Sleeping with Earplugs and Background Noise

[Roberth]

Hi everyone ! I have tinnitus in my right ear, to the point that sometimes I am at my wits end. I have always had a moderate hearing loss in the 4000 Hz range but never tinnitus until i came off high doses of clonazepam cold turkey. It started the fifth day of my former withdrawal when I slammed a door loudly in rage. It has now been two years and I still have tinnitus. However, I do have hope that it someday will disappear when I am no longer dependent on benzodiazepines.

My bedroom is near a busy road with honking cars in a middle of a big city. I have sleep problems, both falling and staying asleep because of anxiety, stress and noise. I'm hypervigilant and probably intelligent. I might suffer from glutamate excess and some kind of mental illness as well. But never mind about that here. I have downloaded three different audio files that I play on my laptop; white, brown and pink noise and a fan that spins beneath my bed on top of that.

I have a decibel meter and are measuring 75 decibels at my pillow. Before I fall asleep, I put on all sounds and plug my ears carefully. According to the label my comfortable ear plugs of wax attenuates 20 to 30 decibel (more in higher Hz). That means that sounds of 45 to 55 decibel are constantly reaching my ears, night after night. The reason I have different background noises is to divert my tinnitus and to make the intermittent honking fainter but also to not deprive my hearing from sound, since silence itself can generate tinnitus...?

Could these 45 to 55 decibel be harmful to my hearing in the long run? My ears are not getting fresh air as well as they are continuously plugged while I am sleeping. I'm taking 25 mg of quetiapine for sleeping (which at least in higher doses can be slightly ototoxic). I'm also prescribed 3 mg of alprazolam and 3 mg eszopiclone, which i've been taking every night for two years. One day I will get off these drugs, but right now i cannot so please no pep talk on quitting.

Any advice for me and other sufferer in my kind of situation? How about my four different background "color-noises" and ear plugs? Am i hurting myself (my hearing and the tinnitus) in any way or is this just fine? Thanks // Robert, Lausanne

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi everyone ! I have tinnitus in my right ear, to the point that sometimes I am at my wits end.

@Roberth

HI Roberth,
Clonazepam can reduce tinnitus for some people but it is not good to take this drug on a regular basis, as it can be addictive. Also, the body quickly habituates to it so more of the drug needs to be taken to get relief. If you able to take a low dose occasionally when your tinnitus is severe this will be better. My ENT consultant advised me of this and I haven't had any problems with clonazepam.

Your other medications I'm not familiar with so can't advise. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be sleeping with an earplug in your ear, as you are likely to make your auditory system more sensitive. When using your various sound files to listen to at night, try to keep the volume lower than your tinnitus. The sound shouldn't be masking or covering up your tinnitus.

I think you need to go back to ENT for tests and a referral to a Hearing Therapist I believe would be helpful. I recently wrote an article titled: Tinnitus, A Personal View that you might find helpful. Please click on the link below.

All the best
Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

[Roberth]

Thanks for your answer Michael and your link with more facts, but i still wonder... "I don't think it's a good idea for you to be sleeping with an earplug in your ear, as you are likely to make your auditory system more sensitive."

I don't understand why that is, should or could be when the sound level my auditory system is exposed to is likely to be higher (but still probably not harmful) than if I sleep without ear plugs and no background noise? How can both less noise and more noise (in my case from masking noise) make tinnitus worse by making my auditory system more sensitive when it instead should become less sensitive?
or is there another mechanism that i yet not have understood...

Although i use ear plugs the decibel level that is reaching my eardrums is likely to be higher than without, taking the background noise, that i'm combining the ear plugs with, in account. As i have many different frequencies turned on from at least four sources there shouldn't be any hertz-range that my ears are deprived of. I also use violet noise, so why should that be in my case...

--------------------------------------------------
"We know 85 decibels is harmful for adults, so is 60 decibels going to be safe? Maybe, but not if it's constantly, all night." - Dr. Blake Papsin

You wrote: "...try to keep the volume lower than your tinnitus."
Yeah maybe a good idea after all, although 55 decibel often is said to be safe even 24/7 !

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Roberth
By using an earplug in the way you are doing, I believe you are blocking off some sound to your auditory system and allowing your brain to focus more on the tinnitus which I don't think is a good idea. The more the brain focuses on the tinnitus it can become more intrusive. If you happy with what you're doing then continue but it's something I advise against.
At night one should use sound enrichment using a sound machine or another sound source and keep the volume slightly below the tinnitus. If you are sensitive to sound, which is known as hyperacusis then this needs treatment. Various methods can be used. Please read my post on hyperacusis which also explains the over use of earplugs and using them incorrectly.
Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

Although sound levels at 85 db can cause damage to the inner ear and auditory system, this isn't always the case. The length of time (duration) one is exposed to sound is an important factor. Some people with tinnitus are more sensitive to sound, so they may need to be careful. However, I recently went to a venue where I recorded 100 db on my sound level meter. I stayed at the venue for 30 mins and used no earplugs although I had them with me. This was a test. I experienced no spike in my tinnitus nor any hyperacusis. The next day my tinnitus was silent and there was no hyperacusis. My tinnitus is variable. It can be: silent, mild, moderate or severe.

