Protecting? Overprotecting? Not Protecting?

[just1morething]

In what way is sex not jacking off with another person's body? I came up with that one myself, and am proud of it.

Of course you are. Btw, do you wear a condom while jacking off?

 

[Gman]

No, after stupidly having micro suction when I had spent the last 25 odd years relying on ear plugs for everything.

I'm very sorry to hear about microsuction worsening things for you. I've suffered at the hands of moronic doctors with microsuction too and other stuff. Should be banned. It's just not safe and there's research to back it up.

I was wondering about the occlusion effect when speaking and eating with ear plugs in? Didn't it ever bother you or cause spikes?

Also did you or would you ever consider ear muffs instead?

You shouldn't lose hope. There's MuteButton which might help when it's finally released. Then other treatments will come eventually too.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I left them in.......24/7

Where you a truck driver? Why did you keep the earplugs in when you were at home?

until for some reason my T started playing up and getting louder for unknown reasons

We will never know the reason, but one possibility is that it got louder as a result of less protection (assuming you were actually wearing your earplugs to loud places where you could benefit from hearing protection).

I was opening a small jar of some bloody thing or another and because I had no ear plugs in, I opened it slowly and it made quite a loud pop, that sent my T into overdrive and it still hasn't calmed.

Wouldn't you agree that, given your experiences, wearing earplugs at times when one has a high chance of being exposed to a moderate noise (like that of a can being popped open), is a sensible thing to do?

I should have never overused them

Yes, my first instinct has also been to wear earplugs 24/7 (I wanted to do it so that I could habituate to T faster), and of course it is not a good thing to do. One must try to maximize the time when one can be plug-free.

Hopefully there was an upside for you of using the earplugs. We will never know, but you might have saved yourself from numerous serious spikes...

 

[Bill Bauer]

Btw, do you wear a condom while jacking off?

That would depend on what I jack off with. Use your common sense, people!

 

[Bill Bauer]

Too long. I don't have the time to read your long essays again and engage in neverending exchanges with you.

He walks alone under the big city lights
He always knows just when the time is right
He never shows what he's thinking he keeps it inside
Because he's too cool for school
He comes alive oh, when the sun goes down
He gets it right you know he's always down
He keeps one eye open and his ear to the ground
And he's too cool for school

He's an operator he's a real player
And if you mess with him
You know you'll never win
He's an instigator
Enemy eliminator
And when he knocks you better
You better let him in

He's got his own way of getting things done
He's always looking out for number one
Don't try to beat him cause he's already won
And he's too cool for school

He's an operator he's a real player
And if you mess with him
You know you'll never win
He's an instigator
Enemy eliminator

And when he knocks you better
You better let him in
He walks alone under the big city lights
He always knows just when the time is right
He never shows what he's thinking he keeps it inside
Because he's too cool for school
Because he's too cool for school
Because he's too cool for school

 

[Ed209]

I still remember when someone said we should all live in the jungle to stay safe, and this is what I replied (on another thread no different to this one):

Gotta pick you up on that one, bud. What if a tiger roars! And more to the point: what if the tiger eats you? That's got to be bad for your ears

It is certainly the right approach you have there though. If you use the safety protocol and stay home, just be sure to turn the TV off (it can reach above 60dB). Don't make any food because that will also be too loud (over 60dB and possibly 70dB to 80dB+). Stay away from any doors; one might close near you. Don't open any windows as the wind might be a problem; there can be some windy days that will be a risk. Don't wash yourself as the shower is too loud and getting in and out of the bath poses the threat of spikes as well (70dB+). As you rightly said, don't have conversations as they can also reach 60dB to 70dB+. Don't have any kids or at least put any kids you have up for adoption, immediately, as they are very dangerous. Don't wash your clothes as the washing machine is another hazard waiting around the corner along with your vacuum cleaner and most other cleaning implements. I recommend living in filth as it will keep your ears a lot healthier and there's no risk of any spikes.

If you do venture outside of the house, be extremely careful. Literally anything can go above 60dB and you'll frequently hear sounds above 70dB and 80dB. Also, stay well away from a job because you'll likely need a car and that's not really recommended. Public transport is also a huge no-no, that can be louder than a car. I recommend walking everywhere from now on. This may build up a nice sweat, so you better get used to stinking because as stated earlier, the washing machine is too loud to be used safely. Don't be so sure that parks are safe either. You will find that there are dog walkers (dogs are another threat) and there's also the possibility of lots of children. If your destination involves walking near any roads then you better cancel your trip as it's just too risky.

Finally, and this is very important, don't socialise ever again. Socialising is just far too dangerous. There will be conversation, the possibility of a bar or two, and maybe even a trip to the cinema! There's a very real risk that you may have fun, and for the love of god, don't do that! Fun is dangerous.

To close my statement, I'd like to add that earplugs are useless at protecting you against all of these hazards as they provide a false sense of security, and I have access to many threads and posts to prove this beyond doubt. Good luck!

 

[just1morething]

That would depend on what I jack off with. Use your common sense, people!

I was thinking an aardvark or kangaroo.

 

[Jiri]

@RichL I'm really sorry to hear about what happened to you. I found some posts of @Michael Leigh helpful with regards to ear protection, tinnitus and hyperacusis. The complexities of Tinnitus and hyperacusis.

Over protection or used too freqently will instil negative thinking - lowering the loudness threshold of the auditory system making it more sensitive to sound, and will ultimately make a person's tinnitus and hyperacusis worse.

Why are you mocking Jiri?

I am not.

Yes, you are. Thank you for standing up for me @Ed209

@Bill Bauer You need to understand that I will respond to your post(s) when I feel like it and not when you want me to.

If you must know, I have a work for which I need to meet a deadline. What's worse is that I have a bad tooth now (not a molar) that's giving me a hard time (I already mentioned this in another thread before the discussion here even started). Many months ago when I went to see a dentist they tried to rid me of the cavity by using an electric drill. Thanks to my super sensitive hearing (from the overuse of hearing protection by following some absurd "advice") the moment the drill touched my tooth I rocketed through the roof. I had to stop the procedure then and there. It was just waaay too loud. I had a dental work done before tinnitus and hyperacusis entered my life so I know loud vs super loud. Now the cavity is turning into an infection and abscess, and it hurts.

