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  1. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Is Not Always Permanent: After 6 Months of CBT and TRT, I'm Back to My Noisy Job

    Well I haven't spent $6000 on sound generators, which is just the first of many the examples of how you don't know what you are talking about and just want to argue. Instead filling this thread with misinformation and toxicity, you can start your own thread. But in here you're not welcome. You...
  2. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Is Not Always Permanent: After 6 Months of CBT and TRT, I'm Back to My Noisy Job

    People like you are toxic to this community and keep people in hell. You should feel bad. Other people on this forum, stop listening to these aholes and listen to someone who actually is living through a recovery. These guys know NOTHING about what they are talking about. This forum is full of...
  3. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Is Not Always Permanent: After 6 Months of CBT and TRT, I'm Back to My Noisy Job

    Hello hyperacusis people, I just want you to know that hyperacusis is not always permanent and no actual physical permanent damage has been done. The pain is caused by muscles and tendons which are sore but once they get a chance to relax, the pain and other sensations can go away. I suffered...
  4. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Can Get Better! Gotta Retrain Your Reptile Brain!

    I followed up with my audiologist on the noise therapy level with respect to tinnitus levels. The doctor said to make sure the volume level was well above your "threshold of hearing" and I misremembered that as above the "threshold of tinnitus". The key take away here is to trust your doctor...
  5. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Can Get Better! Gotta Retrain Your Reptile Brain!

    Well I'm going to trust my doctor because so far following her advice has basically saved my life. I'm just sharing my experience and hoping it helps somebody because the difference in my life from a few months ago to today is mindblowing. I'm not here to argue about or defend or have people...
  6. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Can Get Better! Gotta Retrain Your Reptile Brain!

    I agree that the exact regime I'm following might not work for everyone but I would strongly suggest everybody seek out an audiologist who has specific experience with hyperacusis and also consider some kind of therapy. I avoided doctors for years because I had gone to a few audiologists who...
  7. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Can Get Better! Gotta Retrain Your Reptile Brain!

    I asked my doctor about the pain caused by sound and she said there is a bunch of muscles and tendons in your ear that are all controlled involuntarily. The muscles tightening up and feeling painful is part of the same fight or flight response that also causes other people to feel that noises...
  8. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Can Get Better! Gotta Retrain Your Reptile Brain!

    Hello hyperacusis people. Hyperacusis sucks. It can rob you of everything, if you let it. I got reactive tinnitus with hyperacusis and ear pain back in 2017. At first it was terrible, though I got used to it and for a while I managed it ok. But then in 2020/21 a series of loud events occurred...
  9. sjtinguy

    Are There Any Remote Jobs That Don't Require Audio (Phone or Video Calls)?

    Companies might be able to work with you if you use voice to text software during video chats. You can just say you are hearing impaired and I'm sure they'd understand.
  10. sjtinguy

    Mild Tinnitus After 4th of July Party/Fireworks

    Welcome Dan. I would stay away from fireworks and all other similar loud noises, and also avoid events like concerts and professional sports, and hopefully your tinnitus will fade with time. If you only hear it in quiet rooms and are not affected in other ways, you've got a pretty mild case and...
  11. sjtinguy

    Working in Mining with Tinnitus?

    I would go with 3M brand in the highest possible NRR rating. You can see on their data sheets than the Peltor X5 which is 31 NRR only reduces 125 Hz by about 24 dB, at 32 Hz it's probably even less. Low frequency noises have larger wavelengths so they travel though solid objects easier...
  12. sjtinguy

    Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Dentist Filling?

    NAC up beforehand and explain to the doctor ahead of time your situation. Don't be afraid to ask to take breaks. I had a crown done one time and had to have the doctor stop for like 5 minutes while I paced around the office a bit. Lots of people say no hearing protection at the dentist, and I...
  13. sjtinguy

    Does Getting Angry Cause Your Tinnitus to Spike?

    Absolutely stress can make your ears ring more. Even people without tinnitus talk about "being so mad their ears would ring". If your ears are also irritated due to noise exposure then they might ring even louder than normal when you're stressed.
  14. sjtinguy

    Working in Mining with Tinnitus?

    Maybe try some heavy duty earmuffs instead of the "cheap" ones? If I'm reading your decibel meter right, most of the noise is low frequency which hearing protection is least effective in stopping. You may wish to start looking or alternatives if your ears are irritated every time after work...
  15. sjtinguy

    Water Stuck in Ear Canal — How to Get Rid of It Using Home Remedies?

