Protecting? Overprotecting? Not Protecting?

[PeteJ]

Then it means that the acoustic trauma and other causes of tinnitus has nothing to do with lesion in strutures of the auditory system?
I was treated at a psychiatric clinic for depression and anxiety caused by tinnitus. This clinic with five psychiatrist and many patients, only treat people with depression and anxiety and I was the only person with tinnitus. Many didn't even know what was tinnitus and doctors were treating a person with tinnitus for the first time in more than ten years.

I don't believe that depression and stress/anxiety alone causes tinnitus. It doesn't make sense to me. I was depressed for a long time but never got it. I have it from loud noise/acoustic trauma. People are exposed to loud noises all the time and some people here have talked about 'hidden hearing loss.' I discovered that doctors and audiologists (the ones I talked to) have no clue what this is. These are supposed experts not knowing at all?
I think people who are depressed and/or stressed/anxious had acoustic trauma along the way and the combined 'brain rewiring' which is assumed to occur with what depression/stress does instigates the tinnitus - in other words, made it worse. Many people have very mild forms of tinnitus - from hearing loss as they age or get exposed to loud noise/sound. As the hair cells are damaged or dying, it comes to a point in which too much damage occurs and the tinnitus worsens. This is just my theory from reading several reports on tinnitus and hearing loss.

I suppose ototoxic drugs also plays a factor but I wish researchers/scientists would also look at prescription drugs and people's mental states as it relates to the formation or presence of tinnitus. It seems to me that the worse forms/cases of tinnitus is due to acoustic trauma combined with hearing loss.

As for protecting ones ears - I realize that the hearing field/community/doctors say that you need exposure to sound and they often encourage tinnitus sufferers not to over protect but acoustic trauma to an already affected tinnitus sufferer is serious and dangerous. I have read posts of people who already had tinnitus being exposed to yet another loud noise and then posting about spikes and changes. I have also had this experience - I was over protecting but then decided to go into a store without plugs after an audiologist insisted that I should allow normal sound experiences. That turned out to be the worst advice possible which I have read on here so I disagree with those who said to not use plugs/muffs. It has ruined my life.

The only reason that plugs/muffs might not be good is that it can cause inflammation - my inner ear canal is inflamed in my left ear from foam plugs. I also worry about what muffs might be doing. I am wondering what ear plugs are good to use that won't cause inflammation - from over use. I am not using them all the time but because random loud noises can happen at any time, anywhere, I wanted to use them at times to avoid potential setbacks and further damage. In this situation, as a tinnitus sufferer, the expression 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' comes to mind. :-(

 

[Ed209]

I don't believe that depression and stress/anxiety alone causes tinnitus. It doesn't make sense to me. I was depressed for a long time but never got it. I have it from loud noise/acoustic trauma.

In short, nobody knows for sure. I've had tinnitus since around the year 2000 and it came on during an extremely stressful part of my life, but also a noisy part of my life too. None of my friends had it at the time I did, but we were all exposed to the same noises. I think there may also be a genetic factor as my dad also has it.

I've read the literature quite extensively and there are indications that stress may play a very pivotal role in some cases. For example, many people get tinnitus during childbirth; this is well documented. People in the military are particularly at risk because they are exposed to both stress and noise which is likely the ideal scenario for tinnitus to be perceived in the brain. It's also more likely if a person is mentally exhausted or burned out, and tinnitus can also be a sign of a nervous breakdown. I think the gating hypothesis has merit because it explains why some people hear tinnitus and some don't, even though the same hearing damage is present. There may be a problem with the limbic system of those whose tinnitus has taken over, and this would tie in with the emotional significance it's given and the way it's perceived, etc.