I know I was an idiot back then for putting your advice in before the advice I got from an audiologist. Whenever someone would try to talk some common sense to me I'd reply smth along the lines of "Oh, but this friend of mine is a uni professor, has a noise-induced tinnitus too but is doing much better now by utilizing this level of protection…"

Before everybody jumps on the bandwagon saying "But we are responsible for our own decisions and…" Yeah, if you are a healthy individual that is so true. We are all human beings, though and we all make mistakes (kinda the reason why they put a rubber on a pencil), and this is even more true when one is in a lot of pain and great emotional distress. Another problem here is exactly what @Ed209 mentioned here before:

Concentrate on all the things that make you happy and stop this obsessive behaviour before it takes hold.

This is very much it. You are already stuck with tinnitus, social isolation, fear of every sound (Bill Bauer's 'can popping example' above, for e.g.) and it's a long-winded process to desensitize your hearing again. It is not like you at one point realize 'Oh so this is bad?' So you throw away your Peltor X4A + foam earplugs. People here are getting spikes from eating cheese, clipping their nails, worried about some vitamins being ototoxic.. You know what 100% is ototoxic? The lifestyle changes @Bill Bauer advocates here.

By writing here all this I know very well I'm just giving you another opportunity to search for more errors/holes and start spewing more questions and pointless suggestions. You know what? I do not care. If someone who's fighting a similar problem here reads this and realizes that overuse of hearing protection is not a way to go then it did its job.

What's even worse is that you may very well be just some rando kid who's living in his mom's basement. I mean how would we know? If I look at @Ed209 e.g. it's super easy for me to look him up and see all the work he's done for our cause.

What have you physically done? You claim to be a uni professor (yet you are number 1 poster here out of cca 27 000 members), not married, no kids, no social obligations, I see you posting here about your amazing travels etc. To this date not even a penny you donated to this site that you use so much. Instead when directly asked you replied this:

@Bill Bauer if you want to continue to take over this site with your attitude than you should fork up a big donation to Tinnitus Talk for taking up so much space.

It is the other way around - my contribution is in the form of the advice contained in my posts. For that reason, I will not be donating any money.

You know what I have done with my limited financial resources? Right off the top of my head: I have a direct debit to TRI, instead of buying something nice for myself I chose to sent financial donation to Hearing Health Foundation, on a number of occasions here to support Tinnitus Talk, to the Danny's memorial fund, etc. In my free time I translated this, and I spent a considerable amount of my free time trying to negotiate a skilled military ENT to join our forum and get the Doctor's corner running again (since Oct 2018).

In my opinion, most of the answers to your questions are on the page 4 of this thread. I will try to respond AGAIN to you when I simply feel like it.

Oh and I see you compared me to a movie character. Cool. If I had to think of one character that reminds me of you, then it's this guy Vegan Gains:

 

[Bill Bauer]

. If you use the safety protocol and stay home, just be sure to turn the TV off

Aren't you tired of these straw man arguments?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

Don't make any food because that will also be too loud (over 60dB and possibly 70dB to 80dB+).

I agree - people should stay away from blenders and food processors. Let someone else do it. If you Have to use one of those things, use your headphones, turn it on and leave the room. Come back in a minute or two to turn it off.

Don't wash yourself as the shower is too loud

Of course the original advice was that If the shower IS making your T louder or gives you ear fullness, then don't ignore it - either use earplugs in the shower, or take baths. Your post reminds me midterm answers of the students who haven't studied for the test.

Literally anything can go above 60dB and you'll frequently hear sounds above 70dB and 80dB.

If there are sounds that always cause spikes for you, make sure to wear some protection whenever you are somewhere where you might be exposed to such sounds.

If you see a child with a balloon (especially if the two of you are in a closed space), get out of there as fast as you can. Popping balloons can be Bad.

need a car and that's not really recommended

You forgot that I actually advise that people wear earplugs in cars (assuming cars had recently given one a spike).

Public transport is also a huge no-no, that can be louder than a car.

Subways can be loud. Consider using a car to get around.

Finally, and this is very important, don't socialise ever again.

Don't go anywhere where there is live music. Avoid loud restaurants and movie theaters. There are plenty of other places/ways to socialize, so you should be ok there.

To close my statement, I'd like to add that earplugs are useless at protecting you against all of these hazards as they provide a false sense of security, and I have access to many threads and posts to prove this beyond doubt.

Wow - the above IS exactly what a bad student would write on their exam. They remember one fact mentioned in class, so, after attempting to bullshit their way through the question, they will conclude with that one fact that they ended up learning.

@Bill Bauer You need to understand that I will respond to your post(s) when I feel like it and not when you want me to.

Fair enough.

What's with the wall of text, though?

I know very well I'm just giving you another opportunity to search for more errors/holes

One solution is to not have holes in your arguments.

What's worse is that I have a bad tooth now

I sincerely hope that you can treat it soon and that the treatment won't have any side effects.

hanks to my super sensitive hearing (from the overuse of hearing protection by following some absurd "advice") the moment the drill touched my tooth I rocketed through the roof.

Many T sufferers are more sensitive to loud sounds than the healthy people. In particular, the vast majority of us (including the people who have not been using hearing protection) find the dentist's drill to be uncomfortably loud.

Sorry, I need to go now. I will continue my response a little later.

 

[Ed209]

If there are sounds that always cause spikes for you, make sure to wear some protection whenever you are somewhere where you might be exposed to such sounds.

It doesn't work like that! Most of the people who become obsessed with protecting their ears have more spikes than anyone else. The spikes are almost certainly an overreaction within the pathways of the brain and this likely includes memory and fear/emotion. Once this behaviour is programmed, the brain will act accordingly and will give you warnings, on cue, because it's a stress reflex.

People should not be getting spikes from sounds that are no louder than a person talking - whilst wearing earplugs - but this is a very very common occurrence and I hear about it regularly. The earplugs gradually become a mental safety barrier, but many people become trapped, and before long they realise they are dependent on protection just to function. What ensues is more spikes, extreme isolation, worse tinnitus and/or hypersensitive ears.

When I followed the advice of the fear squad on here years ago, I was miserable and had way more spikes than I ever do now. The best thing I ever did was abolish that way of thinking and to stop wearing earplugs everywhere. I'm doing waaaay better now but most of the overprotecters are spiking every other day, living in isolation and are feeling miserable.

