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  1. Digital Doc

    How to Protect Ears at a Carnival?

    Foam earplugs with an NRR = 33 are better than plastic ones.
  2. Digital Doc

    Any Chance Omega-3 Pills Are Making My Tinnitus More Persistent?

    Is the 500 mg a high dose or low dose according to the article? My tinnitus is noise induced, and constant noise to me.
  3. Digital Doc

    Exposed to Snowblower without Hearing Protection — Tinnitus Now Very Loud and High-Pitched

    Protect your ears vigilantly for the next several months, and try to not overprotect. Only thing is to wait it out and see at this point. Avoid additional noise exposure. Need to stop the vaping as well. Hope the tinnitus improves at some point.
  4. Digital Doc

    Are Custom Earplugs Worth It? Any Other Good Options? Foam Ones Keep Coming Loose

    The foam earplugs have a higher NRR than the custom ones in general. The custom ones have their place as some folks can't get the foam ones to work for them. From what you describe, it sounds like the earplugs are not going deep enough when you insert them. Make sure you pull your ear up and...
  5. Digital Doc

    Worsening Tinnitus After Trying Notch Therapy

    Protection from noise early on is key. Notch therapy is the opposite of that, and should be avoided.
  6. Digital Doc

    Can I Go to a NHL Game? Could It Make My Tinnitus Worse?

    I would vote not to go with a recent spike that can take over a year to work through in my experience, even with earplugs. Sporting events can exceed 100 dB. How loud is it? Game 1 decibel readings
  7. Digital Doc

    CPAP Machine Making Tinnitus Worse?

    I looked into it further, and CPAP machines are about 30 dB, which is pretty quiet. I have never used one, but we have them at the hospital, and they seem louder to me with all the oxygen flowing. Also, as a machine ages, I would think that they would also get a little louder. Also, some pitches...
  8. Digital Doc

    CPAP Machine Making Tinnitus Worse?

    I don't know the decibels, but CPAP machines are not super quiet. Spikes of tinnitus are definitely caused by noise exposure.
  9. Digital Doc

    CPAP Machine Making Tinnitus Worse?

    The CPAP machines will generate noise all night long when used. The tinnitus will be worse in the AM after that exposure. You need a quieter CPAP machine, or try earplugs at night.
  10. Digital Doc

    Audiologist Recommends Listening to Soothing Sounds Using Earbuds for Tinnitus Relief

    Continue to avoid the earbuds. Could try to listen at low volume via a regular speaker.
  11. Digital Doc

    Me and My Wife's Tinnitus Were Significantly Quieter During COVID-19 (Delta Variant) Infection

    Were you on a steroid during the COVID-19 treatment? Decadron or Solumedrol?
  12. Digital Doc

    Could Getting an Ear Piercing Make Tinnitus Worse?

    What caused your tinnitus in the first place? Noise-induced tinnitus should not change with an ear piercing.
  13. Digital Doc

    My Story So Far — Tinnitus from Leaf Blower Incident After Years of Rock Guitar Playing

    When I first put the earplugs in, the tinnitus is louder. After a couple of minutes, it down regulates, and the tinnitus goes down significantly. It is hard to sleep without them now. I am not sure if it works for everyone, but definitely works for me.
  14. Digital Doc

    Tinnitus Changed Overnight & Hearing in the Right Ear Feels Muffled

    Damn annoying to wake up with the ear fullness. I avoid it at all costs.
  15. Digital Doc

    Tinnitus Changed Overnight & Hearing in the Right Ear Feels Muffled

    Sounds like delayed spike, or some exposure while asleep. This is why I sleep with earplugs which avoids the second problem.
  16. Digital Doc

    Working in a Restaurant — Hearing Protection Options Enabling Me to Converse with Customers?

    Hence why there is so much noise-induced tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss.
  17. Digital Doc

    Should I Use White Noise to Mask My Buzz/Ring? Or Continue Listening to My Tinnitus?

