How Did People Cope with Tinnitus in the Olden Days?

[Duncan L]

I was thinking how I probably would not be here anymore if it wasn't for some modern inventions like my tablet which I use to access masking apps on the internet or the pharmaceuticals which saved me when I was unable to sleep for weeks.

How did people with tinnitus cope in earlier times before any such help existed?

 

[Digital Doc]

I doubt they did much back years ago, earplugs were only invented in the late 1960's AFAIK.

Another point of interest is that I would guess that T was much less common prior to the industrial revolution, and all of this noise. One of the earliest descriptions of noise induced hearing loss was "Boilermaker's ear," which came from hammering the metal, and the hearing loss that resulted from it.

 

[Hissy missy]

And there would not have been all the medications around that can cause tinnitus either.

 

[coffee_girl]

Because they didn't have speakers that blast 120 dbs in your ear at concerts. Our bodies haven't evolved fast enough to cope with our advances in technology with each passing year. No mortal eardrum can withstand the stuff that we surround ourselves with on a daily basis

 

[Mathieulh]

I was thinking how I probably would not be here anymore if it wasn't for some modern inventions like my tablet which I use to access masking apps on the internet or the pharmaceuticals which saved me when I was unable to sleep for weeks.

How did people with tinnitus cope in earlier times before any such help existed?

Some cases of tinnitus, especially in the high frequency ranges), can't easily (if at all) be masked though.
That said, I wager tinnitus was a much rarer occurence back then than it is now. (Although it obviously did exist, personalities such as Beethoven experienced severe cases of it)

 

[coffee_girl]

People back then were probably tougher too due to the hardships of their lives, no modern technology to help them... no advance medical science, no internet... pretty sure life was harder than anything tinnitus can dish out. Probably the least of their worries.

 

[JohnAdams]

What's different between "the olden days" and today?

 

[linearb]

Tinnitus exists in historical accounts going back thousands of years.

Chainsaws and concerts are loud, but so was "killing people with swords through metal armor" and "dropping 10000 lb stone slabs into place building pyramids and cathedrals"

our modern lifestyle has given us the illusion that health is sustainable and life "should" be comfortable. In fact I think these illusions become delusions that often cause people to suffer, because the disconnect between their ideals and reality is so jarring.

I've had cars turn into shredded plastic around me, I've lost young friends to cancer, and I know every time I step on a motorcycle I'm one "oops!" away from being erased from the world. This realization causes me to still feel a sense of child-like wonder whenever I see another dawn.

What's different between "the olden days" and today?

People today have been coddled by advertising and the pharma industry to think that health is maintainable and that life is fundamentally comfortable and "easy", when in fact, nothing is certain except for death and a decline into old age, and most health problems can't actually be cured.

 

[just1morething]

Death is the "great equalizer" but someone told me the other day that a positive attitude can go a long way. He was with a co-worker that had tonsil cancer and had lost a lot of weight. He told me that was not a good way to lose weight. He had to have specialized chemo etc. to treat his condition.

 

[PeteJ]

People back then were probably tougher too due to the hardships of their lives, no modern technology to help them... no advance medical science, no internet... pretty sure life was harder than anything tinnitus can dish out. Probably the least of their worries.

Total speculation. You don't know what you are talking about.

Maybe they offed themselves depending on severity. Yes, no support then but maybe it was more rare to get based on less noise.

But, if someone got it, maybe it depends on severity whether they tolerated it and no one can know how long they put up with it.

 

[just1morething]

@PeteJ, do hearing aids help at all? I hope you get better and find something to take the edge off your suffering. I just talked to someone that had a tire explode near him some time ago and has all kinds of noises in his head. He repairs large semi-truck tires. He said Widex HA helped him somewhat.

Of course no one can be inside your head and totally understand your condition as we all vary in severity.

 

[Luman]

People back then were probably tougher too due to the hardships of their lives, no modern technology to help them... no advance medical science, no internet... pretty sure life was harder than anything tinnitus can dish out. Probably the least of their worries.

You are absolutely correct. Our ancestors were raised to be tough, because they had to be. They didn't have drugs or therapy to help them, they had to stand up on their own two feet, work to survive, and adapt to unfortunate circumstances, of which there were many.

 

[Tex]

My dad shot 50 and 30 caliber machine guns in the Army in the 50s. He shot M1 Garands (30-06). He fired bazookas. He fired canons. He was never in combat, but he said they shot a LOT, all the time, without hearing protection. He didn't have Tinnitus. I can say the same about a few other veteran relatives I've asked as well.

I have no idea how or why some of us get it and why some don't. But I've never heard any complaining or whining anywhere except on this forum. And while my closest relatives and friends know I've got this crap, I keep my complaining to a minimum. At most, I refuse to go to loud restaurants, parties, etc. and they understand.