Having said all this, nobody is entirely sure what's happening. We know from Dr Shore's work that fusiform cells in the DCN can become hyperactive in brains that have tinnitus, and this can create synchronicity in other areas of the auditory cortex and brain which could create the perception of noise. However, Dr Rauschecker postulates that in order to perceive these noises our limbic system (more on this below) has to be malfunctioning as he believes that in a normal brain these noises are filtered out before they reach the higher functioning parts of our brain (which includes our conscious awareness). This essentially means that everyone with hearing damage has some form of tinnitus signal being generated within their brain, but only a certain percentage pick that signal up and tune into it. Once it is detected it seems incredibly difficult to un-hear it and fMRI studies (people like Fatima Hussain) have shown that people with tinnitus tend to light up other areas of their brain (compared to non-tinnitus sufferers) under certain conditions. There also seems to be involvement from various memory, behavioural, and emotional parts of the brain like the caudate and putamen (dorsal striatum), nucleus accumbens, ventromedial caudate, ventral putamen (ventral striatum), amygdala, hippocampus, etc. This suggests that the way in which a person deals with their initial experience of "hearing" tinnitus may have more longterm ramifications. This is why many people advocate the importance of relaxing, de-stressing, and utilising things like CBT, mindfulness and meditation. That's not to say they will do anything, but calming your CNS down is always a good start; especially immediately after onset.

There are also studies (on mice) looking into the effects that various potassium channels may be having, particularly in relation to the excitability of one's fusiform cells in the DCN. Danny Boy managed to calm his tinnitus down by using Trobalt (Retigabine), but this, unfortunately, gave him terrible side effects, especially with his eyes. At the moment, Prof Thanos Tzounopulous is seeking to control this compound by eliminating the side effects to make a better more viable drug. He recently received some funding from the US military for this.

 

[Lucifer]

Recently I have developed severe hyperacusis and I was wondering what is the best method for it to have the highest chance of improving.

Should I protect my ears or not?
E.g., showers or driving.

Many people are saying different things but I'm not too sure what to do.

 

[Arseny]

I find helpful trying to adhere to the Environmental Protection Agency noise dosage recommendation. EPA has adopted the strickest standards in comparison to NIOSH and OSHA.

View attachment 26796​

Source: https://midimagic.sgc-hosting.com/spldose.htm

Hearing protectors aren't all that safe as demonstrated in: Hearing Protector Performance: How They Work - and - What Goes Wrong in the Real World

How is this possible?
82-85 dB is the level of noise in the car unless you're driving a luxury sedan.
By this logic virtually anyone would damage their hearing by commuting everyday to work.

 

[Orions Pain]

I've recently come to the understanding that my H is more of the problem than my tinnitus. I'm 3 1/2 months in and the symptoms keep progressing despite my best efforts to follow advice online

-avoid clubs, bars, loud places
-protect in moderately loud places (restaurants)
- not overprotect

Each time I try to live "normally" I experience set-backs. I'd love to hear some critical advice as to what I'm doing wrong here

I work in an office which is an open concept place so people often talk over each other, drop things, etc. I also take about (10) phone calls a day which usually don't exceed 5 minutes.

I drive to work everyday (about 20 min). I go grocery shopping or to places like target and don't wear ear plugs.

My sensitivity extends to things like the toilet flushing in the morning, lots of people talking close to me, kids screaming, very busy common areas in malls and crowded restaurants and cafes.
I don't experience "pain" but everything just sounds extra loud. I was at a park one day which lots of young people go to to drink and picnic on the weekends. It's a huge park and tends to fill up. I measured the dB level and it got was around 75-80 there, and I just recall being overwhelmed by the sound at some point.

My scariest symptom is the TTTS in one ear only. At its worst it was a vibrating, buzzing, constricting feeling in my ear for about 6 hours. It lingers around but these days it's mostly a tap tap microphone testing sensation that comes and goes without a pattern. Doesn't seem to react to noise for now.

I'm at a loss of what to do. Do I wear ear plugs more often? Do I quit my job and move home and live in absolute silence for 6-12 months? I know people tend to improve with time but I fear of swaying in the other direction as some members on here have mentioned living "normally" ended up terribly. I also realize it's all very individual, but I would like to make the right decisions here and be on the path to recovery.

Some say don't go out at all
Some say it's okay with ear plugs
Some say do whatever you want and retrain your ears (within reason)

Any advice or input would be appreciated. At this point I am absolutely terrified and don't know how to move forward.