If one allows tinnitus to control their thoughts in this way, early on, then it will almost certainly cause further problems down the line.

 

[Ed209]

Wow - the above IS exactly what a bad student would write on their exam. They remember one fact mentioned in class, so, after attempting to bullshit their way through the question, they will conclude with that one fact that they ended up learning.

This is your paradoxical writing in a nutshell.

 

[TLion]

It doesn't work like that! Most of the people who become obsessed with protecting their ears have more spikes than anyone else. The spikes are almost certainly an overreaction within the pathways of the brain and this likely includes memory and fear/emotion. Once this behaviour is programmed, the brain will act accordingly and will give you warnings, on cue, because it's a stress reflex.

People should not be getting spikes from sounds that are no louder than a person talking - whilst wearing earplugs - but this is a very very common occurrence and I hear about it regularly. The earplugs gradually become a mental safety barrier, but many people become trapped, and before long they realise they are dependent on protection just to function. What ensues is more spikes, extreme isolation, worse tinnitus and/or hypersensitive ears.

This is exactly what I noticed. The brain learns if it's supposed to listen to the inside, in your head, or to the outside, the "real world". By protecting your ears from every somehow louder sound you spend time listening to your inner noises. I realized at some point in the past that after prolonged earplug use I had problems to "forget" my very mild Tinnitus. At the point I stopped protecting from everyday noises the Tinnitus almost vanished completely.

 

[Starthrower]

Most of the people who become obsessed with protecting their ears have more spikes than anyone else. The spikes are almost certainly an overreaction within the pathways of the brain and this likely includes memory and fear/emotion. Once this behaviour is programmed, the brain will act accordingly and will give you warnings, on cue, because it's a stress reflex.

People should not be getting spikes from sounds that are no louder than a person talking - whilst wearing earplugs - but this is a very very common occurrence and I hear about it regularly. The earplugs gradually become a mental safety barrier, but many people become trapped, and before long they realise they are dependent on protection just to function. What ensues is more spikes, extreme isolation, worse tinnitus and/or hypersensitive ears.

When I followed the advice of the fear squad on here years ago, I was miserable and had way more spikes than I ever do now. The best thing I ever did was abolish that way of thinking and to stop wearing earplugs everywhere. I'm doing waaaay better now but most of the overprotecters are spiking every other day, living in isolation and are feeling miserable.

If one allows tinnitus to control their thoughts in this way, early on, then it will almost certainly cause further problems down the line.

@Ed209 you give such a well balanced view point regarding the issue of protection. All the other banter here makes it SO confusing for new people. @Jiri so proud of how you are doing now!!

As a long termer with tinnitus it took time to find my personal balance entering the outside world. Sorta something I had to learn on my own. But I did.

For me personally movie theaters are just to loud so we don't go there. I don't miss it. I find quieter places for us to eat out. I only go to outdoor concerts now.

Personal balance is important. Some can go to noisy places. I use bose headphones for my music therapy while some others say NEVER use them because you WILL make your tinnitus/hyperacusis worse.
And it is hard for new people to know what is right.

Ugg...

 

[Ed209]

I am sorry you have had to deal with medical problems on top of tinnitus, Ed. I just looked up

Thanks, Bill, but it's definitely not an infection. This has been going on for over two months and also affects the stream of my pee. I've had blood work and urine tests already. At this point, I have no idea what is causing it.

 

[Elfin]

I have been reading this thread with interest and feel it maybe helpful (for me and others) to out myself as a chronic protector...at the moment, I am talking 24/7. If there is anyone out there who is currently doing this, or has successfully overcome this as a way of life (success being without worsening tinnitus), please get in touch as it would be great to hear from you and get some help on moving out of this successfully.

Why do I overprotect in this way (bit of back story, sorry for wall of text):
I have had tinnitus since I was 17; I am now 31. The onset came after a concert, which I went to 4 days after my dad died (stupid in hindsight, yes, but I went under the 'this is what he would have wanted' philosophy). The noise and the grief and stress basically combined to give me intrusive tinnitus that I had no respite from for about 5 years. I had panic attacks and depression. I started coming out of this, incidentally, when I went onto antidepressants. The noise was there, but my reaction improved. I went traveling - on planes, motorbikes, buses and boats and I was ok. I used my ER earplugs (25 filter) and nothing more. I would even listen to headphones on low volume - with the plugs in - when working at the office or to relax. I took the plugs out at home and could use the shower etc without any issue. I went to restaurants and the cinema (although I did begin to double protect, as certain action films just seems too loud for me to enjoy - the worry of the noise made it pointless being there). At the beginning, and for some years, I also never worse earplugs to drive.

Fast forward to 2017, I was getting married in September. That summer was stressful. I was also attending stadium cricket matches (it was the champions trophy, held in the UK) and other friend's weddings. Whilst I wouldn't stay and dance, I would have the food, stay for the speeches, and, if possible (some summer weddings had outside seating) would stay for the evening, if I could get away from the dancefloor. At a wedding I attended in the August of that year, my tinnitus spiked when I was exposed to some loud bass (not in the same room as the dancefloor, but I was walking past that room. The door was open and the bass got me). This spike lasted months and months, dominated my thoughts around the time of my own wedding and overwhelmed my honeymoon experience (we went to Orlando, Miami and The Bahamas). It was during this time that I started double protecting. I double protected pretty much everywhere: when walking down the street, in shops, in restaurants, by the pool, on the beach...everywhere. I could hear street noise from the hotels and so would sleep in earplugs. The one time I didn't, in Orlando, the fire alarm went off and was louder than anything I had heard for sometime. It was awful. I grabbed my earmuffs and hit the floor, but it went on for 20-30secs of torture. It was at that moment that I upgraded my earmuffs to Peltors.

