Career (Dance Teacher) Issues — Should I Quit?

vermillion

Member
Author
Podcast Patron
Benefactor
Feb 5, 2017
787
Tinnitus Since
2016
Cause of Tinnitus
Fluconazole
So my summer break came to it's end, and I found myself yesterday very frustrated since I haven't experienced anything but worsening of my symptoms.

During these holidays I worsened as well. I was in the province away from noises. The only activity apart from swimming, was driving. Maybe the car? I was wearing earplugs in the car. I can't figure it out.

I don't listen to much music anymore and I do not use headphones. Right now if I have to prioritise my issues to be addressed, the first one is my profession. I am a dance teacher. This is the only income for me. Is it possible to keep on? Dance teaching means music. I teach two style/techniques.

Classes that I give at private studios need speaker music. Classes that I give in a professional institute are being accompanied by live piano. So what's the deal here? Should I quit?

I've been working in this field the last 8 years. I got quite successful, but life changed now.
 
I know how you feel, I'm stuck at my job to. How loud is the music when you're teaching?
 
I know how you feel, I'm stuck at my job to. How loud is the music when you're teaching?
Right now i'm not very objective in evaluating loudness, due to my fear. The piano for example seems loud (before tinnitus i used to play, now i quit). Music from speakers i used to play loud the previous years... i was really naive. The ironic part is that before my t onset, i stopped playing loud. I matured and lowered the volume. What is your job? Is your tinnitus loud?
 
What is your job? Is your tinnitus loud?
I trim trees by powerlines for asplundh. Yes my T is loud. The music from the speakers would bother me more than the piano I'd think. How long is each dance lesson with the music going.
 
Can you control the volume in your dance classes? Could you wear musician ear plugs?

You mentioned your fear. Are you seeing a therapist? Doing any medication or treatment efforts?
 
I trim trees by powerlines for asplundh. Yes my T is loud. The music from the speakers would bother me more than the piano I'd think. How long is each dance lesson with the music going.
How do you deal witht work? You can control speaker volume vs the piano. Every lesson is 1.5 hours but that doesn't mean the music is constanlty on. I mean the music is playing only during performing an exercise. The other part of the class is showing the material, explaining etc.
Can you control the volume in your dance classes? Could you wear musician ear plugs?
You mentioned your fear. Are you seeing a therapist? Doing any medication or treatment efforts?
Thanks @Tinker Bell. I can control only the speaker music. The piano is live. I always wear musician plugs but to tell you the truth i don't feel any protection with them...
I'm consulting a therapist to no avail till now. As for medication i'm too afraid of all the horror stories. Once i followed a drug cocktail of a mad neurologist that i believe was a huge mistake. I sure would need to use an AD but i'm afraid of the risks. On the other hand i'm constantly thinking that no medication can provide me the ability to do what i love, which is dance of course.
 
What style of music is played? Classical, EDM, hiphop, ...?

There's a good chance that you can continue doing what you do. The volume of recorded music can be adjusted low enough so that it's not harmful. A piano, especially a grand piano, can be loud, but not that loud that you cannot adequately protect yourself with earplugs. It helps too that the piano is in a room that's big enough to dance in. You don't have to stand near it and there's room for the sound to escape.

When you say that you don't feel protection from the musicians earplugs, what does that mean? Don't they make the sound quieter? Or not quiet enough? Do your ears still fatigued after teaching? Or maybe something else?
 
How do you deal witht work?
It's a struggle, I'm sure now my job is causing the spikes I get. I just protect my ears and deal with it the best I can and just keep on going.
 
What style of music is played? Classical, EDM, hiphop, ...?
Various, classical/pop/hip-hop/alternative etc

It helps too that the piano is in a room that's big enough to dance in. You don't have to stand near it and there's room for the sound to escape.
Not that big but i could stand opposite from the piano.

When you say that you don't feel protection from the musicians earplugs, what does that mean? Don't they make the sound quieter? Or not quiet enough? Do your ears still fatigued after teaching? Or maybe something else?
Yes i feel that the sound is not quieter. And yes after class a particular part of my tinnitus is spiked. But i think that this is not from the music. I think it's from the exercise. I run a bit once and i had the same effect. Is that bad?
 
Various, classical/pop/hip-hop/alternative etc


Not that big but i could stand opposite from the piano.