 

[Mister Muso]

I tried not protecting, and my tinnitus got worse.

Then I tried protecting, and my hyperacusis got worse.

So it's heads you lose, tails you lose. I probably would have ended up with similar problems anyway, whatever strategy I chose.

As with lots of things in life, it's about finding a middle way that works for you. Things do ease off, or get easier to handle, over time for most people anyway.

 

[Mister Muso]

@Orions Pain

I would suggest slightly increasing your earplug usage until the TTTS symptoms stop, then ease back on the earplugs. Try watching TV or listening to music in the evenings and gradually increasing the exposure as per advice from @Bill Bauer.

 

[Adaś]

Sorry for digging this up, but it is a very informative thread and I really value @Ed209's posts here.

I don't believe that depression and stress/anxiety alone causes tinnitus. It doesn't make sense to me. I was depressed for a long time but never got it. I have it from loud noise/acoustic trauma.

Yes it can, tinnitus is one of the statistically significant symptoms in depression AFAIK. I have a friend that had tinnitus from depression, it went away after proper treatment. Nevertheless my tinnitus was triggered when I was in very stressful period and I "blasted" my headphones (around 105 dBA measured with dB meter) just for 2-3 sec. Not something extremely loud as 105 dBA is sound levels of some small clubs where ppl (including myself when I was younger) spend hours in. So I strongly believe stress combined with moderate acoustic shock can trigger tinnitus.

In short, nobody knows for sure. I've had tinnitus since around the year 2000 and it came on during an extremely stressful part of my life, but also a noisy part of my life too. None of my friends had it at the time I did, but we were all exposed to the same noises. I think there may also be a genetic factor as my dad also has it.

Again very good example of combination of stress and loud noise. I really support the gating theory that once limbic system is weakened (e.g. by stress) then the tinnitus signal can sneak through to the awareness even with a moderate acoustic shock. Once it is there, it gets harder to become unaware of tinnitus, still it often happens.

Now going back to the main point if to protect or under-/over-protect. Do you believe that NIOSH levels are too high once our bodies are compromised? What about OSHA levels that are legally binding and much less conservative?

I can see lot of people asking if having shower which is (what 75 dBA?) is safe, or flushing toilet is safe? (80 dBA) Worrying about 75-80 dBA seems extreme to me. Even if we subtract -20 dBA (which is a lot - 10 times energy!), 80 dBA would mean it is safe for 15 minutes a day.

 

[PeteJ]

Sorry for digging this up, but it is a very informative thread and I really value @Ed209's posts here.

Yes it can, tinnitus is one of the statistically significant symptoms in depression AFAIK. I have a friend that had tinnitus from depression, it went away after proper treatment. Nevertheless my tinnitus was triggered when I was in very stressful period and I "blasted" my headphones (around 105 dBA measured with dB meter) just for 2-3 sec. Not something extremely loud as 105 dBA is sound levels of some small clubs where ppl (including myself when I was younger) spend hours in. So I strongly believe stress combined with moderate acoustic shock can trigger tinnitus.

Again very good example of combination of stress and loud noise. I really support the gating theory that once limbic system is weakened (e.g. by stress) then the tinnitus signal can sneak through to the awareness even with a moderate acoustic shock. Once it is there, it gets harder to become unaware of tinnitus, still it often happens.

Now going back to the main point if to protect or under-/over-protect. Do you believe that NIOSH levels are too high once our bodies are compromised? What about OSHA levels that are legally binding and much less conservative?

I can see lot of people asking if having shower which is (what 75 dBA?) is safe, or flushing toilet is safe? (80 dBA) Worrying about 75-80 dBA seems extreme to me. Even if we subtract -20 dBA (which is a lot - 10 times energy!), 80 dBA would mean it is safe for 15 minutes a day.

View attachment 40453

Lots of people are stressed. Stress and depression is present in lots of people's lives.

I think acoustic trauma is more of a factor.