 

[Bndsmheowqhe]

 

[GlennS]

If you go back to hunter gatherer days, at least for those in a forested environment, I can say that forest ambient noise is freaking loud, especially crickets. I can't think of a better masking source than crickets/cicadas other than being next to a raging waterfall.

 

[threefirefour]

I was thinking how I probably would not be here anymore if it wasn't for some modern inventions like my tablet which I use to access masking apps on the internet or the pharmaceuticals which saved me when I was unable to sleep for weeks.

How did people with tinnitus cope in earlier times before any such help existed?

They had a bunch of medicine men offering "treatments" for tinnitus that didn't actually work.

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.

 

[coffee_girl]

Total speculation. You don't know what you are talking about.

Maybe they offed themselves depending on severity. Yes, no support then but maybe it was more rare to get based on less noise.

But, if someone got it, maybe it depends on severity whether they tolerated it and no one can know how long they put up with it.

Nah, I'm a history buff, there are libraries in several states that I've completely devoured. My educated guess about the subject will definitely trump yours.

Just the fact that you can sit and chat with thousands of people who can empathize with your disease is in itself revolutionary. The fact that you know and understand your condition to an extent is empowering.

People back then didn't have such luxuries, often times if you get sick youre pretty much dead. Before penicillin was discovered, if you had an infection you would suffer a painful death...nowadays you just take a round of pills and you're done. People had to be tough back then because sickness and disease was a lonely experience. We currently live in the greatest of times, better than kings and queens of any century.

Not saying life is perfect, but unless you live with severe and horribly debilitating tinnitus... You have very little to complain about.

 

[PeteJ]

Nah, I'm a history buff, there are libraries in several states that I've completely devoured. My educated guess about the subject will definitely trump yours.

Just the fact that you can sit and chat with thousands of people who can empathize with your disease is in itself revolutionary. The fact that you know and understand your condition to an extent is empowering.

People back then didn't have such luxuries, often times if you get sick youre pretty much dead. Before penicillin was discovered, if you had an infection you would suffer a painful death...nowadays you just take a round of pills and you're done. People had to be tough back then because sickness and disease was a lonely experience. We currently live in the greatest of times, better than kings and queens of any century.

Not saying life is perfect, but unless you live with severe and horribly debilitating tinnitus... You have very little to complain about.

For your information, I have severe tinnitus so you are ignorant already.

The fact that people would have little insight or information about what's wrong with them suggests that they would cope even worse than today.

Don't pretend to have any clue about what I am going through or whether I have anything to complain about. You are clueless and pathetic.

 

[just1morething]

I've completely devoured men

Are you a maneater?

 

[GlennS]

You are clueless and pathetic.

The "you" in question could be construed as anyone rather than you in particular. Please lighten up.

Also, I have to say that I've rarely come into contact with other T sufferers but now that I am, I've noticed quite a few of them are trigger-happy such as yourself and frankly it's not the sort of personality trait that endears one. However much or little anyone is suffering doesn't entitle "you" to jump down other people's throats at the slightest whiff of offense.

 

[PeteJ]

The "you" in question could be construed as anyone rather than you in particular. Please lighten up.

Also, I have to say that I've rarely come into contact with other T sufferers but now that I am, I've noticed quite a few of them are trigger-happy such as yourself and frankly it's not the sort of personality trait that endears one. However much or little anyone is suffering doesn't entitle "you" to jump down other people's throats at the slightest whiff of offense.

Slightest?

Too many people make assumptions that imply someone 'doesn't have it that bad' and I think that is an issue that even many doctors share which has been a topic here, I'm pretty sure.

I argued that it's reasonable to assume people would be bothered by this condition without therapy, sound makers or other tools which arguably aren't of much help to severe sufferers even now.

People may have had to suffer with various health problems some time ago but if one considers even less support, aids or answers, I can't imagine how anyone would go through that while experiencing further health problems if any.

P.S. The reply was rather arrogant and presumptuous.

Also, just because there is the internet and more studies or whatever doesn't mean that it's any easier for people. The fact is, support is still woeful for many sufferers.

But, the comparison or contrast was to people with the condition long ago and since there isn't much in the way of records now, there is probably even less back then. No one keeps track of all sufferers.

 

[coffee_girl]

For your information, I have severe tinnitus so you are ignorant already.

The fact that people would have little insight or information about what's wrong with them suggests that they would cope even worse than today.

Don't pretend to have any clue about what I am going through or whether I have anything to complain about. You are clueless and pathetic.

From what I've seen of your posts on the forum youre one of those entitled and angry people , which is fine...but don't start calling people names because you don't agree with them. Your anger seems more severe than your T...which sort of reminds me of a great quote in fact:

"Hard times make great men, great men make good times, good times make weak men, weak men make hard times"

 

[PeteJ]

From what I've seen of your posts on the forum youre one of those negative and angry people , which is fine...but don't start calling people names because you don't agree with them. Your anger seems more severe than your T...which sort of reminds me of a great quote in fact:

"Hard times make great men, great men make good times, good times make weak men, weak men make hard times"

You're yet another one of those posters who has no qualms about insulting people who say they have severe tinnitus and then pretend they can't figure out why they were called 'names.'

