I have "reactive tinnitus" which means it changes with noises. I think congestion, certain medications and weather changes may affect mine too, but not sure.

In my experience it does settle down. Four months is relatively recent actually. I remember feeling desperate but now it is most noticeable when I talk or write about it- like now.

I used to be afraid of noises (leaf blowers) and bought ear plugs and noise cancelling ear muffs. But now it isn't the tinnitus that causes me to fear noise, it is pain and numbness on the left side of my face. It can progress to vertigo.

My tinnitus goes up and down and I try to maintain that it will go back down when it has gone up.

I am nervous about an MRI. Doctor wanted to make sure I did not have an acoustic neuroma. I had a hearing test and generally acoustic neuroma patients have hearing loss on one side. Mine was both sides. Have you had a hearing test? Do you think there was a triggering event for you?

ps I was referring to your 4 year-old! My kids are grown! I do have to ask them to lower their voices though 🙂