I Want a Short Haircut — Should I Be Worried About Clippers Buzzing Near Ears?

[Vin]

I have grown my hair out since I have had tinnitus but I want to go back to my bald skin fade now that spring and summer are coming in a couple months.

Should I be worried about the buzzing of clippers near my ears? Should I wear ear plugs? I don't care how stupid I will look, I am past that... or is it not worth the risk? I have worn my hair short like this for the last 5 years and love it like this. No fuss, just shower and go.

Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[Julien87]

Hi, I cut my hair myself with a buzzer. I generally don't wear earplugs, it is not very loud (75/80-ish db most of the time, I measured with my physical db meter).
I already wore earplugs though (because I take a long shower with high pressure to get rid of most of the cut hair right after and that can be loud). If you decide to use some during the hair cutting, I would suggest to use foam earplugs. I tried with silicon custom molded earplugs first and the contact of the buzzer against the head was very uncomfortable (and seemed loud) because of the occlusion.

 

[GoatSheep]

I wear earplugs and personally tell them no hair dryer for me. I try to go first thing in the morning when there are as few customers as possible.

 

[Michael B]

I don't hesitate to tell anyone about my sensitivity to sound and everyone seems to respect it. Funny, I never expected that but people sometimes surprise me... in a good way.

 

[Deniseh]

@Vin

I've visited the hairdresser 3 times now since onset (August 2019). Full cut, blow dry with no plugs and never had any problems so far, I know it's not the same as clippers but I sometimes feel the anxiety around the event cause a spike more than the event itself

 

[Vin]

Thanks for responses!