Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm posting this on behalf of someone else who is highly likely autistic. They have had severe high pitched tinnitus for a few weeks which started 3 days after wax being removed by practice nurse (ear 'syringing') GP has arranged referral to ENT doctor but wait is nearly 5 months. I read that tinnitus is often linked to some hearing loss in certain frequencies (the brain tries to "fill in" the missing sounds) and if so, hearing aids can help. Free hearing tests are available at Specsavers, but hearing aids from them cost £495-£2500 plus, whereas they would be provided free from the NHS, but after a potential 5 month wait suffering from a debilitating constant sensory assault with the usual associated anxiety this causes for those of us on the AS spectrum (although it can of course also be a strain for people who are not autistic) Two types of anti-anxiety medications have been prescribed so far, but neither seem to help.
I just wanted to ask if anyone has suffered with tinnitus, and if so whether hearing aids helped?
I have hyperacusis (brain perceives sound as pain), highly sensitive hearing, and pulsatile tinnitus. Was diagnosed with all of thee shortly before being diagnosed with AS. After having a CT scan to rule out any abnormalities, I was fitted with a sound generator which plays "white noise". This is designed to desensitize my ears. Jury is out as to whether it is working (can take a couple of years) but I do find that actively listening to the sound calms me if I am having a bit of a meltdown. My hearing therapist reckons it is intrinsically linked to autism.
There are a few FB groups about tinnitus and hyperacusis.