    It's counter-intuitive, but putting MORE water in can often help those stubborn drops make their way free. Kinda like how single drops of water can stick to a window but a few drops combined will roll right down the glass.
  16. sjtinguy

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

    Still considering the custom earplugs but thanks to some suggestions I bought a handful of different kinds of foam earplugs the other day. So far the Moldex "Meteors" style plugs seem to be far superior to the generic drug store brand ones I had been using. Most of the standard wedge style...
  17. sjtinguy

    How Loud Do High Powered Backpack Leaf Blowers Get Up Close at the NON-Operator's Ear?

    You can use a decibel distance calculator to get a good idea. If the blower reaches 115 dB measured at one foot away (estimating this distance) then at 3 feet it will be 105 dB and 5 feet it will be 101 dB. At 50 feet it's still over 80 dB. I would rather my car get scratched than get anywhere...
  18. sjtinguy

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

    Thanks, maybe I'll give those brands you mentioned a go before dropping the coin on the fancy custom ones. It blows me away that the custom ones are not as strong as the foam ones too, I've seen that mentioned elsewhere on this site. I don't really believe the NRR rating on the foam ones though...
  19. sjtinguy

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

    I have been using foam earplugs but I always have a hard time getting a good seal on one side; sometimes it takes multiple insertions and I still can't get the perfect seal, despite following the instructions exactly. And they always tend to work themselves loose at which point they don't really...
  20. sjtinguy

    Poll: How Does Your Tinnitus React to Silence/Earplugs?

    When I wear hearing protection, I can hear the tinnitus much more clearly because there's nothing to mask it. But if I don't wear hearing protection and expose myself to noises that are too loud (driving in a car for example), then my ears end up ringing more. For some reason, I find it easier...
  21. sjtinguy

    Two Options: Root Canal or Pulling the Back Molar — Wanting to Avoid Making Tinnitus Worse

    If you managed to be ok through the drilling to get the crown, a root canal should be ok too. If they do a root canal without removing the crown, they won't even do that much drilling, mostly they drill a small hole and then use hand tools to remove your nerves. Dentist drilling sounds so crazy...
  22. sjtinguy

    Can Fireworks Damage Hearing or Worsen Tinnitus / Hyperacusis If You're Indoors?

    No, I had not heard of that happening. My ears usually react immediately, though I do remember my first spike happened a few days after the loud sound event that I blame as the primary cause. But I had continued to expose myself to 100+ dB music in the following days so I always just blamed it...
  23. sjtinguy

    Slowly Losing Everything Due to Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

    That is interesting how different people have different reactions. I've been taking Magnesium ever since I first visited an audiologist and they recommended it. I notice if I don't take it, my ears tend to ring a lot louder when I wake up in the middle of the night and I have a much harder time...
  24. sjtinguy

    Slowly Losing Everything Due to Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

    Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice. I agree I need to move heaven and earth to move out of my current place. Some things are falling into place which may allow that to happen soon. @Luman, mid-2020 would be the Black Lives Matter protests. The police in my city were particularly...
  25. sjtinguy

    Can Fireworks Damage Hearing or Worsen Tinnitus / Hyperacusis If You're Indoors?

    In my experience, yes fireworks outside can definitely be loud enough to cause spikes even if you're inside. It depends on how big they were and how close, and how much insulation your building has, and a mess of other factors. It also depends on how sensitive you are. But if you're gonna get a...
  26. sjtinguy

    Slowly Losing Everything Due to Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

    I have had noise induced tinnitus and hyperacusis since late 2017, but only in my right ear. I had largely learned to deal with it and could lead a somewhat normal life. When I would go outside I would wear some moderate (25 dB NRR) earmuffs to reduce the sound of car engines and whatnot. When...
  27. sjtinguy

    TFW You Realize Your Masking Sounds Haven't Been Running for a While

    I'm coming up on a year with tinnitus... lately it's been really falling into the background. I've been doing stuff and not noticing that my masking sounds have turned off... and even when I do notice it... it's not always because of the ringing, but just like, there's this odd sound of...
  28. sjtinguy

    How Loud Is Too Loud? 14-Year-Old New to Tinnitus

    I can't imagine having those symptoms at 14.. 6 weeks in I was still in the depths of the worst of it.. it took 3 or more months to really start seeing some improvement, and I couldn't even listen to music for like 6+ months. Regular noises were way too loud for a long time, and anything could...
  29. sjtinguy

    Going to the Dentist, How Should I Prepare?

