Hi all. I have a whole lot of reading to do here, but I wanted to introduce myself first and share my experience with this condition. How I found your forum was a Google search of 'flying with tinnitus'. And here I am.
I have been a pianist/teacher my entire adult life. Music has always been an essential part of my life. [For the record, I'm 59 y.o. now] I noticed in the Fall of 2012 that there was a subtle, but slight ringing in my left ear. It didn't "suddenly" appear, rather, gradual recognition of its presence. I did a bit of research, and I clearly fit the criteria for work-related onset as I sit at the edge of a grand piano listening to students play on a daily basis. Talked to my Dr. about this, as well as several student parents who are physicians as well. Every one tells me basically the same thing......there's no cure for this. [Naturally I'm looking fwd. to reading the section of the forum about treatments]. So, I've accepted that this is the way it is. Over time, the ringing in the left ear has increased and add to that a sensation in the right ear of the equivalent of holding a shell up to one's ear. My hearing isn't adversely affected, at least in the sense of loss. It's the opposite. I'm ultra sensitive to loud noises, and this, naturally, is affecting my work. Students who are working on pieces marked 'very loud' need to be able to play at that level for me....but I find myself putting a finger in one or both ears at those moments. I bought some very inexpensive foam ear plugs, and that doesn't seem to help much.
I've felt very isolated and alone in this journey, though when I mention it to various people, they either know someone with similar condition or are experiencing it themselves. That knowledge helps....but a forum is a great place to read with my own eyes about people just like me, who are talking about this....and offering advice about what things might be helpful to learn to live with this condition.
I look forward to interacting with the board and perhaps offering and grabbing a nugget of hope from other people who face the condition. I'm so glad to have found this place!! Thank you
Pianocat
I have been a pianist/teacher my entire adult life. Music has always been an essential part of my life. [For the record, I'm 59 y.o. now] I noticed in the Fall of 2012 that there was a subtle, but slight ringing in my left ear. It didn't "suddenly" appear, rather, gradual recognition of its presence. I did a bit of research, and I clearly fit the criteria for work-related onset as I sit at the edge of a grand piano listening to students play on a daily basis. Talked to my Dr. about this, as well as several student parents who are physicians as well. Every one tells me basically the same thing......there's no cure for this. [Naturally I'm looking fwd. to reading the section of the forum about treatments]. So, I've accepted that this is the way it is. Over time, the ringing in the left ear has increased and add to that a sensation in the right ear of the equivalent of holding a shell up to one's ear. My hearing isn't adversely affected, at least in the sense of loss. It's the opposite. I'm ultra sensitive to loud noises, and this, naturally, is affecting my work. Students who are working on pieces marked 'very loud' need to be able to play at that level for me....but I find myself putting a finger in one or both ears at those moments. I bought some very inexpensive foam ear plugs, and that doesn't seem to help much.
I've felt very isolated and alone in this journey, though when I mention it to various people, they either know someone with similar condition or are experiencing it themselves. That knowledge helps....but a forum is a great place to read with my own eyes about people just like me, who are talking about this....and offering advice about what things might be helpful to learn to live with this condition.
I look forward to interacting with the board and perhaps offering and grabbing a nugget of hope from other people who face the condition. I'm so glad to have found this place!! Thank you
Pianocat
Member
Founder