...hmmm, where am I now. So this behaviour hasn't stopped. The behaviour has actually gotten worse (some of you will read this with a 'WTF is wrong with you' reaction, and that's fair enough, my own family say it to me regularly). Nowadays, I am double protecting in the house and out of the house, in my car (I still drive as I have to for work) and when walking the dog. I listen to the tv and films on subtitles and with no volume. On the rare occasions that I watch something with the wife that requires volume, I can't hear the volume anyway through the double protection. I sleep in earmuffs as I can hear the road outside through the single glaze windows. I take baths and don't shower - if I have to shower it is in peltor muffs. When washing my hair, I used waterproof 'swimmers' earplugs and take great care not to make undue noise and splashing. I don't go out really much any more. I have friends over but make excuses not to go out to restaurants or places where it could be loud. I have even started saying no to golf (sounds stupid, but I have). My world has become a lot smaller. I am getting chewed up inside now as it is my brother's 30th birthday tomorrow and his wife has organised a meal for friends in London. I'm invited, she even consulted me on venue and booked a private room, but as it gets nearer I know that I will likely not go. I want to go, but I feel I just can't. I am also in the midst of a spike right now, caused by some road traffic noise. My front door is 20-30m from a road. I like to avoid exposure here and so run to the car/run the dog past the road to quieter wooded area, but today, I felt my earplugs 'pop' maybe due to wax behind the ear, and I'm now terrified it wasn't in correctly and I've caused lasting damage - this worry and spike is despite me having earmuffs ontop of the plugs.
...I also spend ages pushing the plugs into my ears; if they crack or make a sound or pop, I repeat the process until they do not do this when i take my hand away. Embarrassingly, yet truthfully, it has sometimes taken my 20 mins to leave the house satisfied that they are in ok. If they 'pop' when 5m from the front door, I am back in the house repeating the 'process'.

It is important to mention that these things did not happen to me at once. They were incremental, but they are at the point now where I do not recognise the person I was before they happened. I have almost become used to this life. Trying to do something different or outside of my limited comfort zone, puts me into a panic attack and weeks of protracted stress and rumination. The double protecting within the house started when I was caring for a sick family member, who has since died. I didn't want any spikes ontop of that stress...but since I started doing it, it has now become habit...

Would I like things to be different - obviously yes!
Would I rather live like this than have the tinnitus get worse - sadly also yes, which is why I continue to do it...probably

Anyone who has been at this point and doing these things who has recovered to live a normal life, I really commend you and feel happy for you. I would like to get there one day...but I foresee a lot of stress and struggle ahead...

 

[Ed209]

I have been reading this thread with interest and feel it maybe helpful (for me and others) to out myself as a chronic protector...at the moment, I am talking 24/7. If there is anyone out there who is currently doing this, or has successfully overcome this as a way of life (success being without worsening tinnitus), please get in touch as it would be great to hear from you and get some help on moving out of this successfully.

Why do I overprotect in this way (bit of back story, sorry for wall of text):
I have had tinnitus since I was 17; I am now 31. The onset came after a concert, which I went to 4 days after my dad died (stupid in hindsight, yes, but I went under the 'this is what he would have wanted' philosophy). The noise and the grief and stress basically combined to give me intrusive tinnitus that I had no respite from for about 5 years. I had panic attacks and depression. I started coming out of this, incidentally, when I went onto antidepressants. The noise was there, but my reaction improved. I went traveling - on planes, motorbikes, buses and boats and I was ok. I used my ER earplugs (25 filter) and nothing more. I would even listen to headphones on low volume - with the plugs in - when working at the office or to relax. I took the plugs out at home and could use the shower etc without any issue. I went to restaurants and the cinema (although I did begin to double protect, as certain action films just seems too loud for me to enjoy - the worry of the noise made it pointless being there). At the beginning, and for some years, I also never worse earplugs to drive.

Fast forward to 2017, I was getting married in September. That summer was stressful. I was also attending stadium cricket matches (it was the champions trophy, held in the UK) and other friend's weddings. Whilst I wouldn't stay and dance, I would have the food, stay for the speeches, and, if possible (some summer weddings had outside seating) would stay for the evening, if I could get away from the dancefloor. At a wedding I attended in the August of that year, my tinnitus spiked when I was exposed to some loud bass (not in the same room as the dancefloor, but I was walking past that room. The door was open and the bass got me). This spike lasted months and months, dominated my thoughts around the time of my own wedding and overwhelmed my honeymoon experience (we went to Orlando, Miami and The Bahamas). It was during this time that I started double protecting. I double protected pretty much everywhere: when walking down the street, in shops, in restaurants, by the pool, on the beach...everywhere. I could hear street noise from the hotels and so would sleep in earplugs. The one time I didn't, in Orlando, the fire alarm went off and was louder than anything I had heard for sometime. It was awful. I grabbed my earmuffs and hit the floor, but it went on for 20-30secs of torture. It was at that moment that I upgraded my earmuffs to Peltors.

...hmmm, where am I now. So this behaviour hasn't stopped. The behaviour has actually gotten worse (some of you will read this with a 'WTF is wrong with you' reaction, and that's fair enough, my own family say it to me regularly). Nowadays, I am double protecting in the house and out of the house, in my car (I still drive as I have to for work) and when walking the dog. I listen to the tv and films on subtitles and with no volume. On the rare occasions that I watch something with the wife that requires volume, I can't hear the volume anyway through the double protection. I sleep in earmuffs as I can hear the road outside through the single glaze windows. I take baths and don't shower - if I have to shower it is in peltor muffs. When washing my hair, I used waterproof 'swimmers' earplugs and take great care not to make undue noise and splashing. I don't go out really much any more. I have friends over but make excuses not to go out to restaurants or places where it could be loud. I have even started saying no to golf (sounds stupid, but I have). My world has become a lot smaller. I am getting chewed up inside now as it is my brother's 30th birthday tomorrow and his wife has organised a meal for friends in London. I'm invited, she even consulted me on venue and booked a private room, but as it gets nearer I know that I will likely not go. I want to go, but I feel I just can't. I am also in the midst of a spike right now, caused by some road traffic noise. My front door is 20-30m from a road. I like to avoid exposure here and so run to the car/run the dog past the road to quieter wooded area, but today, I felt my earplugs 'pop' maybe due to wax behind the ear, and I'm now terrified it wasn't in correctly and I've caused lasting damage - this worry and spike is despite me having earmuffs ontop of the plugs.
...I also spend ages pushing the plugs into my ears; if they crack or make a sound or pop, I repeat the process until they do not do this when i take my hand away. Embarrassingly, yet truthfully, it has sometimes taken my 20 mins to leave the house satisfied that they are in ok. If they 'pop' when 5m from the front door, I am back in the house repeating the 'process'.

