Paranoia or Reasonable Concern Over Noise Levels?

[Julien87]

Hello everyone.

Am I the only one who often wonders if I am becoming overly obsessed over noise levels?

They are, as I am sure for a lot of people here, a huge source of stress in my life. And sometimes I really wonder if I am right to worry so much.
Yesterday I thought a lot about this, I thought about my first years as a tinnitus sufferer (I have them since 2006), I was not so worried all the time. The only rule I followed at that time was: no concerts, no nightclub, no stadiums (i.e. not staying for hours in a 90+ db environment). And... I lived a nice happy life (despite the tinnitus) far from worries.

This way of living hasn't changed anything in the severity of my Tinnitus. Although, over the time, I gradually became more and more obsessed with noise levels. There's a big difference with my attitude towards noise today and my attitude 7 or 8 years ago. And I don't know why it changed so much (has reading forums like this one had an effect on me?).

Today it dictates a lot of things in my life, I live with the constant fear of noise. Today I am scared of everything: kids with balloons, kids shouting, potential honking, potential bikes passing by, loudness in normal bars and restaurants (I even avoid them now..), loudness in train, loudness in car, noise of washing machine.. I worry about noise a lot so I wear my plugs in a lot of different situations, but the worry is still there.
My life became a life of worry. I used to go and meet friends with a smile (even after my onset, I mean), now I go and meet them with worry. And I even avoid doing so sometimes. And I really wonder if all that worry in my life is justified. Are the basic rules I followed some years ago enough? How can we know?

 

[MiaX]

I find it difficult too and I really think that reading on forums can cause anxiety for noise.

I don't really know what to answer you, it really depends on how your ears are. But being to paranoia about noise isn't necessary. Did you ever had a spike?

 

[Julien87]

Hi MiaX
I know, it's hard to reply after my post. Guess I just wanted to let it out and know that I am not only in this case Thanks for your reply
PS : No I don't think I have noticeable spikes

 

[Bill Bauer]

Yesterday I thought a lot about this, I thought about my first years as a tinnitus sufferer (I have them since 2006), I was not so worried all the time. The only rule I followed at that time was: no concerts, no nightclub, no stadiums (i.e. not staying for hours in a 90+ db environment). And... I lived a nice happy life (despite the tinnitus) far from worries.

Are you saying that you've had T for over 10 years and that your T never got louder during that time? If this is the case, if I were you I would continue embracing the old policy of no loud noises, and would not worry about the moderate noises (as your body has demonstrated that it can handle that type of noise).

 

[JurgenG]

Exactly the same here.
Only after ten months instead of ten years, each month I grow afraid of something else.

 

[yonkapin]

Today it dictates a lot of things in my life, I live with the constant fear of noise. Today I am scared of everything: kids with balloons, kids shouting, potential honking, potential bikes passing by, loudness in normal bars and restaurants (I even avoid them now..), loudness in train, loudness in car, noise of washing machine.. I worry about noise a lot so I wear my plugs in a lot of different situations, but the worry is still there.
My life became a life of worry. I used to go and meet friends with a smile (even after my onset, I mean), now I go and meet them with worry. And I even avoid doing so sometimes. And I really wonder if all that worry in my life is justified. Are the basic rules I followed some years ago enough? How can we know?

I used to be this way when I had hyperacusis. I was looking out for any type of moderate to loud noise in fear it was going to make my pain worse and possibly affect my tinnitus. But I eventually got over it completely as my hyperacusis faded and worry very little about the types of noise you mention now. I always have my custom musician's plugs on me in case but hardly use them now - always good to be prepared though. I found my quality of life increased insanely once I stopped worrying about every little noise.

Seems like you're developing a phobia due to anxiety of loud noise. I'm surprised this has happened for you even though you haven't mentioned experiencing any significant spikes or dealing with something like hyperacusis. I'd look into talk therapy or something like CBT if you think it might be getting worse.

It's good to be cautious around loud noise, but don't let this become a phobia or run your life entirely.

 

[fishbone]

Hello everyone.

Am I the only one who often wonders if I am becoming overly obsessed over noise levels?