 

[ryan1234]

@Michael Leigh sir how long do you think one would need to use earplugs while sleeping for for it to cause a permanent increase in T?

 

[Michael Leigh]

sir how long do you think one would need to use earplugs while sleeping for for it to cause a permanent increase in T?

HI @ryan1234
I have never used earplugs while sleeping so I'm unable to offer you advice on this. However, I don't think it is a good idea for anyone that tinnitus, to use earplugs while sleeping.
All the best
Michael

 

[ryan1234]

@Michael Leigh I understand sir. I am having an increase in T right now and have word earplugs for a few hours for the past 3 weeks each night but I feel like that isn't a long enough period of time to cause a permanent increase in T. Obviously I could be wrong but I feel as if the ear plugs could only cause a permanent increase in T if worn consistently for a longer period of time. Any thoughts are appreciated, thank you

 

[ryan1234]

@Michael Leigh I am just hoping my increase in T (which has only been going on for a few days) is a temporary spike that will return to its normal level which is very mild shortly. Thanks again for your responses

 

[Michael Leigh]

I am having an increase in T right now and have word earplugs for a few hours for the past 3 weeks each night but I feel like that isn't a long enough period of time to cause a permanent increase in T. Obviously I could be wrong but I feel as if the ear plugs could only cause a permanent increase in T if worn consistently for a longer period of time. Any thoughts are appreciated, thank you

@ryan1234 I am curious as to why are you wearing earplugs while sleeping? As I said I have never used earplugs when sleeping. However, over the years I have heard that it's not a good thing for people to do who have tinnitus. The reason being, you are making your brain focus more on the tinnitus and not allowing it to hear external sounds from a sound machine for example. Many people that have tinnitus find using a sound machine at night by the bedside helpful.
Michael

 

[Michael Leigh]

@ryan1234 You might find my article on tinnitus helpful. Please click on the link below.
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

[ryan1234]

@Michael Leigh I will no longer use them. I have a loud neighbor so I used them previously to block out that noise. luckily I had a fan running as well as the earplugs in so I'm assuming my brain was a little extra focused on the t but also had to engage with the fan noise. I did still hear my fan noise with the ear plugs in

 

[ryan1234]

@Michael Leigh thank you I will check it out. do you think the increase in t is simply temporary though and will return to normal once I have stopped wearing the ear plugs. as I said I did not wear them for an extended period of time

 

[Michael Leigh]

do you think the increase in t is simply temporary though and will return to normal once I have stopped wearing the ear plugs. as I said I did not wear them for an extended period of time

I believe your tinnitus will return to normal. If your tinnitus was caused by loud noise, in most cases it would only get worse if your ears suffered another noise trauma. Try not to worry. Use a sound machine at night by your bedside and I suggest not to use the earplugs while sleeping. It would be a good idea not to use headphones even at low volume, since your tinnitus was caused by loud noise.
All the best
Michael

 

[ryan1234]

@Michael Leigh thank you I'll take your advice

 

[ryan1234]

@Michael Leigh part of my problem as well is that I'm stressing about it and listening for it which obviously causes it to sound louder. Hoping that I can relax and not think about it which will lead me to not notice it anymore

 

[Michael Leigh]

part of my problem as well is that I'm stressing about it and listening for it which obviously causes it to sound louder. Hoping that I can relax and not think about it which will lead me to not notice it anymore

@ryan1234 You might want to consider tinnitus counselling with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist trained in tinnitus management, they can help a lot and offer treatment. If you haven't been using sound enrichment during the night I suggest you try it and also during the day whenever possible. Having low level background musich on during the day can help takeaway your focus from the tinnitus. More is explained in my article.
Michael

 

[Shooter]

I have read that an airfilter running in the bedroom at night might help some people sleep with T. I use one almost every night (a habit from sleeping during daytime when working midnight shifts) and it does help silence the T. Not sure it would help with traffic noise.

 

[linearb]

@ryan1234 -- I usually-but-not-always sleep with silicone earplugs, and it certainly doesn't cause me any problems (if anything, spending lots of time in very quiet places tends to make my tinnitus less obnoxious).

