Fumes from Plastic Wood — Can It Make My Tinnitus Worse?

[Brooklyn NY]

Hi, I briefly inhaled fumes from plastic wood being applied outside, maybe 4 feet from the area being worked on. Of course it went right to both ears. Is this something to worry about? Thank you very much.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I don't think you have anything to worry about so relax and calm yourself. Worrying over such things can increase stress and this can make tinnitus appear to be more intrusive. Dismiss this by concentrating on other things.

I wish you well.
Michael

 

[Brooklyn NY]

Thank you for the advice. I will try to relax and distract myself...

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thank you for the advice. I will try to relax and distract myself..

Stress increases tinnitus and tinnitus increases stress. Life is problematic so it's inevitable that we will encounter stress. Anything one can do to reduce it will usually have a beneficial affect on the tinnitus. You could try some relaxation exercises or taking something herbal like St John's Wort. Speak to your doctor before taking.

 

[Brooklyn NY]

Thanks for your additional suggestions. After 2 years, it's still hard not to panic when something happens, but I will have to try not to...

 

[Brooklyn NY]

Still much louder, trying to relax, such a random thing that happened. I am usually on guard for potential loud noises, foreign substances, anything, and a shift in the wind did this.

 

[Sven]

Why would it increase your tinnitus to begin with? I don't know much about other tinnitus than that from noise damage, but I find this unlikely. Like Michael said, it's probable your own stress that's triggering it.

 

[Brooklyn NY]

Thanks for all replies. I guess I had better learn how to relax and cut down on the negative thoughts.

 

[linearb]

Probably raised your cancer risks by some tiny but nonzero amount, but what doesn't these days.

If fumes from weird stuff burning caused tinnitus, I would have had a raging case of it by the time I was 15.