Hello Everybody! I'm Fran from Argentina

[fran dana]

I wanted to introduce myself in this particular site because reading the stories, and seeing you all help all each other in this ugly situation we live is one of the things bring me some hope about my problem, in order to not feeling so lonely. I really hope more than anything that specialists find some kind of cure or treatment. Until that moment, that is uncertain, the only thing that brings me real relief is knowing that I'm not alone.

My name is Francisco from Argentina. I have tinnitus for five years now, although I never pay much attention until i started to work in armament laboratory, i worked there for about two years and I suspect that being there caused a deterioration of my hearing even though I took care of myself so i quit when I had the studies to justify it. I want to clarify that the problem started before working there.

I try "ear reeducation therapy" (I think that's what it's called) but it doesn't work for me. My best advice is simply to try not to pay attention to the beep. I even think that going to a psychologist would help a lot.

My biggest problem is that I study a career related to sound (Image and sound design in University of Buenos Aires) and it frustrates me to know that I have to take care of myself more than anyone around me.

I have a question related to this presentation. There is someone who is dedicated to the field of sound and suffer this condition. If so, how do they carry the problem day after day?

I hope to be fulfilling the conditions to be able to make this presentation. I would like to participate more actively in this space and, as much as possible, help others with my personal experience. I thank everyone and excuse my English

 

[billie48]

You are not alone at all as a sound guy. In all my years of reading posts on various support forums, I have read many, many posts from people who are sound engineers, technicians, people who works with music whether as singers or band members or DJs etc. So you are definitely not alone. If you don't find a response here in the Introduction, you can try post the question to the main support forum where the members at large can try to address you.

 

[Kolisar]

Hi @fran dana , I would second @billie48's suggestion. I have interacted with people here (one who's name comes immediately to mind is @Jazzer, who is a musician) who are in fields or work with sound (I, myself, used to be a musician, and performed with tinnitus, and currently do occasional voice over work). Posting in the support section with a title designed to draw the attention of sound professionals will certainly attract the people who's advice you are seeking.

I am sure you will be able to work around your tinnitus, as I know that many people here who work with music and sound appear to work around it.

 

[fran dana]

@billie48 @Kolisar

I really have to thank you guys for the welcome and the advice. I feel comfortable commenting here about my situation! Personally I only know a person who suffers the same as me and we do not really talk much so this space is very positive

 

[Kolisar]

I feel comfortable commenting here about my situation! Personally I only know a person who suffers the same as me and we do not really talk much so this space is very positive

I am glad you found this forum. You will find that it is filled with helpful, caring, compassionate, and supportive people who all understand what you are going through.

 

[Jazzer]

Hi @frandana - I am a Jazz trombonist, and even though I've appeared on many LPs and CDs, these days my work is always live performance.
I always have ear plugs sitting just inside my ears, but not blocking, at the start of a session.
If the band volume starts to worry me, I push the ear plugs in about half way, for protection.
I can get away with this as the music I'm hearing is live.
If you are working with headphones on, I guess that would not be feasible.
Hopefully somebody on here can halp you more than I can.
Very best wishes
Jazzer.

 

[Phendran]

Hello. ^^

I hope you'll feel welcome here.
For better and worse we T-sufferers seem to be increasing in number, and it's always nice to have one more voice in the gathering.

 

[fran dana]

I really do not know how to thank the encouragement that you all give me! I think that having decided to be part of this community is the best thing I've done lately.
this really means a lot to me
@Phendran
@Kolisar
@Jazzer (particularly thank you for sharing that life experience!
it gives me more security to have read something like that)

 

[Bill Bauer]

Is it at all an option for you to switch to another program?

 

[fran dana]

Is it at all an option for you to switch to another program?

Hello! how are you? Sorry what do you mean by "program"?

 

[Bill Bauer]

Sorry what do you mean by "program"?

My biggest problem is that I study a career related to sound

I meant "the career that you are studying for"...

 

[fran dana]

I meant "the career that you are studying for"...