Yes i feel that the sound is not quieter. And yes after class a particular part of my tinnitus is spiked. But i think that this is not from the music. I think it's from the exercise. I run a bit once and i had the same effect. Is that bad?
Having a spike doesn't mean damage is done. It could be just that, a temporary increase in volume. It is a sign that you have be careful, though.

Earplugs should lower the volume. I'm not sure why you experience it differently. Assuming that you're inserting them correctly, you may want to try different kinds of plugs. Certainly foam earplugs should lower the volume.
It could be that the exercise is causing the spike, but I don't know much about that relation. It could be just that extra bit of stress on your body that happens during exercise, blood flowing faster, etc. Exercising should be safe and healthy, not harmful.
I've heard that running may be a risk to some people, because feet hitting the ground will cause a vibration to go up to your ear. It's that dull thud you hear when running with earplugs in. Maybe the same effect occurs in some dance styles, but it should be really, really minor.

If your tinnitus worsens during the holidays as well, maybe there is some other cause. It may not even have something to do with sound. Do you notice a difference directly after teaching or dancing? Do you experience any tension in your shoulders? Do you have jaw/teeth related issues? Do you use some form of medication which may cause or increase tinnitus?

Again, I see no reason to think that teaching dance would be impossible. A piano is really not that loud, especially with earplugs in. I thought I could bring good news here :)
I'm trying to narrow down the causes and find a solution and I'm hoping I'm not making your more stressed. Be careful is good, being stressed out about tinnitus may make it worse too.
 
Having a spike doesn't mean damage is done. It could be just that, a temporary increase in volume. It is a sign that you have be careful, though.

Earplugs should lower the volume. I'm not sure why you experience it differently. Assuming that you're inserting them correctly, you may want to try different kinds of plugs. Certainly foam earplugs should lower the volume.
I use this model https://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-pro/
Are you familiar with this type of plugs?
It could be that the exercise is causing the spike, but I don't know much about that relation. It could be just that extra bit of stress on your body that happens during exercise, blood flowing faster, etc. Exercising should be safe and healthy, not harmful.
I've heard that running may be a risk to some people, because feet hitting the ground will cause a vibration to go up to your ear. It's that dull thud you hear when running with earplugs in. Maybe the same effect occurs in some dance styles, but it should be really, really minor.
I once mentioned that to my doctor. About spike after exercise. Her answer was short and she related that to fatigue etc. My style of dance i suppose is high impact. It's very physical. I read about high impact / running possible risks and that concerns me as well.
If your tinnitus worsens during the holidays as well, maybe there is some other cause. It may not even have something to do with sound. Do you notice a difference directly after teaching or dancing? Do you experience any tension in your shoulders? Do you have jaw/teeth related issues? Do you use some form of medication which may cause or increase tinnitus?
I've done so many test to no avail. I have checked my neck with a PT, cause sometimes a have issues. Usually when there is a somatic component, you can change the sound by specific movement, don't you? I can't. As for my teeth, before my tinnitus onset i had experienced a worsening of gingivitis/early periodontitis which i addressed with a dentist. That time my t was mild and i didn't think that there could be a connection or any risks by the tool sounds. I also have a missing tooth behind. That was 2 years before with an infection. I was t-free. As for maedication i don't take anything systematically. However, months before, i followed a controversial drug therapy by a neurologist. I think i experienced worsening by this for sure. I followed this treatment for 2 weeks and then i stopped because i freaked out. I am somehow in the dark here.
Again, I see no reason to think that teaching dance would be impossible. A piano is really not that loud, especially with earplugs in.
I hope so. Music sometimes / especially the piano provokes a weird auditory phenomenon of mine. I hear sometimes whistles over specific frequencies. It's freaky.
I thought I could bring good news here :)
I'm trying to narrow down the causes and find a solution and I'm hoping I'm not making your more stressed. Be careful is good, being stressed out about tinnitus may make it worse too.
You are truly helpful and i appreciate it. I never believed stress/depression due to tinnitus can worsen permanently this. Tbh i am super stressed, very depressed and devastated and sometimes i get suicidal. I don't know how can i persevere and enjoy my life with this condition.
 
So my summer break came to it's end, and I found myself yesterday very frustrated since I haven't experienced anything but worsening of my symptoms.