    I was worried the first time I went to the dentist after developing tinnitus but it's not a big deal. I've had a filling and cleaning. I did ask for no sonic cleaning and my teeth were clean enough that it wasn't needed anyways. I recommend not using hearing protection during the visit, and...
  30. sjtinguy

    JEALOUS of All Those Normal-Eared People Listening to Music

    So I've been recovering pretty well from tinnitus and hyperacusis.. life has gone from pure hell to pretty ok most of the time. But one thing that still gets me: seeing people dancing and generally enjoying loud music. Not even ridiculously loud music, like just a live band with no...
  31. sjtinguy

    Indoor Gun Range Decibel Levels

    I would strongly recommend against this activity if you have any form of hearing damage.. even with perfect ears I would recommend against it! This means even if you have double hearing protection, in ideal circumstances it will reduce db levels ~50db which will still mean you are exposed to...
  32. sjtinguy

    Why Do People Here Go to Drastic Measures to Protect Themselves?

    Yeah, Bill was the first person to reply to me on here, gave me some terrible advice to quit my job which sent me into a suicidal tail-spin. I blocked that guy because he doesn't do anything except bring this entire site down
  33. sjtinguy

    Why Do People Here Go to Drastic Measures to Protect Themselves?

    Hell yes it is that terrible.. if going to a concert or a bar even with protection mean a week+ of poor sleep, ear pain, anxiety and constant screaming in your ears, would you go to the bar/concert? When my tinnitus first started ANY volume of music would increase the ringing.. luckily I can...
  34. sjtinguy

    Poll: What Sounds Do You Protect From?

    I hate vacuuming now even with ear muffs.. last time I got a multi-day spike, so I use a broom at my house a lot more. I also am not a big fan of hair clippers since they get right next to your ears... I've learned to cut my hair just with scissors, takes forever though! Cars and especially...
  35. sjtinguy

    Hyperacusis Gets Better

    Right there with ya bud.. got bad tinnitus and hyperacusis in Nov 2017.. even the sound of qtips in my ears was too loud at one point. Couldn't watch tv, definitely no music! My work is loud too and I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep doing my job, even with hearing protection. Luckily...
  36. sjtinguy

    I Heard Silence Today!

    Yeah if that was all it took! What's a few more right? The silence was short lived so I guess I still have my brain cells though.. vacuumed my apt the other day and they definitely still work..
  37. sjtinguy

    High Frequency Hissing and Hyperacusis

    I get hissing a lot too.. and amplified music and voices definitely can make it worse.. I'd consider trying ear plugs or muffs in classes with amplified sound If that one works for you, this one might as well.. I find it a little more relaxing and can listen to it longer
  38. sjtinguy

    Learning About "Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome" Greatly Reduced Ear Pain and Hyperacusis

    The second audiologist I went to has tinnitus herself and also helps facilitate a tinnitus support group.. I don't know why she didn't tell me about TTTS when I described having ear pain sometimes even when the ringing was not increased. I wish she had, but luckily I found the information myself.
  39. sjtinguy

    Did Your Ears Ring Louder When You Went Cold Turkey Off the Pills That Made It Louder Initially?

    I would talk to your doctor about quitting cold turkey, especially from an SSRI. Anything which causes stress seems to increase tinnitus so going off your meds could conceivable cause the ringing to increase.
  40. sjtinguy

    Wondering... Hyperacusis and TTTS Relationship

    if your LDLs are in the normal range then you probably don't have hyperacusis.. when mine were checked a few months ago they were like 70db
  41. sjtinguy

    Is It Standard Procedure to Have MRI for Tinnitus? Can They Do It If You Have Metal in Your Face?

    Metal like a piercing or like an implant or similar? I doubt if you have any steel anywhere in your body that you can do an MRI but I'm not an expert. That being said, I would avoid having an MRI unless there was something specific they are looking for.. the MRI machines are very loud.. like...
  42. sjtinguy

    Well That’s It I’m Going to Die

    Hi, please seek some professional help if at all possible. Your loving and caring family will be devastated if they lose you.
  43. sjtinguy

    Wondering... Hyperacusis and TTTS Relationship

    Yes I believe there is a relationship.. TTTS is caused by the muscles in your ear becoming overworked, because your brain thinks everything is too loud. The pain/odd sensations from the TTTS makes you think that the sound you heard is causing damage, further reinforcing in your mind that the...
  44. sjtinguy

    Learning About "Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome" Greatly Reduced Ear Pain and Hyperacusis

    For me, one of the most frustrating things about my hearing damage is the extreme sensitivity to sounds. Loud sounds will increase the volume of my tinnitus, so I started wearing hearing protection everywhere and avoiding loud places. This seemed to cause a negative feedback loop where I...
  45. sjtinguy

    I Heard Silence Today!

    I typically have background noise playing in my house at all times to help drown out my tinnitus, or at least make it easier to ignore. This morning when I woke up, the recording had ended. I didn't even notice that it wasn't playing until I went to the bathroom and returned to my bedroom...
  46. sjtinguy

    Anybody Successfully Dated with Moderate/Severe Tinnitus?

