Chat for Musicians with Tinnitus

[Foamearplugssuck]

Right so, before I got tinnitus, my dream was to be a producer/songwriter. I also really wanted to DJ and perform my music. I am rethinking those plans now because tinnitus makes those goals extremely risky and unlikely to reach.

However, from what I can gather, there are a ton of music industry professionals with tinnitus. But, in my experience at least, no one ever really talks about their tinnitus, and I think that should change. It would make more young musicians serious about protecting their hearing, and it could potentially normalize some changes in music listening habits that would protect the hearing of concert-goers and music fans.

So, I wanted to create a place where us music lovers can talk about how we've been dealing with tinnitus and balancing the limitations of our hearing with the demands of our passions. If anyone has any experience in that realm, feel free to drop it below.

 

[Flamingo1]

Great idea! I like it. The majority of Tinnitus Talk members do not appear to be musicians.

 

[Nicholas2255]

I mean it might depend on where you look. I have a classical music background and hearing protection is discussed quite frequently by a lot of people. But the issue is that performing with ear plugs just sucks so people just go without. Tinnitus is common among musicians and it appears that they are usually aware of it when they perform in concerts that go over 100db easily. I know friends that have tinnitus as a result of their playing, but the thing is that none of them have really given up playing. They just use ear plugs now and keep going.

I don't know how it works with Djs but if you invest in some decent earplugs now there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to pursue it as a future career.

 

[Mister Muso]

I've played in bands as a hobby for 25 years. That's all stopped now.

I dropped by one of my ex-band mates recently and did a bit of recording, just myself playing which he recorded and added other parts. That was satisfying.

I still play piano at home with hearing protection when I feel able.

Had a jam session on acoustic guitar with another guitarist recently. That spiked me, but I get spikes so easily. I think I had musician's earplugs in at the time.

I've used earplugs playing live for much of the time, but probably too little, too late. However I am determined to continue finding ways of exercising my passion somehow.

 

[JohnAdams]

I miss playing music a lot.

 

[MRItechssuck]

I'd be curious how someone with perfect pitch and has tinnitus is affected?

I have relative perfect pitch which is much, much different... but I can tell you what note my tinnitus is... yea! :-(

I've played in rock bands (bass) with a UPS sized truck full of lights and sound equipment... not really amps because we were all IEMs. There is no way any musician these days should not have their own mix with a brick wall limiter to their ears... stage monitors are like riding around in a stage coach IMO.

I have also played in symphonic band in college, thankfully as a woodwind, far away from the percussion and trumpets... lol. In marching band, watch the drum line though when they sneak up on you.

I tapered off playing because of kids, and then arthritis... and now with the resurgence of my tinnitus... strike 2...

And of course, I got my first taste of tinnitus thanks to a drummer that used David Clark headsets... with acoustic drums... SOB had no idea how hard he was playing.

 

[Flyingsheep]

Thought I would no longer play music. I still do, but if I'm playing on a stage I wear musician's ear plugs. I'm thankful there is no problem when I play an acoustic guitar and no need to wear ear protection for that.

 

[GregCA]

I keep playing my drums, but at low volume.

 

[Bartoli]

I've given up playing. I guess I still could at home, but I can't get motivated if It can't go to jam sessions and do gigs etc...

Playing for a living is like sport at the highest level. Once you get injured it's hard to come back.

 

[Tom Cnyc]

I keep playing my drums, but at low volume.

What did you do to keep the volume low? L80s? RTOMs ?

 

[GregCA]

What did you do to keep the volume low? L80s? RTOMs ?

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