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  1. squeek

    Short and Funny Way to Explain Why I Wear Earplugs?

    Of course! It's a conversational starter for one. As a guy, you having those earplugs is a source of intrigue making you likely an interesting/quirky person with a story to tell. I don't bother with ordinary people.
  2. squeek

    What Do You All Think About Lobbying a Company to Create a 20 kHz Hearing Aid?

    Come to think of it, I haven't seen any peer reviewed paper on the subject. Hearing tests in my opinion are somewhat flawed in testing above 15kHz. The ability of the testing headphones to produce those frequencies diminishes quickly as you head towards 20 kHz. As does human hearing. Next...
  3. squeek

    Exercise and Tinnitus — Experiences

    How active you are I exercise only few days per week. What sort of exercise you do Low impact. Gentle walks and bushwalking. How loud your tinnitus is Judging by others here I grade mine as 9/10 on the horrific scale. How annoying your tinnitus is Debilitating. So much I walk into walls and...
  4. squeek

    Eye Problem

    During the height of my hyperacusis I also had developed hypersensitivity of vision where I could see the individual comprising colours of each individual pixel on the computer screen. I'm glad that 'superpower' didn't last too long. It's unlikely your visual problems are related to your...
  5. squeek

    Opioids in the Management of Hyperacusis/Pain

    No. Not yet. Yes for the most part. It dulls the sound and makes it more tolerable to listen to. I haven't tried any other painkillers. I do however take Temazepam which is also an opiate sleeping pill which I combine it with vitamin b6 (vitamin b6 impacts the nervous system). This...
  6. squeek

    Does Isolation = Overprotection?

    I started slowly. At first I would remove my earplugs and walk ear-naked for two metres inside the shopping centre and the next week upgraded to three metres. These days I'm okay in most places but the exercise does teach you which sounds are truly aggravating the tinnitus and which are only...
  7. squeek

    Flight with Hyperacusis

    Option 1: Get your doctor to write you a note you can give to the stewardess emphasising you have 'hearing damage' (avoid using the word tinnitus) and that it's a medical requirement. Option 2: Ignore them. Take them off temporarily and put them back on. It's not like they can fine you. I've...
  8. squeek

    I Have Decided to Quit Music

    You don't have to give up music entirely. Production and performance you will have to give up, yes. But writing music is still quite possible. Writing and composing doesn't require concentrative deep listening that production demands and it doesn't require volume like performance requires...
  9. squeek

    Give Up the Music? Need Answers :(

    Like Michael says, you will need to change your lifestyle. That's the reality of this condition. In answering your earlier question, I'm 6 years into this condition and it hasn't improved a jot. Neither has my tolerance. The only thing that's improved is my fear towards it.
  10. squeek

    Opioids in the Management of Hyperacusis/Pain

    Every time you use Tramadol its effectivity drops. After taking it lots of times its effectiveness reaches near zero. For me, Tramadol lasted 12 months before it hit that point of uselessness. It's reasonable to assume that so long as it's not abused it that anyone else would similarly get 12...
  11. squeek

    Opioids in the Management of Hyperacusis/Pain

    I was on painkillers (Tramadol) for kidney stones but it really had a positive impact for tolerating tinnitus. I continued using Tramadol for my Tinnitus for 12 months and I can heartily recommend it if you believe you can manage addictive substances. If you've beaten an addiction like caffeine...
  12. squeek

    Give Up the Music? Need Answers :(

    It takes me 12 times longer to mix a song since I've been hit with this condition. These days I now pass on the production/mixing to others, except for what I can do through rote experience/muscle memory. I've shifted focus to the compositional aspects of writing music. This doesn't require...
  13. squeek

    How to Cope When Even the Refrigerator and Shower Causes Discomfort?

    Let's get practical. Shower: Use a bath. Computer: Buy a silent computer with no moving parts. Mac and PC variants are available. I have one. It's fricking awesome. Refrigerator: Run it in the hours when you are away from home. Or don't even use one. My fridge isn't switched on. I bring home...
  14. squeek

    What Sleeping Pills Do You Take?

