How Did Tinnitus Affect These Three Areas (Work, Sex, Sport) of Your Life?

[IvanRus]

How do you now assess your life, after the beginning of tinnitus, in terms of three components - Work (career). Sex. Sport.

How did tinnitus (especially associated with hearing loss) affect these three important areas of life?

Do you gradually return to these things, how long did it take you?

Can you work, do conscious activities?

Do you have a personal life, tinnitus did not affect the quality of sex?

Did you continue to play sports if you practiced it before tinnitus?

 

[Philippe79]

Do you gradually return to these things, how long did it take you?

I never stopped doing these things. I refused to let tinnitus win, even though it ran me close. It still more than irritates me, even now but I continue because that's life and life can be a bummer at times. I carried on working, but only just. I have to wear ear plugs, so the noise is amplified and I have to listen to this BS each and every day, whilst listening to the BS from my colleagues. Sex is one thing that took my mind of the tinnitus but I wasn't getting enough of it for my liking. I carried on playing sports and everything else I enjoyed doing. Everything was the same other than this irrating hissing noise that stays with me 24/7. My life is exactly the same as it was before tinnitus, well nearly (no clubs, concerts... etc..).

 

[IvanRus]

I never stopped doing these things. I refused to let tinnitus win, even though it ran me close. It still more than irritates me, even now but I continue because that's life and life can be a bummer at times. I carried on working, but only just. I have to wear ear plugs, so the noise is amplified and I have to listen to this BS each and every day, whilst listening to the BS from my colleagues. Sex is one thing that took my mind of the tinnitus but I wasn't getting enough of it for my liking. I carried on playing sports and everything else I enjoyed doing. Everything was the same other than this irrating hissing noise that stays with me 24/7. My life is exactly the same as it was before tinnitus, well nearly (no clubs, concerts... etc..).

How can you characterize your noise in terms of strength? is it noticeable only in the silence of the ringing or stronger? Is there a hearing loss based on the results of the audiogram? Do you take any tranquilizers / antidepressants?

 

[Philippe79]

I would say the strength is generally at moderate and is in my right ear only. Maybe sometimes it can go lower (not very often) and also go higher than this (more frequent). When I feel fatigued it is particularly bad. I can hear it most of the time and above most things. Generally, I have to be somewhere relatively noisy for it to be masked. The audiogram showed I have mild - moderate high frequency hearing loss at 4000hz and above. I have never taken any tranquillisers or antidepressants (somehow).

 

[Flamingo1]

I hate not being able to go to concerts and clubs anymore

 

[Kathi]

I never stopped working--I had no choice. I had to make a living and I needed the health insurance. When having sex I realized that I didn't hear my tinnitus--too distracted. The only sport I do is riding. I ride a motorcycle and with the help of a great helmet and earplugs, I still do.

I really think that having to go to work is what helped me the most. Some days it was horrible--my anxiety was through the roof but I made it.

 

[hans799]

Work: Output is unaffected. Sometimes I get bad nights, I then use stimulants to remain at my usual level of performance. I did some of my best work while in "recent tinnitus increase hell" a few months ago.
However, anxiety about T definitely takes the enjoyment out of work and makes it a mud swamp I must plod through. So outwardly no change is visible, internally it can be pretty bad on anxious days.

Sex: while it lasts, it really takes my mind off T.

Sport: Exercise lowers the T volume for me + helps me destress so I'm fanatic about it. Never miss a workout, never cheat on my diet. T actually helped me become healthier, much like a whip helps a slave work. (Dark humor, obviously.)

 

[JurgenG]

Work: I am afraid of making it worse so I am paranoid and sometimes refuse jobs because it's in a loud venue.
I also put my intercom too quite sometimes which is not good for communication purposes.

Sex: No problem, but I do ask her to not yell too loudly.
I am not that good so it's not a problem.

Sport: I am scared to go for a run because I read something about the impact on the inner-ear.. Probably silly, but I've gained a few pounds because of this.. Just before I was doing half marathons without a problem.

Even if my T would go 100% tomorrow I will still have to deal with these fears.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I hate not being able to go to concerts and clubs anymore

It is only your fear, anxiety and negative thinking that is preventing you from going to these venues. You may not be in the right place at the moment but in time I see no reason you can't go to these events. The statement you have made you have convinced yourself this is not possible without even trying. Try to change your way of thinking about tinnitus because in most cases it doesn't mean a future of doom and gloom.

Michael

 

[IvanRus]

Work: I am afraid of making it worse so I am paranoid and sometimes refuse jobs because it's in a loud venue.
I also put my intercom too quite sometimes which is not good for communication purposes.

