Increase in Tinnitus After Ear Plug Removal

[Andrew Ingram]

Hi all

Got some "musicians" ear plugs last week that I intend to carry around in case I end up in a noisy pub, restaurant etc. I was playing around with them last night and one of them went in a bit further than it should. It didn't get stuck but took a while to get it out. On removal there was a few loud squelchy noises and my tinnitus has now increased.

I'm worried I've made the damn thing even worse?!

Cheers, Andrew

 

[JurgenG]

I am not a veteran in any of this (luckily) but from what I've heard this sound like a temporally spike? Did it hurt when you encountered this?

 

[Andrew Ingram]

Hi Jurgen

No pain at all - I guess it was just a squeak/pop from from the plug

 

[lolkas]

Hi all

Got some "musicians" ear plugs last week that I intend to carry around in case I end up in a noisy pub, restaurant etc. I was playing around with them last night and one of them went in a bit further than it should. It didn't get stuck but took a while to get it out. On removal there was a few loud squelchy noises and my tinnitus has now increased.

I'm worried I've made the damn thing even worse?!

Cheers, Andrew

When you want to take plugs out - make Street you do so with twist motion, don't just pull them out (unless they are barely in). When plug is in - most off the air in ear canal gets pushed ou, when you unplug -negative pressure is created. If you twist while unplug - air pressure will be minimal due to little gaps that will be created between plug and skin that will allow air to be "sucked" in.

 

[Andrew Ingram]

thanks lolkas - normally when I take plugs out I pinch the side in to allow some air in before withdrawing them.

Clearly something went wrong this time. Is it likely to have caused some lasting damage?

 

[Ed209]

Hi all

Got some "musicians" ear plugs last week that I intend to carry around in case I end up in a noisy pub, restaurant etc. I was playing around with them last night and one of them went in a bit further than it should. It didn't get stuck but took a while to get it out. On removal there was a few loud squelchy noises and my tinnitus has now increased.

I'm worried I've made the damn thing even worse?!

Cheers, Andrew

I'm not sure what you mean by they went in further than they should. Custom ear plugs only push in so far, so they shouldn't really go too deep. Sometimes if your hands are a little sweaty or wet it can be a little tricky to get a good grip for removal. It shouldn't really be that difficult though. The squelchy pop is nothing to worry about, I know exactly what you mean. As posted above, try twisting as you remove them.

Your T increase is undoubtedly related to an increase in anxiety; something I've been through many times in the past. It will settle, but you have to stop thinking about it. You're heightened awareness will only make your T more perceptible.

 

[Andrew Ingram]

cheers Ed - I will try to chill out!

 

[lolkas]

I'm not sure what you mean by they went in further than they should. Custom ear plugs only push in so far, so they shouldn't really go too deep. Sometimes if your hands are a little sweaty or wet it can be a little tricky to get a good grip for removal. It shouldn't really be that difficult though. The squelchy pop is nothing to worry about, I know exactly what you mean. As posted above, try twisting as you remove them.

Your T increase is undoubtedly related to an increase in anxiety; something I've been through many times in the past. It will settle, but you have to stop thinking about it. You're heightened awareness will only make your T more perceptible.

Custom plugs don't have real issues with pressure since they are not going too deep. I always twist them regardless since that is the "right way" anyways.

 

[Ed209]

Custom plugs don't have real issues with pressure since they are not going too deep. I always twist them regardless since that is the "right way" anyways.

That's what I said?

 

[lolkas]

That's what I said?

Pardon!