Kid Intentionally Screamed in My Ear at Work — Possible Hearing Damage? I Was Wearing Earplugs

[Daniel Lion]

Hey everyone,

I work in a school part time and today was another really loud day at work. The whole day was very loud so I wore 3M foam earplugs the whole day.

One of the kids intentionally screamed in my ear because they knew I was trying to protect my hearing. They screamed at the top of their lungs directly into my ear. I was wearing the earplugs at this time but it was still extremely loud. I'm very worried that it caused permanent damage. I was just getting over a spike.

Yah, I quit teaching kids.

Little kids I miss, but young teenagers were too much.
I had a girl clapping near my ears because I would wince in pain.
Not a nice girl.
I tutor and teach adults now.

I miss being a homeroom teacher, but between the PA system and kids screaming it was unsustainable.

Thank God you had plugs in...

Time to change jobs... sorry to say.

 

[bSiDeQuiEtWaTeRS]

Hey @MikeO123, I am sorry that the student screamed in your ear...on purpose#!? Youch...that is unfortunate. But I am sure having the earplugs in helped immensely. I have read some of your recent posts and responded to you about certain types of earplugs. I haven't responded about your job specifically to this point, but I know in a different thread you asked if you should stay there or quit. I am not telling you what to do, but I sincerely think that you will be happier leaving that job. For your own sanity and honestly for the management of your tinnitus. I do know that we (persons with T) have to continue living our lives and not let tinnitus rule us but sometimes we have to know when it's too much. I can tell that you are very concerned about different situations and sounds, or environments and making your tinnitus worse. Which I identify with. While a school is not a factory or construction site (or whatever) with extreme loud sounds all day long...it has it's moments of potentially damaging levels of sound.

Without talking to you in depth in person, but based on how many times you've posted in a short span of time, and what you posted about...I would honestly suggest quitting, perhaps even with no notice...like don't show up again other than to say you are done. I am sure you are hemming and hawing about this which is normal...and consider any other advice from people you trust. Trust your own gut.

Now this is me talking, my own advice, without knowing all the details, and no one needs to make this decision but you...but you did ask about it. Just sounds kinda unpromising to stay there. Whether anyone is intentional or not, that environment is just too loud and unpredictable, on a regular basis, to be safe for a person with T (who cares about it) to be in.

Anyway, I truly hope you have comfort about your tinnitus and this episode...and experience improvement to your T whether anything recent damaged your ears or not. Take care and I'll pray for wisdom for you...and healing (which I also need right now).

 

[Mister Muso]

Unfortunately the school administration can't do anything. Besides, they are usually on the side of the kids.

I would consider finding a new school to teach at.

 

[linearb]

My own kid has shrieked right in my ear without any plugs a number of times and it's never caused me any problems besides annoyance.

you're fine. kid is a brat but IMO less of a sociopath than people suggesting filing a legal assault claim against a middle schooler for, well, being a shitty little middle schooler. obviously they need to be disciplined, that's not what the legal system is there for, and when kids are put in the system at that age they're significantly more likely to become permanent criminals