Living Near a Busy Street with Constant Road Noise — How to Deal with It and Hyperacusis?

[KristianTsokanov]

Hi everyone,

I've always had tinnitus due to negligence on my part as a teenager and up to my mid 20's. Playing in death metal bands without proper protection certainty didn't help.

I had a recent tinnitus spike that started on 11-25-2021 due to overwhelming stress in my personal life. Thought about getting on an SSRI which seemed logical since I've been dealing with anxiety issues for a couple years. Started on 50 mg of Zoloft on 12-15-2021. First day, developed crazy migraine. Immediately after taking my 2nd dose the following evening. I started to notice thumping coming from my left ear as I walked through my home.

I immediately stopped taking Zoloft after day 2, but I'm still dealing with hyperacusis and pain.

I've lived on a busy corner (6 lane road) for 2 years and never had any issues. Since the appearance of hyperacusis, I've developed phonophobia. There's about 2-3 cars on my street that love to redline, not including all the other straight piped idiots. My office also faces the street which does not help (moving my PC to the other bedroom).

My girlfriend lives in quiet apartment which I think I'll start staying more often throughout the week. I'm also actively searching for a new house (renting). My anxiety has improved drastically since I've stopped drinking 200mg of caffeine a day. I do miss my venti iced coffee from Starbucks hah.

I did go see an audiologist last week and got molds done for custom musician earplugs. Dealing with hyperacusis, I haven't been able to sit inside a restaurant due to all the noise and clanking. Is it safe to go out and enjoy? I would use the custom earplugs when needed, i.e. bars, restaurants, loud street noises. Definitely don't want to overprotect. I can't wear foam plugs due discomfort inside my inner ear.

So my question is, am I at a disadvantage due to all the road noise? I'm having to constantly run and hide or shove my fingers into my ears roughly 20 times a day. I wake up in the morning feeling positive, but then the wannabe street racers start and my anxiety explodes which adds to the ear pain.

 

[MindOverMatter]

@KristianTsokanov, yes, in the state you are in now you would be better off moving.

Living where you do now makes you more stressed and hyper vigilant than what you want and need at this point.

It will also raise your tension and anxiety, and hyperacusis will in turn be harder to deal with. Imo.

 

[Juan]

So my question is, am I at a disadvantage due to all the road noise?

You should move somewhere else. Even if your body did not react so obviously to the sound, it is still there. Once I came across some articles about infra-sound (it was in Spanish) and apparently low humming and the vibration that hits a building due to traffic noises are super bad for health in general, and particularly affect people with hearing issues.

I have never lived near a busy street. Actually, now my apartment faces a very quiet street, and I was even bothered by that when I moved here, because previously I have lived all my life in apartments or houses that faced gardens and had very little noise, and no traffic noise at all.

 

[Leila]

I live right next to a busy street, too, and it is driving me up the wall. However, over here prices have gone up so much that finding something that works has become quite the challenge. I've got family who live in a pretty remote area and the kind of an impact a couple of hours at theirs tends to have on my hyperacusis is amazing. So if moving is an option, go for it!

 

[Taw]

Side note: custom earplugs do not offer too much protection. I have 3 pairs of them made by different manufacturers and I estimate they have maximum 15 dB of protection, so try adding another layer (like earmuffs) if you venture yourself on busy streets.

I have the same problem with foam earplugs, my ears burn a lot, but for small periods (maximum 1h) I still use them because they have the best protection.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

@KristianTsokanov, yes, in the state you are in now you would be better off moving.

Living where you do now makes you more stressed and hyper vigilant than what you want and need at this point.

It will also raise your tension and anxiety, and hyperacusis will in turn be harder to deal with. Imo.

Just got back from the quiet place. You're stop on. As soon as I got back home. Boom! Instant tension and anxiety.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

You should move somewhere else. Even if your body did not react so obviously to the sound, it is still there. Once I came across some articles about infra-sound (it was in Spanish) and apparently low humming and the vibration that hits a building due to traffic noises are super bad for health in general, and particularly affect people with hearing issues.