Sex: No problem, but I do ask her to not yell too loudly.
I am not that good so it's not a problem.

Sport: I am scared to go for a run because I read something about the impact on the inner-ear.. Probably silly, but I've gained a few pounds because of this.. Just before I was doing half marathons without a problem.

Even if my T would go 100% tomorrow I will still have to deal with these fears.

You are not so good at sex? Was this always the case, or is it related to tinnitus? Many after the appearance of noise in the ears began to get ejaculation faster. Do you have it so? How old are you, if not secret?

 

[IvanRus]

Work: Output is unaffected. Sometimes I get bad nights, I then use stimulants to remain at my usual level of performance. I did some of my best work while in "recent tinnitus increase hell" a few months ago.
However, anxiety about T definitely takes the enjoyment out of work and makes it a mud swamp I must plod through. So outwardly no change is visible, internally it can be pretty bad on anxious days.

Sex: while it lasts, it really takes my mind off T.

Sport: Exercise lowers the T volume for me + helps me destress so I'm fanatic about it. Never miss a workout, never cheat on my diet. T actually helped me become healthier, much like a whip helps a slave work. (Dark humor, obviously.)

What sports do you do? Gym / Fitness? And this does not increase your tinnitus in any way? What is the cause of your tinnitus, did you make audiometry, is the hearing OK? On which degree on a four-point scale you will estimate its volume?

 

[hans799]

What sports do you do? Gym / Fitness? And this does not increase your tinnitus in any way? What is the cause of your tinnitus, did you make audiometry, is the hearing OK? On which degree on a four-point scale you will estimate its volume?

I do functional training: we use barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, TRX, our own bodyweight etc to maintain general fitness. We have 8-week cycles with each cycle designed to train a specific aspect of fitness (e.g. strength, endurance, muscle size). I've been training 4 times a week, 1.5-2 hours a time, for 2 years. I lift as heavy as I can (bench press 115% of my bodyweight and hip thrust 240% of it). I even attend extreme events such as the Spartan Race which combines cross-country running with an obstacle course. None of this has ever worsened my tinnitus, not even temporarily. The only effect I see is positive: the volume of the T is usually lowered, plus my mood is always improved after vigorous exercise, and it also helps me sleep. Working out is truly one of the things that holds me together.

Cause of tinnitus: I have a "baseline" component I have had since childhood - probably born with it, plus I was a pretty heavy headphone user in my teens and that contributed to worsening it. Plus, I have a new component since this January, which I think was caused by noise damage during dental treatment. On top of all this I'm experiencing a spike right now, probably caused by weed. (Won't touch that ever again.)

I did take audiometry: slight hearing loss (-20-30dB) at 4kHz, otherwise healthy.

I use a 10-point scale for T severity Baseline is 3/10 (I can hear it in a quiet room/when driving, but it's non-intrusive), new noise is 2/10 (need to plug my ears to hear it - but since I always sleep with ears plugged it still manages to annoy me).

Whew. Sorry for wall of text.

 

[IvanRus]

I do functional training: we use barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, TRX, our own bodyweight etc to maintain general fitness. We have 8-week cycles with each cycle designed to train a specific aspect of fitness (e.g. strength, endurance, muscle size). I've been training 4 times a week, 1.5-2 hours a time, for 2 years. I lift as heavy as I can (bench press 115% of my bodyweight and hip thrust 240% of it). I even attend extreme events such as the Spartan Race which combines cross-country running with an obstacle course. None of this has ever worsened my tinnitus, not even temporarily. The only effect I see is positive: the volume of the T is usually lowered, plus my mood is always improved after vigorous exercise, and it also helps me sleep. Working out is truly one of the things that holds me together.

Cause of tinnitus: I have a "baseline" component I have had since childhood - probably born with it, plus I was a pretty heavy headphone user in my teens and that contributed to worsening it. Plus, I have a new component since this January, which I think was caused by noise damage during dental treatment. On top of all this I'm experiencing a spike right now, probably caused by weed. (Won't touch that ever again.)

I did take audiometry: slight hearing loss (-20-30dB) at 4kHz, otherwise healthy.

I use a 10-point scale for T severity Baseline is 3/10 (I can hear it in a quiet room/when driving, but it's non-intrusive), new noise is 2/10 (need to plug my ears to hear it - but since I always sleep with ears plugged it still manages to annoy me).

Whew. Sorry for wall of text.

3/10 is not serious. You can live.

 

[fishbone]

How do you now assess your life, after the beginning of tinnitus, in terms of three components - Work (career). Sex. Sport.

How did tinnitus (especially associated with hearing loss) affect these three important areas of life?

