Stopped

Keaghton Weber

Member
Author
Feb 18, 2017
11
Tinnitus Since
02/12/17
Cause of Tinnitus
Perforated ear drum
So here's my story...
One night I was laying in bed drawing drinking a coffee when my left ear had a sharp squeel that lasted about 30min... two days later my right ear lost some hearing then started squeeling and as the noise diminished my hearing came back lasted about 10sec. then the next day the same thing happened but then the squeel got quieter but didn't stop... the next day when I woke up and the squeal was still there I knew something wasn't right.

So the next day I visited my family doctor who checked my ears and said I had a perforated ear drum... no hole just irritated and he sent me on my way... so after two more days of trying to deal with the dog whistle sound in my head I went to emergency... they said there was nothing they could do and sent me on my way again... the next day I woke up with it whistling and just ignored it the about mid afternoon I was watching TV and noticed something was off... no whistle... I even but on noise canceling headphones turned off the sound of my TV and was greeted by beautiful silence...

Now here I am writing about my story... I'm hoping it doesn't come back but I'll keep it posted for whoever follows this story... I hope it doesn't come back and my heart goes out to the major sufferers...

If anyone has had similar experience please let me know and did it come back?

I will also mention I do make music on a Daw and use headphone for far longer then I should have... but other then that theres not much noise exposer I receieve... it did not happen right after making music but the next day... I've also been taking Gaba and Ginko Biloba plus the tap technique. I hope it's over and was just a warning for me to protect my ears... I'm really scared it'll come back...

I also cut out caffeine and stopped using marijuana as I felt it increased the T.
And I used the Gaba for my stress
and the biloba for the T after doing some research that it helped some people.
 
Update:
So it lasted the rest of the day I even fell asleep with no noise! But then I awoke midnight to the sound... is this a good sign?
 
You should avoid headphones permanently since you are now susceptible to T. It can always get worse. Always. Far more than you can imagine. Speaker Monitors are fine. Headphones is a whole different story.
 
You should avoid headphones permanently since you are now susceptible to T. I can always get worse. Always. Far more than you can imagine. Speaker Monitors are fine. Headphones is a whole different story.

Surely if you listen to headphones on a low volume with regular breaks there would be no issues?
 
I listen to headphones regularly with breaks every 20-30 minutes and my T has stayed at the same improved level since I first experienced reduction.
 
I listen to headphones regularly with breaks every 20-30 minutes and my T has stayed at the same improved level since I first experienced reduction.

Maybe. But everyone is different and its big gamble. I first had T in 2008 from headphones. It was hardly noticeable and stable. Played music as loud as I wanted thru normal speakers and I was fine. Then 8 year later I started using headphones and during hourly exercise and after about a month of that, it spiraled my T out of control cause my T to be reactive now and easily damaged to the point now that I haven't left my house in 8 months, can't drive a car, no more music. Basically everything I loved to do taken away. And I wished someone had warned me that it could get worse. I just really hope everyone respects their T as frustrating as that can be sometimes. I know headphones sound amazing and can really blow not using them again but what can really really blow is possible never being able to hear music at all ever again.
 
You should avoid headphones permanently since you are now susceptible to T. I can always get worse. Always. Far more than you can imagine. Speaker Monitors are fine. Headphones is a whole different story.
Well said @another sean When will people learn if they have tinnitus and it was caused by loud noise then don't use headphones even at low volume. I know not everyone with noise induced tinnitus will be affected by headphone use at low volume. However, considering how debilitating tinnitus is and the misery that it causes when it's severe, I cannot understand why someone would want to take the risk using headphones. Even if the tinnitus wasn't caused by noise I still don't advise using them.
 
Well said @another sean When will people learn if they have tinnitus and it was caused by loud noise then don't use headphones even at low volume. I know not everyone with noise induced tinnitus will be affected by headphone use at low volume. However, considering how debilitating tinnitus is and the misery that it causes when it's severe, I cannot understand why someone would want to take the risk using headphones. Even if the tinnitus wasn't caused by noise I still don't advise using them.
I know you've said this many times, and thanks for the warning.
But what is the theory behind this? That we tend to put it too loud anyway?
100 db is 100 db, no?
 