It is important to mention that these things did not happen to me at once. They were incremental, but they are at the point now where I do not recognise the person I was before they happened. I have almost become used to this life. Trying to do something different or outside of my limited comfort zone, puts me into a panic attack and weeks of protracted stress and rumination. The double protecting within the house started when I was caring for a sick family member, who has since died. I didn't want any spikes ontop of that stress...but since I started doing it, it has now become habit...

Would I like things to be different - obviously yes!
Would I rather live like this than have the tinnitus get worse - sadly also yes, which is why I continue to do it...probably

Anyone who has been at this point and doing these things who has recovered to live a normal life, I really commend you and feel happy for you. I would like to get there one day...but I foresee a lot of stress and struggle ahead...

Elfin, you are never far away from my thoughts, buddy. I know how horrendous all of this has been for you and I hope one day you will find your former self again. The frequency of your spikes is related to your reliance on using double-protection, 24/7, but I know how difficult it is to stop doing this once you start. I know the mental battle you face each day is immense and it's very brave to publicly tell your story. I hope you get the support you deserve.

 

[Jack Straw]

I have been reading this thread with interest and feel it maybe helpful (for me and others) to out myself as a chronic protector...at the moment, I am talking 24/7. If there is anyone out there who is currently doing this, or has successfully overcome this as a way of life (success being without worsening tinnitus), please get in touch as it would be great to hear from you and get some help on moving out of this successfully.

Why do I overprotect in this way (bit of back story, sorry for wall of text):
I have had tinnitus since I was 17; I am now 31. The onset came after a concert, which I went to 4 days after my dad died (stupid in hindsight, yes, but I went under the 'this is what he would have wanted' philosophy). The noise and the grief and stress basically combined to give me intrusive tinnitus that I had no respite from for about 5 years. I had panic attacks and depression. I started coming out of this, incidentally, when I went onto antidepressants. The noise was there, but my reaction improved. I went traveling - on planes, motorbikes, buses and boats and I was ok. I used my ER earplugs (25 filter) and nothing more. I would even listen to headphones on low volume - with the plugs in - when working at the office or to relax. I took the plugs out at home and could use the shower etc without any issue. I went to restaurants and the cinema (although I did begin to double protect, as certain action films just seems too loud for me to enjoy - the worry of the noise made it pointless being there). At the beginning, and for some years, I also never worse earplugs to drive.

Fast forward to 2017, I was getting married in September. That summer was stressful. I was also attending stadium cricket matches (it was the champions trophy, held in the UK) and other friend's weddings. Whilst I wouldn't stay and dance, I would have the food, stay for the speeches, and, if possible (some summer weddings had outside seating) would stay for the evening, if I could get away from the dancefloor. At a wedding I attended in the August of that year, my tinnitus spiked when I was exposed to some loud bass (not in the same room as the dancefloor, but I was walking past that room. The door was open and the bass got me). This spike lasted months and months, dominated my thoughts around the time of my own wedding and overwhelmed my honeymoon experience (we went to Orlando, Miami and The Bahamas). It was during this time that I started double protecting. I double protected pretty much everywhere: when walking down the street, in shops, in restaurants, by the pool, on the beach...everywhere. I could hear street noise from the hotels and so would sleep in earplugs. The one time I didn't, in Orlando, the fire alarm went off and was louder than anything I had heard for sometime. It was awful. I grabbed my earmuffs and hit the floor, but it went on for 20-30secs of torture. It was at that moment that I upgraded my earmuffs to Peltors.

...hmmm, where am I now. So this behaviour hasn't stopped. The behaviour has actually gotten worse (some of you will read this with a 'WTF is wrong with you' reaction, and that's fair enough, my own family say it to me regularly). Nowadays, I am double protecting in the house and out of the house, in my car (I still drive as I have to for work) and when walking the dog. I listen to the tv and films on subtitles and with no volume. On the rare occasions that I watch something with the wife that requires volume, I can't hear the volume anyway through the double protection. I sleep in earmuffs as I can hear the road outside through the single glaze windows. I take baths and don't shower - if I have to shower it is in peltor muffs. When washing my hair, I used waterproof 'swimmers' earplugs and take great care not to make undue noise and splashing. I don't go out really much any more. I have friends over but make excuses not to go out to restaurants or places where it could be loud. I have even started saying no to golf (sounds stupid, but I have). My world has become a lot smaller. I am getting chewed up inside now as it is my brother's 30th birthday tomorrow and his wife has organised a meal for friends in London. I'm invited, she even consulted me on venue and booked a private room, but as it gets nearer I know that I will likely not go. I want to go, but I feel I just can't. I am also in the midst of a spike right now, caused by some road traffic noise. My front door is 20-30m from a road. I like to avoid exposure here and so run to the car/run the dog past the road to quieter wooded area, but today, I felt my earplugs 'pop' maybe due to wax behind the ear, and I'm now terrified it wasn't in correctly and I've caused lasting damage - this worry and spike is despite me having earmuffs ontop of the plugs.
...I also spend ages pushing the plugs into my ears; if they crack or make a sound or pop, I repeat the process until they do not do this when i take my hand away. Embarrassingly, yet truthfully, it has sometimes taken my 20 mins to leave the house satisfied that they are in ok. If they 'pop' when 5m from the front door, I am back in the house repeating the 'process'.

It is important to mention that these things did not happen to me at once. They were incremental, but they are at the point now where I do not recognise the person I was before they happened. I have almost become used to this life. Trying to do something different or outside of my limited comfort zone, puts me into a panic attack and weeks of protracted stress and rumination. The double protecting within the house started when I was caring for a sick family member, who has since died. I didn't want any spikes ontop of that stress...but since I started doing it, it has now become habit...

Would I like things to be different - obviously yes!
Would I rather live like this than have the tinnitus get worse - sadly also yes, which is why I continue to do it...probably

Anyone who has been at this point and doing these things who has recovered to live a normal life, I really commend you and feel happy for you. I would like to get there one day...but I foresee a lot of stress and struggle ahead...

Do you feel that double protecting has lowered your sound tolerance threshold, which could be causing your spikes from relatively quiet noises?