I thought a lot, but doing that is one of the few things that I really like! I always try to take care of my ears. anyway I would never dedicate myself to sound, I like editing or photography more

 

[Bill Bauer]

I thought a lot, but doing that is one of the few things that I really like! I always try to take care of my ears. anyway I would never dedicate myself to sound, I like editing or photography more

If, while you have been studying for that career, you have been able to avoid acoustic traumas that give rise to tinnitus spikes, then by all means it makes sense to continue doing what you have been doing.

There is no need to envy others for not having to take the precautions that you need to take. Surely everyone will eventually have to deal with problems that others don't need to deal with.

 

[HeatherC]

Hey Fran,
In my experience tinnitus can be a very isolating experience and it is hard not to compare yourself to others. I've had my tinnitus for six months, and I work therapeutically with chronically ill people so i have a lot to think about at the hospital where i work too, it sometimes feels like i'm carrying a big secret. At one point i grew so envious of people who don't have to deal with this, for example i would go to pick my kids up from school and watch the other mums smiling and chatting and it was like their apparent happiness would make me feel more alone and isolated.

I've been close to despair with this, and I am still struggling, but now in a relatively good way. The day it all changed for me was the day that I found and read a book called 'Tinnitus, From Tyrant to Friend', by Julian Cowan Hill, who is a psychotherapist who had tinnitus for 20 years, several of those were debilitatingly bad and like so many of us he was told to learn to live with it. But he is now cured and explains in this book how there is hope, he puts forward a pretty good theory about why for some people tinnitus becomes a chronic condition and details ways to help yourself. I'm not quite there with it yet, but just the experience of reading this book gave me some much needed reassurance and perspective. My partner was growing very worried about me, but he could also see that the day i picked up that book everything started to change for the better. Its no quick fix cure, but its worth a read.

best,
heather

 

[fran dana]

Hey Fran,
In my experience tinnitus can be a very isolating experience and it is hard not to compare yourself to others. I've had my tinnitus for six months, and I work therapeutically with chronically ill people so i have a lot to think about at the hospital where i work too, it sometimes feels like i'm carrying a big secret. At one point i grew so envious of people who don't have to deal with this, for example i would go to pick my kids up from school and watch the other mums smiling and chatting and it was like their apparent happiness would make me feel more alone and isolated.

I've been close to despair with this, and I am still struggling, but now in a relatively good way. The day it all changed for me was the day that I found and read a book called 'Tinnitus, From Tyrant to Friend', by Julian Cowan Hill, who is a psychotherapist who had tinnitus for 20 years, several of those were debilitatingly bad and like so many of us he was told to learn to live with it. But he is now cured and explains in this book how there is hope, he puts forward a pretty good theory about why for some people tinnitus becomes a chronic condition and details ways to help yourself. I'm not quite there with it yet, but just the experience of reading this book gave me some much needed reassurance and perspective. My partner was growing very worried about me, but he could also see that the day i picked up that book everything started to change for the better. Its no quick fix cure, but its worth a read.

best,
heather

wow thanks Heather for the recommendation. the book seems to be very interesting, could even help me. I'll find out if I can get it in Argentina! Sometimes the only thing I need is to read and know that I'm not alone to feel better about it. that people can live with this disease and turn it into something to live with.
basically know that there is hope

 

[fran dana]

If, while you have been studying for that career, you have been able to avoid acoustic traumas that give rise to tinnitus spikes, then by all means it makes sense to continue doing what you have been doing.

There is no need to envy others for not having to take the precautions that you need to take. Surely everyone will eventually have to deal with problems that others don't need to deal with.

that's true. the problem of oneself is inexplicable for others, however we all deal with problems. So in the end that's what life is about, facing problems, no matter the nature of them

 

[HeatherC]

I've just remembered that there is a series of videos on youtube by Julian Cowan Hill that you can watch if you can't get hold of the book Fran, he probably explains most of it there. Good luck with it.

 

[fran dana]

I've just remembered that there is a series of videos on youtube by Julian Cowan Hill that you can watch if you can't get hold of the book Fran, he probably explains most of it there. Good luck with it.

Thanks again Heather!!