I know you've said this many times, and thanks for the warning.
But what is the theory behind this? That we tend to put it too loud anyway?
100 db is 100 db, no?
@JurgenG

I have had tinnitus for a long time. Many people have contacted me over the years that have tinnitus. Some eventually habituate and they resume listening to music through headphones at a low level. After a while, most of these people noticed an increase in their tinnitus and it remained that way.

Many people in this forum regret using headphones after they have habituated because they noticed their tinnitus becoming louder and stayed permanent. When the inner ear (cochlea) has been affected by noise trauma, it is more sensitive to sound even after habituation. Playing music through headphones even at low volume at such close proximity to the ear, risks irritating the cochlea, which can result in making tinnitus louder and more intrusive.

Some ENT Drs tell tinnitus patients that listening to music through headphones is fine providing the volume is kept low. These Drs know about the anatomy of the ear and are able to treat it medically or surgically but the majority of them have never experienced loud intrusive tinnitus, and therefore know nothing about it.

ENT Drs make good Ear, Nose and Throat physicians but in my opinion, they are not tinnitus experts. It is one of the reasons I haven't been to a tinnitus seminar or conference and never intend to and it's something I feel deeply passionate about. Anyone that has read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View, will understand my reasons.

I believe the real tinnitus experts, are the Hearing Therapists and Audiologists that treat tinnitus patients by way of counselling etc. Not surprisingly, many of them have tinnitus. There are also knowledgeable people in tinnitus forums that are able to help each other with this condition.

Michael
 
@JurgenG

I have had tinnitus for a long time. Many people have contacted me over the years that have tinnitus. Some eventually habituate and they resume listening to music through headphones at a low level. After a while, most of these people noticed an increase in their tinnitus and it remained that way.

Many people in this forum regret using headphones after they have habituated because they noticed their tinnitus becoming louder and stayed permanent. When the inner ear (cochlea) has been affected by noise trauma, it is more sensitive to sound even after habituation. Playing music through headphones even at low volume at such close proximity to the ear, risks irritating the cochlea, which can result in making tinnitus louder and more intrusive.

Some ENT Drs tell tinnitus patients that listening to music through headphones is fine providing the volume is kept low. These Drs know about the anatomy of the ear and are able to treat it medically or surgically but the majority of them have never experienced loud intrusive tinnitus, and therefore know nothing about it.

ENT Drs make good Ear, Nose and Throat physicians but in my opinion, they are not tinnitus experts. It is one of the reasons I haven't been to a tinnitus seminar or conference and never intend to and it's something I feel deeply passionate about. Anyone that has read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View, will understand my reasons.

I believe the real tinnitus experts, are the Hearing Therapists and Audiologists that treat tinnitus patients by way of counselling etc. Not surprisingly, many of them have tinnitus. There are also knowledgeable people in tinnitus forums that are able to help each other with this condition.

Michael
This scares me, since I need headphones for my job (intercom).
But I use them as quiet as possible. Luckily, the duration I actually need them one is limited to a few hours each week.
It's possible though, as I had last sunday, to get a sudden peak of sound. Because of setting or whatever reason.
I had twice, less than a second, 110 dB in my ear (with deep in-earphones, made to lock out external noise.)
In the future I will try to avoid this by investing in a system that compresses any sound above a certain setting.

But do you think it's possible that this new "trauma" did permanent damage?
 
But do you think it's possible that this new "trauma" did permanent damage?
You asked for my opinion @JurgenG and I'm sorry to tell you the truth As I See It and don't mean to scare you. I don't think it's right, that I tell you or anyone else in this forum, what they want to hear and I don't believe in it. Try and keep the volume of your headset low as possible. I cannot know if you have caused any lasting damage to your ear but will say, the ear is quite resilent and hopefully you'll be alright. Just keep the volume as low as possible through your headset and take frequent breaks to give your ears a rest.
Michael
 
I have to agree with @JurgenG regarding seeing tinnitus experts in the field. My husband listened to a speaker for me, because I could not attend and she had some very wise things to say. I have that information around somewhere. I have only used headphones for talking during a class through the computer. I have used earbuds for walking, but don't need that anymore as I find I enjoy hearing the sounds around me. I do have hearing loss and the hearing aids I have help me to hear above the sound of the tinnitus, but only when it is low.