You were presumptuous with me so I think you don't have any high ground to stand on.

I only offered a different perspective which you didn't accept in a rather conceited way.

 

[coffee_girl]

You're yet another one of those posters who has no qualms about insulting people who say they have severe tinnitus and then pretend they can't figure out why they were called 'names.'

You were presumptuous with me so I think you don't have any high ground to stand on.

I only offered a different perspective which you didn't accept in a rather conceited way.

So people with severe T can call others names and people are suppose to just accept it? You chose to read my post as arrogance when i didn't mean it that way, that's YOUR problem. We all have T, nobody is entitled to anything in life. I really don't care what you call me, but I am a little bored (playing video games right now) so I'm gonna write whatever.

 

[PeteJ]

So people with severe T can call others names and people are suppose to just accept it? You chose to read my post as arrogance when i didn't mean it that way, that's YOUR problem. We all have T, nobody is entitled to anything in life. I really don't care what you call me, but I am a little bored (playing video games right now) so I'm gonna write whatever.

You more or less stated my 'guess' was inferior based on all the supposed reading you had done.

I objected to the assumption that 'no one' should complain today (i.e. modern times). It didn't matter if you are directly addressing me or not.

But, yes, this argument is becoming rather pointless.

Your character assassination is pretty typical but it is still surprising behavior. I am used to it by now, though.

 

[coffee_girl]

You more or less stated my 'guess' was inferior based on all the supposed reading you had done.

I objected to the assumption that 'no one' should complain today (i.e. modern times). It didn't matter if you are directly addressing me or not.

But, yes, this argument is becoming rather pointless.

Your character assassination is pretty typical but it is still surprising behavior. I am used to it by now, though.

"character assassination", that ASSASSIN. Nah I never start anything with anyone, but if youre gonna talk some trash...i'm gonna have a little fun. My point is to cry less and celebrate more, those who understand what I mean (and don't blow it out of proportion) are happier people for it.
I know what I know, if you don't like differing opinions dont go on public forums =P

 

[PeteJ]

"character assassination", that ASSASSIN. Nah I never start anything with anyone, but if youre gonna talk some trash...i'm gonna have a little fun. Like I said, I get a bit bored. =]

If you say so. I am bored now.

Calling me 'entitled' makes little sense to me. But, I have had that accusation before and others. I don't think I am "negative and angry." Well, perhaps negative so sue me.

I didn't think I was 'talking trash.'
Have fun then but I am not easily amused and I am done here.

 

[PeteJ]

I don't like lashing out. I am not angry per se. I admit I am negative.

If my condition improved, I know my mood would change.

I don't know why I bother to object to certain opinions in the forum. After I do, I realize there is no point. What does it accomplish?

I want to apologize to the OP for interrupting his topic/thread with the stupid 'fight' with the other poster.

It was a good question but I thought it's difficult to really truly know. That is all.

 

[PaulBe]

most health problems can't actually be cured.

Most modern health care is about "managing" ill health, not about curing. Curing is a dream, but management and control is the reality.

 

[johnsole65]

I would like to pitch in and claim that these arguments don't really hold any value as you both have not debated the subject but rather focused on arguing.

Making a claim that tinnitus is easier today without proper explanation is conjecture at best.

For a start we need to define the "olden" days.

If we are talking hunter gatherer societies then probably tinnitus was a very rare occurrence, and one habituated easily because of constant movement, space and natural sounds, wind, crickets rain etc. Hunter gatherers are also very healthy individuals due to less toxins, proximity to environmental issues.

Pre-industrial revolution there was most likely WAY less tinnitus than today also, and again the limited accessibility to ototoxic chemicals, fumes and drugs probably helped with the severity or occurrence greatly. Again greater connection and accessibility to natural land would have helped in habitation.

Today we have to deal with many multiples more people engaging in loud construction, unregulated decibel limits (think fire alarms), cars breaks screeching, constant fumes from cars, toxic medication, toxic chemicals, parfums sprays etc, ototoxic medications, many medications which have very little longitudinal study and the candy like dispensing of anti-depressants, opioids, accessibility to alcohol and other man made drugs. Comparative loneliness and isolation, even in highly populated areas, rise in co-morbid conditions due to aforementioned issues.

The list goes on. While we have better health care all around, and might not die from infection and have longer life spans, it is really early days for many conditions ironically many of which are probably a product of modern living.

I for one have three conditions that barely anything is known about and can cause a great deal of suffering. One of those is tinnitus and was likely caused by medication.

You can't say that people suffered more, when it's highly dependent on what that person is experiencing (their sensitivity, brain construction), their environment and support.