    5 years of temazapam every few days and I'm not even slightly addicted. I went through about 12 different sleeping drugs and many aggravated the tinnitus but temazapam works a treat. I take it reluctantly though.
  15. squeek

    Tinnitus Cured NO BS

    BULLSHIT!
  16. squeek

    Does Your Tinnitus Change with the Season?

    Yes, absolutely. Particularly during the transition between autumn to winter and spring to summer. Wind and oncoming rain also drives up the tinnitus. Summer is the best season for my tinnitus.
  17. squeek

    What If This Is the Same as Being in an Anechoic Chamber and Suffering?

    Okay. Back to basics. Open up your windows in your house and let in some natural environmental noise.
  18. squeek

    The Art of Listening to People

    Since tinnitus, I've stopped listening to people and paying attention to what they are saying. Even before tinnitus I wasn't good at paying attention. The kind of remaining friends who tolerate my high demands for quietude are friends who endlessly talk and yack on. Loquacious people. For...
  19. squeek

    Job Interviews

    gotyoubynuts [charming!] is very right here. As much as there anti-discrimination laws out there, this is a real reality. Ill people are a liability. Don't mention your tinnitus if you can. You could mention your tinnitus by proxy, that is, at the point at the interview where they ask "what...
  20. squeek

    Job Interviews

    I just landed a 3 month contract with raging tinnitus during the interview. I think the only reason I won the job because the employer was desperate and I changed my tactics to deliberately seek out desperate employers. Look for jobs with "urgent, asap, immediate start" keywords. Desperate...
  21. squeek

    How Will I Ever Have a Social Life Again?

    Talk to your female friends. For many girls, one of their favourite hobbies is match-making. Let them do all the work. They love it. Just impress upon them that you need someone who will be accommodating to your needs.
  22. squeek

    How Will I Ever Have a Social Life Again?

    I like the sound of that, at least on quieter days. Like many here I've had to leave social interaction in the u-bend. I believe there's orienteering groups out there too. I'll have to give it a try. Nice idea. Thanks.
  23. squeek

    How Do You Deal with Environments with Shrill/Piercing Sounds?

    For computer monitors and TVs you need to turn the brightness up. As for other equipment it comes down to the quality of the power supply. It's pot luck with power supplies. Some will squeal, others won't.
  24. squeek

    Do You Hear Tinnitus Clearly Over the TV?

    You can buy totally silent computers, Mac and PC. I refer you to this post. It's made a big difference in my quality of life since I'm on the computer much of the time.
  25. squeek

    Where to Find Peace and Quiet in the City?

    State libraries possibly. Local libraries, no way. They get used as free child minding centres for obnoxious parents. But churches, I don't know much about them. Do they allow anyone off the street to just go in and have a peaceful sit-down without being bothered? Are there any protocols or...
  26. squeek

    Sleeping with Sounds or Silence? Which Is Better for Tinnitus Sufferers?

    I sleep with comfort sounds. I make MP3s of tv shows that I'm really familiar with, stuff I've watched a million times. Combine that with sleeping pills on bad days and I'm good for sleep. I'm asleep within 15 mins. The good thing with tv shows is that they interrupt your internal dialogue...
  27. squeek

    Considering Getting Custom Earplugs Made and Getting Back Into Live Music

    Bobby is right. I've bought custom earplugs and they are not better than foam earplugs. Custom earplugs, by design, allow sound in. In practice, they cut bass and allow high frequency to pass through. So if you have high pitch tinnitus then custom ear plugs will do nothing for you.
  28. squeek

    Where to Find Peace and Quiet in the City?

    Wow. I have to say I'm very envious. I'm trying to figure out an income so that I can live away from the city. I totally agree. With my current job skill set I'm locked into working in the city. I'll figure out something.
  29. squeek

    The Menace of Amplified Buskers

    Amplifiers have become dirt cheap, which means the bulk of buskers have turned to buying amplifiers and blocking pathways with their wretched cacophony. Anything we can do to deter this scourge of buskers? Can we sue the local city council? Afterall, these people cause pain on us. It's no...
  30. squeek

    Where to Find Peace and Quiet in the City?