Do you gradually return to these things, how long did it take you?

Can you work, do conscious activities?

Do you have a personal life, tinnitus did not affect the quality of sex?

Did you continue to play sports if you practiced it before tinnitus?

Work - this can be a tough one. Your environment could be loud or filled with people that are loud and don't care.

Sex - I had full blown tinnitus and my ex-gf wanted sex and lots of it. She wanted it in all spots and would not take a no for an answer. This can be great and can release lots of stress. If your partner is screaming, then maybe wear an ear plug when she reaches her climax

Sports/exercise - This has been a lifesaver for me. I would have not survived this brutal life, if it wasn't for my martial arts/weightlifting.

People can live a productive life, even with tinnitus. It just takes some adjusting, it can be done.

 

[MBH]

Im 52, and have T for 4 months, and I just keeping on going, I work full time, do things with the family, I walk alot. I eat the same thing I lost 25 pounds from stress not a way you want to loss weight. I have moderate t and t moves around. I just work with it. I think zombie describes it best. I do keep with the same routine but do take meds to help along. It's not the way I thought I would go thru life.

 

[Philippe79]

I hate not being able to go to concerts and clubs anymore

You should still try and live your life, but just be careful. I personally try and avoid clubs and concerts (definitely clubs, but depends on the concert) because I think it is a small price to pay for my mistakes I have made in the past. Anyway, I certainly feel way past clubbing anyway. Those days have gone! As has been mentioned in previous posts, I understand earplugs do not fully protect you, especially from lower freq sounds like bass, and clubs are definitely the worst for it. I had been offered to go to a Guns 'N' Roses concert a few months ago. Um.. No flaming way - that would have been crazy. Or should I have done?! Or as I didn't is that letting the tinnitus win?! I live my life but there must be some compromises at times, it doesn't mean tinnitus is ruling my life, I'm just trying to be realistic. I thought I should elaborate as that quote was taken from my post. I wasn't trying to be negative.

 

[JurgenG]

You are not so good at sex? Was this always the case, or is it related to tinnitus? Many after the appearance of noise in the ears began to get ejaculation faster. Do you have it so? How old are you, if not secret?

It was more of a joke though, but T did not change anything, just that I try to stay away from her mouth with my ears, so it's always in my mind.

 

[Tweaker]

The only thing I gave up was playing squash, partly due to the loud noise the ball makes when it hits the tin.
I still work but moved from noisy industrial job to office job.
Life goes on.

 

[walkthroughwalls]

Work: Permanently gave up a career as professional musician. I got tinnitus while studying Computing Science, causing a one-year delay. I very much miss the concerts, bands, projects, expression, practicing, improvisation, traveling, meeting new people, every day being different from the last one etc. I miss that kind of life terribly. I love CS as well, but nothing can quite take music's place.

Sex: Never cared about it.

Sports: I used to run, but gave that up because the `stomping' might harm my ears and I want to save my hearing as much as possible. Sports never have been priority anyway.

 

[Flamingo1]

It is only your fear, anxiety and negative thinking that is preventing you from going to these venues. You may not be in the right place at the moment but in time I see no reason you can't go to these events. The statement you have made you have convinced yourself this is not possible without even trying. Try to change your way of thinking about tinnitus because in most cases it doesn't mean a future of doom and gloom.

Michael

I've noticed that when sound levels are 80-85dB and I've got my westone 27dB filtered musicians ear plugs in, I suffer no adverse effects. I was at music recital in a bar /club and amusement park dance performances when this happened. Am I pushing my luck?

 

[Grantas]

Work: Depends on the level of T as mine seems to fluctuate almost daily of late. I teach, so ordinarily, I'm too distracted by my own voice to notice! On bad days however, I can it very distracting and it's easy to lose focus / concentration.

Sex: T disappears. Probably the best therapy there is.

Sport: When resistance training I'm occasionally aware of the T. When playing soccer, I don't notice it unless of course I'm having a 'bad T day'.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

When I first got tinnitus from power noise syringing, my ENT said that I have the worst case of T that she had seen in thirty years. After three and a half years it settled down to a 6/10 which was the sound of a loud microwave. At this level I went on with my life and sometimes I didn't think about it.

Now with this high pitch somatic T that like 12 people with fingernails on a blackboard projecting thru a speaker, my new ENT said that I have the worst T that she ever seen. The difference is a really loud high pitch.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I've noticed that when sound levels are 80-85dB and I've got my westone 27dB filtered musicians ear plugs in, I suffer no adverse effects. I was at music recital in a bar /club and amusement park dance performances when this happened. Am I pushing my luck?