    Not just time... tons of work also. I avoided all loud exposure as best I could. When I use the vacuum, I use both foam earplugs and earmuffs, for example. I also have not been to any events, and listen to anything in the car on a low setting. I also sleep with earplugs each night which helped...
  18. Digital Doc

    Should I Use White Noise to Mask My Buzz/Ring? Or Continue Listening to My Tinnitus?

    I gauge progress by a subjective assessment of the level of the tinnitus. My tinnitus hit a peak of what I would sat 7/10, was waking me up at night, and also has low level hyperacusis. Now, I no longer have the hyperacusis, it does not wake me up, and my tinnitus is a 0.5/10 after 3 years.
  19. Digital Doc

    Should I Use White Noise to Mask My Buzz/Ring? Or Continue Listening to My Tinnitus?

    I don't use sound enrichment. I studied this problem for months to come to this conclusion. I also did the experiment myself, and others came to the same conclusion. Hope this info helps others as well.
  20. Digital Doc

    My Tinnitus Is Almost Gone After 3 Years: It's Now a Faint Ringing — No Longer Hyperacusis Either

    No reason to push it. The hearing protection needs to be consistent. Vacuums are loud, and wish I knew earlier what I now know. My tinnitus is much better, bit would not use my vacuum without both earplugs and ear muffs. I am glad I can do these tasks safely, but will always have a healthy...
  21. Digital Doc

    Should I Use White Noise to Mask My Buzz/Ring? Or Continue Listening to My Tinnitus?

    Masking tinnitus when you sleep can make it worse in my experience. Better to avoid it.
  22. Digital Doc

    If There's No Time to Put on Earplugs / Earmuffs, What's the Second Best Option to Protect Hearing?

    The old foam ones get a NRR of 29, and are not as good as the more modern foam ones.
  23. Digital Doc

    If There's No Time to Put on Earplugs / Earmuffs, What's the Second Best Option to Protect Hearing?

    3M EARSoft earplugs were invented back in 1967. Before that it was wax only.
  24. Digital Doc

    Sleep Deprivation — How to Mask High Pitched Electrical/Static Tinnitus?

    Should not make any difference. I have not taken it in over a year, but think it was the Walmart store brand, and it was a gummy.
  25. Digital Doc

    My Story So Far — Tinnitus from Leaf Blower Incident After Years of Rock Guitar Playing

    Sensible protection, without overprotection. I use foam earplugs and earmuffs to vacuum the house now, for example. Earplugs at night for sleep. Green tea with aloe vera. Omega 3 supplements for the first year. I think the first two are the most important.
  26. Digital Doc

    Going to Football Match at Wemble Stadium with Earplugs and Earmuffs — Will My Hearing Be Safe?

    Foam earplugs provide more protection than wax ones.
  27. Digital Doc

    Friendly Car Guide for Tinnitus Sufferers

    The boxer engine of the Subaru tends to be louder. Combine that with a CVT that tends to make the engine drone on acceleration, and would not recommend it. I have done well with my 2018 Mazda CX-5. It has a number of features to reduce NVH, including double laminate glass that previously was...
  28. Digital Doc

    Sleep Deprivation — How to Mask High Pitched Electrical/Static Tinnitus?

    Melatonin worked when it was really severe for me. Also, foam earplugs at nights, along with green tea. Hang in there, it does get better, but it take months.
  29. Digital Doc

    My Story So Far — Tinnitus from Leaf Blower Incident After Years of Rock Guitar Playing

    Glad to hear the hyperacusis is improved and it is a good sign. I never used hearing protection either prior to this, and now use it consistently. While I still have a little tinnitus, I am much better now. For the first year I had to move to the back of my house whenever my neighbor got their...
  30. Digital Doc

    My Story So Far — Tinnitus from Leaf Blower Incident After Years of Rock Guitar Playing

    I have felt your pain. My tinnitus was from a weed wacker. Stick with the program and should start to see improvements in the next couple of months. I would avoid white noise to sleep as well.
  31. Digital Doc

    My Story So Far — Tinnitus from Leaf Blower Incident After Years of Rock Guitar Playing

    Thanks for sharing your story. My sympathies for what you went through for your wife. You have noise induced tinnitus, and not mild. It may improve over the next several months, say 18 to 24. Most important thing is to avoid further damage, so avoid any and all noisy tasks, and protect from...
  32. Digital Doc

    Is It Possible to Sleep Past Noise Levels That Are Damaging to Hearing?