Is your goal to be able to hear zero noise? I would assume the traffic noise outside your house while inside is not at a dangerous noise level while being inside.

Are you still on the anti-depressants or are you off them?

I understand if these questions are too personal for you, but I hope you all the best in the future. I hope Neuromod can help you if you decide to pursue that treatment.

 

[Lane]

I would like to get there one day...but I foresee a lot of stress and struggle ahead...

Hi @Elfin -- Thanks for sharing your story. I feel I'm quite the pragmatist by nature, and that pragmatism generally leads me to think about non-psychological methods to approach what may seem like a psychological problem. Some of what you describe almost sounds like a mild form of OCD.

I ran across a remarkable article on OCD a couple years ago about a researcher in Israel who discovered that a simple supplement can often dramatically improve OCD symptoms. I take this supplement regularly, and feel it relaxes my body and psyche. -- Here's a link to a remarkable article in case you might want to check it out:

LISTENING TO INOSITOL: CLINICAL NOTES

I'm sharing this Inositol/OCD link because I think any brain condition that results in OCD can also affect tinnitus. You may also want to check out THIS POST & THIS POST which I made, and describes some supplements and other alternative type therapies that may be worth considering.
--
Also, I was wondering if you have any amalgams or other metal in your mouth. The story below is about a man who had many chronic health issues for years, including chronic tinnitus. After having his amalgams removed many of his "phobias" disappeared along with all his other health problems. Though he doesn't say whether or not his tinnitus went away. -- All the Best...
..............................................

My Mercury Story
In the mid 90s, despite being athletic and energetic, I began experiencing various health ailments. These ailments worsened and grew in number year-by-year. By 2000, I had acquired 17 specific physical ailments ranging from fatigue to immune weakness to constant ringing in my ears. I could only work about 4 hours per day and had to take daily naps. I knew that something was seriously wrong.

I finally stumbled upon the cause of my problems while speaking to a friend about her health issues. She told me she had Chronic Fatigue and had healed herself after 5 years of visiting doctors and getting nowhere. She told me that she had her amalgam ("silver") dental fillings removed one-by-one, as she could afford it, and it had changed her from a bed-ridden state to a normal, working person. She told me something no dentist ever had:

Amalgam dental fillings contain mercury, the world's most toxic, non-radioactive metal.

I started conducting research on the Internet and found that I was not alone. Many other people were suffering just as I was and they had determined the problem was their dental fillings as well.

After spending numerous hours researching this issue, I had my amalgam fillings removed in couple weeks and my life changed forever, and it happened virtually overnight. A few years later, I realized that not only had my physical symptoms gone away, but a number of phobias vanished as well. My relationships improved, I became more social, my memory improved dramatically, and I realized how life is supposed to be lived.

Now, looking back, I realize that I lived most of my life with a number of negative personality traits and emotional ailments that were actually caused by mercury. My bad memory, extreme shyness, very low self esteem, fear of commitments (especially in relationships), history of suicidal thoughts and fear of confrontations is now gone, not to mention horrible depression, and all of these changes have dramatically improved the quality of my life.

 

[Lane]

Below is a remarkable story on mercury removal and tinnitus going away...

Patient Success Story:
"I had been experiencing tinnitus for about 3-4 years. It concerned me as it was getting louder as time went on. I had an earwax problem at that time and thought ear cleaning would also help with the tinnitus but it did not. I started having my amalgam fillings removed quadrant by quadrant. It wasn't until the last quadrant of mercury fillings were removed that I noticed any changes in the tinnitus. Days later, I was just about ready to doze off to sleep when I realized there was no ringing in my ear, just beautiful silence."

During this patient's clinical evaluation, it was noted that her galvanic (electrical) current was much higher than normal in several of her mercury fillings. Simply reducing the galvanic current(s) by replacing the mercury fillings with tooth colored restorations made all the difference in the world for this patient. (Visit our website article entitled, Is There a Battery in Your Mouth?)

 

[TLion]

I have been reading this thread with interest and feel it maybe helpful (for me and others) to out myself as a chronic protector...at the moment, I am talking 24/7. If there is anyone out there who is currently doing this, or has successfully overcome this as a way of life (success being without worsening tinnitus), please get in touch as it would be great to hear from you and get some help on moving out of this successfully.

Why do I overprotect in this way (bit of back story, sorry for wall of text):
I have had tinnitus since I was 17; I am now 31. The onset came after a concert, which I went to 4 days after my dad died (stupid in hindsight, yes, but I went under the 'this is what he would have wanted' philosophy). The noise and the grief and stress basically combined to give me intrusive tinnitus that I had no respite from for about 5 years. I had panic attacks and depression. I started coming out of this, incidentally, when I went onto antidepressants. The noise was there, but my reaction improved. I went traveling - on planes, motorbikes, buses and boats and I was ok. I used my ER earplugs (25 filter) and nothing more. I would even listen to headphones on low volume - with the plugs in - when working at the office or to relax. I took the plugs out at home and could use the shower etc without any issue. I went to restaurants and the cinema (although I did begin to double protect, as certain action films just seems too loud for me to enjoy - the worry of the noise made it pointless being there). At the beginning, and for some years, I also never worse earplugs to drive.

Fast forward to 2017, I was getting married in September. That summer was stressful. I was also attending stadium cricket matches (it was the champions trophy, held in the UK) and other friend's weddings. Whilst I wouldn't stay and dance, I would have the food, stay for the speeches, and, if possible (some summer weddings had outside seating) would stay for the evening, if I could get away from the dancefloor. At a wedding I attended in the August of that year, my tinnitus spiked when I was exposed to some loud bass (not in the same room as the dancefloor, but I was walking past that room. The door was open and the bass got me). This spike lasted months and months, dominated my thoughts around the time of my own wedding and overwhelmed my honeymoon experience (we went to Orlando, Miami and The Bahamas). It was during this time that I started double protecting. I double protected pretty much everywhere: when walking down the street, in shops, in restaurants, by the pool, on the beach...everywhere. I could hear street noise from the hotels and so would sleep in earplugs. The one time I didn't, in Orlando, the fire alarm went off and was louder than anything I had heard for sometime. It was awful. I grabbed my earmuffs and hit the floor, but it went on for 20-30secs of torture. It was at that moment that I upgraded my earmuffs to Peltors.

