Poll: Driving. Earplugs, Earmuffs or No Protection?

[RingerBell]

I'm gonna have to side with Bill, here. Who in the right mind would expect a person with a noise-induced t., that is obviously distressed by it and as a result affected by phonophobia or hyperacusis to throw away their ear protection?

I followed this advice once that a different doctor gave me and this is what happened right after:

Terrible advice. I was told by my ENT that your ear has some sort of capability to recover up until a year after the traumatic event has occurred. No.:1 and No.:2 getting rid of h. or phonophobia is a gradual process (best if guided).

So why take chances and gamble with your health? It's all just my opinion. You can disagree, no problem.


Sure. I don't know how about in your country, but if I got pulled over here with my nice shining Peltor X4A or any other muffs on for that matter... isn't that kinda self-explanatory already? I don't think deaf people use often safety earmuffs in the 1st place when driving, in the 2nd place some police officers can be jerks, & chances are they know zero about tinnitus, hyperacusis, phonophobia, misophonia so on & so forth.

Needless to say, I'd still rather get fined than be sufferring a bad tinnitus spike later.

...
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Also, let's stay on the topic, please. Thank you.


This how I think about it. Those musician earplugs don't go that far in your ear cannal and there's a gap between the plug and your ear drum. The noise/vibration will bounce off of that plug back in to your eardrum, more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occlusion_effect

The thing with the foam earplugs is, if properly inserted, they usually go quite deep leaving a minimum space between the plug and your eardrum and thus less of the occlusion effect. Another pro point I can think of is that when you arrive to your destination you don't necessarily have to take them out. Just do whatever you need to do and then get back in the car and carry on driving. If you need to take them out (to be able to communicate better i.e.), then just carry an extra pair on you and plug them back in when you need to. They still offer the best earplug protection on the market.

There's another thing, however. I had a really rough day. Lots of errands to run. I drove 3 hours (an hour n' half was one way) and yea, the weather here is heating up a lot. I'd say good 38 °C (100.4 °F) in my car. I'm not gonna lie I was sweating a lot and noticed that there was a moisture build-up in my ears too. It's foam earplugs after all. I couldn't take my mind off it. I'm not too sure if they still offer the same kind of protection when wet? Probably not.

I don't know about how the properties of the foam plugs change when they get moist, but might be good to ensure that they won't become slippery. This might lead to that the earplug is able to move or rotate. This could in the worst case lead to reduced attenuation, or the earplug can act as a piston along with movement or vibrations. Different earplugs seem to have slightly different surface materials.

 

[TracyJS]

I may go back to my sister's soon. Maybe tonight.
It's an hour drive on busy expressways.

I'm so confused as to what to do.
I do know my ears did not feel good driving home with filtered ear plugs. The occlusion effect.

Should I wear nothing or ear muffs?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Should I wear nothing or ear muffs?

You could try the earmuffs and see if they work. There is nothing wrong with using them as a temporary measure.
Michael

 

[Jiri]

I don't know about how the properties of the foam plugs change when they get moist, but might be good to ensure that they won't become slippery. This might lead to that the earplug is able to move or rotate. This could in the worst case lead to reduced attenuation, or the earplug can act as a piston along with movement or vibrations. Different earplugs seem to have slightly different surface materials.

Come to think about it, I think it's proly for the best to take breaks and not use them for extended periods of time. I think even factory workers do need to replace them after each break.

Not too sure if they'd act as pistons tho when moist. That's extreme. They feel tight and in place when they fully expand (I use Ohropax). I think that's when a proper insertion technique comes into play.

I do know my ears did not feel good driving home with filtered ear plugs. The occlusion effect.

Or your anxiety. I'd say go with trial-and-error method when you feel like it. Try all the options available and then just choose the one which you feel the most comfy with.

As for now, earmuffs it is.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I'm so confused as to what to do.

Stress, fear, worry can affect tinnitus and hyperacusis profoundly. Once you are weaned off the clonazepam, I suggest talking to your GP about how you feel. He or she may prescribe an antidepressant. You could also try St John's Wort. It is herbal and used to treat stress and mild depression/anxiety. It needs to build up in the body which takes time, and may not be effective as the prescription antidepressant.

Michael

 

[Rajin]

I may go back to my sister's soon. Maybe tonight.
It's an hour drive on busy expressways.

I'm so confused as to what to do.

Why you confused, if you car it loud and bad road wear the ear muffs. If you have a luxury Car you may not need nothing. Trust your instincts. Listen to your ears if it too much to handle.

 

[TracyJS]

Driving with the ear muffs would be safe?