I have never lived near a busy street. Actually, now my apartment faces a very quiet street, and I was even bothered by that when I moved here, because previously I have lived all my life in apartments or houses that faced gardens and had very little noise, and no traffic noise at all.

Thank you for your thoughts! I'm definitely moving soon. It's 24/7 humming, well not exact. It usually dies down around 12 am.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

I live right next to a busy street, too, and it is driving me up the wall. However, over here prices have gone up so much that finding something that works has become quite the challenge. I've got family who live in a pretty remote area and the kind of an impact a couple of hours at theirs tends to have on my hyperacusis is amazing. So if moving is an option, go for it!

@Leila, I feel your pain! I don't know your living situation, but I hope you're able to find some kind of arrangement. Definitely moving for sure.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

Side note: custom earplugs do not offer too much protection. I have 3 pairs of them made by different manufacturers and I estimate they have maximum 15 dB of protection, so try adding another layer (like earmuffs) if you venture yourself on busy streets.

I have the same problem with foam earplugs, my ears burn a lot, but for small periods (maximum 1h) I still use them because they have the best protection.

Your custom earplugs, do they have removable filters? I believe the ones I have on order, the filters can be replaced depending on the attenuation I'm seeking.

 

[Juan]

Thank you for your thoughts! I'm definitely moving soon. It's 24/7 humming, well not exact. It usually dies down around 12 am.

It must be hard to move now. There is a global real estate bubble, spanning from Spain, to Bratislava, to Berlin, to the US... a result of wrong decisions by central banks regarding the interest rates.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

It must be hard to move now. There is a global real estate bubble, spanning from Spain, to Bratislava, to Berlin, to the US... a result of wrong decisions by central banks regarding the interest rates.

Yup! Everyone is buying up homes without even going onsite. Crazy times.

 

[Leila]

Yup! Everyone is buying up homes without even going onsite. Crazy times.

Yep, people are afraid of losing their savings to inflation or a potential crash, so they're investing like crazy in property. Makes it harder and harder to find a place that's affordable that isn't a total wreck.

 

[Taw]

Your custom earplugs, do they have removable filters? I believe the ones I have on order, the filters can be replaced depending on the attenuation I'm seeking.

Nope, mine are fully at 100% protection, no filters. And still they don't seem that they do much. Perhaps you have better luck.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

Nope, mine are fully at 100% protection, no filters. And still they don't seem that they do much. Perhaps you have better luck.

Looks like mine are the same. I'm trying to see if I can get the molds sent to a Westone dealer, if not, I'm out another $200. Doh!

 

[Juan]

Yep, people are afraid of losing their savings to inflation or a potential crash, so they're investing like crazy in property. Makes it harder and harder to find a place that's affordable that isn't a total wreck.

It seems no one learnt anything on the 2008 real estate crash hahaha.

 

[Juan]

Yup! Everyone is buying up homes without even going onsite. Crazy times.

Real estate prices will end up collapsing... all bubbles explode sooner or later.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

Real estate prices will end up collapsing... all bubbles explode sooner or later.

I'm ready! Tired of renting.

 

[Juan]

I'm ready! Tired of renting.

Wait for the 4 interest rates raises this year... let's hope that the FED does its job once and for all... better late than never...

 

[KristianTsokanov]

Going to be picking up the Style 49 for loud situations. I originally had a pair done years ago, 2005ish? Lost them at a gig

 

[Juan]

I'm ready! Tired of renting.

I have heard people are quitting their jobs in the US. They do not think it is worth to work so much anymore, due to very high inflation. Is that true?

Here inflation is through the roof too. It has all been provoked by central banks.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

I have heard people are quitting their jobs in the US. They do not think it is worth to work so much anymore, due to very high inflation. Is that true?

Mainly fast food positions.

 

[Juan]

Mainly fast food positions.

I understand... the right move today could be moving to a cheaper country, living a slower life, and working less. That could be a wise move.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

Nope, mine are fully at 100% protection, no filters. And still they don't seem that they do much. Perhaps you have better luck.

