Christmas parties

[Amelia]

Just a little whinge my husbands work has fantastic Xmas parties - great food, free drinks all night and really amazing bands. The last few years we have had the best nights, and we have just got the info through for this years...
They are doing the same as last year - holding it at a vineyard, and a well known band will be playing. This band is LOUD and last year even sitting up the back of the hall I couldn't hear anything anyone was saying over the band. Even outside it was loud.

So I told hubby I wasn't going this year and he looked so sad he is understanding of course but it just sucks that I'll be missing out. He reminded me that the audiologist said that because my T is t hearing related I shouldn't be worried about noisy environments, I still am and won't risk it

 

[Cher69]

Have you ear plugs you can use ? It's a shame you can't enjoy this with your hubby I feel for you on this problem - if you know the venue layout is there an area where people gather to talk but away from the music ? I hope you can workout a compromise but totally understand your concerns - if you miss this year so soon after T has become a factor in your life that doesn't mean that in one years time with experience knowledge and confidence next year you will go and have ways of dealing with the noise etc ? Maybe your hesitation this year is just that only this year as it's still new and a little scary in one years time I wonder how we will all feel and how we would then review your question?

Maybe the guys on here a little more experienced with this T thing will let you know where they stand on your concern I'm sure you will have some good advice to soon review and then make your decision on your Xmas party worries . Sending you hugs Cher xx

 

[Amelia]

Thanks Cher xxx

 

[LadyDi]

Dear Amelia: While Ithink it is wise to be concerned and take precuations, I really would vote for at least trying to go. I think one reason T makes us so depressed and anxious is we start thinking: My life never will be the same. It will strip all the joy and hapiness out of my life. I am an invalid now.

Bull! While our lives are different, and like anyone with serious medical condition we must take extra care of ourselves, we still are who always have been and will be. Get heavy duty, molded ear plugs (lots of posts on the board about them.) Stay away from speakers. Take frequent breaks outside, far away. Don' stay longer than couple hours -- but have a blast while you are there. And if worst comes to worst, and you really feel its not going well after a half hour, leave. At least you tried.

Also, and I dont know if you want to go this far: But maybe you could ask the band to turn it down a little? Music does not need to be that loud. Educate them about tinnitus. They are putting everyone in the room at risk if its so loud, you can't go anywhere in the entire hall and not be deafened.

I went to an outdoor concert a few months ago and wore 23 db construction muffs on top of my ear plugs. Took the other precautions mentioned above. I was OK.

You go, girl!
D

 

[Amelia]

Can you expound more on your T that it isn't noise induced?

I guess I don't know 100% but I can't link it to any noise exposure - unless listening to audiobooks before bed on the 2nd lowest volume on my iPod counts...
My T stared after a specific incident with a nasal douche/rinse, during a period of high stress and almost a year of dealing with sinus issues.
I've had an MRI and hearing test which all came back fine, so I can only pinpoint it to that period.

I just am so afraid of doing anything to stir it up - even tho I know people can go very long periods without it changing at all

 

[Amelia]

@LadyDi - you are right about the depression and stress of worrying our lives will never be the same again.

I'm actually thinking now I might drive myself (I don't drink and if I do it will only be 1) stay for dinner and then once the band starts getting loud ill move outside or just head home - I can use my kids as an excuse hubby can stay on with his friends, get embarrassingly drunk and catch the bus home their company is supplying.

The sad thing is that it's a mining company - so all these guys are at risk of T with the industry they are in - and yet are happy to be around so much noise!

 

[erik]

Put in some decent ear plugs and then GO enjoy the party. You will be fine. Take breaks away from the noise every 30 min or so. The next day, when you away, you will realize you are still fine. You will be glad you went. And your hubby will be happy you went also. Don't let T dictate what you can and cannot do. In the end, the misery of missing out, the unhappiness it causes is just as bad as having T. With adequate ear protection, you will be fine. If you are still nervous, take some magnesium before and after for a few days. Magnesium is well documented and studied to protect you from noise trauma: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17402292, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19084059, http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/may2012_Strategies-Protect-Preserve-Your-Hearing_02.htm

 

[Cher69]

I would also without doubt or any hesitation ...... Buy a new dress also for the party xx

 

[yonkapin]

