Can Wearing Earmuffs Make My Tinnitus Worse?

[Andreas.O]

I've had tinnitus for 3 months now and recently been exposed to a loud ban.

Since then I developed a new frequency in my tinnitus and it seems to quiet down and get louder depending on external noises which is quite depressing.

Anyways my question is if I'm exposed to loud noises at work and have to wear earmuffs, can earmuffs make my tinnitus to get worse (permanently) or is it okay to wear them for a couple of hours without negative effects?

 

[JohnAdams]

I don't think protecting your ears will make it worse.

 

[boliston]

I would use the muffs if it gets noisy but take them off if things quieten down - my office is fairly quiet but there are a couple of staff with loud voices and when they get going it can aggravate my tinnitus (I have some hypercusis as well as tinnitus).

 

[GSC]

Definitely wear muffs or plugs for things that are too uncomfortable for your ears or too loud -- your ears are compromised and they need to heal. But when you are at home, try not to wear your muffs unless you absolutely have to, like if the toilet flushing feels loud to your ears or bother, or if sirens past by. Dogs barking. Etc.