24/7 Tinnitus Acceptance

[nyjag]

Compared to other T sufferers on this Forum, I really don't have much to complain about, but I am interested to know if/when there are any new developments on this annoying condition.

For as long as I could remember I've had occasional ringing in my ears that would last anywhere from minutes to days. Then, In December 2015, after an unusually long day of sighting and sport shooting at an outdoor range, my annoying high pitched friends returned and never left. Please know that I have always used hearing protection when recreationally shooting, and because we were shooting larger calibers that day, I used double protection (foam ear plugs rated to 28 dB AND over the ear 31 dB muffs).

After a hearing check, and visit to an ENT, I was basically told that it might diminish over time but because of my age it probably wouldn't and I should just get used to it. While it doesn't affect me much during the day, I can't fall asleep unless I'm totally exhausted or I leave the TV on all night, sometimes both.

 

[linearb]

Your sleep will get better in time, almost invariably.

I've pretty much given up large calibers, sadly. I moved to the woods recently and have been shooting my .22 a bit; a couple days ago I busted out the mosin and put a couple 7.62x54r rounds down range. I was sort of astounded at how much louder than the .22 it is; I was doubled up, and I don't think I did myself any harm with 2 shots, but I think my mosin years need to be behind me now.

I'm going to get a suppressor of some kind this year, probably 9mm, and then get a 9mm pisol and carbine rifle with threads. If you live someplace where NFA stuff is legal, that's certainly one option. A silenced Glock 9MM pistol is about a quarter the sound pressure of an unsuppressed .22lr rifle.

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi NYJag,

Welcome aboard!

Unless your ears have wax in them, a sinus issue, or any other visible tell-tale sign of discomfort, going to an ENT and expecting instant relief is like expecting to win tomorrow's lottery. To give you some assurance and make you feel like you didn't just waste your money, your typical ENT will use words like "maybe, might, could, should, can" when you ask him if/when the ringing will end. Basically, their guess is as good as yours...

 

[nyjag]

Your sleep will get better in time, almost invariably.

I've pretty much given up large calibers, sadly. I moved to the woods recently and have been shooting my .22 a bit; a couple days ago I busted out the mosin and put a couple 7.62x54r rounds down range. I was sort of astounded at how much louder than the .22 it is; I was doubled up, and I don't think I did myself any harm with 2 shots, but I think my mosin years need to be behind me now.

I'm going to get a suppressor of some kind this year, probably 9mm, and then get a 9mm pisol and carbine rifle with threads. If you live someplace where NFA stuff is legal, that's certainly one option. A silenced Glock 9MM pistol is about a quarter the sound pressure of an unsuppressed .22lr rifle.

Thanks, hope you're right. It's the falling asleep, once I get there, I'm OK until morning....
FL is pretty friendly. Going "quiet" is mandatory for me and will keep me in the sport. A little expensive, but worth it.

 

[nyjag]

Hi NYJag,

Welcome aboard!

Unless your ears have wax in them, a sinus issue, or any other visible tell-tale sign of discomfort, going to an ENT and expecting instant relief is like expecting to win tomorrow's lottery. To give you some assurance and make you feel like you didn't just waste your money, your typical ENT will use words like "maybe, might, could, should, can" when you ask him if/when the ringing will end. Basically, their guess is as good as yours...

The Doc was pretty honest and not very encouraging about it going away, which actually helped me accept it as just something I need to deal with. She did recommended I try a sound masking app, but I found it more annoying and distracting than my tinnitus.