Commuting (by Train) with Tinnitus — How to Avoid Spikes?

[Michael17]

Hi everyone,

With COVID-19 starting to wind down (I'm based in NY), my employer is requiring employees to come back to the office 2-3 days per week. I was always dreading this day because I was wondering how I would manage my tinnitus while commuting back and forth to the office. By way of background, my tinnitus started in December 2020, so I have been working at home while trying to manage my "new life" with tinnitus.

I have a fairly long commuter train ride (1.5 hours) each way. I live on Long Island and went into my NYC office this past Thursday. I wore noise cancellation headphones for the trip in and back home. The trip in was pretty tolerable, but coming home tinnitus spiked the entire trip and has remained elevated the last couple of days. I'm hoping that over time I will acclimate to this and that my spike will reside.

Has anyone identified any tactics for commuting with tinnitus that you can share?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

 

[NormySan]

You can try wearing earplugs instead, get a pair that you can re-use every time you travel. Works pretty good for me at least.

 

[Michael17]

Thanks, NormySan. I will give them a try.

Regards,
Michael

 

[Mister Muso]

Noise-cancelling headphones don't always work well in response to sudden mechanical noises or piercing train whistles. They are better with constant predictable noise that's not too high pitched. You may be better packing a pair of folding earmuffs in your bag for the commute if earplugs aren't enough on their own.

 

[Michael17]

Thanks, Mister Muso. I think I will save the headphones for air travel.

 

[Michael17]

Further to my earlier post, can anyone provide guidance on how they integrate the use of earplugs with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy? My audiologist recommends using the TRT devices from the time I'm awake until going to sleep. But there are times I believe I need hearing protection when in loud environments, which would suggest I temporarily remove the devices and use earplugs.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Stacken77]

Further to my earlier post, can anyone provide guidance on how they integrate the use of earplugs with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy? My audiologist recommends using the TRT devices from the time I'm awake until going to sleep. But there are times I believe I need hearing protection when in loud environments, which would suggest I temporarily remove the devices and use earplugs.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Michael

Hearing protection should always come first, so it makes sense to stop TRT while in such environments. You can try TRT, but my 2 cents is that you likely don't need it; if you expose yourself to the sounds that are comfortable to you in your home, especially if they don't cause spikes, then you will very likely improve - if you are able to. Do you have hyperacusis?

Wish you well,
Stacken

 

[Juan]

Hi everyone,

With COVID-19 starting to wind down (I'm based in NY), my employer is requiring employees to come back to the office 2-3 days per week. I was always dreading this day because I was wondering how I would manage my tinnitus while commuting back and forth to the office. By way of background, my tinnitus started in December 2020, so I have been working at home while trying to manage my "new life" with tinnitus.

I have a fairly long commuter train ride (1.5 hours) each way. I live on Long Island and went into my NYC office this past Thursday. I wore noise cancellation headphones for the trip in and back home. The trip in was pretty tolerable, but coming home tinnitus spiked the entire trip and has remained elevated the last couple of days. I'm hoping that over time I will acclimate to this and that my spike will reside.

Has anyone identified any tactics for commuting with tinnitus that you can share?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

Use foam earplugs (plus earmuffs if needed). Train screeches are an ear killer, plus the droning sound the train makes when you are on board may be annoying for damaged ears.