Composer with Tinnitus

[BobG]

Hi all. I think it started about 4 months ago. I noticed something while I was mixing a track. It was like a frequency that I couldn't get right. And bang.... it was still there when I stopped the music. Then I didn't notice it for a while but it came back about a week ago. Now I notice it all the time. High pitched electrical oscillation.

Last night was the first night it kept me awake. So I'm panicked!! Luckily I have a beautiful supportive wife and.... I found the website. Thanks. So I need to relax, exercise, do my research and continue to live and breath and create.

Any other composers out there? How do you cope with the constant buzz/whistle whilst trying to write. I write a lot of classical contemporary music.

Not loud these days but I have had my fair share of ringing ears from rock gigs in the past. Love to hear how you are coping. Thank you tinnitustalk. BobG

 

[Petronius]

Hi BobG,
I used to compose music a while ago, though I am not a professionally trained musician, so it was more of a hobby for me. Tinnitus never bothered me while composing, cause I wouldn't notice it while playing the keyboard with headphones. I eventually stopped composing (not because of T, but for other reasons), although I sometimes feel like I would like to get back to it.
Do you write music in the traditional way, with piano and pencil, or do you compose with software?
I am very much into twentieth century classical and film music, and I do listen to it a lot. Cheers!

 

[Turner]

Hi @BobG. Welcome to the forum. I'm also a musician with a DAW at my house. I don't know what kind of stuff your doing but if you're composing using midi and speakers as opposed to tracking with headphones you might be ok at low volumes. You need to watch using headphones at any volume right now and really probably should stop using them period. It sounds like you are getting more sensitive as time passes and you might be at a critical juncture right now.
Another thing. Have you started any new meds say like 4 months ago when this showed up? You should check your meds against the lists here.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/ototoxic-drugs-drugs-that-cause-tinnitus.455/#post-2674 Things you don't think about can make your T worse. For instance you can use Bengay Vanishing Formula but the rest of their products will likely aggravate your condition. My medicine cabinet was a minefield till I went through it.
You should also probably get checked out by an ENT. He/she may recommend a run of steroids and can rule out any physical causes.
Anyway....I'm relatively new here and there are others with more knowledge/experience than myself, maybe they might have something to add.
So Rock On...................................................very carefully.

 

[vermillion]

I have had my fair share of ringing ears from rock gigs in the past.

This along with the nature of your work is the almost certain reason behind your tinnitus.

 

[Zug]

Hi all. I think it started about 4 months ago. I noticed something while I was mixing a track. It was like a frequency that I couldn't get right. And bang.... it was still there when I stopped the music. Then I didn't notice it for a while but it came back about a week ago. Now I notice it all the time. High pitched electrical oscillation.

Last night was the first night it kept me awake. So I'm panicked!! Luckily I have a beautiful supportive wife and.... I found the website. Thanks. So I need to relax, exercise, do my research and continue to live and breath and create.

Any other composers out there? How do you cope with the constant buzz/whistle whilst trying to write. I write a lot of classical contemporary music.

Not loud these days but I have had my fair share of ringing ears from rock gigs in the past. Love to hear how you are coping. Thank you tinnitustalk. BobG

I wouldn't call myself a musician anymore, but I used to play Drums. Your Tinnitus is fairly new, a lot of people feel that when they're working and engaged on something, they can forget about Tinnitus. Hang in there, try not to despair and keep working. You'll be ok.

Best,
Zug