During these holidays I worsened as well. I was in the province away from noises. The only activity apart from swimming, was driving. Maybe the car? I was wearing earplugs in the car. I can't figure it out.

I don't listen to much music anymore and I do not use headphones. Right now if I have to prioritise my issues to be addressed, the first one is my profession. I am a dance teacher. This is the only income for me. Is it possible to keep on? Dance teaching means music. I teach two style/techniques.

Classes that I give at private studios need speaker music. Classes that I give in a professional institute are being accompanied by live piano. So what's the deal here? Should I quit?

I've been working in this field the last 8 years. I got quite successful, but life changed now.

Have you considered moving the speakers or the piano to the back of the room so that they are closer to the students but farther from your ears? The bodies of the students will absorb/reflect some of the sound waves. You could also add some basic paneling to the walls to reduce reflections/reverberation. The double-edged sword of tinnitus is that your symptoms can worsen if you exposure yourself to high levels of noise but they will also worsen if you over-protect your ears by wearing plugs. I doubt that sound levels you are exposing yourself to are causing shifts in your audiometric threshold but I agree with others that they could be causing "hidden" damage (see posts on hidden hearing loss). Ear plugs can induce tinnitus, even in people with normal hearing because the loss of input from the ear (whether due to explicit damage or attenuation from the plug) can cause the central amplification in the brain to increase, which is thought to be a direct cause of tinnitus.

There are many benefits to physical activities like dancing in terms of your income stability (i.e., less stress) happiness, well-being but also direct benefits to the brain. I think there could be a cost (both literal and figurative) to abandoning your career. I hope you can find a way to keep sound levels in the 'sweet spot' (not too high and not too low) and experiment with some noise maskers or cognitive training (mindfulness, coping etc.) to get you through this rough patch.

Good luck, Vermillion!
 
Have you considered moving the speakers or the piano to the back of the room so that they are closer to the students but farther from your ears? The bodies of the students will absorb/reflect some of the sound waves. You could also add some basic paneling to the walls to reduce reflections/reverberation.
Actually the piano is already back. The studio however is not mine to make renovations. But one of the studios is designed as a small theater as well and i have noticed on the wall and the ceiling a perforated strap, which i suppose has to do with sound absorption.
The double-edged sword of tinnitus is that your symptoms can worsen if you exposure yourself to high levels of noise but they will also worsen if you over-protect your ears by wearing plugs. I doubt that sound levels you are exposing yourself to are causing shifts in your audiometric threshold but I agree with others that they could be causing "hidden" damage (see posts on hidden hearing loss).
I am pretty confused evaluating the hazardous sound levels. I thing a have developed phono phobia to a small extend. I wear plugs almost everywhere.
Ear plugs can induce tinnitus, even in people with normal hearing because the loss of input from the ear (whether due to explicit damage or attenuation from the plug) can cause the central amplification in the brain to increase, which is thought to be a direct cause of tinnitus.
Yes. During this time, I overused plugs. For example to avoid traffic noise, because Athens is noisy. To ride my motorbike which now I'm gonna sell, and during teaching of course. I also use muffs. Sometimes i use plugs + muffs. I may have overdone it?
There are many benefits to physical activities like dancing in terms of your income stability (i.e., less stress) happiness, well-being but also direct benefits to the brain. I think there could be a cost (both literal and figurative) to abandoning your career. I hope you can find a way to keep sound levels in the 'sweet spot' (not too high and not too low) and experiment with some noise maskers or cognitive training (mindfulness, coping etc.) to get you through this rough patch.
Good luck, Vermillion!
I was considering to take a break for a year and to try meditation. Go somewhere with no sounds. But if I take a break I probably won't be able to resume next year. Everybody is replaceable if you know what I mean. Thank you so much for the advice.
 
I use this model https://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-pro/
Are you familiar with this type of plugs?
Yes! I used these plugs all the time 10+ years ago for band rehearsals. They kept the volume at a more comfortable level and kept my ears from ringing. However, I don't think these are heavy enough when playing with loud drummers. They should be for just a piano, though. I used these plugs so much that they started falling apart every couple of months. I then moved to custom molded plugs with -25 dB filters, because these last longer and would end up costing about the same.

