Bad Experience at the Movies

[astaff14]

Went to a theater and the previews have been incredibly loud. I tried to download a decibel meter to check how loud but didn't even want to take my fingers out of my ears long enough to. Our seats were shaking with the bass even at not-that-loud parts; my other two friends were even complaining that it was incredibly loud. I'm now in the hallway waiting for the previews to be over in hopes they are louder than the movie and I'll be able to tolerate it.

I wonder if I've damaged my ears at about 6-7 minutes of likely over 100 dB. I plugged my ears but they both feel muffled and the t is slightly more prevalent and ring-like than it usually is (usually is just a hiss.) I'm scared. Any advice appreciated.

I only am thinking of even staying for the movie because it's supposed to be 90% silent.

 

[Petronius]

I doubt it can get worse from 6-7 min, especially that your ears were plugged, so the decibels were significantly reduced. It's probably just a temporary spike.

 

[dingaling]

Hi astaff14

In my experience, previews/adverts etc are usually louder as somebody has something to advertise and wants their film etc to be seen - and heard!

If you go to the movies regularly, I would invest in some earplugs to attenuate the noise

Try not to be scared; hopefully, this is a one-off. Try and stay away from noise for a bit

 

[Julien87]

Hi, if you plugged your ears there is no reason to worry in my opinion.
The pressure you applied with fingers on your ears + the stress are maybe why they feel weird now.

 

[Hayden Gooddy]

You've got a long life left my friend, go out and enjoy it. I know it's hard, but the world is loud, and you can't worry so much about every time you can't control that. I'm sure you'll be ok from a little noise exposure, and now you know to bring ear plugs to that theatre and perhaps have them with you everywhere in your pocket, even if just to keep you free of anxiety! If you haven't yet, I recommend going to a hearing center and getting moulded earplugs. I wear mine at bars, concerts, movies, sport events, and I never have to worry about ear damage!

 

[astaff14]

You've got a long life left my friend, go out and enjoy it. I know it's hard, but the world is loud, and you can't worry so much about every time you can't control that. I'm sure you'll be ok from a little noise exposure, and now you know to bring ear plugs to that theatre and perhaps have them with you everywhere in your pocket, even if just to keep you free of anxiety! If you haven't yet, I recommend going to a hearing center and getting moulded earplugs. I wear mine at bars, concerts, movies, sport events, and I never have to worry about ear damage!

Very smart, I'll definitely look into that. If not that at least ear plugs!

I doubt it can get worse from 6-7 min, especially that your ears were plugged, so the decibels were significantly reduced. It's probably just a temporary spike.

I hope so. after a day and a half my t hasn't gotten noticeably worse at least, i think my hearing may have been affected though as the previews were likely around 140 db (i say this based on estimation after downloading a dB meter app after the previews) and there were a few moments where i didn't have my ears plugged. wish i could see an ENT quick about it but i don't think that's a possibility

 

[astaff14]

Hi astaff14

In my experience, previews/adverts etc are usually louder as somebody has something to advertise and wants their film etc to be seen - and heard!

If you go to the movies regularly, I would invest in some earplugs to attenuate the noise

Try not to be scared; hopefully, this is a one-off. Try and stay away from noise for a bit

For real! I was shocked by how loud it was, even the friends I went with were complaining about it. I'm definitely going to get ear plugs as the hyperacusis I've got seems to keep getting worse.