    Where can you go in the city to get away from the annoyances of other people and their stupid noise? The only thing I can think of is driving to the outskirts of the city, find a nook and hide in your car. However, this can be 50 kilometres away for many of us and not always practical. Are...
  31. squeek

    Do You Hear Tinnitus Clearly Over the TV?

    Ladies and gentlemen. There is something you can do with the quiet bits. I'm not sure about TVs as I don't own one, but with many video players on the computer, you can adjust the sound compression. 'What!?' you say? Well, you know how TV adverts sound very loud compared to the show that you...
  32. squeek

    What About God?

    If I ever get to meet God, I'm going to kick him square in the nuts.
  33. squeek

    Child Screaming!

    The practical thing is to leave. You're not going to win this battle.
  34. squeek

    I Hate Loud Motorcycles

    When I come into power I'm going to outlaw them. I will then implement a counseling network for those affected by their small penis. Vote 1 Squeek
  35. squeek

    MEGA TINNITUS

    When someone does that in the office, I'm running around with hands clasped around my head. It's a killer noise. I wish scientists would hurry up with head-swap operations.
  36. squeek

    Botox for Hyperacusis

    I'm someone who gets botox injections for a different type of sympathetic nervous system disorder (hyperhidrosis). The practitioner injects the botox close to the nerves but not actually into the nerves. After treatment the nerves become less activated by stimuli. So, for hyperacusis, there...
  37. squeek

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    I just went to a psychologist that my GP recommended. I get the impression that most psychologists are skilled in CBT.
  38. squeek

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    CBT is going to get you to face your fears a little bit at a time. In my case when I first started I would take out my ear plugs and walk two metres into the shopping centre and walk out again. The next week I would walk 4 metres. I challenged myself to increase my exposure a little bit at a...
  39. squeek

    Is This the End of My Biggest Passion?

    You can still keep yourself in the industry but you may want to remodel yourself. Instead of production perhaps consider composition and relearn music theory to the point where you can write music without necessarily being required to hear it. Production requires active concentrative...
  40. squeek

    Flare Audio's ISOLATE Ear Plugs

    You only need to look at the image to see that the product is snake oil. The metal in the plug is going to transmit audio rather than absorb it. A more interesting upcoming product Hearables promises to selectively tune out baby screams, engine noise, etc. With the way machine learning/deep...
  41. squeek

    Tapering Off Hearing Protection

    I took a gradual exposure strategy. In the very beginning I would take out my earplugs and walk two metres into a shopping centre and walk back out. The following week I would walk 4 metres in. I kept challenging myself further and further. It's going to be about discovery, which environmental...
  42. squeek

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    I've reduced my hyperacusis by 70% with CBT but it's done nothing for the tinnitus. It's only going to act on the psychological portion of the condition.
  43. squeek

    Should I Wear Earplugs at the Dentist?

    Do take earplugs. If you are frequently using earplugs in you day-to-day life you're going to feel a lot more secure. You can always take them out of your ears if they are not working out for you. Like the other commenters have mentioned the dentist drill won't have an effect on the tinnitus...
  44. squeek

    Tramadol and Tinnitus?

    I was prescribed Tramadol early in the year for kidney stones but I felt more relieved for the reduction of tinnitus torment. I say 'torment' rather than 'noise reduction'. So yes, Tramadol really helps with tinnitus. I'm still taking tramadol on days of my most severe spikes, however, every...
  45. squeek

    Could It Be Meniere's?

    My Tinnitus came along with the special present of mild Labyrinthitis. Life with labs is like being in an elevator that accelerates and stops quickly but in all X, Y, and Z axises. Your labs is telling the body to turn left but you want to walk forward. Your centre of gravity doesn't want to...
  46. squeek

    The Negativity Thread

    Sheesh you lot. Vaba is making many valid points. There are so many variations of tinnitus. You're not in Vaba's head and you're not going to know how severe or if his tinnitus is going to behave in the same manner as your's. Vaba is seeking realities and practicalities not positivities...
  47. squeek

    How Do Impoverished Severe Hyperacusics Survive?