Put in some decent ear plugs and then GO enjoy the party. You will be fine. Take breaks away from the noise every 30 min or so. The next day, when you away, you will realize you are still fine. You will be glad you went. And your hubby will be happy you went also. Don't let T dictate what you can and cannot do. In the end, the misery of missing out, the unhappiness it causes is just as bad as having T. With adequate ear protection, you will be fine. If you are still nervous, take some magnesium before and after for a few days. Magnesium is well documented and studied to protect you from noise trauma: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17402292, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19084059, http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/may2012_Strategies-Protect-Preserve-Your-Hearing_02.htm

^ This, this and this! Don't let T ruin your fun, you'll be fine - just be smart and if you feel things get too much for you, you can always jet early!

 

[seal]

What I really don't get, why does it always have to be that loud? What it wrong with people... it really doesn't matter if it's a party at work, a birthday, a concert, a bar, a club, a public festival or nowadays even some cafes... music is always played much much too loud. And everybody seems to enjoy it and I simply don't get it. Is it fun for everybody else?
Anyways, I would go, but I think I would bring ear plugs and enjoy dinner. When the band starts to play I would use the plugs and maybe even ear defenders and stay at the back of the hall. And I still wouldn't stay the whole time , but take breaks as erik suggested and as yonkapin said, you can always leave early if it's too much for you..

 

[Per]

What I really don't get, why does it always have to be that loud? What it wrong with people... it really doesn't matter if it's a party at work, a birthday, a concert, a bar, a club, a public festival or nowadays even some cafes... music is always played much much too loud.

I agree, even going to shops is like going to a concert these days. I feel like I'm an old grumpy person for saying this but it's true. A lot of times when I try to talk to a staff member in a fashion store they say "huh"? There's gonna be some noise conflicted injuries from working at places like that. It's gone mad. Of course we as T sufferers tend to notice this way better than others, but it didn't use to be THAT loud just 10 years ago. Something has happened. I love music, I really do - but it's a far distance between the music you choose to listen to in controlled environments and the airwaves that comes flying towards you from wall and roof mounted speakers in a store. Threats coming from all directions.

 

[SarahR]

My work's Christmas do was one of the main factors in my decision to get custom fitted earplugs, I can't bear the thought of not going!

I'm going to go and enjoy the meal, and see where it goes from there. If the music gets turned up too loud then I'll leave, although hopefully 25db plugs will help and let me have a little bit dance without feeling too exposed.

I want to be careful with my hearing and hate the idea of making my T worse, but I hate even more the idea of never doing anything just in case. If I let T choose what I do I know I'll be doubly gutted the day I accidently get exposed to a loud noise that makes it worse anyway.

 

[Bacus]

Amelia, I read your post when it first came out, their were no comments then.
and I was rooting for u to go to the party, but lacked the words to put in in print, I am a techno peasant , feel uncomfortable writing blogs.
Please do go to this party, your husband will be proud of u, it meant so much to both of u in the past Xmas party's
Socializing , catching up with old acquittances, and above all the memories, and yes,being at this fabulous party u and your husband and have long discussions, talking about, the party, colleagues , where u can put a face to a name
And say,
I Am Happy That I Went To My Husband 's Xmas Party,
Thank you Tinnitus Talk Forum

 

[Sean]

Amelia - I am sorry my opinion is some what different than others . Which one would you pick .4-6 hours of fun versus may be getting increased T and not enjoying day to day life with your husband ?
I love going to concerts and movies .Last time i went to movies my t got really really bad .i think we just have to make smart decisions and protect our ears ..sorry not to disocourage you by any means ,but I wouldn't want any one to suffer like i did .
I wouldn't sign up to run marathon if I have a fracture in my foot .

 

[Amelia]

Well, just to pop in and update.

I didn't go.

We have had a week of bad storms in our area and the afternoon of the party it bucketed down with heavy rain, so there was no way I would have been able to escape outside if it got too loud for me.

Hubby still went and had a good time but did say the music was very loud all night so I feel like I made the right choice, especially as my custom earplugs haven't arrived yet

 

[Cher69]

Aw that's a shame but next year you will have an even better time at the Xmas party as you will be more confident dealing with situations and T with your ear plugs.

I hope you got that a new dress though ?

Cher x