- Jan 15, 2017
- 11
- Tinnitus Since
- Jan 2012
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Firearms, Noise Exposure
Hi All, just introducing myself to the forum. My situation, and how I came to be here.
I am in the Military, During 2012 I was exposed to rifle gun fire during a shooting incident/accident where someone fired a rifle next to me (about 1 meter away) - unfortunately my hearing protection had fallen out (disposable soft foam type). I developed Tinnitus from that point forward in my left ear. After about 3 months I got reasonably used to the ringing, and really only heard the T if I was in a quiet room, or I really thought about it. I made sure I wore double hearing protection, soft disposable and hard ear muffs for all loud activity including using lawn mowers, power tools, and military equipment.
Then, Sep last year (2016) the situation from 2012 basically repeated itself. I was exposed to 3 shots, in succession at close range (about 1 meter again). But this time the T became three times as loud, and now in my right ear as well. On top of this I developed a sensitivity to noise, and sensitivity to what seams ambient noise, like aircraft terminals, air-conditioning, being in a passenger aircraft, driving for long periods in a car etc.
I find the ringing and sensitivity unbearable. And even have a slight bit of pain. I have T in both ears now and my Dr has put me on Stilnox every second night to sleep. I seem to have developed a phobia towards sound, and I now avoid a lot of things I liked doing, I don't go to cafe's, restaurants or malls, I avoid boats, motorbikes and anything with a loud motor. (I def avoid firearms). I find even with double hearing protection it feels like the T is competing with the low tone ambient frequency that you can still hear though the protection, this competing temporally increases the ringing. Im not sure if I'm creating some of it in my head, or its actually happening...... I asked my ENT Spec if i am now prone to the T getting worse, if I get exposed to everyday sounds. My ENT specialist informed me, said i can't do further damage unless I'm exposed to a noise over a certain dB that would cause damage in normal circumstance damage. I'm not so sure though.
If it got worse I don't know how I would live. Because of my significant hearing damage, my job is on the line, not sure what I would do if I was forced out of work... Work in a library?......
Thats enough of the negative stuff, and I will try to avoid being negative. Looking for any suggestions and chatting to like minded people. I will give anything a try.
I am in the Military, During 2012 I was exposed to rifle gun fire during a shooting incident/accident where someone fired a rifle next to me (about 1 meter away) - unfortunately my hearing protection had fallen out (disposable soft foam type). I developed Tinnitus from that point forward in my left ear. After about 3 months I got reasonably used to the ringing, and really only heard the T if I was in a quiet room, or I really thought about it. I made sure I wore double hearing protection, soft disposable and hard ear muffs for all loud activity including using lawn mowers, power tools, and military equipment.
Then, Sep last year (2016) the situation from 2012 basically repeated itself. I was exposed to 3 shots, in succession at close range (about 1 meter again). But this time the T became three times as loud, and now in my right ear as well. On top of this I developed a sensitivity to noise, and sensitivity to what seams ambient noise, like aircraft terminals, air-conditioning, being in a passenger aircraft, driving for long periods in a car etc.
I find the ringing and sensitivity unbearable. And even have a slight bit of pain. I have T in both ears now and my Dr has put me on Stilnox every second night to sleep. I seem to have developed a phobia towards sound, and I now avoid a lot of things I liked doing, I don't go to cafe's, restaurants or malls, I avoid boats, motorbikes and anything with a loud motor. (I def avoid firearms). I find even with double hearing protection it feels like the T is competing with the low tone ambient frequency that you can still hear though the protection, this competing temporally increases the ringing. Im not sure if I'm creating some of it in my head, or its actually happening...... I asked my ENT Spec if i am now prone to the T getting worse, if I get exposed to everyday sounds. My ENT specialist informed me, said i can't do further damage unless I'm exposed to a noise over a certain dB that would cause damage in normal circumstance damage. I'm not so sure though.
If it got worse I don't know how I would live. Because of my significant hearing damage, my job is on the line, not sure what I would do if I was forced out of work... Work in a library?......
Thats enough of the negative stuff, and I will try to avoid being negative. Looking for any suggestions and chatting to like minded people. I will give anything a try.
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