 

[Adaś]

I think acoustic trauma is more of a factor.

Certainly, but then how else you could explain that some people don't get tinnitus after acoustic trauma, while some other get tinnitus after moderate acoustic shock (not really a trauma), like myself. I think stress plays a pivotal role here, see other post with some recent article explaining role of stress:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...s-a-comprehensive-overview.42251/#post-542821

I agree that stress is present in most people's lives nowadays, but so is noise. Some people deal with stress better, some worse. I think these who do not cope with stress well are at much higher risk of developing tinnitus. How else you explain the stories that "I have tinnitus, but my friends that have same lifestyle as me don't have it". Genetic factors?

 

[Lane]

I really support the gating theory that once limbic system is weakened (e.g. by stress) then the tinnitus signal can sneak through to the awareness even with a moderate acoustic shock.

Have to agree with that...

I think these who do not cope with stress well are at much higher risk of developing tinnitus.

I suspect electrosensitivity plays a far greater role in stress response and tinnitus intensity than most people realize.

 

[GaryTH]

I constantly hear people on here warning others not to over use earplugs or earmuffs, as they have been known to increase the level of noise sensitivity in people. Googling it has only given me websites that state the same thing, but never a link to a reference.

I'm all for anecdotal evidence, but can anyone point me to a single controlled study which shows that overprotecting ears causes worsening noise sensitivity, hyperacusis, sound phobias, etc or anything else? Also is this a temporary worsening or is it permanent?

I want answers in scientific studies, not about what happened to you or your neighbor.

 

[Orions Pain]

I constantly hear people on here warning others not to over use earplugs or earmuffs, as they have been known to increase the level of noise sensitivity in people. Googling it has only given me websites that state the same thing, but never a link to a reference.

I'm all for anecdotal evidence, but can anyone point me to a single controlled study which shows that overprotecting ears causes worsening noise sensitivity, hyperacusis, sound phobias, etc or anything else? Also is this a temporary worsening or is it permanent?

I want answers in scientific studies, not about what happened to you or your neighbor.

I don't believe there are many that link prolonged ear plug use to permanent or prolonged sound sensitivity. There is one study that seems to show a very temporary threshold shift (I don't have access to the full article) but it looks like here whatever sensitivity did appear from ear plug use disappeared within 24 hours.

https://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.4835715

 

[Ed209]

I constantly hear people on here warning others not to over use earplugs or earmuffs, as they have been known to increase the level of noise sensitivity in people. Googling it has only given me websites that state the same thing, but never a link to a reference.

I'm all for anecdotal evidence, but can anyone point me to a single controlled study which shows that overprotecting ears causes worsening noise sensitivity, hyperacusis, sound phobias, etc or anything else? Also is this a temporary worsening or is it permanent?

I want answers in scientific studies, not about what happened to you or your neighbor.

I discussed aspects of this on the Bryan Pollard Tinnitus Talk Podcast thread here:

Episode 8: Transforming Hyperacusis Research — Bryan Pollard

In short, there was a small study conducted which showed a change in the acoustic reflex threshold after wearing earplugs for 4-7 days:

Earplug-induced changes in acoustic reflex thresholds suggest that increased subcortical neural gain may be necessary but not sufficient for the occurrence of tinnitus

 

[starrynights]

Back in September 2020, I suffered an acoustic trauma that caused a serious spike in my tinnitus. Since then I have had many anxiety attacks, sleepless nights and fluctuating tinnitus. I started searching through tinnitus talk on how to prevent any further damage, and started taking supplements such as NAC and Magnesium to prevent my ears from becoming more damaged. It is now December, my ears still don't feel at their absolute best, and my tinnitus still tends to fluctuate a lot but I feel that I am doing better at least mentally at coping with my tinnitus.