HI @Flamingo1

If you are using your Westone 27db filtered earplugs to suppress daily sounds of 80-85db in an outside environment (open air) and notice no adverse effects then you are not helping yourself. You are lowering the loudness threshold of your auditory system and will make it more sensitive to sound. I say again if this is what you are going? Because it signifies to me that you are in the habituation process which is a good thing.

The closed environment that you were in, the bar/club and the sound levels were 80-85 db and you noticed no ill effects while wearing your earplugs, I don't think it would have made much difference if you weren't wearing them. The reason being the sounds would have been bouncing off the ceiling, floor and the walls. Also the people would have been making sounds/noise etc. In this instance these external sounds would have been transferred to your inner ear by bone conduction. This is when sound passes through your skull. No earplugs in the world can stop sound passing through the skull.

This is the reason some people experience spikes in their tinnitus when wearing earplugs or moulded plugs of good quality at clubs, raves etc and wonder why? It is because the external sounds and the acoustic environment are too loud and sound is transferred to the inner ear by bone conduction. In my post: Hyperacusis, as I see it. I mentioned going to an arcade where the music levels were 100 decibels. Although I had my earplugs with me in case I felt uncomfortable I didn't use them and stayed there for 30minutes and left. I suffered no affects of hyperacusis or sensitivity and the next day my tinnitus was completely silent.

I rarely use earplugs and certainly not to suppress normal everyday sounds on the street no matter how loud. It is prudent to carry earplugs on one's person just in case but unfortunately, some people in this forum have become so paranoid about sound, it has caused a lot of stress and anxiety. It has reached a point where they are afraid of hearing: the closing of a door, a fire alarm or car alarm. Police or ambulance siren that is way off in the distance. This fear has brought nothing but harm in my opinion and has reinforced negative thinking and the belief that earplugs are to be used everywhere they go. It has resulted in them being miserable and not enjoying life the way they should.

The fact that you have been out and enjoying yourself and noticed no adverse affects is splendid and I hope you continue on to do this. By all means have your earplugs with you but try not to think that it's absolutely necessary to be always wearing them at these venues. My suggestion is to experiment as I did. I believe your auditory system is repairing itself. Try not to slow this process down by the overuse of earplugs especially suppressing normal every day sounds. I don't think you are pushing your luck, just carry on as you are doing and you'll be just fine. I suggest you experiment using lower specification earplugs of 18db or more, as this allows your auditory system to adjust to higher sound levels.

Even though this is good news for you. I advise that you never to be tempted to use headphones even at low volume, because your tinnitus was caused by acoustic trauma.

All the best

Michael

 

[JurgenG]

HI @Flamingo1

..

Michael

Michael, in your experience: What happens when you overprotect? I am doing that, as you've read from me before. Sound of 85 dB feels like a rockconcert to me.
I think I have a form of mild H because of this. Does this means that the sound which feels loud also could make my T worse? Even if it's well within limits?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Michael, in your experience: What happens when you overprotect? I am doing that, as you've read from me before. Sound of 85 dB feels like a rockconcert to me.
I think I have a form of mild H because of this. Does this means that the sound which feels loud also could make my T worse? Even if it's well within limits?

I have never overprotected my ears @JurgenG but have corresponded, helped and counselled people that have and for them it can been quite an unpleasant experience. It is well document on the Internet by medical professionals, that the overuse of hearing protection lowers the Loudness threshold of the auditory system and will make it more sensitive to sound. I used to counsel someone with severe hyperacusis that got so bad, she couldn't tolerate the sound of the: microwave, dishwasher, fridge and washing machine. She even complained about the sound of falling rain irritating her ears as it fell on her conservatory glass roof.

Please read the post above that I have written in reply to Flamingo and read my post: Hyperacusis, As I see it. The more you continue to overprotect your ears the more sensitive your auditory system will be and this can prevent your tinnitus getting better and habituating in my opinion.

All the best
Michael

 

[Bill Bauer]

Does this means that the sound which feels loud also could make my T worse? Even if it's well within limits?

That has been my experience.

 

[dpdx]

How do you now assess your life, after the beginning of tinnitus, in terms of three components - Work (career). Sex. Sport.

How did tinnitus (especially associated with hearing loss) affect these three important areas of life?

Do you gradually return to these things, how long did it take you?

Can you work, do conscious activities?

Do you have a personal life, tinnitus did not affect the quality of sex?

Did you continue to play sports if you practiced it before tinnitus?

1) No
2) No
3) No
4) No

 

[IvanRus]

1) No
2) No
3) No
4) No

Is everything so sad? How much time has passed since the beginning of tinnitus, what was the reason?
Perhaps you are depressed, and antidepressants are needed.