Just picked up my earplugs. What a waste of money! Barely any protection and the occlusion effect is increased 10x when I speak. Westones should be a huge improvement.

 

[Juan]

Just picked up my earplugs. What a waste of money! Barely any protection and the occlusion effect is increased 10x when I speak. Westones should be a huge improvement.

I use foam earplugs from a Spanish brand. The brand is "Ototap", and they sell 3 pairs of earplugs for like 4.5 euros. For me these earplugs are the best in terms of noise reduction.

3M also makes foam earplugs. They have specific models for noise reduction, but those never worked well for me. Some 3M products use a foam that sticks and gets "glued" inside my ears and there is a nasty pop when I remove them... that's a big no no... super bad for ears.

All foam earplugs will produce occlusion. I use them because for me occlusion is better than being exposed to noise. I have to choose between 2 bad options... occlusion or noise.

 

[Taw]

Just picked up my earplugs. What a waste of money! Barely any protection and the occlusion effect is increased 10x when I speak. Westones should be a huge improvement.

Occlusion effect happens because they are not deep inserted, yes.

And I agree that the protection is minimum compared to the foam ones.

@Juan, you always have to remove the plugs very slowly, otherwise an eardrum problem might occur. Please note that deep inserted foam plugs do not produce occlusion effect.

 

[Juan]

@Juan, you always have to remove the plugs very slowly, otherwise an eardrum problem might occur. Please note that deep inserted foam plugs do not produce occlusion effect.

Yeah, I know... but some earplugs are made of a material that gets stuck, like glued, and then pops when removed.

 

[kingsfan]

Just picked up my earplugs. What a waste of money! Barely any protection and the occlusion effect is increased 10x when I speak. Westones should be a huge improvement.

The fit is probably not right. Do they create a good seal when inserted? You have, I believe, 30 days after receiving them to contact them to have them corrected. The plugs may not have been made correctly or the molds are not correct and need to be taken again.

Occlusion will amplify if the the molds were not taken deep enough or the plugs are not inserted all the way.

Westone can be difficult to get a good seal because of the hard material they are constructed from. Sensaphonics may be a better choice for you as they are softer. ACS Customs have a port to allow airflow out from the ear to reduce occlusion. I have a pair on the way so I can report back on them in a few weeks if you are curious about them.

Westones usually come with a lubricant. You can try using that to improve your seal in the meantime. You may need to use a lot of the lubricant to get a seal if the plugs aren't fitting your ears properly.

 

[KristianTsokanov]

The fit is probably not right. Do they create a good seal when inserted? You have, I believe, 30 days after receiving them to contact them to have them corrected. The plugs may not have been made correctly or the molds are not correct and need to be taken again.

Occlusion will amplify if the the molds were not taken deep enough or the plugs are not inserted all the way.

Westone can be difficult to get a good seal because of the hard material they are constructed from. Sensaphonics may be a better choice for you as they are softer. ACS Customs have a port to allow airflow out from the ear to reduce occlusion. I have a pair on the way so I can report back on them in a few weeks if you are curious about them.

Westones usually come with a lubricant. You can try using that to improve your seal in the meantime. You may need to use a lot of the lubricant to get a seal if the plugs aren't fitting your ears properly.

The ones I have are currently silicon plugs. The Westones are still on order for another 2 weeks.

 

[Taw]

Yeah, I know... but some earplugs are made of a material that gets stuck, like glued, and then pops when removed.

Not sure about this. I have like 6-7 brands and models and none of them stick inside the ears. Perhaps you have too much earwax and they stick to the wax.

Nevertheless try to rotate them when you remove them and do it very gently, for me it takes like 5 seconds to remove each of them.

 

[Stacken77]

Nevertheless try to rotate them when you remove them and do it very gently, for me it takes like 5 seconds to remove each of them.

Precisely. I have some custom molds, and they must be rotated or else I'll experience a pretty loud pop. With silicon plugs there's, in my experience, a special kind of air tight seal that can cause this pop.