My biggest concern at the moment is my frequent earplug usage. Every time I go out I always make sure to put in my foam earplugs. I wonder if I am now doing more harm than good because I may be making my ears more sensitive to sounds that it was previously accustomed to. I don't want to make the mistake of making them overly sensitive, and cause them to spike over sounds that aren't harmful. I live in New York City so noise is pretty constant here and before my tinnitus spike my ears could withstand the everyday sounds of the city, aside from ambulance sirens and construction. I would like to know what you guys think on what I should do in regards to my earplug usage? I am scared that if I continue to protect my ears this way I may end up making things worse for myself. I am having trouble trying to find a balance and implementing it as I feel that I have probably also developed a bit of PTSD because my acoustic trauma was caused by a sudden firetruck siren going off a few feet away from me so I feel like I'm now compensating for this by constantly wearing foam earplugs. I plan to see an ENT and audiologist at the end of this month but I know how unhelpful doctors can be especially when it comes to tinnitus + hyperacusis and would like to hear some insight from the Tinnitus Talk community. General thoughts, advice, experiences and/or suggestions are appreciated.

Edit: I am not constantly protecting at home. I am no longer wearing plugs whenever I am washing dishes (although I still steer a bit clear from blenders and vacuums) because this did initially (during the early stages of my spike irritate) my ears. I watch videos and listen to audio on my laptop/phone in a low-medium volume throughout the day and am not totally depriving my ears of sound by the way.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Digital Doc]

Will need to transition off the foam earplugs as you can tolerate. Try going out with a silicone earplug, as most of them are NRR 25, which is a little less protective than a foam earplug.

 

[weab00]

I discussed aspects of this on the Bryan Pollard Tinnitus Talk Podcast thread here:

Episode 8: Transforming Hyperacusis Research — Bryan Pollard

In short, there was a small study conducted which showed a change in the acoustic reflex threshold after wearing earplugs for 4-7 days:

Earplug-induced changes in acoustic reflex thresholds suggest that increased subcortical neural gain may be necessary but not sufficient for the occurrence of tinnitus

In healthy ears, temporary 5 dB threshold shift. Hyperacusis ears are not healthy. I would like to see this study conducted amongst hyperacusis patients, and I imagine we'd get very different results.

 

[Raphael7713]

I would say protect your ears when you feel that the sound level is too high and damaging. Do not overprotect your ears because I think this will lead to hyperacusis and you will train your brain to think that all sounds, even sounds that are not too loud, are dangerous and damaging.

 

[Brooklyn NY]

Hi, l also live in NYC, and in normal times, which we haven't had since last February, I usually wear plugs on the subways, but not necessarily the rest of the time that I'm outside. I would carry them in one hand, and look out for loud situations such as construction and ambulances. It's a loud environment, so when I spot trouble, I put the ear plugs in without hesitation.

In NYC, try to visit places such as Central Park and other parks where the noise levels are lower. It's a balancing act in a loud city, but it can be managed. Good luck.

 

[SadMan]

To be fair, a lot also depends on the extent of the original injury that had caused T in the first place. Some people's injury had been so severe that they won't recover no matter what they do. Other people were lucky enough to suffer a mild injury, and no matter what they do, they will likely recover (unless they actually are careless enough to get a new injury that is worse than their initial trauma). I believe that there are sufferers out there for whom protection might make a difference. It is difficult to evaluate the size of the fraction of sufferers who belong to this group.

I went to a doctor. The doctor did not tell me that I should protect my ears from noise. My ringing got worse when I was exposed to noise.

Then I found Tinnitus Talk. Thanks to you, I started protecting my ears from noise. I always wore ear protection outside. One day, while we were driving on the bus, a truck honked next to us. The sound was so loud that even people with intact ears blocked their ears. Meanwhile, I had ear protectors

Then I read on Tinnitus Talk that you should not protect too much. I did not wear ear protection when going out. The announcement in the mall was very loud. A child called his mother very loudly. When I got home, my tinnitus had increased a little.

Now I'm protecting my ears again. If your tinnitus is caused by an acoustic trauma, the ears should be protected from loud noise.

If a medication has caused tinnitus, the medication may be reduced under the doctor's supervision.
Cause and effect relation is very important.