    I've woken up too many times with that super annoying ear fullness sensation related to noise when I was asleep, such as an electric heater. Now I try to sleep in quiet with earplugs, and no more of this.
  33. Digital Doc

    Insane Tinnitus Spike After Coming Back from a Windy Beach — I Wonder How Many Decibels It Was?

    Wind Noise Can Contribute to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Cyclists Wind can get pretty loud, but impossible to say without knowing the speed of the wind.
  34. Digital Doc

    If a Healthy Person Wore Earplugs 24/7, Would They Get Tinnitus Because of Lack of Auditory Input?

    Yes, I remember a study some years back that showed that healthy folks did get tinnitus that reversed when the earplugs were removed.
  35. Digital Doc

    Riding Dirtbikes — Will I Get a Tinnitus Spike?

    http://www.quietridehelmets.com/ Standard helmets are designed to protect against head trauma, and not noise protection. I would recommend to combine earplugs, with a helmet designed to reduce noise as well, if/when you decide to ride again.
  36. Digital Doc

    To Mask or Not to Mask... That Is the Question!

    Glad to hear your tinnitus is getting better, and congrats on your progress. I found that using earplugs at night made the tinnitus even better in the morning. I have continued this, and my tinnitus is under a 1/10 most days at this point.
  37. Digital Doc

    To Mask or Not to Mask... That Is the Question!

    Same for me. I find the earplugs make things much quieter for me at night. Since I have figured this out, it has been a godsend for managing my tinnitus.
  38. Digital Doc

    To Mask or Not to Mask... That Is the Question!

    I am in the no masking camp. When I tried it at night, I fell asleep more easily, but woke up to ear fullness, and louder tinnitus. I went in the other direction, slept with earplugs and the tinnitus is less in the morning. Using earplugs at night has allowed me to get my tinnitus under good...
  39. Digital Doc

    Scary Spikes in the Middle of the Night — Can You Dream Your Tinnitus Is Worse?

    Masking at night is noise exposure. I did not find this useful, and made my tinnitus worse. Ear plugs at night for me worked out much better, and my tinnitus is better by morning. I find my tinnitus is particularly sensitive to noise exposure when I sleep.
  40. Digital Doc

    MRI (with Ear Protection) Made My Pre-Existing Tinnitus Much Worse and Triggered Ear Pain

    There are many reports of tinnitus induced from an MRI. What did the ear protection consist of during your MRI?
  41. Digital Doc

    Share Your Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine Experience: Any Impact on Your Tinnitus or Hyperacusis?

    I received both doses of Pfizer - was completed in January. No change noted to my tinnitus after either vaccine. Minimal arm pain from #1, and some fever, malaise and shaking chills from #2 which lasted 36 hours. Much better than getting COVID-19.
  42. Digital Doc

    Thought I Lost My Earplugs, and Made an Utter Fool Out of Myself

    "If you have two, you have one. If you have one, you have none." I would suggest a few backup alternatives if getting to work depends on earplugs.
  43. Digital Doc

    Does Most Acoustic Trauma Induced Tinnitus Go Away by 6 Months?

    I don't know the mechanism for the aural fullness with acoustic trauma. I find it most uncomfortable, and avoid it as much as I can. Hope yours passes soon!
  44. Digital Doc

    Does Most Acoustic Trauma Induced Tinnitus Go Away by 6 Months?

    If you woke up like that, the volume was definitely too loud. Toss the earbuds, and never use them again! The fullness gets better faster than the tinnitus. Be sure to protect and avoid additional noise exposure from any and all sources to avoid reinjury.
  45. Digital Doc

    Does Most Acoustic Trauma Induced Tinnitus Go Away by 6 Months?