    I believe this to be good advice but it does cost money up-front. Maybe Kane can iterate some of the costs involved. I think FBA (private labeling on amazon) is an oversaturated market now. Maybe Kane can refute this though. I couldn't find any gaps in the market. Also check out the silent...
  48. squeek

    What Jobs Can You Do with Tinnitus?

    If you're still able to concentrate, technical writing is a well-paid job and one that few people apply for (people hate writing their own documentation and prefer to concentrate on doing their own tasks, which is why few people like applying for the job). Salaries are around the US$75K mark...
  49. squeek

    Life Hacks for Dealing with Tinnitus

    Everybody's tinnitus is different. Some want to be surrounded by silence and many feel more comfortable with noise. I think though that nearly all of us want to pick and choose the noise around us given the opportunity. Your tip is really a good tip. Thanks!
  50. squeek

    Retigabine (Trobalt, Potiga) — General Discussion

    It's intriguing that GSK has yet to sell the product in Australia. It's not like that importing would be a difficult process or expensive since their distribution channels have already been established. Nor would marketing be expensive either as it's only sold to chemists and marketed to GPs --...
  51. squeek

    Life Hacks for Dealing with Tinnitus

    Thanks, Eliot. I really hope people do add more hints and tips. We really need every tool and trick we can muster to negotiate our way through this perilous noisy new world. On air travel, I've also pushed money into the hands of the air steward to get moved to a different seat. They won't...
  52. squeek

    Cause of My Tinnitus — Should I Stay Away from My Computer and Other Loud Noises?

    Should computer noise become an issue for you, you have two choices. Apple has the 12 inch macbooks which are fanless. And for PC, there's NoFan, which is what I have myself and has saved my life. Both of these computers are totally and utterly silent.
  53. squeek

    The Story of Gaby Olthuis

    Heads up for everyone. Tinnitus is getting a lot of exposure on Reddit today with more than 2000 comments.
  54. squeek

    Just Took Some Pics of My Ear Drum and Here's What I Found... Help?

    Phew! It doesn't look so bad. Glad to see that. Yeah, take the videos with you to your practitioner. It's so often the case that medical imaging (by medical practitioners) itself isn't enough. Specialists are people too and can miss stuff or even worse, too lazy to make an extensive capture...
  55. squeek

    Just Took Some Pics of My Ear Drum and Here's What I Found... Help?

    Looking at those photos, the black substance appears to be behind the ear drums. A had a quick google for you and it could be fluid in the ears [University of Texas Medical School] and will probably need to have middle ear ventilation tubes.
  56. squeek

    Just Took Some Pics of My Ear Drum and Here's What I Found... Help?

    I'm impressed by the use of a USB endoscope. Great idea. I had photos taken of my ear drums a few years ago. My tinnitus ear drum was somewhat red due to inflammation, however, there certainly was no black substance. I think you should have a chat with your GP. All GPs will have a otoscope...
  57. squeek

    Silent Jobs

    Painter (interior) Painter (artist) Accountant
  58. squeek

    Has Anyone's Tinnitus Gone Away in Different Geographic Locations?

    It's a really good question and I hope more people respond. I really want to put this to the test because what aggravates my tinnitus the most is changes in the weather. I want to move to a dry non-windy area and measure the impact. With that factor out of the way, dietary and other stimuli...
  59. squeek

    Retigabine (Trobalt, Potiga) — General Discussion

    I'm in Sydney. What's the process to obtain retigabine in Australia?
  60. squeek

    Has Anyone Been Tested for Objective Tinnitus?

    Objective tinnitus is tinnitus that can be heard by a medical practitioner with a stethoscope. My ENT doctor didn't do that test with me. It's got me thinking that maybe many ENTs don't perform that test. If that is the case, there could be a market for a specially made stethoscope for tinnitus...