Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

@Ryan Scott - I took 5 months off. I only returned last week, my second week back this week (working remotely)

Nope - when I initially developed it, I got up every morning stood and cried then showered and went to work. I suppose everyone is different as due to the career they have. If I worked with young noisy kids or somewhere that would affect my T, I'd be taking time for out for sure.

I worked in high school. I took 3 months off, returned for 2 then quit and stayed 10 months home.

I desperately wanted to but my responsible dad brain wouldn't let me. Like @hopefuldede I stood (sometimes sat) and cried about it and then went to work. Eventually I realized that work was where I needed to be. For me having a busy schedule helped to keep my mind busy. Some days can still be very hard but I personally don't regret continuing to work.

@Ondine Yeah I'm thinking that is probably what I need to do unfortunately tbh. Only downfall is I just graduated and only have a year of experience in my career so far, getting your first job is the hardest. Just have to weight your options and do what you feel is best.

@DeanD & @hopefuldede I've been working remote since I got T. I need to go back to the office but not sure if I am ready to be around people. Might try to find an engineering career working remotely.

@BrOKeN_1 Yeah I definitely don't want to just give up on my career. Just trying to do what's best to try and get back on my feet. Whatever it takes for a more hopeful future.

I continued to work for maybe 6 weeks. Had a breakdown at work and took 4 months off. Returned, but wanted to find quieter workplace. Left dream job for different position in same field. Now at second job since leaving and working from home still in same field. Lucky to have exact same pay scale and benefits. That time off was absolutely necessary.

@Ondine

Sorry to hear you had to leave your high school job. Did you ever try wearing noise reducing earplugs or musician's earplugs while working?

I took a leave in October and I am still on that leave. I will have to return next school year if I want to keep my position. The thought of going back to work with elementary children as a speech therapist though gives me huge anxiety.

@ErikaS How many children do you teach at a time?

Will you use earplugs of some sort to give a level of protection?

I took a week of the first time in 2015 cause it pretty much threw me and the second time just one day and forced myself to carry on.

Yeah I have pretty much been working remote since getting T, but I have to go back to the office someday sooner than later lol. I am getting fitted for custom molded ear plugs Thursday maybe that will give me some peace of mind.

@ErikaS I totally understand where you are coming from, the thought of noise exposure give me terrifying anxiety. My family does not really understand this concept but then again I am not sure that anyone without T could relate to understand. Then their is the whole rabbit whole of NRR rating for hearing protection and how complicated they are.

@Jupiterman I have up to 3 students at a time in my speech room , sometimes just 1-2. But I also have pushed into a classroom with 10. When September comes and if I am able to go back, I will determine my protection then based on how I am..

@Jupiterman It's tricky, I know damage is damage, but all of this came from a stupid middle ear infection that got into my inner ear. This didn't come from loud exposure, repetitive noise damage.. I never used headphones and I was rarely ever around loud sounds, just didn't like them! So it will be interesting to see once I heal, how much protection I will need from daily life.