Noise-Induced Tinnitus — I Live a Normal Life Now.

Hi guys! I've had T. for a year since a very loud concert. I had drips back then to help my hearing recover but, unfortunately, the tinnitus nightmare returned a few days later. I had a very hard time back then and I couldn't deal with the fact that my passion- music- might have been gone forever.
I'm a regular concert goer now and I listen to the music using my headphones. I'm also thinking of getting some drumming lessons. Sometimes my T. does get worse... But I don't really care. As long as T. does not affect me, I don't feel any negative emotions and I don't remember it's still here. Maybe one day it will get worse. Maybe I will fully recover. Who knows?
The major part of the problem people have with Tinnitus is their anxiety. They are concerned that they won't go to the cinema, attend a concert or even their own prom. They do everything they can so as not to get a spike- avoid going out, being near busy streets... Don't listen to all these people who tell you such things! It all depends on a person and on the protection you use. My T. got worse when I went to see a band with cheap foam earplugs. But it didn't when I stood near the huge speakers a few days ago on a metalcore gig (extremely loud + fangirl screaming around me) wearing custom molded earplugs. Well, maybe it did, I don't remember because I did not care.
Of course, everyone is different. You may get a spike shortly after a loud music exposure. I still get spikes myself but I don't even think of them. And I think that all that diet and exercise crap is just pointless. It makes you worry much more. Be like me, haha. Not caring about T. but wise.

 

I like your positive attitude though i dont agree with what you said. I guess your T is not reactive to sounds like mine.

 

Same here. I find this some what dangerous advice.

 

I'm at 9 months since one very loud concert.

While I don't freak out about loud kids and ambulance sirens anymore, I still take precautions like an ear plug in my right ear (where I have my T) during loud movies, ear plugs when I use the blender, eating healthier, and exercise (I didn't workout today as planned and my T is now spiking).

I'm happy to hear that you are habilitating in your own way, however, I disagree that we shouldn't follow the routines that helped many others.

I also would recommend ear plugs at loud concerts and, for the love of God, don't stand next to the speakers dude! -- Why possibly make your T even worse just to prove a point?

Nobody needs to prove that they are willing to "take the bull by the horns". -- Sorry for being Debbie Downer, but we need to stay at a safe distance from the bull!

Just my 2 cents..

 

I am really pleased for you that you are doing so well emotionally and no longer care if your T gets louder. I do not wish to rain on your success story. However some of your advice is dangerous to others. Previously you said you were not going to stand near speakers again.

I wish you well. I read you have no measureable hearing loss. Please be aware that other sufferers may be more damaged and vulnerable both physically and psychologically.

Good luck.

 

Well, I said it depends on a person, right? My Tinnitus was loud, unbearable and highly reactive to different stuff (music, bars, car ride, alcohol) at first and then it gradually got better. I started going to gigs about half a year after i got T. because I was too scared to do anything, even ride a car or go out. However, it's still here and I know what many of the activities I'm into are dangerous.
I always use custom molded earplugs that weren't so cheap but they protect my ears properly. Don't do such crazy stuff with regular plugs, dudes. I wouldn't reccommend standing near the speakers like me- there was a loooot of people pushing me forward (stupid fangirls) so I ended up there, umm. If you go to a concert, just stay in the back if you don't want to risk. For the headphones, don't use in-ear ones- they do much more damage. And be prepared for the risk- your T. might get worse even permamently. But it's your life and your choice. I'm just trying to tell that not everyone's Tinnitus will get worse after loud noise exposure. In some cases, it of course can!
Edit: I think I have some hearing loss at high frequencies. I had it when I last had my hearing tested.

 

@Ichigo thank you soo much for that story!! I think everything you said was right and its YOUR success story, so I dont see why people might criticize you, for what YOU are experiencing!!!
I have noise induced T since 6 months and I am not habituated. But I think it ALWAYS depends on the person. you seem to be strong, outgoing, and enjoying life. And thats proabably the only cure.
So yeah, great story man.
how loud would you estimate your T now?

 

Please don't forget to come back on the forum when you'll have become suicidal because of your imprudence !
If you really like music my advice is to keep it low !

 

@drox you are acting very immature and what you are saying is just not nice. He is habituated. You people need to UNDERSTAND that he is habituated. Thats what being habituated fucking sounds like. Only because you,drox, got louder T and became suicidal doesnt mean that he will.
You should stop acting like that and appreciate his post. And acknowledge that he has accomplished.

 

FWIW over the years, in the real world, I've met a lot more people who have told me "oh yeah I've had tinnitus for years so I wear earplugs when I go to concerts or shoot guns, and it hasn't gotten any worse" than people who have told me that they have permanently given up concerts/guns/whatever, or that they've had tinnitus that's been progressive.

Sample size is not that big, for sure. But, the difference in the way tinnitus is discussed on this forum (ie, a death sentence) is a stark contrast to the way tinnitus threads tend to go on music / motorcycle / gun related forums (ie a pain in the ass that's livable).

edit: for sake of disclosure, I personally don't go to many concerts, or shoot guns anymore. But, that has as much to do with being older and having other interests, as anything else. I still ride bikes, vrrrm.

 

I think this is due to the severity bias: this forum is generally found by people who find their T very intrusive and debilitating.
Stats show that most T sufferers don't even mention it to their doctors: they can move on and live with it and manage. But a small fraction of T sufferers is really in distress: they talk to their doctors and that typically doesn't help because they are told there is no answer for them. So they start helping themselves and research it, especially on the internet, and that's how they end up on sites like this one.

People who aren't bothered by their T aren't even looking for this website.

