Spike — Customer Played Phone Loud as I Was Driving for Lyft

[newarrior]

I drive for Lyft, the rideshare company. here in Los Angeles...A customer got in my car, loud music was playing from his phone----I dropped him off about 8-10 minutes later. I had no problem talking with over the noise from his phone. Eventually the noise settled down. He was a doctor just getting off work at Cedar's Sinai so he wasn't some drunk trying to blast music.

Now I am worried about hearing loss and 11-12 hours later my tinnitus still feels louder--I just woke up--it's 8AM here. I am pissed at myself for not telling him to turn his phone down and wondering if I damaged my ears/will have a permanent tinnitus spike. He was in the back seat, far side from me.

I am hoping this is just a 1-7 day tinnitus spike.

Thoughts ?

Thanks ! Dave

 

[Mario martz]

hey newarrior!,
don't be so hard on yourself, we weren't made to tell people to put their phone down
accidents like this happens, i have had this myself with no spike at all.
in the future just tell them that you have an hearing sensitivity condition.

 

[Sooner Arrow]

I am pissed at myself for not telling him to turn his phone down and wondering if I damaged my ears/will have a permanent tinnitus spike. He was in the back seat, far side from me. I am hoping this is just a 1- 7 day tinnitus spike.Thoughts ? Thanks ! Dave

Dave... Have you had previous issues with your T spiking in the past with loud noises? I only ask because T is such a highly personalized affliction that your past experience would be the best indicator of future problems.

 

[JurgenG]

I doubt you had to endure anything above 80 dB to be honest.
It will be fine, most likely.

 

[Bobby B]

@newarrior

why don't you just slap some Peltor earmuffs ? no big deal. Its legal to drive a car with muffs on or even as a complete deaf person.

just carry those in your car

That's what I usually do, if there is some temporary loud episode when plugs are inconvenient to insert.

The other day I was in a shop and the sales guy spoke very loud, so I put my muffs on asap and end of the problem, no need to beg people to lower it down...a lot easier to slam muffs than ask other people for favors or understanding

Would that loud guy have damaged my hearing ? probably not but the sound is a waste of my hair cell movement

 

[newarrior]

hey newarrior!,
don't be so hard on yourself, we weren't made to tell people to put their phone down
accidents like this happens, i have had this myself with no spike at all.
in the future just tell them that you have an hearing sensitivity condition.

Thanks Mario ! I am usually a good advocate for my ears and health but this doctor and I instantly got into this great conversation so I forgot about the noise !

 

[newarrior]

@newarrior

why don't you just slap some Peltor earmuffs ? no big deal. Its legal to drive a car with muffs on or even as a complete deaf person.

just carry those in your car

That's what I usually do, if there is some temporary loud episode when plugs are inconvenient to insert.

The other day I was in a shop and the sales guy spoke very loud, so I put my muffs on asap and end of the problem, no need to beg people to lower it down...a lot easier to slam muffs than ask other people for favors or understanding

Would that loud guy have damaged my hearing ? probably not but the sound is a waste of my hair cell movement

Thanks man !