I always wear earplugs at the movies or any loud places and just go on with my life. Don't want to loss anymore hearing because the hearing in my left ear is really bad. If people don't speak loud enough or clearly they just sound like a bunch of frogs. Sounds are heard better than words in that ear. Can someone explain tinnitus that is not reactive? Is it just head noise that is always there at the same level all the time no matter what is going on??
TammyAScuirus		#17	[-]
Posts: 835 (06/12/09 7:20 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi rosey, The garden variety of tinnitus is usually there all the time without the amplification by other sounds like what you're describing.
Woolspinner7	Reactive Tinnitus	#18	[-]
Posts: 143 (06/14/09 9:13 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have to disagree with some of the posters here a bit. I have been a tinnitus clinician for 12 years, began to use the term Reactive Tinnitus at least 10 years ago and I have attended many different conferences and presentations during which both scientists and clinicians, audiologists and physicians, used the term freely and often. Reactive tinnitus occurs when your tinnitus loudness spikes up or reacts to an external stimulation such as noise, a sharp sound, music, or even vibration. Reactive tinnitus can be quite distressing and it can stay elevated for short or long periods of time. Most often, it does tend to settle down over time, but for some people, this is not the case, if one believes their subjective reporting and complaints. The terms kindling and winding up are terms that describe HOW the tinnitus reacts, you could say there are verbs and the term Reactive Tinnitus is a descriptor of a state of being. Rob you have to keep in mind that often the studies, etc. that emerge in the literature are three to five years behind what is happening in the front lines in the clinics. If you could search the posters, etc. that are presented by the various in-the-moment clinicians, you would find perhaps this term used more widely. I have no doubt it will be in the future in various forms as this is a legitimate situation that deepens the mystery of the tinnitus mechanism and is also a supporting factor in the hypothesis that tinnitus has many variations and these kinds of symptoms could lead to the identification and categorization of these various types of tinnitus and the site of origin. Marsha Johnson
tinkerbell	comment	#19	[-]
Posts: 2127 (06/14/09 10:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Marsha Thank you for clarifying about reactive tinnitus I have had it for 12 years and it reacts to all sounds,I have no hearing in the one ear with reactive tinnitus I wish I could try a hearing aid that might help but there doesn't seem to be one out there.I have even had the Baha implant that did not work for me. . Somedays I wish noise did cover it but it just makes it worse and I must grin and bear it when I am out around it every day. Jack Vernon from the ATA wrote a letter for me and he called it reactive tinnitus so like you said the term has been out there for awhile now. Thanks again from all of us that suffer from it on this board well put.I mean no offense to other posters who have posted on this topic. God bless Tink
cpw151		#20	[-]
Posts: 187 (06/15/09 6:18 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Marsha, It appears that you have accurately and correctly described reactive tinnitus and pointed out that it is an accepted term in the medical and audiological fields. Have you started calling it a disease as well? It appears that accurate term has been showing up more in the latest information and studies. CPW

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What is reactive tinnitus?

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