    I have some musicians ear plugs which i have not tried mostly because they don't really reduce the volume very much. But regardless of what ear protection I use, I still will not want to go to any loud places
  47. sjtinguy

    Anybody Successfully Dated with Moderate/Severe Tinnitus?

    Yes I have hyperacusis too.. if I don't wear hearing protection, any prolonged sounds around 70db+ will cause both the hyperacusis and the tinnitus to increase and can take days to reduce. I prefer to wear earmuffs instead of ear plugs though I suppose I could wear plugs for a date, but I...
  48. sjtinguy

    Fluorescent Lights Aggravating Tinnitus?

    Fluorescent lights can give off a hum at 60hz, perhaps that is what is causing the problem. Many people don't notice it but if you are sensitive to sound it could be the problem. Download an app which allows you to view the audio spectrum.. I have one for iOS called "dB Meter" which has a dB...
  49. sjtinguy

    I Miss Music and TV

    Thankfully I have been able to watch TV again.. I found the key was not so much reducing the high end but making sure the bass was removed. At home I cut everything below 200hz and reduce the sound above 10khz as well. This allows me to watch TV for hours without feeling fatigued or increasing...
  50. sjtinguy

    Anybody Successfully Dated with Moderate/Severe Tinnitus?

    My girlfriend just dumped me, partially due to the fact that we don't do anything any more because going out in public is really difficult for me... we haven't gone out to eat or anything like a date in months. I can't imagine trying to meet someone new when you can't go to a bar or restaurant...
  51. sjtinguy

    Poll: Better and Worse Tinnitus Days, Do You Know the Phenomenon?

    Every day is different for me, usually if it's worse I can trace it back to certain loud sounds I was exposed to in the last 24 hours or so but some days it's just loud for no reason.
  52. sjtinguy

    I’m Iffy About Taking My Bottom Wisdom Tooth Out

    I had a metal filling drilled out and replaced at the dentist and noticed no increase in tinnitus. I was very worried it was going to make things worse but it was fine. Don't be afraid to go to the dentist if you are in pain.
  53. sjtinguy

    What Is "Over Protection"? Everyday Noises Are Too Loud, Afraid to Go Outside

    I kind of hit a wall at a certain point and stopped seeing major improvements unfortunately, though some of that may be due to the fact that as I improved, I'd be more willing to push myself and increase my potential exposure. At the beginning of this month someone revved their engine a bunch...
  54. sjtinguy

    Bike Ride Spike. I REFUSE TO GIVE UP YET!

    I ride my bike with earmuffs.. once you get used to using your eyes more it's not really a problem. The advantage muffs have is that you can take them off for the quiet streets and then put them on for the loud ones very easily. The downside is you can't wear a helmet. You can wear ear plugs...
  55. sjtinguy

    Sleeping Pill? NOT Melatonin or Magnesium

    along the same lines, CBD (one of the active ingredients in pot besides THC) is legal everywhere the US and can be used as a sleep aid https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-ultimate-guide-to-cbd-and-sleep_us_59b013e9e4b0c50640cd63a0
  56. sjtinguy

    Tinnitus So Loud After Naps — Why?

    Do you sleep with background noise going? Try using some noise like rain or fireplace, or run a fan or similar, whatever noises work for you. I find this helps when I first wake up.. if you hear the tinnitus loud, try to focus on the background sounds instead
  57. sjtinguy

    How Do You Keep Your Job in the Beginning? I Cannot Work...

    Hey Barry.. I got my tinnitus from noise in November, at least partially from my loud work environment. I ended up taking the entire month of December off because working was too stressful and my ears could not handle the noise even with ear protection. I am very thankful I took the month off...
  58. sjtinguy

    Tinnitus So Loud After Naps — Why?

    this happens to me too.. If I sleep at my normal time I wake up and usually the tinnitus is super low, but if I fall asleep at any other time an then wake up, the tinnitus can be super loud. Sometimes this happens in the middle of the night too, though thankfully I've gotten used to it enough...
  59. sjtinguy

    Good Quality, Slick Safety Earmuffs

    All foam ear plugs take time to expand in your ear canal to get a proper fit.. it's much faster to just throw on the muffs. I ride my bike and quickly put the muffs on while I'm riding if I get into a loud environment. I came up on a marching band earlier today and was able to put the muffs on...
  60. sjtinguy

    Good Quality, Slick Safety Earmuffs

    I wore plugs for a month and they started to become really irritating in my ear canal. Plus the foam ones are a pain to insert properly and so they can't be removed as easily. With the muffs it's much easier to take them on and off