Driving and Ear Plugs

[Jkph75]

Thanks for the responses. It makes much more sense to me now. I don't have H, so the only time I feel the need to protect my ears is to avoid further damage.

@Ed209

I have had lots of testing. I believe that I have Meniere's Disease. I won't bore you with the details but testing indicates that there is something wrong with my ear, though they can't tell exactly what because my hearing is still in the normal range. Further confounding things is the fact that I am deaf in the other ear. I certainly wish that my cause was psychological in nature. That would give me a much better odds of controlling it. Oh well. Still hoping for that cure...

 

[Mario martz]

I had a blood test and it was negative. Have you?

havent been test for lymes
but my symptoms fit very well...
i suggest you get a second test, its very complicated

 

[bill 112]

My car is only 70db on the highway(Toyota Chaser)

When I recovered from H initially I didn't need plugs to drive,and even if I did I wouldn't have worn them as driving was my life,it was everything to me.The road noise didn't bother me but rain smashing against the windscreen could get uncomfortable after awhile.

But now I can't even drive more than a few miles with earmuffs on as I nearly blackout from the pain,I totally get where Foncky stands in this one,it's not as easy as you should or you shouldn't it's a question of can or cannot.

 

[Ed209]

Thanks for the responses. It makes much more sense to me now. I don't have H, so the only time I feel the need to protect my ears is to avoid further damage.

@Ed209

I have had lots of testing. I believe that I have Meniere's Disease. I won't bore you with the details but testing indicates that there is something wrong with my ear, though they can't tell exactly what because my hearing is still in the normal range. Further confounding things is the fact that I am deaf in the other ear. I certainly wish that my cause was psychological in nature. That would give me a much better odds of controlling it. Oh well. Still hoping for that cure...

Did they give you betahistine for the suspected menieres? Also you say your hearing loss is unilateral; if there was no event or circumstance to explain this then I'd push for an MRI to rule out an Acoustic Neuroma. Your symptoms are inline with that being a possibility.

 

[Jkph75]

Did they give you betahistine for the suspected menieres? Also you say your hearing loss is unilateral; if there was no event or circumstance to explain this then I'd push for an MRI to rule out an Acoustic Neuroma. Your symptoms are inline with that being a possibility.

No Betahistine. I live in the US. Here they give diuretics. I am deaf in the other ear from birth. No cause has ever been found. I had several MRIs. No tumors or anything else was found.

 

[Ed209]

No Betahistine. I live in the US. Here they give diuretics. I am deaf in the other ear from birth. No cause has ever been found. I had several MRIs. No tumors or anything else was found.

It's usually marketed as Serc. I'm sure it's available in the US, if it is, it may be worth a try.

 

[Coyotesheaven]

@Jkph75

Yes, I think it is a good idea to where earplugs in the car; at least on freeways and high speed or bumpy roads, where the decibel level is enough to do ear damage over time even to healthy ears. Wearing earplugs is also a must on freeways if you have your music turned up that high.

However, be aware that general earplugs will not block out the low frequency road noise and roaring sounds as effectively, because that will be transmitted via bone conduction. In fact, I think some ear protection devices (foam earplugs) might make it worse because of the occlusion effect. I have experienced a dramatic sensitivity to road noises most likely for this reason, and it sucks (and it's hurt me over time).
If you do block use headphones or some kind of earplug that creates a better suction (the 'twisty' variety does wonders in blocking out the noise).

 

[LadyDi]

For what it's worth: when I first started with tinnitus, I would wear ear plugs in the car. I also had the sensation of the road noise being somewhat painful. I soon realized I probably had hyperacusis and over time, it eased. Now I never need to wear plugs while driving --although I always carry a cheap pair in the glove box, just in case.

So I would say to @Jkph75: If you feel like you need to do this right now, go ahead. But over time, you might test out if you really still need them. Hope this eases for you, as it did for me.

 

[Canador]

Meter readings aside, there are other factors in play when you ride in a car:

In most cars, passengers often have to raise their voices above highway noise, a fan, and a radio, to converse. In addition, bumps and potholes create quick booming spikes that are even louder yet. A decibel meter that keeps the spikes in memory will show you just how cumulatively loud it really is. All this creates an atmosphere that is *much* louder than the 60 to 65 decibels you are seeing.

When these factors are combined, riding in the car is probably the loudest thing most people do in a day.

 

[Canador]

Now I never need to wear plugs while driving --although I always carry a cheap pair in the glove box, just in case.

That's a good idea.

I once got stranded in a remote area in the winter. I got rescued by a gigantic old wrecker with no back window, and no muffler.

 

[LadyDi]

Ouch, @Canador.

I have cheap earplugs scattered everywhere. In my desk at work, several pairs in my purse (where I also keep my custom filtered plugs, which is what I usually wear), in the bathroom (hair dryer), in my luggage. You never know. I often end up lending or giving them to people I am with when we run up against a noisy restaurant or loud music.