...hmmm, where am I now. So this behaviour hasn't stopped. The behaviour has actually gotten worse (some of you will read this with a 'WTF is wrong with you' reaction, and that's fair enough, my own family say it to me regularly). Nowadays, I am double protecting in the house and out of the house, in my car (I still drive as I have to for work) and when walking the dog. I listen to the tv and films on subtitles and with no volume. On the rare occasions that I watch something with the wife that requires volume, I can't hear the volume anyway through the double protection. I sleep in earmuffs as I can hear the road outside through the single glaze windows. I take baths and don't shower - if I have to shower it is in peltor muffs. When washing my hair, I used waterproof 'swimmers' earplugs and take great care not to make undue noise and splashing. I don't go out really much any more. I have friends over but make excuses not to go out to restaurants or places where it could be loud. I have even started saying no to golf (sounds stupid, but I have). My world has become a lot smaller. I am getting chewed up inside now as it is my brother's 30th birthday tomorrow and his wife has organised a meal for friends in London. I'm invited, she even consulted me on venue and booked a private room, but as it gets nearer I know that I will likely not go. I want to go, but I feel I just can't. I am also in the midst of a spike right now, caused by some road traffic noise. My front door is 20-30m from a road. I like to avoid exposure here and so run to the car/run the dog past the road to quieter wooded area, but today, I felt my earplugs 'pop' maybe due to wax behind the ear, and I'm now terrified it wasn't in correctly and I've caused lasting damage - this worry and spike is despite me having earmuffs ontop of the plugs.
...I also spend ages pushing the plugs into my ears; if they crack or make a sound or pop, I repeat the process until they do not do this when i take my hand away. Embarrassingly, yet truthfully, it has sometimes taken my 20 mins to leave the house satisfied that they are in ok. If they 'pop' when 5m from the front door, I am back in the house repeating the 'process'.

It is important to mention that these things did not happen to me at once. They were incremental, but they are at the point now where I do not recognise the person I was before they happened. I have almost become used to this life. Trying to do something different or outside of my limited comfort zone, puts me into a panic attack and weeks of protracted stress and rumination. The double protecting within the house started when I was caring for a sick family member, who has since died. I didn't want any spikes ontop of that stress...but since I started doing it, it has now become habit...

Would I like things to be different - obviously yes!
Would I rather live like this than have the tinnitus get worse - sadly also yes, which is why I continue to do it...probably

Anyone who has been at this point and doing these things who has recovered to live a normal life, I really commend you and feel happy for you. I would like to get there one day...but I foresee a lot of stress and struggle ahead...

I'm very sorry for your struggle and thank you for your honesty. My theory is that the brain needs to relearn what to filter. If you constantly monitor your surrounding noise and block everything out your brain will not learn which noise is important and which is not. During my last permanent spike I slowly began getting better when I stopped monitoring everything including outside noise during sleep and my Tinnitus. Blocking Tinnitus noise (=habituation) works the same way as blocking other noise. The brain is able to ignore street noise and similar noises "by default". It needs to learn that Tinnitus belongs to this category of "unworthy" noise. You do the opposite. You train your brain that every tiny little noise is important including street noise, and of course your Tinnitus...
I strongly advise to try breaking out of this unhealthy lifestyle. Is your wife supportive?

 

[Elfin]

Do you feel that double protecting has lowered your sound tolerance threshold, which could be causing your spikes from relatively quiet noises?

Tough one to answer as it's subjective and my mind betrays me, but I would say that it has. When I take the muffs off at work, noises that aren't load for others will cut through me. It's like the earplugs aren't even in my ears or working at all. An example was on Monday when a colleague scrunched up some paper that came from an amazon package - it was like a grenade went off! I also used to drive with no plugs, then with plugs, now I wouldn't be able to do it without double protecting

Is your goal to be able to hear zero noise? I would assume the traffic noise outside your house while inside is not at a dangerous noise level while being inside.

My goal initially was to not have any more spikes or be exposed to any harmful noises. I didn't even want the risk. Strangely, whilst I could then hear my tinnitus it seemed to level for periods, and I became used to the sound of it. Whilst I obviously fear it getting worse, it was like my main fear then just became sound. Sounds which felt uncomfortable to me. This is where the problem grew worse as it just morphed really into anything I didn't like that I could hear: bird song, road noise, overhead planes. I became and am still wary of it all.

Are you still on the anti-depressants or are you off them?

Off them now. Took them from around 21-24 and came off them cold turkey (obviously not advised, but I had no GP advice and wasn't as educated or prepared as I would be now when taking things like this)

I understand if these questions are too personal for you, but I hope you all the best in the future. I hope Neuromod can help you if you decide to pursue that treatment.

No worries, I'm happy to answer and share. I've benefited from the words, advice and encouragement of others. Hope my story/mistakes/experience can help somebody else! Thanks for the kind wishes, really appreciate it

 

[Elfin]

(@Ed209 @Lane @TLion thanks for your comments and feedback, I'll reply shortly - unexpectedly off to pick up (double protection of course) the wife!)

 

[david c]

I have been reading this thread with interest and feel it maybe helpful (for me and others) to out myself as a chronic protector...at the moment, I am talking 24/7. If there is anyone out there who is currently doing this, or has successfully overcome this as a way of life (success being without worsening tinnitus), please get in touch as it would be great to hear from you and get some help on moving out of this successfully.

I suffered from hyperacusis when I first stared suffering from tinnitus around seven years ago and did wear ear protection a lot at first. I no longer suffer from hyperacusis and have habituated to tinnitus. I still wear ear protection a certain amount when out and about and doing some household tasks but probably not that much normally.

You probably are overprotecting at the moment, but what worked for me was to reduce my exposure to loud noise as much as possible. Not always possible of course, but the key thing really is to avoid prolonged noise exposure - even relying on ear protection can be dangerous as not even the best earplugs can protect completely.

 

[RichL]

It doesn't work like that! Most of the people who become obsessed with protecting their ears have more spikes than anyone else. The spikes are almost certainly an overreaction within the pathways of the brain and this likely includes memory and fear/emotion. Once this behaviour is programmed, the brain will act accordingly and will give you warnings, on cue, because it's a stress reflex.

