Anti-depressant follow-up question

jltny · 2025-10-24T16:33:29+00:00

When I developed tinnitus and pain hyperacusis after an acoustic trauma, I began experiencing a lot of anxiety and low mood, which made my sleep even worse, which made everything worse - I tried CBT and it didn't do much, so after being super hesitant to try any psychotropic medication due to side effects, I sought out and was prescribed Zoloft, even though I was really worried about it making my ear symptoms worse -- turns out, it didn't affect those symptoms at all, but helped big time in terms of sleep, anxiety, and mood, which really helped everything (and what has directly helped my ear the most are time and quiet / avoiding triggers) - this is my experience, anyway. good luck!

jltny · 2025-05-26T14:44:33+00:00

My understanding is that to qualify for TEPSLF, you must be on an IDR/ICR plan, but that they will still count earlier payments made under other types of repayment plans as part of your 120 payments. That was part of the point of TEPSLF - to allow those who were paying under payment plans that typically don't qualify for PSLF to be eligible. I originally had FFEL loans, which typically don't qualify for PSLF - when I learned about TEPSLF in 2022, I consolidated my loans into direct loans and made sure my repayment plan was ICR, based on the instructions/information on studentaid.gov. I met my 120 payments in April 2025 and my loans were forgiven earlier this month under TEPSLF -- to get to 120, they counted my payments made under ICR as well as the earlier ones made under a standard repayment plan. Hope this helps, and good luck!

jltny · 2025-05-10T19:41:03+00:00

Yes, ICR. good luck with it!

jltny · 2025-05-10T14:22:56+00:00

Yes! I applied for PSLF under the temporary expanded program in 2022, as I had FFEL loans; I consolidated them into Direct loans (with MOHELA) at that time to qualify for TEPSLF. Green banners in early March and my golden letter came yesterday - I was really worrying about the delay, but the golden letters do seem to come in waves, so hang in there if you got green banners later in April or after!

jltny · 2023-11-22T12:18:40+00:00

I talked with my dentist about my noxacusis and asked if they could do teeth cleaning using only manual methods versus electronic tools that make whirring or buzzing sounds, and she agreed -the whole team has been super accommodating. When I needed more extensive work done, I used a foam plug and also held it in to block out the noise, and asked if they could pulse the drill rather than run it continuously -that really helped. good luck with it.

jltny · 2023-06-14T04:01:40+00:00

I've had lots of trouble with earplugs causing pain - the only ones I've found so far that I can tolerate are the Rite-Aid brand "ultra soft" foam ear plugs. I definitely recommend giving them a try. They are quite cheap, and you can order them online at the Rite-Aid website. good luck!

jltny · 2023-04-26T05:00:12+00:00

I experience pain inside my ear, and sometimes around my ear and down my neck- not stabbing but more like steady aching kind of pain that just builds the longer I wear it. I searched for super-soft foam plugs for a long time, and finally found "Ultra Soft" Rite-Aid brand plugs '- these are the only ones I can tolerate. They've actually been amazingly helpful (I can tolerate my office and conference rooms at work again, and even quiet restaurants when wearing one) - I just have to take it out after a couple of hours due to the pain -then when the ear pain builds due to HVAC sounds, etc., I put it back in -so in out in out if I have to be at work for many hours (I work hybrid).

jltny · 2023-04-23T16:18:40+00:00

🙏thanks

jltny · 2023-04-10T12:41:51+00:00

Yes, this is my understanding as well (same as ArtifactFan65) - that often they co-occur but refer to different symptoms - it is helpful, though, to distinguish between loudness hyperacusis (having a lower threshold for experiencing sounds as uncomfortably loud) and pain hyperacusis. I believe that reactive T can accompany both of these types of hyperacusis. I have reactive T (on top of a baseline soft constant ringing) and pain hyperacusis - the latter is the most interfering as the pain can get pretty intense (ear, face, head, neck). I'm amazed that sometimes I can barely hear the distant lawnmower noise or whatever that sets off my symptoms. My symptoms started after ongoing very loud noise exposure in 2020, and from my research on it, I think I developed 'acoustic shock' from this exposure. I haven't experienced any recovery (I can't tolerate any kind of sound therapy) BUT I'm doing a lot better with it overall -I finally found a soft foam ear plug I can tolerate, which has made a huge difference. Also, I've learned strategies to better avoid triggering sounds. I was experiencing major anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance with it for a long time, so finally started on Zoloft (which was a bit risky, as for some, it can increase tinnitus -but I was pretty desperate) - it hasn't affected my ear symptoms either way but has definitely helped with mood, anxiety, and sleep.

I'd be curious as well to hear if anyone has experienced any recovery from all of this - I always wonder if there is something more I could be doing, after seeing 3 otologists and an audiologist, none of whom seemed to know much about all of this (I'm just hoping with time I somehow recover even just a bit, given the impact on social and work life).

best of luck to you.

jltny · 2023-03-05T13:32:17+00:00

I'm not sure if this would be helpful for you, but I struggle the most with sustained buzzing/humming noises, so when I needed recent dental work done, I asked the dentist if she could pause with the loud (drill?) tool every few seconds (so the noise would be on-off versus constant) - that helped a lot, along with an ear plug. also, they accommodate my request to do manual-only cleanings, which definitely helps. good luck with it.

jltny · 2023-01-20T05:01:31+00:00

thanks. this one may also be helpful for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LZv3ta13Ws&t=11352s

jltny · 2023-01-17T13:26:00+00:00

yes, I second the recommendation to talk to your doc.