Do the Alpine's still come with that plastic tube to insert the earplugs? Make sure you use that thing to insert them properly. Definitely consider the custom plugs because they're a lot easier and quicker to take in an out and offer a bit more protection.

I once mentioned that to my doctor. About spike after exercise. Her answer was short and she related that to fatigue etc. My style of dance i suppose is high impact. It's very physical. I read about high impact / running possible risks and that concerns me as well.

I've done so many test to no avail. I have checked my neck with a PT, cause sometimes a have issues. Usually when there is a somatic component, you can change the sound by specific movement, don't you? I can't. As for my teeth, before my tinnitus onset i had experienced a worsening of gingivitis/early periodontitis which i addressed with a dentist. That time my t was mild and i didn't think that there could be a connection or any risks by the tool sounds. I also have a missing tooth behind. That was 2 years before with an infection. I was t-free. As for maedication i don't take anything systematically. However, months before, i followed a controversial drug therapy by a neurologist. I think i experienced worsening by this for sure. I followed this treatment for 2 weeks and then i stopped because i freaked out. I am somehow in the dark here.
It sounds like you've ruled everything else out as much as you could. For the dental and neurological treatments, I guess there is not much you can do now, so just move forward from here and don't look back.
If you're concerned if high impact dancing is influencing your tinnitus, you could try to have your normal rehearsal and keep everything the same, but remove the high impact part. I doubt that this is it, because dancing is generally much more varied than repeatedly stomping on soil for an hour every other day (=running).

I hope so. Music sometimes / especially the piano provokes a weird auditory phenomenon of mine. I hear sometimes whistles over specific frequencies. It's freaky.
That does sound like hearing damage to me. I also hear some tones distorted in one ear, or a short tone is following by a gush-of-air type sound.

You are truly helpful and i appreciate it. I never believed stress/depression due to tinnitus can worsen permanently this. Tbh i am super stressed, very depressed and devastated and sometimes i get suicidal. I don't know how can i persevere and enjoy my life with this condition.
Glad to be of help. I cannot really provide clear and definitive answers to everything, but I'll do what I can.

That state of being sounds awfully familiar to me. There's a lot to be said for trying to relax, trying not to worry, keeping your mind occupied and just let some time go by to gain some more perspective. Trying to find the cause of your tinnitus and taking the necessary precautions is good, but there's also easy to start to obsessively monitor your tinnitus.
Almost everyone on here has the same experience, including the "it's all over" feeling. The first days, weeks and sometimes months are the hardest, but it does get better with time. Maybe pick up some other hobby that doesn't involve sound at all to distract your mind from the dancing and tinnitus.


Actually the piano is already back. The studio however is not mine to make renovations. But one of the studios is designed as a small theater as well and i have noticed on the wall and the ceiling a perforated strap, which i suppose has to do with sound absorption.

I am pretty confused evaluating the hazardous sound levels. I thing a have developed phono phobia to a small extend. I wear plugs almost everywhere.

Yes. During this time, I overused plugs. For example to avoid traffic noise, because Athens is noisy. To ride my motorbike which now I'm gonna sell, and during teaching of course. I also use muffs. Sometimes i use plugs + muffs. I may have overdone it?

I was considering to take a break for a year and to try meditation. Go somewhere with no sounds. But if I take a break I probably won't be able to resume next year. Everybody is replaceable if you know what I mean. Thank you so much for the advice.
Indeed, wearing earplugs nearly always is bad. It's likely that you've developed some form of hyperacusis and even everyday sounds will seem to be exceptionally loud. Don't overprotect and it should go away. Possibly the whistling sound on top of certain frequencies will go away too.

Wearing earplugs is a good thing when riding a motorcycle! There's even a chance that you can keep riding if the engine is not too loud (no chopper or racing bike) and you stay away from high speeds because of the wind noise. Of course, selling the bike is the safest.

Being in completely silence is not good either. The human ear and brain need a variety of input to stay healthy. In too much silence, your brain will start to amplify the little sounds that it does hear. The doctors at the local tinnitus/hyperacusis clinic also told me that -probably- the ear can recover from loud sounds a bit, but only if you give it something to do, otherwise some parts of the ear will just remain inactive permanently.
 

Log in or register to get the full forum benefits!

Register

Register on Tinnitus Talk for free!

Register Now