How Does Music Sound to You? Has the Experience Changed After You Got Tinnitus?

[Ben S]

So this is quite odd to me. I certainly believe that I have some sort of hearing loss whether it be and UHF or hidden hearing loss, or perhaps I have a notched loss on a regular audiogram. I have taken 5 audiograms, and they have all come back normal. I however struggle with conversation in background noise, and in other challenging environments.

But to me, music sounds the same as it always has. Do you think that it's my memory of these songs which is making it seem like they sound normal? Like it's filling in the gaps? I truly don't notice any distortion and I can clearly make out each instrument and the vocals. Does anyone else experience this? When I listen to new music I suppose it sounds normal, but I have nothing really to compare it to. Maybe I just have a minor loss or something. I'd appreciate any all input.

 

[ASilverLight]

Music sounds just fine to me, both songs I already knew and songs I'm hearing for the first time. Note that I don't think I have any hearing loss worth mentioning (well aware we ALL have hearing loss to a degree due to aging) nothing sounds weird or off to me, I don't struggle to understand anyone/anything in ''general noise'' beyond what's pretty much normal and I've tested high frequency noises which sound the same in both ears up to around 18.5 kHz (I'm 23).

So honestly, I don't think it's your memory filling in gaps. If it sounds normal, it probably is, but that's just my two cents. BTW, nice profile pic

 

[Ben S]

Music sounds just fine to me, both songs I already knew and songs I'm hearing for the first time. Note that I don't think I have any hearing loss worth mentioning (well aware we ALL have hearing loss to a degree due to aging) nothing sounds weird or off to me, I don't struggle to understand anyone/anything in ''general noise'' beyond what's pretty much normal and I've tested high frequency noises which sound the same in both ears up to around 18.5 kHz (I'm 23).

So honestly, I don't think it's your memory filling in gaps. If it sounds normal, it probably is, but that's just my two cents. BTW, nice profile pic

Thanks! IMO he's the greatest frontman/singer to ever live. Too bad he was gone before I was born...(23 also)

 

[ASilverLight]

I know! Lots of my favourite bands either split up or had someone die before I was born. It's pretty sad, but at least the music is still there for us to enjoy. I'm having a bit of a strained relationship with music rn, still listening but it makes me sad because my brain keeps pulling the ''before, you could go back to silence'' stuff, but I love music way too much to ever give up on it.

Anyway! Regarding your question I actually do have something else to say in terms of your brain ''remembering'' it. So, weird thing, but sometimes our oven beeps differently. We're not quite sure why, it just happens sometimes. We clearly hear this difference even if we've heard the usual/correct beep many many many more times. This has happened before and after I got tinnitus, so it's definitely not me hearing it differently or my brain remembering the correct sound.

Again, I realise every tinnitus case is difference, but I really think you're good for music

 

[ASilverLight]

Wow, coming back to this now makes me sad. Music perception still hasn't changed for me but I can say I no longer enjoy it much. I love it as much as I always have, I always will... but it's hard to enjoy without my brain tuning out my tone(s).

I think I'm mourning that loss more than anything else tbh.

 

[FGG]

Wow, coming back to this now makes me sad. Music perception still hasn't changed for me but I can say I no longer enjoy it much. I love it as much as I always have, I always will... but it's hard to enjoy without my brain tuning out my tone(s).

I think I'm mourning that loss more than anything else tbh.

This is absolutely the most heart breaking aspect for me, too. I grieve for music every day and it's not just the tinnitus tones, music is wildly distorted. This is the thing that will ultimately fully break me if it never gets better.

 

[ASilverLight]

This is absolutely the most heart breaking aspect for me, too. I grieve for music every day and it's not just the tinnitus tones, music is wildly distorted. This is the thing that will ultimately fully break me if it never gets better.

I'm lucky in the sense it's not distorted for me, but the whole experience has been ruined anyway. I'd always listen to music - not even loudly! Many will probably say I'd do so unknowingly but no, I kept track of volume because I've always been terrified of hearing loss/tinnitus (lol). Usually I'd enjoy through speakers, except on my way to work (20 minutes, moderate volume) & late at night if I was still listening to or watching something. Usually I'd just sit in silence anyway.

But I could go from enjoying music to silence.. and enjoying music to the fullest. Now it's usually accompanied by a very static like hiss. Ruins the experience for sure.

Music was my everything to be honest. Everything in my bedroom reminds me of it - decorations, my vinyl and album collection... I've gone as far as to put away all my band merch because seeing it all just kills me inside every time. Tempted to do the same to my music collection.

It sucks having this taken away from me because it's what got me through everything else in my life before. I needed it like air. I really, really hope all of us get to enjoy it again sooner rather than later.

 

[FGG]

I'm lucky in the sense it's not distorted for me, but the whole experience has been ruined anyway. I'd always listen to music - not even loudly! Many will probably say I'd do so unknowingly but no, I kept track of volume because I've always been terrified of hearing loss/tinnitus (lol). Usually I'd enjoy through speakers, except on my way to work (20 minutes, moderate volume) & late at night if I was still listening to or watching something. Usually I'd just sit in silence anyway.

