Is Sneezing Loud Enough to Cause Acoustic Trauma?

[Theater Ringing]

Hello, all.

I got tinnitus a little over 3 weeks ago following acoustic trauma in my left ear. It's had its ups and downs, but is much easier to deal with than it was at first. I've actually been staring to take my life back and have been trying to take care of my left ear.

So, today, I had a co-worker who sits to my right let out this extremely loud, high pitched sneeze. It was actually loud enough to cause me physical pain in my RIGHT ear. Immediately afterwards, I experienced a stuffy feeling in my right ear, which is what happened after my trauma to my left ear.

So, now I'm freaking out because my right ear has been fine this whole time and I'm afraid of trauma to this ear as well. I've been a little jumpy around loud noises, so I'm not sure if I'm just imagining this all or not. With it being allergy season, my ears have been feeling a little stuffy anyways, but not as bad as this.

So, basically, is a sneeze loud enough to cause acoustic trauma?

 

[butterfly75]

Hi. I've experienced people accidentally sneezing very loudly close to me as well. Since it was a short exposure, you should probably be fine. It may have also sounded louder than it was because it was high-pitched.

 

[Bill Bauer]

It will most likely be a temporary spike lasting until the end of the day, or for a couple of days...

 

[Rick Garner]

Hi Theater Ringing,

Sorry for what you are going through now. Out of curiosity, what movie made you suffering from tinnitus?

 

[Santiago Biagi]

Given it was in August i would say Dunkirk, pretty loud movie. Saw it before my acoustic incident.

On topic: Not really, maybe it's just the sound anxiety. Had it a few times when i tought i heard something really loud.

 

[Theater Ringing]

Hi Theater Ringing,

Sorry for what you are going through now. Out of curiosity, what movie made you suffering from tinnitus?

Thank you for the concern. It was actually Dunkirk. I'm a fan of Nolan's work and went to a showing in a local AMC theater. I think the part that did me in was one of the scenes with the loud German fighter jets. Got an immediate pressurised feeling in my left ear, like it needed to pop. Didnt think anything of it until two days in Got on some Prednisone and the ringing started a few days later.

 

[Theater Ringing]

Given it was in August i would say Dunkirk, pretty loud movie. Saw it before my acoustic incident.

On topic: Not really, maybe it's just the sound anxiety. Had it a few times when i tought i heard something really loud.

Yep, that's the one. Wanted to enjoy the movie and probably would have had it not given me T. I still have the pressurised feeling in my right ear today. Went to an after hours clinic out of a gut feeling yesterday and started back on Prednisone again. I did start hearing some additional ringing in my right ear (which was previously unaffected), but hopefully it subsides soon.

 

[Rick Garner]

Thank you for the concern. It was actually Dunkirk. I'm a fan of Nolan's work and went to a showing in a local AMC theater. I think the part that did me in was one of the scenes with the loud German fighter jets. Got an immediate pressurised feeling in my left ear, like it needed to pop. Didnt think anything of it until two days in Got on some Prednisone and the ringing started a few days later.

Thanks for your reply. I hope/think it will subside gradually as that was only a one time exposure.

 

[Theater Ringing]

Thanks for your reply. I hope/think it will subside gradually as that was only a one time exposure.

Thank you for the reassurance. Strange how these things work, huh? I spent a portion of my early 20's playing drums in a band and going to concerts, then a single scene in a loud movie does me in. I agree with those that believe that stress makes it worse. In fact, the worst parts of my T didn't show up until I started obsessing over it.

 

[Elfin]

In fact, the worst parts of my T didn't show up until I started obsessing over it.

can certainly relate! Didn't notice the 'head tinnitus' until I began really listening out for it!