 

[Rajin]

I do it all the time , my work Truck pass cop never bother me . If they stop me I will just explain to them my condition and this Vehicle too loud for my ears .

 

[Michael Leigh]

Driving with the ear muffs would be safe?

I do not recommend wearing earmuffs but I agree with @Rajin on this occasion. You have to see what works for you. Whatever works use it. Regarding the wearing of hearing protection, this mustn't be overused. To treat tinnitus and especially hyperacusis, the auditory system needs to be exposed to normal everyday sounds to desensitize it so it becomes less hypersensitive to sound. In everything there are exceptions. Again, see what works for you just be careful.

Michael

 

[RingerBell]

Not too sure if they'd act as pistons tho when moist. That's extreme. They feel tight and in place when they fully expand (I use Ohropax). I think that's when a proper insertion technique comes into play.

Yes, it's probably more of a concern when the plug isn't fitting properly. I didn't make this idea up. It was actually stated in a brochure by one of the big manufacturers.

 

[TracyJS]

So using the ear muffs should protect my ears while driving?
Sorry to be so rudimentary, here.

 

[Michael Leigh]

So using the ear muffs should protect my ears while driving?
Sorry to be so rudimentary, here.

HI @TracyJS

Tinnitus and hypercusis are complex and affect each person differently. It is not only high frequency sounds can affect tinnitus but low frequency also. In addition to this low frequency vibrations too. Also remember, it doesn't matter what kind of hearing protection one wears, sound can still pass through the skull/head and be transferred to the inner ear by bone conduction. Now I'm not suggesting that you wear a motorcyclist's helmet as that would be going too far.

Try to relax and calm down. Often times it is anxiety, stress, worrying over whether tinnitus will spike which causes tinnitus to do so. It for this reason, I advised you in an earlier post, try not to be concerned about what might cause a spike. Sound levels etc. This causes stress and stress can affect tinnitus, and tinnitus affect stress.

There are some people that have decibel sound monitor Apps on their mobile phone or, dedicated sound level meters. They become obsessed with monitoring sound levels everywhere they go. This can become a serious problem and if one isn't careful other health issues can manifest themselves, which I have mentioned in my post: The complexities of tinnitus and hyperacusis: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-complexities-of-tinnitus-and-hyperacusis.25733/

Just try to relax and be calm. Play some relaxing music such as classical.
Michael

 

[Tinker Bell]

One caution regarding earmuffs in a car: if you are concerned about airbag deployment be aware that an airbag hitting muffs is going to be both very loud and painful.

Think of how loud it can be if you bump earmuffs while wearing them. I imagine an airbag hitting muffs would be considerably louder.

 

[RingerBell]

Whoa, that's a game changer. Perhaps, I should resort back to using earmuffs when driving. An important piece of info.

Hearing Protector Performance:
How They Work - and - What Goes Wrong in the Real World By E. Berger

That is an old article though, from the days when earplugs were probably used only those who had to stand next to Saturn rocket launchpad.

 

[Jiri]

That is an old article though, from the days when earplugs were probably used only those who had to stand next to Saturn rocket launchpad.

Never mind. I'll check it out. Thanks for sharing cuz that's caring..

 

[Tinniger]

I got a question for both of you. If two person have hearing loss /T one from Noise Trauma and the other from Ototoxic meditation. Which one will be more sensitive to noise. One or the other or both.

No one will ever know....

 

[TracyJS]

Well, I made the drive using ear muffs and my tinnitus is much louder. I don't understand. I have driven to Chicago and didn't experience this. My ears feel full also.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Well, I made the drive using ear muffs and my tinnitus is much louder. I don't understand. I have driven to Chicago and didn't experience this. My ears feel full also.

This was what I was afraid of @TracyJS Try to calm down and put this behind you. The tinnitus will reduce to it's previous level. Try to concentrate on other things when you can and don't worry.

Take care
Michael

 

[TracyJS]

@Michael Leigh
What do you mean this is what you were afraid of

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh
What do you mean this is what you were afraid of

The increase in the tinnitus is likely to be stress related and not caused by the earmuffs. It's a shame you don't drink, as a glass of sherry or wine would help relax you in my opininon for medicinal purposes....

The tinnitus will calm down
Michael

 

[Tinniger]

There is the problem that tinnitus sufferers due to noise damage attribute any deterioration causally to another noise event.
Other tinnitus sufferers who also monitor the severity of their tinnitus are not so sure about this and think that it is more coincidental fluctuations that are not linked to a new noise event.
Overall, man (and pigeons ) tend to see causalities where there are none.....
I would like to remind you once again of Skinner's superstitious pigeons:
http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Skinner/Pigeon/

 

[Tinker Bell]

Well, I made the drive using ear muffs and my tinnitus is much louder. I don't understand. I have driven to Chicago and didn't experience this. My ears feel full also.