But I could go from enjoying music to silence.. and enjoying music to the fullest. Now it's usually accompanied by a very static like hiss. Ruins the experience for sure.

Music was my everything to be honest. Everything in my bedroom reminds me of it - decorations, my vinyl and album collection... I've gone as far as to put away all my band merch because seeing it all just kills me inside every time. Tempted to do the same to my music collection.

It sucks having this taken away from me because it's what got me through everything else in my life before. I needed it like air. I really, really hope all of us get to enjoy it again sooner rather than later.

My relationship with music was exactly like yours. I needed it for everything, even processing my emotions. I haven't exactly had an easy life leading up to this and music was my coping mechanism and my soul.

It scares me that even when tinnitus can be treated (I firmly believe it is coming soon) all of my pitch, and speed distortions will remain as well as whole instruments just disappearing when they are played with other instruments.

I. am. terrified.

If regenerative medicine doesn't fix those things as well, I really don't have a lot of interest in continuing my life, even if the rest of the world sounded ok. I don't have family so there is no reason to for me without the capacity for joy.

 

[ASilverLight]

My relationship with music was exactly like yours. I needed it for everything, even processing my emotions. I haven't exactly had an easy life leading up to this and music was my coping mechanism and my soul.

It scares me that even when tinnitus can be treated (I firmly believe it is coming soon) all of my pitch, and speed distortions will remain as well as whole instruments just disappearing when they are played with other instruments.

I. am. terrified.

If regenerative medicine doesn't fix those things as well, I really don't have a lot of interest in continuing my life, even if the rest of the world sounded ok. I don't have family so there is no reason to for me without the capacity for joy.

Yes, music has been the exact same for me. It was my way to cope with everything that's happened to me. It was often the only way for me to make sense of my emotions at all, and often the only thing that could make me cry. Boy, has that changed since getting this beast.

I'm honestly pretty scared no treatments on the horizon are going to work for me. No notable hearing loss and I don't suspect much hidden hearing loss either - speech is clear and I don't struggle to understand it in noisy surroundings etc. Of course there could still be minor dips somewhere in the higher frequencies... but since mine is multi-tonal and fluctuates so much + no notable hearing loss, I just don't know what'll help for me.

I suspect mine is from tensed muscles, congestion issues and stress/anxiety, but who even knows...

But I do agree with you. Should nothing help me and I can't go back to music.... well, that'll be the end of it. It's really not the lack of silence (even though that too is a tough pill to swallow) but losing music is so tough. I can't even imagine being in your shoes, because at least I get to hear music as it should be, to a degree.

I feel for you, you're incredibly strong. I really hope future treatments will help us both. (And everyone else here obviously).

 

[FGG]

Yes, music has been the exact same for me. It was my way to cope with everything that's happened to me. It was often the only way for me to make sense of my emotions at all, and often the only thing that could make me cry. Boy, has that changed since getting this beast.

I'm honestly pretty scared no treatments on the horizon are going to work for me. No notable hearing loss and I don't suspect much hidden hearing loss either - speech is clear and I don't struggle to understand it in noisy surroundings etc. Of course there could still be minor dips somewhere in the higher frequencies... but since mine is multi-tonal and fluctuates so much + no notable hearing loss, I just don't know what'll help for me.

I suspect mine is from tensed muscles, congestion issues and stress/anxiety, but who even knows...

But I do agree with you. Should nothing help me and I can't go back to music.... well, that'll be the end of it. It's really not the lack of silence (even though that too is a tough pill to swallow) but losing music is so tough. I can't even imagine being in your shoes, because at least I get to hear music as it should be, to a degree.

I feel for you, you're incredibly strong. I really hope future treatments will help us both. (And everyone else here obviously).

I'm confident regenerative treatments will help you with tinnitus. Tinnitus will be very treatable within 5 years imo.

I'm not really strong, just willing to wait 5 years to see.

 

[ASilverLight]

I'm confident regenerative treatments will help you with tinnitus. Tinnitus will be very treatable within 5 years imo.

I'm not really strong, just willing to wait 5 years to see.

Well for what it's worth, that's still strong in my books. I do hope you're right. I'm still young so if we can get at least some relief within five years then I still have a very decent shot at a great life. I know I would have regardless, but it'd be a lot easier without all of this.

Either way I'm also willing to wait for treatments. I do want to live - just not with this much noise.

 

[FGG]

Well for what it's worth, that's still strong in my books. I do hope you're right. I'm still young so if we can get at least some relief within five years then I still have a very decent shot at a great life. I know I would have regardless, but it'd be a lot easier without all of this.

Either way I'm also willing to wait for treatments. I do want to live - just not with this much noise.

I'm not that young (42). I had to give up my career (I have hearing issues well beyond tinnitus) and my marriage fell apart after my ototoxicity. I was never able to successfully carry a pregnancy (one pregnancy which resulted in miscarriage) either so I have no children.

That's why music is vitality important to me. I won't have anything else as I grow old without it.

