Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Going blind, Tinnitus and General Hearing (self.Blind)
submitted by blazblu82
Just curious, is there a correlation between going blind and tinnitus? Reason I ask is I have always had tinnitus with some level of ringing in both ears. Usually have to run a fan at night to drown it out. Since the DX of retinopathy in 2019, my tinnitus seems to be getting worse. Even more so now that I'm down to partial vision in one eye.
On the days where my left eye isn't seeing that good, I get different tones of ringing in my ears with the higher pitched tones being uncomfortable. I have also noticed lower, rumbling tones that is constant and becomes louder depending on how my eyes are doing.
I have noticed my hearing has become sensitive overall. Not long ago, I was at the store and someone was pushing a cart with an extremely high pitched squeaky wheel. No one around me noticed it, but it bothered me bad. To me, it felt like what a dog whistle is to a dog.
Are these experiences to be expected for someone going through vision loss? The changes in how I perceive sound drives me up the walls. I can't handle being in louder environments, like a mall. I wouldn't be able to sit through a movie in a theater. I watch TV at lower volumes anymore, but hearing voices clearly is a huge struggle. Certain frequencies resonate in my ears and it's maddening.
Anyone else experiencing anything similar?
On the days where my left eye isn't seeing that good, I get different tones of ringing in my ears with the higher pitched tones being uncomfortable. I have also noticed lower, rumbling tones that is constant and becomes louder depending on how my eyes are doing.
I have noticed my hearing has become sensitive overall. Not long ago, I was at the store and someone was pushing a cart with an extremely high pitched squeaky wheel. No one around me noticed it, but it bothered me bad. To me, it felt like what a dog whistle is to a dog.
Are these experiences to be expected for someone going through vision loss? The changes in how I perceive sound drives me up the walls. I can't handle being in louder environments, like a mall. I wouldn't be able to sit through a movie in a theater. I watch TV at lower volumes anymore, but hearing voices clearly is a huge struggle. Certain frequencies resonate in my ears and it's maddening.
Anyone else experiencing anything similar?
suitcaseismyhome 3 points 1y ago
Yes!
My neuro ophthalmologist felt it is another form of migraine. I've had hemiplegic since childhood, but as my vision deteriorated, my migraines changed drastically.
I don't like the meds but they do help overall. Mostly trying to take breaks, rest my eyes, escape stimulation helps. Best of luck
My neuro ophthalmologist felt it is another form of migraine. I've had hemiplegic since childhood, but as my vision deteriorated, my migraines changed drastically.
I don't like the meds but they do help overall. Mostly trying to take breaks, rest my eyes, escape stimulation helps. Best of luck
blazblu82 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I've not seen anyone for migraines and not even sure if what I'm experiencing are migraines. Just seems like when my eyes are having a bad day, the tinnitus gets louder and harder to ignore. I know the increased sensitivity makes it harder for me to be around small groups of people, I can't organize the chaos when everyone talks at once.
suitcaseismyhome 3 points 1y ago
It definitely sounds similar to what I experience. (or one of my migraine related symptoms, I also get a lavender shade which pulls down over my vision when I've stressed my eyes too much/too long)
It may take a neuroopthamologist to connect the dots. I was sent to an ENT who immediately dismissed me because my hearing is fine, and who said that everyone had tinnitus and to stop complaining.
My NO immediately recognised it and was very reassuring that is isn't normal.
Best of luck.
It may take a neuroopthamologist to connect the dots. I was sent to an ENT who immediately dismissed me because my hearing is fine, and who said that everyone had tinnitus and to stop complaining.
My NO immediately recognised it and was very reassuring that is isn't normal.
Best of luck.
blazblu82 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
That's interesting.
May have to see a NO soon. Maybe they can help with some of the junk I see, too.
Thanks!
May have to see a NO soon. Maybe they can help with some of the junk I see, too.
Thanks!
MC_Dubois 3 points 1y ago
I agree you would need to bring this to the attention of a specialist with some background in neurology to really have your concerns addressed.
Hope you are able to get some answers. It is so not fun living with sound sensitivity.
Hope you are able to get some answers. It is so not fun living with sound sensitivity.
Laser_Lens_4 1 points 1y ago
I'm not sure of exacts, but I can say that I became much more aware of all the little sounds in my ears when I went blind. I'm fairly certain my brain is still changing the way I process sound. I think it's a situation where you become hyperware of all the sounds since you don't have a visual stimulus to focus on. I have a bit of tinnitus in my right ear and some days I notice it more than others.
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