Often my tinnitus seems louder after wearing earmuffs because it causes me to spend time stuck listening predominantly to my tinnitus without hearing both external and internal noise.

And it sometimes seems like my brain increases the auditory gain, meaning that your brain realizes your hearing is muffled and basically sends a signal alerting your ears. Thus your ears strain to hear better, resulting in louder tinnitus.

 

[Julien87]

Same for me: wearing muffs makes them louder in the period that follows.

 

[TracyJS]

@ Michael Leigh
Yes, it's a shame I don't drink. Perhaps I should start. So, it's not the drive or the ear muffs, but stress?

@Tinker Bell
Do you still use muffs then? Because this is awful. It's so crazy loud.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Same for me: wearing muffs makes them louder in the period that follows.

I agree. It is for this reason I do not recommend this type of hearing protection. However, in @TracyJS situation the increase in tinnitus is stress related or a mixture of the two. Tracy, you will be just fine in time believe me. If you know @Taylorslay please have a word with her. She had an accoustic trauma with severe hyperacusis, just 9 months ago. She was having a real difficult time. I and other members helped her and she's improved in leaps and bounds. Of course this is down to her positivity and drive and I know you have this within you too. I can tell when I spoke with you on the telephone. (hope you don't mind me saying that). I speak with many people with tinnitus on the phone, and having 6th sense if you like for those that have a positive mindset and you do.

Please read Marcus's story again. He was in a similar situation to Taylorslay and spent hours in this forum in the evenings. He thought he'd never improve but he has and now visits here to help people.

All the best
Michael

 

[Rajin]

And it sometimes seems like my brain increases the auditory gain, meaning that your brain realizes your hearing is muffled and basically

Seem our brain it really in to punish us , a no win situation.

 

[TracyJS]

@Michael Leigh

I don't think anyone has ever once called me a positive person or thought I had a positive mindset, Michael.

But then I am an amazing bundle of ridiculous contradictions.

I'm glad you have a sense about me that I will be ok. I hope you are right.

 

[New Guy]

This is from a New Guy with t for 3 months.

Ear muffs can be tricky. People who have had t a while seem to favor not using ear muffs while people new to t hold onto the ear muffs for dear life. I think, perhaps incorrectly, that t is more reactive when you first get it. I understand there are circumstances where h persists and that changes the game altogether.

I'm assuming, and praying, that the h will slowly go away if I expose my ears to sound on a daily basis. Not crazy levels of sound but 'normal' levels of sound. I was doing that with good results until 2 weeks ago when some sirens and anxiety got the better of me. I need to allow myself to listen to a little more noise daily, not a lot, so my ears can adjust.

To the veterans of t remember how full your ears were the first months and the crinkly feeling you would get when exposed to loud noises. This is the fear that New Guys like me have. We don't want to make our t worse or experience that crinkly feeling or the fullness.

It's up to each individual to base what they do on their unique situation. I don't think t is a one size fits all thing. t is unique in every case and every personality responds to it differently.

 

[GregCA]

I do know my ears did not feel good driving home with filtered ear plugs. The occlusion effect.

I doubt you were victim of the occlusion effect given those circumstances. I don't doubt that you didn't feel good afterwards, but I'm very skeptical about the hypothesis related to the cause, given the physical properties of (sound) energy propagation.
Had you been screaming and generating a lot of energy from inside your head, it would probably be a more legitimate concern, but road/car noise as you drive doesn't strike me as an occlusion effect concern.

I personally wouldn't drive with ear muffs/plugs unless I felt uncomfortable without them. Listen to your body (no pun intended).

If I were you, I'd ask a professional (the kind that has real medical credentials). That's what I did, and I'm glad I did it.

Good luck!

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh

I don't think anyone has ever once called me a positive person or thought I had a positive mindset, Michael.

But then I am an amazing bundle of ridiculous contradictions.

I'm glad you have a sense about me that I will be ok. I hope you are right.

If I may say so @TracyJS you passed with flying colours on the positivity front believe me. I'm not just saying that to make you feel better it's the truth. We spoke for quite some time and as I said, I have 6th sense for knowing people with a positive mindset and you do. Life is problematic Tracy as you know and tinnitus can be troublesome in the early stages but with time many people improve just take things easy if you can. Your good days will get longer and you'll feel a whole lot better about many things. Once you're off the clonazepam and ideally, taken an antidepressant, if your GP recommends this, I feel this will be help you.

Michael