I have seen one or two stories over the years of people who suspected that sleeping with plugs contributed to their T, but they were of the form "I slept with earplugs for a few years and now I have T" -- hardly conclusive, people get T all the time. Obviously, many people sleep with earplugs; it's one of the main things they are marketed for.

I have been unable to find any rigorous studies which have attempted to address the issue, so, we all just have to make our own best decisions.

@Roberth if you are still checking your thread -- note that while OSHA limits are at 85db for 8-hour exposure, this is entirely based on actual haircell damage. There is good reason (animal studies) to suspect that far lower volumes may cause brain lesions in auditory pathways; one study I saw with rats found this type of brain damage after 8-hour exposure to 75db over a period of time. Additionally, the EPA has published material indicating that they believe the safe upward limits for 8 and 24 hour exposures are 71.4db and 66.4db respectively (link to document). So, given that, if my bedroom were 75 db I personally would definitely wear plugs.

For what it's worth -- until 6 months ago I lived in a loud, urban area and routinely used public transport, walked in the flight paths of planes (clocked around 85db max, very close to airport). I have since relocated to the woods, and I do believe that overall my auditory symptoms have gradually and slightly improved in the meantime.

 

[ryan1234]

@Shooter @Michael Leigh thank you

 

[ryan1234]

@linearb thank you for your thoughts

 

[ryan1234]

@linearb @Michael Leigh do you think my t spike could be due to myself being on multiple airplanes while having a cold last week?

 

[linearb]

@ryan1234 I know that my T usually gets worse as a result of illness; so far I haven't had any problems with plans which I've used maybe a couple dozen times since my T increase in 2010. I will admit that I am always a bit nervous about planes, and I do wear plugs while flying.

 

[linearb]

also @ryan1234 I just noticed in your other thread that you've only been sleeping with earplugs very recently, and that your T increase is over that same time frame. So, that's interesting; doesn't mean there's any connection between the two, but I'm not a doctor and certainly can't say that there isn't!

I wish I could sleep without plugs, but, the wife snores, the cat meows, the kids scream and the neighbors like to periodically kill deer with high powered rifles -- and I *do* need to get some sleep some of the time!

 

[ryan1234]

@linearb there could be a connection to the ear plugs, but if that is the cause of my t increase I don't see how it could be long term considering I only wore the ear plugs for a few hours for a period of a few weeks

 

[ryan1234]

@linearb I am concerned because I honestly don't even know if I had t prior to this week. I would occasionally experience ear ringing but it was extremely mild and barely audible the majority of the time. I am definitely not claiming to have suffered with this for an extended period. I honestly barely thought about it because like I said it didn't bother me on a day to day basis, I slept with a fan on therefore it didn't bother sleep at all. now it is far more noticeable and not easily concealed by white noise in an otherwise quiet room. I am sincerely hoping that this spike is temporary and it will return back to the level it was which was barely audible. only Time will tell

 

[ryan1234]

@linearb I am also very tired and stressed lately so hopefully once I get rest and am able to relax the t will return back to its previous level which was barely noticeable unless I was in a 100% silent room. I would sleep with some white noise and it was no problem

 

[ryan1234]

@linearb @Michael Leigh do either of you have a recommendation of what a safe level of decibels would be to be exposed to on a regular basis. would around 60-70 be okay?

 

[linearb]

@ryan1234 I can't answer that for you, we're all different.

Personally, for continuous, extended periods I keep things under 50db, because I think that constant noise above conversational levels for long periods is stressful to me, and I don't like being stressed. (Indeed, various studies have shown that people who live in loud places like cities, generally have higher stress hormone levels than people who live in more natural settings). Urban noise is not something we evolved to tolerate; some people tolerate it better than others.

On the other hand, when my ears are not being troublesome, I have no problem doing things like riding motorcycles, driving with the windows down, etc -- stuff that many people on here probably just won't do at all, earplugs or not. I cannot say with any certainty that even responsible motorcycle use might not eventually cause me problems (though I greatly suspect, given a quiet helmet and earplugs, that the risks to my ears from the bike are pretty tiny compared to the risk to the rest of my body).

I've gone to great lengths to set up my life such that I just don't have any need to be exposed to extended sounds over about 50db -- but that's also because I hate being stuck in the concrete jungle, and want to live somewhere that I can walk out the back door and be surrounded by trees and no people... which conveniently goes hand-in-hand with quieter living.

 

[ryan1234]

@linearb thank you. I don't know if you have any experience with ear plugs but do you think it's possible/likely that my increase in t was caused by myself pulling the ear plug out too quickly? Thanks again for your thoughts

 

[ryan1234]

@linearb I'm not sure I did so I'm just trying to search for reasons as to why my t has become so troublesome all of a sudden