They are, as I am sure for a lot of people here, a huge source of stress in my life. And sometimes I really wonder if I am right to worry so much.
Yesterday I thought a lot about this, I thought about my first years as a tinnitus sufferer (I have them since 2006), I was not so worried all the time. The only rule I followed at that time was: no concerts, no nightclub, no stadiums (i.e. not staying for hours in a 90+ db environment). And... I lived a nice happy life (despite the tinnitus) far from worries.

This way of living hasn't changed anything in the severity of my Tinnitus. Although, over the time, I gradually became more and more obsessed with noise levels. There's a big difference with my attitude towards noise today and my attitude 7 or 8 years ago. And I don't know why it changed so much (has reading forums like this one had an effect on me?).

Today it dictates a lot of things in my life, I live with the constant fear of noise. Today I am scared of everything: kids with balloons, kids shouting, potential honking, potential bikes passing by, loudness in normal bars and restaurants (I even avoid them now..), loudness in train, loudness in car, noise of washing machine.. I worry about noise a lot so I wear my plugs in a lot of different situations, but the worry is still there.
My life became a life of worry. I used to go and meet friends with a smile (even after my onset, I mean), now I go and meet them with worry. And I even avoid doing so sometimes. And I really wonder if all that worry in my life is justified. Are the basic rules I followed some years ago enough? How can we know?

If you have been living with certain rules and standards for so long...and they worked. Why change now? Obsession with noise is one of the worst things and unfortunately many tinnitus sufferers have this issue. I don't have noise obsession, but when i do go to the gym at times....I pull out my DB meter and see just how loud the gym is.

Living in fear of noise is a vicious cycle and I hope all that suffer from this, can find some comfort.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Obsession with noise is one of the worst things and unfortunately many tinnitus sufferers have this issue.

I disagree. It might be the only thing you can do to ensure that your tinnitus doesn't become harder to ignore. The probability that this is the case is not 100%, but it is still high.

 

[Tinker Bell]

I disagree. It might be the only thing you can do to ensure that your tinnitus doesn't become harder to ignore. The probability that this is the case is not 100%, but it is still high.

Of course, when you are obsessing about noise it's also harder to ignore tinnitus.

 

[Luman]

I get hyper about other health issues, as well as T, and I'm just beginning to understand the reasons for this behavior, I think. I suspect that we feel rewarded when something bad does not happen, due to what wme have convinced ourselves was the right thing to do. But, this can become a vicious cycle, when there is no real evidence that our vigilence had any need, or effect on anything. I became addicted to taking my B/P at home and in pharmacies that have a machine for customers. It is a bad habit, of which my general physician disapproves. He is, of course, correct, so I am attempting to change, little by little, and that includes obsessing about T, a destructive behavior which takes time and effort to stop.

 

[fishbone]

Of course, when you are obsessing about noise it's also harder to ignore tinnitus.

This behavior is what keeps tinnitus winning. I am all for being safe but paranoia can be limiting.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Of course, when you are obsessing about noise it's also harder to ignore tinnitus.

Trust me, this (the noise stays the same, but you happen to notice it more often) is the best kind of "harder to ignore". If you start ignoring reality (that your ears have been compromised and you need to ensure that you are not exposed to noise, or else) you are likely to experience the other kinds of "harder to ignore": louder and/or higher pitched tinnitus.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I am all for being safe but paranoia can be limiting.

It might be limiting, but it is what keeps me safe.

 

[dpdx]

It might be limiting, but it is what keeps me safe.

This! Imagine it getting worse
Before T, i was a happy person who loved life, loved silence, studying, music, cinema, carefree, etc
I also had my whole future planned out before me. I had a bright future...
Now my life has been permanently altered, now I fear that this monster will get worse. I am not that carefree person who enjoyed life to the fullest, now i fear that this will get worse, in fact i noticed how fragile we are and how easy it is to get sick and loose everything.
Not a day passes by where i dont think about my old life and how happy i was. I just wish it lasted for another 20 years maximum. This is too early

 

[Julien87]

Are you saying that you've had T for over 10 years and that your T never got louder during that time? If this is the case, if I were you I would continue embracing the old policy of no loud noises, and would not worry about the moderate noises (as your body has demonstrated that it can handle that type of noise).

I would say it got a bit louder but it's hardly noticeable. And I think this slight increase is due to the tension/stiffness in my neck.

I found my quality of life increased insanely once I stopped worrying about every little noise.

Oh yes, I don't doubt it. I am trying to find the way back to this state of mind