Okay, so if you protect your hearing too much, hyperacusis may get worse. So what are we going to do? My opinion; If it is caused by an acoustic trauma, the ears should be protected for at least the first 6 months.

What will happen after 6 months, I have no idea

 

[Bill Bauer]

What will happen after 6 months, I have no idea

After 18-24-30 months, many people discover that they feel as resilient as they used to feel before they have had their acoustic trauma. They stop getting tinnitus spikes as a result of exposure to moderate or even loud noises. At that point it might make sense to resume one's normal behaviour (making sure to do everything in one's power to avoid getting exposed to very loud noises).

 

[SadMan]

After 18-24-30 months, many people discover that they feel as resilient as they used to feel before they have had their acoustic trauma. They stop getting tinnitus spikes as a result of exposure to moderate or even loud noises. At that point it might make sense to resume one's normal behaviour (making sure to do everything in one's power to avoid getting exposed to very loud noises).

Bill, there is something I want to consult with you.

1 hour a day, should I watch TV or listen to pink noise? Which is better to prevent hyperacusis?

65 days have passed since the acoustic trauma.

Or should I not do anything about hyperacusis for now?

 

[Bill Bauer]

1 hour a day, should I watch TV or listen to pink noise? Which is better to prevent hyperacusis?

65 days have passed since the acoustic trauma.

Or should I not do anything about hyperacusis for now?

If I were you, I would just watch TV whenever something interesting is on, and at that time make sure that the volume is at the loudest level that Doesn't cause any spikes/discomfort. I don't think preventing hyperacusis is a challenging task requiring one to ensure that one does something special for exactly 1 hour every day and that if one skips a day or does it for less than 1 hour, the entire healing process would be derailed. It is my understanding that one would have to work hard (i.e., sound deprivation 24/7 for many months) to get oneself to experience hyperacusis.

 

[SadMan]

If I were you, I would just watch TV whenever something interesting is on, and at that time make sure that the volume is at the loudest level that Doesn't cause any spikes/discomfort. I don't think preventing hyperacusis is a challenging task requiring one to ensure that one does something special for exactly 1 hour every day and that if one skips a day or does it for less than 1 hour, the entire healing process would be derailed. It is my understanding that one would have to work hard (i.e., sound deprivation 24/7 for many months) to get oneself to experience hyperacusis.

Thanks Bill, TV would be more fun, I'll do that.

There is one more topic I want to consult with you. I am very indecisive.

I do not know if the Betahistine medication contributes to the recovery of acoustic trauma. Usually, people taking it say it doesn't work. However, many doctors prescribe it in many countries.

When taking the drug, my tinnitus turns into crickets. It turns into a thin tone when I stop the medication.

When I take the medication, when I wake up in the morning, my tinnitus whistles. That's why I get so angry when I first wake up.

When I am not taking the medication, when I wake up in the morning, my tinnitus rings in a lighter tone. I get less angry.

I used the medication for 2 months. I could not decide whether to use it for another 2 months.

My ringing is like an electrical leak. It sounds like a parasite sound. It makes a scratchy sound when there is a leak in electrical wires. Just like it. It is not fixed. It sizzles constantly.

Another tone plays in a straight line in the background as a constant tone.

I have not entered the chronic period. I am in the acute period. I can not decide.

Please help me decide. Should I continue with the medication?

 

[Bill Bauer]

When I take the medication, when I wake up in the morning, my tinnitus whistles. That's why I get so angry when I first wake up.

When I am not taking the medication, when I wake up in the morning, my tinnitus rings in a lighter tone. I get less angry.

It sounds like it is making you worse and is interfering with your recovery. If I were you, I would listen to my body and not take it.

 

[SadMan]

It sounds like it is making you worse and is interfering with your recovery. If I were you, I would listen to my body and not take it.

I think this is the best decision. Thanks Bill.

 

[Kriszti]

Thanks Bill, TV would be more fun, I'll do that.

There is one more topic I want to consult with you. I am very indecisive.

I do not know if the Betahistine medication contributes to the recovery of acoustic trauma. Usually, people taking it say it doesn't work. However, many doctors prescribe it in many countries.