    It is hard to generalize, and the 6 month timeline is optimistic. Mine took about 18 months to get better, but three years out it is not totally gone. It also would depend on the cause of the tinnitus, and the severity.
  46. Digital Doc

    Should I Give Up on Earplugs? The Ringing Drives Me Crazy When Wearing Them

    You have most likely noise induced tinnitus. For the noise exposure at work you describe at 100 dB, you should have double protection. Even with that, you are still at risk for hearing loss. You should have a hearing test, and may need to pursue a disability claim. You should not wear earplugs...
  47. Digital Doc

    Poll: Can You Get 8 Hours or More NON-STOP Sleep without Taking Medication?

    I can usually sleep through the night with my tinnitus. I found that sleeping with earplugs really helped this immensely, and avoided the hyperacusis kicking in with every passing car or the heat turning on and waking me up.
  48. Digital Doc

    My Tinnitus Is Almost Gone After 3 Years: It's Now a Faint Ringing — No Longer Hyperacusis Either

    I tried sound enrichment at low level some nights with the white noise from an electric heater. I found that it would spike me, and I would wake up with ear fullness. Out of desperation one night, and some hyperacusis that I was waking up from every little sound like a car passing I tried foam...
  49. Digital Doc

    My Tinnitus Is Almost Gone After 3 Years: It's Now a Faint Ringing — No Longer Hyperacusis Either

    Yes, I continued work throughout. I used vigilant double protection when loud activity like vacuum or mow lawn. I was on Omega-3 500 mg daily for about a year. I sleep with foam earplugs daily which I think helped me the most. I hope others can get better soon as well. I still remember how...
  50. Digital Doc

    My Tinnitus Is Almost Gone After 3 Years: It's Now a Faint Ringing — No Longer Hyperacusis Either

    I am also about 30 months out. After a lot of protection, a few setbacks, and avoidance of any loud places, I am at the quiet room stage of tinnitus as well.
  51. Digital Doc

    Loud Music Through AirPods Pro to Cope with My Surroundings — Now Struggling with Tinnitus

    I would avoid all music for now, and all earbuds, AirPods, and headphones forevermore. The Bluetooth makes no difference, but 100% volume is damn loud. I can listen to music at low volume, but only an external speaker without issue, but have to monitor the volume and turn it down constantly...
  52. Digital Doc

    Loud Music Through AirPods Pro to Cope with My Surroundings — Now Struggling with Tinnitus

    Classic noise induced tinnitus. No more loud music, and toss the earbuds. The ear fullness goes with the acoustic trauma. Protect from further loud noises, and there is a good chance this will improve over months to years. Ask your ENT about a course of steroids which can be helpful early on.
  53. Digital Doc

    How to Prevent Ear Infections When Wearing Earplugs for Prolonged Periods of Time?

    The ear plugs should be cleaned daily with alcohol. Also, consider switching to disposable foam earplugs. Also, need some breaks during the day from earplug use. I find that moisture builds up more with silicon compared to foam earplugs.
  54. Digital Doc

    Possible Causes of My Tinnitus: Noise (Hammer Drill, Loud Speaker), Insect Killer, Stress

    It was both the hammer drill, and the tractor ride. Delayed tinnitus spikes after noise exposure are quite common by up to several days. Avoid further noise exposure, and feel better soon!
  55. Digital Doc

    Ears Opened Up :) How to Make Sure External Sounds Don’t Hurt Me?

    80 dB is my target cutoff.
  56. Digital Doc

    Car Horn Honking Inside a Closed Garage — Can It Cause Hearing Damage or Worsen Tinnitus?

    Car horns are loud, and louder in a closed space. Therefore, they could cause worsening tinnitus for sure.
  57. Digital Doc

    Tinnitus Always So Loud When Waking Up — Any Science-Based Reason?

    I have found that earplugs at night are a big help in quieting the tinnitus in the AM. I find that my ears are very vulnerable to being irritated when I am asleep.
  58. Digital Doc

    Could Any of These Be Causing My Tinnitus?

    Agreed, you quite likely have a delayed spike that can take several days to show up from the loud noise exposure in the garage. You were primed for the damage from the earbuds. Also, there may be a drug induced component with the Meloxicam, but this is a secondary cause. Throw away the earbuds...