 

@linearb I so agree with you Linearb
I stay away from the forum sometimes for days and live my life with this beast in my ear but I tell myself this is the worst it will get and of course I protect my ears everywhere i go now and I can of somewhat accept what I have ......But then I come on the Forum and read all the death and gloom and get scared again of what the future will hold for me.
Its not easy balancing going on with life and having T sometimes...We need more people reassuring us that its a good possibility of what you have now is the worst it will get and that there's a chance it will even improve over time.
Glad you posted what you did Linearb

 

well, the way I look at it, no matter what I do my health is going to get worse, my body is going to fall apart, and eventually fail me entirely. That's just how it works, so getting too worried or angry about that is about as useful as urinating into oncoming wind, or yelling at the ocean to please stop making so many waves...

 

@linearb
(urinating into oncoming wind, or yelling at the ocean to please stop making so many waves)
LOL
yeah I hear you our bodies will fail us over time i get that ...I'm just hoping that when my body fails on me that I don't have loud ass T to go with it...know what I mean.

 

I agree with Hopeful1, another sean and Drox.

Was reading your Original Post, and thought Oh My God ( i rarely use that expression ) can't believe what i'm reading.

I go out plenty........... i'm outside all the time ! ( wear sunscreen ..or you'll suffer the consequences of Damaged Skin )

i do definately avoid noisey streets.

FYI...... Your EAR Nerve is much more sensitive ..while your ears are actively ringing. disagree if ya want..

While your ears are ringing, you have to give them a break. Or close to it as you can..

 

I appreciate you sharing your story Ichigo

I've got T for the same reasons as you do, and I'm also really passionate about music and love going to concerts. Getting the diagnosis that I have lost the ability to hear certain frequencies and that has caused my T really scared me and made me not want to be around any kind of noise. It really got me down and I took it as the end of my life as I know it.

However what my doctor explained was that if I wear my custom molded earplugs and avoid loud environments when I can, I can continue living a normal life doing all the things I love to do such as going out to concerts. Since my T responds to loud noises, I noticed that when I was in a loud environment (band practice with loud amps and drums) with my earplugs I had no ringing afterward, which just shows how much damage earplugs prevent.

That being said I'm still taking it easy, avoiding noise whenever I can and I've stopped using headphones and earphones to listen to music altogether which has been tough but I'm already noticing a reduction in my ringing. I think what is important is to stay positive and not take T as a death sentence, as it should not stop us from living. Preventing damage by avoiding noise if we can and wearing good quality ear plugs means we can live without fear and anxiety. It's a process and a journey but I've accepted it as part of my life now, and I'm glad you've found a positive outlook on it. Being safe is as easy as putting in earplugs so there's no reason not to do it.

 

Where does one obtain custom molded earplugs? (I only need one.)

 

Lorac unfortunately I don't know where you can purchase them in America as I live in South Africa, however I'm sure if you search for custom molded plugs in your area you will find a place to get them. They should not be unreasonably expensive and I would suggest visiting a specialist who can test your ears and find out what the cause of the issue is. The place I got mine from is called Noise Clippers, they deal with ear health exclusively. So I'm sure you can find such a place in America as well, they're very clued up on tinnitus and ear health but they aren't doctors and refer you to an ENT doctor if necessary.

Hope you find a good place to go to, good luck

 

Lorac your Audiologist will sell them almost definitely. Mine are Westone, but I was fitted at the ENT/Aud office. Honestly they're great. I'm yet to go to a concert with them as I'm still VERY new to this (5 weeks) and being prudent - however I've given them a test run with my acoustic guitar and they drop the volume well without destroying the sound the way that foam ones do.

Not buying these (a measly $200) 10 years ago is one of my biggest regrets in life.

 

Well said Greg.

I stop by this forum about once a week since my T still bugs me, however, I probably never would have found it if I habituated quickly like some of these folks who "habituate" within 3 months.

I'm happy for them but they sound condescending since many of the people in this forum are real sufferers who have been in misery for more than a year (some for many years).

I think posters should be required to have T for at least one year before they can post in "Success Stories". -- Just my 2 cents..

 

@John Meyers , I actually get a laugh of it. There are a lot of success stories of people who had Tinnitus and suffered for years, and then someone will come and write "Hey, I had it for a few weeks and it's gone, Yeeeey". It's funny.

 

I hear ya Zug.

I saw one the other day where the guy had it for one month only and he said not to message him because he was leaving the forum never to come back.

Wonder if he does the same thing on AA forums..

I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!!

 

Do they tell you your custom earplugs' NRR rating?

 

When you get molded plugs you can choose the filter.

 

What is the filter that provides the most protection? In other words, how much protection (in terms of dB) can one get with this type of plugs?

 

ACS customs:
26dB NRR filtered for music
27dB NRR filtered for moto-sports
33dB with a cap


33dB is the limit due to bone conduction

 

Thank you! The best earplugs I ever tried are rated 29dB. 33 dB would be a big improvement.

 

I strongly recommend everyone read this.

http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/making-the-case-for-custom-12959

Custom plugs provide ACTUAL reduction - not NRR (which provides about half of what it claims). It is substantially better b/c it actually fits correctly.

 

Thank you, this was very helpful.

But one sentence I noticed was:
"Earmold impressions come with inherent, significant risks"

The author doesn't elaborate on these risks. I will have to look into this!

 

I think mine is 25Db. I used to have 15Db filters but I lost them since I only wear them when it's loud. It fits way better and goes deeper into your ear. There's no risk if you buy a proper pair, usually an audiologist will do the mold and fitting for you.

Don't trust the numbers THAT much, just find a good brand and fit for you and you'll be fine.