 

[Foamearplugssuck]

but the whole experience has been ruined anyway. I'd always listen to music - not even loudly! Many will probably say I'd do so unknowingly but no, I kept track of volume because I've always been terrified of hearing loss/tinnitus (lol).

literally this is exactly what I'm going through. I made music, I danced, I listened [at safe volumes]--music was my life. but pursuing my passion for it backfired big time. it's so hard because I feel like it's forever tainted for me...like I'll never be able to truly enjoy myself at a concert or listening to music because it has been corrupted by my tinnitus. which really sucks, because making music is how I've always coped with traumatic life events. but I can't really produce without headphones, so I just have to internalize my sadness. and besides, listening to music now makes me irrationally bitter/jealous of people who don't have tinnitus and are able to pursue their passion for music.

 

[ASilverLight]

I'm not that young (42). I had to give up my career (I have hearing issues well beyond tinnitus) and my marriage fell apart after my ototoxicity. I was never able to successfully carry a pregnancy (one pregnancy which resulted in miscarriage) either so I have no children.

That's why music is vitality important to me. I won't have anything else as I grow old without it.

I'm only 23. My childhood really wasn't the best and I'm still recovering from everything that happened, although I have mental issues that'll stay with me forever. I don't have a degree (yet) and there are some personal things I was finally read to explore this year - now this. So while I can still get somewhere after a cure has been found, it still hurts I'm losing these careless, vital years along with my biggest love in life.

We really all do deserve better than this. I hope things will work for you, so much. First time I read about your music issues my heart really hurt for you because I know exactly how vital music is, too. Now I almost regret building my life around my love for it.

literally this is exactly what I'm going through. I made music, I danced, I listened [at safe volumes]--music was my life. but pursuing my passion for it backfired big time. it's so hard because I feel like it's forever tainted for me...like I'll never be able to truly enjoy myself at a concert or listening to music because it has been corrupted by my tinnitus. which really sucks, because making music is how I've always coped with traumatic life events. but I can't really produce without headphones, so I just have to internalize my sadness. and besides, listening to music now makes me irrationally bitter/jealous of people who don't have tinnitus and are able to pursue their passion for music.

The moment my issues weren't gone within a few days was the day I said goodbye to gigs forever. I haven't been to many and as said, always used protection. No tinnitus ever, no detectable hearing loss here. But it is tainted. I reckon that, should my tinnitus go, I'll go fully back to enjoying music from the comfort of my home, without headphones of course. I still don't know whether mine is fully noise induced but I guess it's a contribution (as it would be for many).

I've never made my own music besides some casual acoustic guitar/keyboard playing, nothing serious or consistent whatsoever, haven't in years due to joint issues in the fingers. But I still enjoyed listening to it so much. Everything about me was about music.

I completely get you on the bitterness though. I see people with headphones or hear cars passing by with music blasting and I just get so bitter, like - I take care of my ears and end up here, and they just get to do that and be fine?

I think being this young also doesn't make it any easier. Not to say it isn't equally hard for people who are older than me, but man. Life really was just about to start for me, in many ways.

 

[grime]

literally this is exactly what I'm going through. I made music, I danced, I listened [at safe volumes]--music was my life. but pursuing my passion for it backfired big time. it's so hard because I feel like it's forever tainted for me...like I'll never be able to truly enjoy myself at a concert or listening to music because it has been corrupted by my tinnitus. which really sucks, because making music is how I've always coped with traumatic life events. but I can't really produce without headphones, so I just have to internalize my sadness. and besides, listening to music now makes me irrationally bitter/jealous of people who don't have tinnitus and are able to pursue their passion for music.

oh my god this is exactly how I feel right now... Having to give up production has been horrible, I can barely listen to like 3 or 4 songs on itunes before my tinnitus starts to go fuckin nuts haha. Production was my most healthy coping mechanism. So much lost potential i feel like. I feel u about the bitterness too, I used to get inspired by music, now it just kinda feels like "damn Ill never be able to do anything like this." I hope youre doing better tho time heals shit

 

[Juan]

Do you think that it's my memory of these songs which is making it seem like they sound normal? Like it's filling in the gaps?

Yes, your brain fills the gaps.

Also, when suffering from hearing issues, several things can happen when listening to music:

- Some instruments sound enhanced and some missing.
- Vocals sound dimmed and merged with background sound
- Hearing cannot "layer" the instruments. For instance even if you pay extreme attention, you wont be able to tell the drumming apart from the rest of a rock song.
- High pitched vocals sound lower (for an example of high pitch, Vince Neil from Motley Crue, or Steven Tyler from Aerosmith, these are high sounds that should be heard clearly over music, that's the idea, that there is a contrast in sound).
- Classical music does not sound layered either, there's a lack of texture to it.
- Lyrics are harder to pin down, specially if listening to music in a foreign language
- Tinnitus reacts to music (increaases)
- Tinnitus is heard at the same time as music (for instance hearing a hissing apart from the music, at the same time as the music, not exactly over it)

However, when one starts losing hearing, it is uplifting that enjoying music is still possible (in my case with some hearing loss), and can still be relaxing, since listening to music actually takes less "brain processing" that understanding sound (someone talking to you when you are not paying attention) or understanding speech in noise (cocktail party effect).