Ears Opened Up :) How to Make Sure External Sounds Don’t Hurt Me?

[Mila9828]

Hey everyone!

After 2-3 months of ear fullness my ears are finally opening up!

I'm a bit concerned about noise though as I noticed my ears are quite sore so everything I hear kind of hurts. Any advice on how to protect my ears?

I don't want to put earplugs in because I don't want to overprotect but at the same time I'm pretty sure my ears are sensitive right now.

I have musician's earplugs, would that work for outside noise for a few days? I was also told not to use them as my ears need to get used to outside noise again.

Thanks

 

[arctic loon]

Overprotection is the least of your concerns, I'd recommend you to use plugs/muffs whenever you feel uncomfortable. Reintroduce sounds veery slowly. If something hurts your ears, stop doing it without protection. Not all places are safe even with earplugs, so be really careful.

I'm glad to hear you're making progress! Ears heal very slowly, one noise too much can reverse all progress. Don't push your limits, listen to your body and don't worry about overprotection. I'm sure in a couple months you'll feel even better good luck!

 

[Ruse]

Not sure if by musicians earplugs you mean custom earplugs?

If so perhaps you can change the filters over time to slowly reduce the decibel reduction.

 

[MattS]

Hey everyone!

After 2-3 months of ear fullness my ears are finally opening up!

I'm a bit concerned about noise though as I noticed my ears are quite sore so everything I hear kind of hurts. Any advice on how to protect my ears?

I don't want to put earplugs in because I don't want to overprotect but at the same time I'm pretty sure my ears are sensitive right now.

I have musician's earplugs, would that work for outside noise for a few days? I was also told not to use them as my ears need to get used to outside noise again.

Thanks

I agree with most other posters here: you should NOT worry about over-protection until you've figured out the level of protection you actually need. It's far better to over-protect for a couple of days than it is to underpriced for the same period of time.

That said, it sounds like you haven't been using plugs this whole time. If that's the case, maybe you don't need to start now. But still: caution, at least for a bit, seems most prudent.

 

[Digital Doc]

Good news about the ear fullness opening up. This is an important step in healing. At this point, need to protect from objectively loud sounds, or the potential for them. Do not wear the earplugs 24/7, but certainly use them for things like vacuuming, and also if going in the subway, airplane, or walking along a busy street. I would go with foam in any of those situations, and not the musician ones as they are not all that protective. The musician ones are better for talking on the phone if you can't get the volume low enough, or a busy restaurant.

 

[Mila9828]

Good news about the ear fullness opening up. This is an important step in healing. At this point, need to protect from objectively loud sounds, or the potential for them. Do not wear the earplugs 24/7, but certainly use them for things like vacuuming, and also if going in the subway, airplane, or walking along a busy street. I would go with foam in any of those situations, and not the musician ones as they are not all that protective. The musician ones are better for talking on the phone if you can't get the volume low enough, or a busy restaurant.

My ear opened up but I can't feel the sound! Is this normal it's like my ear can't feel the vibrations of sound entering it! This includes my own voice and I'm extremely concerned, please help.

 

[Digital Doc]

My ear opened up but I can't feel the sound! Is this normal it's like my ear can't feel the vibrations of sound entering it! This includes my own voice and I'm extremely concerned, please help.

Not sure what you mean by feel the sound. Can you hear? Is the hearing different between the two ears? Sounds like you need an audiogram to quantify this.

 

[Mila9828]

Not sure what you mean by feel the sound. Can you hear? Is the hearing different between the two ears? Sounds like you need an audiogram to quantify this.

I can hear but I can't "feel" the vibrations entering my eardrum if that makes sense? It makes everything sound flat or "numb".

 

[Digital Doc]

I can hear but I can't "feel" the vibrations entering my eardrum if that makes sense? It makes everything sound flat or "numb".

Sounds like the hearing is blunted. Better than the ear fullness, but should improve without further noise exposure.

 

[Mila9828]

Sounds like the hearing is blunted. Better than the ear fullness, but should improve without further noise exposure.