When taking the drug, my tinnitus turns into crickets. It turns into a thin tone when I stop the medication.

When I take the medication, when I wake up in the morning, my tinnitus whistles. That's why I get so angry when I first wake up.

When I am not taking the medication, when I wake up in the morning, my tinnitus rings in a lighter tone. I get less angry.

I used the medication for 2 months. I could not decide whether to use it for another 2 months.

My ringing is like an electrical leak. It sounds like a parasite sound. It makes a scratchy sound when there is a leak in electrical wires. Just like it. It is not fixed. It sizzles constantly.

Another tone plays in a straight line in the background as a constant tone.

I have not entered the chronic period. I am in the acute period. I can not decide.

Please help me decide. Should I continue with the medication?

I took Betahistine for 2 months, maybe a bit more. It did nothing. I asked ENTs about it, some said this is the only medication dedicated to inner ear microcirculation and it needs time to have an effect, others said it's snake oil for tinnitus. If it makes you feel worse, I'd stop taking it.

Frankly, I never heard of anyone who claimed that they got better from Betahistine after they had gotten worse. In my country, it's routinely prescribed for tinnitus, but judging from the local group, it rarely helps. Some take it for years, because they are worried that without it they would deteriorate further, I don't think that has merit.

 

[Bambam0]

Looking for a little advice here.

I think I am protecting too much and getting spikes from "normal" noise exposure due to lowered threshold. Is this possible?

Background: tinnitus for 3.5 years. 1.5 years in I had a kid. Initially I protected because he was a screamer as an infant. Then COVID-19 hit, which was a blessing for those of us who want to avoid noise. But now that it's waning, I am at more playgrounds, cousins houses and trying to resume normal life while being terrified of sound and it causing a worsening of tinnitus.

And I protect basically any time I am around my 2-year-old. Dinner, driving, dropping off at daycare, just playing in house. I typically wear EarDial hi-fidelity plugs with NRR 11 rating but have earmuffs + more heavy duty earplugs for other situations.

I have mild hyperacusis and definitely have phonophobia. I'm f*&^*&! terrified of noise. I know it's probably hard for someone to answer but does anyone have any advice on the "perfect" protection strategy?

 

[PrimeCyclist]

I know it's probably hard for someone to answer but does anyone have any advice on the "perfect" protection strategy?

Look into active earplugs such as Peltor EEP or LEP.

They're small, easy to carry and protect from noise while at the same time let you hear normally. Your stress levels will go down to zero.

 

[Stacken77]

I think I am protecting too much and getting spikes from "normal" noise exposure due to lowered threshold. Is this possible?

I don't know beyond a shadow of a doubt, but I believe using hearing protection all round the clock has made me sensitive and has made me spike to almost any exposure. So is it possible? - I believe so, as I've also read other testimonies of the same thing. That is not to say that others benefit greatly from silence. It's highly individual.

How sure are you that the over protection is the culprit? If you've had no further acoustic trauma or ototoxic medications, and if the sensitivity progressed as protection progressed, then it could be likely.

getting spikes from "normal" noise exposure

Can you just elaborate on what is "normal" noise exposure? What's the lowest sounds that sets off a spike? My case is very bad since any sound above heartbeat and breathing with a duration above 3 seconds do.

And I protect basically any time I am around my 2-year-old. Dinner, driving, dropping off at daycare, just playing in house. I typically wear EarDial hi-fidelity plugs with NRR 11 rating but have earmuffs + more heavy duty earplugs for other situations.

Do you have any time during the day where all protection is off?

I know it's probably hard for someone to answer but does anyone have any advice on the "perfect" protection strategy?

It's very individual, but hadn't I messed up myself with the protection in February, I'd;

• Protect with single or double protection when outside the house or in public places
• Double protection when driving the car
• Not use protection indoors except for when doing the dishes

I think you get enough sound enrichment indoors. The hair cells don't need to move when driving or out in public places, it's just an unnecessary risk.

Wish you well,
Stacken