Should You Avoid Loud Sounds for a Period of Time After Noise-Induced Tinnitus Onset?

So, it's been nearly a month since my new HBOT treatment, and I actually have some good news to share.
The tinnitus in my right ear lowered to the point where it no longer bothers me anymore. I still have a random kind of tinnitus that likes to show up at night time and especially in the morning, primarily in my left ear. It switches between ears sometimes but I generally don't have trouble sleeping because of it. It's also not as high of a tone so it's easier to mask. In short, definitely worth the money I spent.

Now whether you should avoid loud sounds for a period of time after obtaining noise-induced tinnitus... I asked my ENT as well as the experienced doctor specialized in HBOT treatment about it, and they both said that you should avoid loud sounds for a couple weeks after exposure. They spoke nothing of entire months or years, only a few weeks.

I also asked about headphones from both of them. They both said there's nothing wrong with using headphones even after obtaining noise-induced tinnitus, as long as you don't set the volume too high for the first couple of weeks. The only thing about headphones that the HBOT specialist mentioned was that using open headphones is better for people suffering from tinnitus, so that the noise in the environment can mask it if you're not listening to anything at that particular moment. Although if you're listening to something all the time even on closed, noise-cancelling headphones, it's not a problem. I plan on following my doctors' guidelines about it without any extra precautions.

In addition I've started taking NAC and another regimen of Betahistine. Not sure if these had anything to do with my tinnitus reduction, but might as well go all out when it comes to tinnitus. I'll continue taking them for a couple months to see if anything happens, after which I'll probably stop and try to get used to this new form of noise in my ears again.
 
fwiw,
My T is not reactive. I have spikes for no reason whatsoever. I honestly can't say use of headphones and listening to music is a bad thing. The only thing I have found is that OPEN headphones tend to be the most comfortable and don't leave me with screaming high pitched T moments when I have a moment without input. Closed headphones tend to make my tinnitus unbearable as I have zero background noise. Granted the T is unbearable more often than not...

Regards, Matt.
 
Yeah my doctor said the same thing. What a fool. Talking about things of which he knows nothing. It was only after I stopped listening to him that my T begin to improve and lower in volume. I wouldn't listen to any ENT when it comes to my condition. They simple don't have a clue. I'm sorry, but just like any other injury, your ears need time to heal. Everyone is different, but I would give it at least a year. After all, what have you really lost if you take a year off? Nothing. I'd rather give my ears a real chance at recovery, rather than just say "screw it" and risk losing any real chance at a better outcome.
 
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I got T because of ear buds ..my wife has T because of ear buds and we just found out our neighbor got T because of ear buds .
Loud noise cause spike for most people .

i think i got it the same way. but only got a spike after a lame retirement party. i used earbuds for like 6 months and i think i killed my ears. i carry plugs with me now everywhere i go. but i don't avoid headphones completely. if i want to watch a short video i do but i don't crank it and i don't watch for more than a few mins. my wireless earbuds tho, are in retirement.

my advice is to protect your ears as much as possible. omg i never wanna go through what i had ever again, nevermind louder and forever. i used to think my hubby was nuts for always wearing earplugs like a dork everywhere when he doesn't even have tinnitus - now i see he is very smart.
 

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