Is this normal and can it get better? I haven't seen anyone on this forum with similar issues :/

 

[Digital Doc]

My hearing was blunted after the initial fullness cleared. It should improve.

 

[twa]

My hearing was blunted after the initial fullness cleared. It should improve.

How long were your ears full?

 

[Digital Doc]

How long were your ears full?

I would say it was bad for 5 to 7 days. Then it started to let up, but still had ear fullness on and off.

 

[Juan]

I can hear but I can't "feel" the vibrations entering my eardrum if that makes sense? It makes everything sound flat or "numb".

How are you doing Mila? Did the flat or numb perception of sound disappear?

 

[twa]

Good news about the ear fullness opening up. This is an important step in healing. At this point, need to protect from objectively loud sounds, or the potential for them. Do not wear the earplugs 24/7, but certainly use them for things like vacuuming, and also if going in the subway, airplane, or walking along a busy street. I would go with foam in any of those situations, and not the musician ones as they are not all that protective. The musician ones are better for talking on the phone if you can't get the volume low enough, or a busy restaurant.

That's good to know. I ordered custom ear plugs or molds from the audiologist. She could not tell me the level of protection they provide or decibel reduction.

 

[Digital Doc]

That's good to know. I ordered custom ear plugs or molds from the audiologist. She could not tell me the level of protection they provide or decibel reduction.

Not sure of the NRR rating? This does not sound too promising. I keep plenty of different ear plugs around for different circumstances, although don't have any custom ones.

 

[twa]

Good news about the ear fullness opening up. This is an important step in healing. At this point, need to protect from objectively loud sounds, or the potential for them. Do not wear the earplugs 24/7, but certainly use them for things like vacuuming, and also if going in the subway, airplane, or walking along a busy street. I would go with foam in any of those situations, and not the musician ones as they are not all that protective. The musician ones are better for talking on the phone if you can't get the volume low enough, or a busy restaurant.

This is what I was wondering. The musician's earplugs don't seem to block out as much sound as the foam earplugs. I read an article about how much better custom ear molds are for blocking out sound. I am confused at this point.

twa

 

[Digital Doc]

Go by the NRR ratings, and as far as I know, the highest is 33. The foam ones are the highest rated. I think the audiologists push the custom ones for profits.

 

[twa]

Good news about the ear fullness opening up. This is an important step in healing. At this point, need to protect from objectively loud sounds, or the potential for them. Do not wear the earplugs 24/7, but certainly use them for things like vacuuming, and also if going in the subway, airplane, or walking along a busy street. I would go with foam in any of those situations, and not the musician ones as they are not all that protective. The musician ones are better for talking on the phone if you can't get the volume low enough, or a busy restaurant.

What is a good decibel range to monitor for? I use the decibel reader on my phone to get a general idea of the noise level. I was in an indoor play area and the levels ranged in the 50s-60s, occasionally 70. I was wearing foam ear plugs and it still seemed a little loud.

Thank you,
twa

 

[Digital Doc]

80 dB is my target cutoff.

 

[Drachen]

What is a good decibel range to monitor for? I use the decibel reader on my phone to get a general idea of the noise level. I was in an indoor play area and the levels ranged in the 50s-60s, occasionally 70. I was wearing foam ear plugs and it still seemed a little loud.

Thank you,
twa

Honestly, for an indoor play area, I am surprised it was that "quiet"!

I would have to echo what @Digital Doc said above and agree that consistent 80 dB is probably too much, especially given your hyperacusis. I'm even afraid to stick around in the 60-70 dB ranges at the moment.

 

[Michael Leigh]

This is what I was wondering. The musician's earplugs don't seem to block out as much sound as the foam earplugs. I read an article about how much better custom ear molds are for blocking out sound. I am confused at this point.

What is a good decibel range to monitor for? I use the decibel reader on my phone to get a general idea of the noise level. I was in an indoor play area and the levels ranged in the 50s-60s, occasionally 70. I was wearing foam ear plugs and it still seemed a little loud.

