cyberspace

I started having neck issues because they are too heavy. Have now switched to smaller muffs with less protection

Everyone is entitled to thier own opinion. I can comfortably wear foam plugs 24/7 but definitely feel like there is an increase in my sensitivity to sound when taking them out. This has made it feel at times more difficult to habituate or even just endure soft less intrusive sounds.

Because they mess up your tolerance for non-threatening level sounds. Try to create a safe space where you can take a break from them for periods of the day.

You should do what feels best. I haven't used 24/7 earplugs, only for limited periods, but sometimes I notice a spike - an actual increase of a white noise tone I got which goes away after I expose to sound for a bit. Possibly due to reduced auditory input. But that doesn't always happen, so I have some doubts.

Yeah... it also felt like my life has been in a sort of a stale mate position for too long...

And I find that people are less empathetic when conditions continue without becoming better. I guess they become bored. For me that has been an excellent opportunity to weed out false friends

It appears that you are sensitive to artificial audio.

@Jupiterman all audio, my tinnitus spikes from taking the bus even with double protection

:(

Mine cause severe discomfort after a few hours of using a fresh pair of disposable ones. I don't tend to get the itching much.

The only earplugs I wear for an hour are the foam earplugs. I never wear them much longer than an hour and haven't had a problem. I wore them about an hour most days through the summer while biking.

I cannot do ear plugs. Tinnitus with them on is insanely loud. I know it sounds crazy but I need sound therapy even if it worsens me. It’s too loud. Way too loud

ENT is going to say Debrox. My recommendation is go to ENT and let them MANUALLY remove earwax. No syringes, no suction. I did let them use suction for just a brief second to get a stuck piece out (probably my fault for using Debrox and making it soupy).

Isn't earwax natures natural earplugs?

Why remove?

Let it stay there, protecting your ears.

Mostly just disbelief that things ended up this way.

feels like i just got locked in a prison cell for a life sentence

I agree :-( It should be given to the worst of criminals serving life. But here we are! Struggling with hell while people tell us it's not all that bad. It is the sickest joke ever played by nature

sorry to hear.. listening to calming sounds helps me & relatively healthy distractions (like gaming) for now.. trying to take it easy, day by day.. wish you well

I can’t listen to calming sounds because it aggravates/spikes my tinnitus

That's insane. =(

I have been buying new shades for the last few months. hissing buzzing space sounds. Have your tones passed? @cyberspace

Same, it’s so frustrating. Did you happen to find out the cause?

What’s the new tone sound like? I’m sure it will subside stay in side for a few weeks and let you’re ears rest

If it sounds like a ultra high pitched dog whistle I’ve had that one

Hang in there. ❤️ We've all felt that way.

TBH you have probably become more aware of it. Its like when you buy a new car and suddenly you notice how many people also have that car when you didnt before..

@Tryn2BHopeful It just confuses me how people on here are going outside casually and not running into dangerous noise exposures like sirens and such

I think it’s impossible to avoid noises if you go out. Even inside I get accidental noise traumas. It’s a loud world. Never noticed it before.

Yeah I have pretty bad anxiety too at this point.

I get that too occasionally! Today, actually. But trying to stay focused on the now.

Don’t know if it’s comparable to PTSD but I believe T has changed all of us forever mentally in a bad way.

Mine is 10x louder when having earplugs or earmuffs on

Mine is too. Do you have hair cell damage?

I used to dread mowing the lawn because ear muffs make my T so loud, but now I wear my wearable noise generators underneath and look forward to cutting the grass. Keeps the T lower.

Don't worry until it's happened - the pelters would have dampened down the noise considerably. I can throw cutlery around with peltors on but have to place them carefully next to each other without.
I know it's hard but try not to worry about things that could happen before the do.

@DeanD Is this a normal occurrence though? it seems that I get hit with sirens so often compared to others

Any update on this? did u get a spike that subsided or a raise? Same happend to me :(

@cyberspace i don’t get it. Are your walls made of paper? Even if a fire truck with siren on passes my house it’s under 60 DB inside.

@cjbhab My walls certainly are, lol.

@cjbhab Where I live the houses are stacked on top of each other so noise passes through very easily

Anxiety?

It's the stress. Stress can make your health much worse.

Just some suggestions:
1. Look for a work from home position
2. Start a side hustle online that doesn't involve having to deal with people directly - learn a skill if needs be
3. Look at places like Fiverr and Upwork and see if you have in demand skills that do not require listening to audio and list as a service provider - much of this is done through online messages rather than voice calls

@DeanD I’ve looked at these but some heavy barriers is that I don’t have any job experience nor skills since I was just in high school a couple months ago, and I also don’t have a high school diploma due to missing credits, especially because I couldn’t properly go to school at all the final few months of it due to tinnitus

I'm really sorry to hear this for you to get this at such a young age. I also have reactive tinnitus so know how challenging this. It is possible though, I do work full time. The suggestions of side hustles and Fiverr etc.. don't need college degree and diplomas. Skills can be learned, knowledge gained, limitations are only bound by your determination.
Have you any thoughts of something you'd like to go in to?