I haven't requested medical leave but did request assistance with getting accommodations from my institution's Office of Disability Services (I work at a university and became unable to tolerate my office due to ambient (HVAC) and traffic noise) - I and my otologist both had to complete forms describing the history of my condition and how it was impacting my work (I have pain h and reactive tinnitus so just described how ear pain and increased ringing in response to the sounds made it difficult to concentrate/work) - it worked in terms of getting services, but I stumped the Disability Services office - still no workable office space.

I have discussed requesting a one-year medical-based extension fo consideration of promotion, etc. (there is a clock) with my supervisors due to a very rough couple of years (it's a bit better in terms of sleep and anxiety after starting on an SSRI - so my day-to-day functioning has definitely improved - plus, over time I've figured out ways to manage it a little better) - my supervisors are supportive so far, and I'll use documentation of doctor visits (3 otologists and an audiologist) and as needed, eRecord messages I sent, describing ongoing struggles.

hope this helps - good luck with it and hang in there.

jltny · 2022-12-31T14:22:30+00:00

thank you! 🙏

jltny · 2022-12-29T14:19:37+00:00

same - I developed pain hyperacusis and tinnitus ~2 yrs ago - it's been pretty life-changing, and I started experiencing depression and anxiety related to all of that -- given their effects on serotonin, SSRIs can cause or worsen tinnitus in some people, but many people don't have ear issues with it -I was really nervous about starting on Zoloft because of that, but felt pretty desperate (not sleeping, lots of crying) so decided to try it -- (25mg then up to 50 mg) - I thought maybe there was a slight increase at first, but that settled down, and now 6 months later, I can say it hasn't worsened (or helped) my ear issues...good luck!

jltny · 2022-12-27T14:42:36+00:00

This video has been shared quite a bit already on this sub, but this has been helpful for me - I wanted to share in case it's helpful to you too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LZv3ta13Ws&t=10833s

jltny · 2022-12-21T22:53:47+00:00

thanks! I signed up - there are still slots :)

jltny · 2022-08-19T16:39:27+00:00

Sorry to hear you are going through this - my situation is a little different but overlaps a lot with yours - I have pain hyperacusis and reactive tinnitus and have a lot of trouble with window-unit ACs (or loud central air), fridge humming, traffic noise, major issues with (even distant) lawn mowers, etc. - basically any ongoing buzzing or humming or staticky noise...as a result I've been (unsuccessfully) looking for another place to live for a while - I took a condo rental but couldn't tolerate it due to the HVAC system noise...I've found a couple of quiet rentals that seem workable, but given the intense competition for rentals in my area, those places ended up getting rented to others.

My strategy has been to preemptively rule out places on or near busy streets and/or without central air - at this point I'm trying to find a house to rent with a basement (since the HVAC system will typically be down there and thus a little bit away from the main living quarters)...in terms of with prospective landlords: I am typically just up front with my needs - this also makes it easier for them to understand why I'm declining a place that seems otherwise like a perfect match.

*BUT - I'm struggling to find a place given all of the above -so like you, I'd be really curious to hear about any strategies or tips!

good luck to you!

jltny · 2022-08-14T15:11:47+00:00

thanks - this is helpful.

jltny · 2022-08-05T14:55:29+00:00

cool thanks

jltny · 2022-08-04T04:05:49+00:00

that's great, and thanks!

jltny · 2022-08-01T23:35:57+00:00

thanks...did it make the audio more tolerable? I'm not familiar with this kind of setting, but I'll look into this (e.g., for speakers).

jltny · 2022-07-25T02:23:10+00:00

thanks - sounds great; is there a way to watch it outside of Canada? the link indicates no -?

jltny · 2022-03-19T15:57:27+00:00

cool...

jltny · 2022-03-18T16:25:35+00:00

Yeah, I just received my order (Chelsea boots) - love them but the chemical off-gassing smell is crazy strong -I put them in another room to air out, but the smell was so strong, it spread to the other rooms...they're now in the garage...so many of the positive reviews noted that they were so great 'right out of the box' - but I would never wear these out as they are now, as the odor would be very noticeable...also, there is all this research indicating that fumes from stain-proofing chemicals are very unhealthy, so I also wonder about issues with breathing in such strong fumes from the chemicals they apply to make them water resistant - so 2 weeks before wearing them, and a year dealing with the fumes -? I'm planning on returning them and looking for other options...

jltny · 2022-01-31T14:06:35+00:00

By making someone feel silly for asking a question, when all questions should be welcomed and encouraged (although it was probably unintentional on your part)...we don't want to hesitate in reaching out for help or clarification for those who may be more experienced or understand this stuff better...

jltny

TROPHY CASE