Hi @twa.

Overusing earplugs, especially foam types will usually cause more harm than good. Oversensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) can be treated professionally with white noise generators and counselling. Alternatively, gradually introducing the auditory system to normal everyday sounds over time will achieve the same results. However, it also depends how severe the condition is, how long the person has been affected by it and how it is affecting their mental and emotional wellbeing. All these factors have an impact on the way tinnitus and hyperacusis behaves and ultimately affects the individual.

If you become reliant on using earplugs then you risk lowering the loudness threshold of your auditory system and make it more sensitive to sound. My post: Hyperacusis, As I See It, explains this in more detail and how to use noise reducing earplugs in preference to foam types. Although noise reducing earplugs can help in treating oversensitivity to sound when used correctly, overuse will will do the same as foam types.

Try and work towards not using any type of sound level meter because this often causes more harm than good, by reinforcing negative thinking, which can make tinnitus and to some extent hyperacusis worse. My posts: Tinnitus and the Negative Mindset and Acquiring a Positive Mindset, are on my started threads. Please read them as you may find them helpful.

All the best
Michael

Hyperacusis, As I See It | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

[twa]

Hi @twa.

Overusing earplugs, especially foam types will usually cause more harm than good. Oversensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) can be treated professionally with white noise generators and counselling. Alternatively, gradually introducing the auditory system to normal everyday sounds over time will achieve the same results. However, it also depends how severe the condition is, how long the person has been affected by it and how it is affecting their mental and emotional wellbeing. All these factors have an impact on the way tinnitus and hyperacusis behaves and ultimately affects the individual.

If you become reliant on using earplugs then you risk lowering the loudness threshold of your auditory system and make it more sensitive to sound. My post: Hyperacusis, As I See It, explains this in more detail and how to use noise reducing earplugs in preference to foam types. Although noise reducing earplugs can help in treating oversensitivity to sound when used correctly, overuse will will do the same as foam types.

Try and work towards not using any type of sound level meter because this often causes more harm than good, by reinforcing negative thinking, which can make tinnitus and to some extent hyperacusis worse. My posts: Tinnitus and the Negative Mindset and Acquiring a Positive Mindset, are on my started threads. Please read them as you may find them helpful.

All the best
Michael

Hyperacusis, As I See It | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

@Michael Leigh,
Thank you, I try to get plenty exposure to sound in general. I think having an active 8 year old ensures that also.
:-D I appreciate the advice. The doctor gave me one page with one line that said protect from loud noise, that's it with very little direction. She did ask if I wanted custom ear molds, not much more information was given.

Thank you~
twa

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh,
Thank you, I try to get plenty exposure to sound in general. I think having an active 8 year old ensures that also.
:-D I appreciate the advice. The doctor gave me one page with one line that said protect from loud noise, that's it with very little direction. She did ask if I wanted custom ear molds, not much more information was given.

Thank you~
twa

You are welcome twa. Please take your time and read the posts that I have mentioned. They are considerably longer than one line on a page, and based on someone (me) that has experience of tinnitus and hyperacusis. Take your time and try not to overuse earplugs and please keep away from that sound level meter, it causes more harm than good.

Best of luck
Michael

 

[aot]

Go by the NRR ratings, and as far as I know, the highest is 33. The foam ones are the highest rated. I think the audiologists push the custom ones for profits.

Mostly agreed, but a custom earplug inserted properly still protects more than a foam one inserted improperly.

I've tried and tried with foam earplugs. But my damn ear canals are too small.

 

[Drachen]

I've tried and tried with foam earplugs. But my damn ear canals are too small.

Size does matter after all, huh?

I completely understand, though. I must have small ear canals, because regardless of whatever foam earplug I use, they tend to feel warm after extended use, sometimes even hurting. I was using them pre-onset to sleep at night for the longest, and when they did stay in my ears all night, they were always sore when I woke up.

I'm curious to try them. Do you simply get a pair of earplugs that you can reuse indefinitely, unlike how foam earplugs are disposable?