People should not be getting spikes from sounds that are no louder than a person talking - whilst wearing earplugs - but this is a very very common occurrence and I hear about it regularly. The earplugs gradually become a mental safety barrier, but many people become trapped, and before long they realise they are dependent on protection just to function. What ensues is more spikes, extreme isolation, worse tinnitus and/or hypersensitive ears.

When I followed the advice of the fear squad on here years ago, I was miserable and had way more spikes than I ever do now. The best thing I ever did was abolish that way of thinking and to stop wearing earplugs everywhere. I'm doing waaaay better now but most of the overprotecters are spiking every other day, living in isolation and are feeling miserable.

If one allows tinnitus to control their thoughts in this way, early on, then it will almost certainly cause further problems down the line.

You are dead right, I lost the urge to argue with people on here years ago, so I'll take my leave and say you are exactly right as I am testimony to what you have just described!

Rich

 

[Bill Bauer]

Most of the people who become obsessed with protecting their ears have more spikes than anyone else.

LOLOL

Has it occurred to you that it is most likely that the causality is that those who are more likely to get a spike will be the people who will have to have no choice but to "get obsessed with protecting their ears"?

The spikes are almost certainly an overreaction within the pathways of the brain

What research are you basing this statement on?? Remember - a lot depends on getting this right, especially if one uses this to justify not protecting themselves.

Once this behaviour is programmed, the brain will act accordingly and will give you warnings, on cue, because it's a stress reflex.

Suppose I am crazy, and want to experience pain every time, say, I see a black cat. I don't think that my brain can cause me to have pain for weeks or months at a time, following this random cue. Also, many sufferers report getting the spike the next morning. No matter how much I work myself up, my brain is not complex enough to provide me with a pain (in the same part of my body each time) as I wake up the next day. And yet, this is what most of the people who get spikes experience every time they get a spike. To clarify the meaning of the above: It is NOT all in their heads!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People should not be getting spikes from sounds that are no louder than a person talking

And yet - they do. Despite not thinking twice about the episode - because they Know that conversations are too quiet to cause any problems. (If they were worried about the conversation, they wouldn't be having it in the first place.) They first become aware that something is wrong the next morning, as they are waking up. And then it lasts for days or weeks or months.

I was miserable and had way more spikes than I ever do now.

Back then, it was early after your onset. Thanks to that advice you had healed and now you can enjoy fewer spikes despite more exposure to noise.

This is your paradoxical writing in a nutshell.

What are you talking about?

 

[RichL]

Where you a truck driver? Why did you keep the earplugs in when you were at home?

I mentioned this in my comment, it was a security thing, kids screaming, doors slamming etc, thought that was pretty obvious!

We will never know the reason, but one possibility is that it got louder as a result of less protection (assuming you were actually wearing your earplugs to loud places where you could benefit from hearing protection).

Nope, A more likely scenario is my state of mind changed which probably changed my brain perception of my tinnitus.

Wouldn't you agree that, given your experiences, wearing earplugs at times when one has a high chance of being exposed to a moderate noise (like that of a can being popped open), is a sensible thing to do?

No, not at all, because if I hadn't sensitized my ears through over use of ear plugs, a simple popping of a can wouldn't have even been an issue!

Hopefully there was an upside for you of using the earplugs. We will never know, but you might have saved yourself from numerous serious spikes...

I possibly have, but my theory on it is the spikes I have, are all my anxiety and state of mind and of course the main contributor..... ear plug over use, because nothing else spikes my tinnitus, not any sort of food, alcohol, medication, lack of sleep....nothing.

Sorry but I'm classic living evidence that @Ed209 is correct.

Rich

 

[Bill Bauer]

not in the same room as the dancefloor, but I was walking past that room. The door was open and the bass got me

According to Ed and most ENTs out there, this kind of a sound (that you experienced only for a few seconds) could not have Possibly harmed you. No healthy person had ever had any problems after walking by a room where bass was playing. Ed's explanation is that you freaked out so much that you gave yourself that spike. Would you say that Ed is right?

I listen to the tv and films on subtitles and with no volume.

If you begin to gradually increase the volume, in a couple of months you will be able to watch your TV at the moderate volume. This is where your volume should have been all along - and that way you would not need to worry about giving H to yourself.

I have even started saying no to golf

If the sounds of a golf ball being hit give spikes to you, then this might not be such a bad idea.

The double protecting within the house

What sort of noise were you trying to protect yourself from?!

There is a Russian saying that translates to "Get an unwise person to pray - he will end up splitting the skin on his forehead." This is describing a devout person falling on the ground as he prays

and, his forehead hitting the floor with enough force to result in an injury.

The meaning of the saying is that you might be taught something that is sensible (it is an old saying, so the people who came up with it had a positive attitude about religion), and then overdo it.

 

[RichL]

According to Ed and most ENTs out there, this kind of a sound (that you experienced only for a few seconds) could not have Possibly harmed you. No healthy person had ever had any problems after walking by a room where bass was playing. Ed's explanation is that you freaked out so much that you gave yourself that spike. Would you say that Ed is right?

Yep, he's dead right, if you know anything about anxiety and the power of thought, you wouldn't be arguing this.

Why do you think all research trials are required to have blind placebos?

 

[RichL]

@Ed209 you give such a well balanced view point regarding the issue of protection. All the other banter here makes it SO confusing for new people. @Jiri so proud of how you are doing now!!

Would definitely listen to @Ed209 's advice, I learn't the hard way!

 

[Bill Bauer]

Yep, he's dead right, if you know anything about anxiety and the power of thought, you wouldn't be arguing this.

Let's find out what Elfin thinks about this.

I lost the urge to argue with people on here years ago, so I'll take my leave and say you are exactly right as I am testimony to what you have just described!

There is a Russian saying that translates to "Get an unwise person to pray - he will end up splitting the skin on his forehead." This is describing a devout person falling on the ground as he prays

and, his forehead hitting the floor with enough force to result in an injury.

The meaning of the saying is that you might be taught something that is sensible (it is an old saying, so the people who came up with it had a positive attitude about religion), and then overdo it.

Also, could you please answer just One of my comments - the one I am going to quote below:

Wouldn't you agree that, given your experiences, wearing earplugs at times when one has a high chance of being exposed to a moderate noise (like that of a can being popped open), is a sensible thing to do?