I watch the levels of sodium and the sweets. Even too much fruit can contribute to problems with the volume of my tinnitus. I have recently been told by a nutritionist that I am seeing that a plant-based diet may be the solution to the volume of my tinnitus. So far it has worked. We only need 500 mg. of salt per day and I read yesterday that Himalayan salt (pink salt) gives you more health benefits than table salt.

I know the volume does increase after I have vacuumed or mowed the lawn. Gives me a great excuse to have my husband vacuum. I also will joke about it as it alleviates the feelings about it. If it is loud, I have a harder time hearing people even with the hearing aids.

Hope it improves for you. Volume and the headset may be a factor for you. Everyone is different, so you will have to do cause and effect experiments. If there are any medications that could contribute to it, even a slight possibility, I would look into that too.
 
Maybe. But everyone is different and its big gamble. I first had T in 2008 from headphones. It was hardly noticeable and stable. Played music as loud as I wanted thru normal speakers and I was fine. Then 8 year later I started using headphones and during hourly exercise and after about a month of that, it spiraled my T out of control cause my T to be reactive now and easily damaged to the point now that I haven't left my house in 8 months, can't drive a car, no more music. Basically everything I loved to do taken away. And I wished someone had warned me that it could get worse. I just really hope everyone respects their T as frustrating as that can be sometimes. I know headphones sound amazing and can really blow not using them again but what can really really blow is possible never being able to hear music at all ever again.
I don't know how I would deal with life without music. Before tinnitus, I could handle things a lot better. Now it seems like things like anger and stress seem to buildup, and the tinnitus just compounds them keeping me from relaxing. That's when I turn on playlist to help me focus on something else. Otherwise the negativity tends to just keep building.
 
@JurgenG

I have had tinnitus for a long time. Many people have contacted me over the years that have tinnitus. Some eventually habituate and they resume listening to music through headphones at a low level. After a while, most of these people noticed an increase in their tinnitus and it remained that way.

Many people in this forum regret using headphones after they have habituated because they noticed their tinnitus becoming louder and stayed permanent. When the inner ear (cochlea) has been affected by noise trauma, it is more sensitive to sound even after habituation. Playing music through headphones even at low volume at such close proximity to the ear, risks irritating the cochlea, which can result in making tinnitus louder and more intrusive.

Some ENT Drs tell tinnitus patients that listening to music through headphones is fine providing the volume is kept low. These Drs know about the anatomy of the ear and are able to treat it medically or surgically but the majority of them have never experienced loud intrusive tinnitus, and therefore know nothing about it.

ENT Drs make good Ear, Nose and Throat physicians but in my opinion, they are not tinnitus experts. It is one of the reasons I haven't been to a tinnitus seminar or conference and never intend to and it's something I feel deeply passionate about. Anyone that has read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View, will understand my reasons.

I believe the real tinnitus experts, are the Hearing Therapists and Audiologists that treat tinnitus patients by way of counselling etc. Not surprisingly, many of them have tinnitus. There are also knowledgeable people in tinnitus forums that are able to help each other with this condition.

Michael
i can confirm this..... sadly After 1.5 year after i got T i got a new sound in my left ear. And my ears are now reactive to T, but its mostly my left ear
 
i can confirm this..... sadly After 1.5 year after i got T i got a new sound in my left ear. And my ears are now reactive to T, but its mostly my left ear
@Rasmus I don't quite understand what you are asking? If you want to know why you have heard this new noise/sound, and your reaction to tinnitus? The usual cause is exposure you loud sounds or music. Have you been listening to music through headpones or going to places where loud music is played. Or been around any loud sounds recently?
If loud noise isn't the cause then you should see your GP, I think you should anyway regardless.
Michael
 
@Rasmus I don't quite understand what you are asking? If you want to know why you have heard this new noise/sound, and your reaction to tinnitus? The usual cause is exposure you loud sounds or music. Have you been listening to music through headpones or going to places where loud music is played. Or been around any loud sounds recently?
If loud noise isn't the cause then you should see your GP, I think you should anyway regardless.
Michael
I have been using headsets for over 10 years because im a gamer :) My ent says my hearing is fine but i dont believe that, because when i watch a movie i really need to focus on what they are saying and even then i cant hear it anyway when there is background music...

And no after i got T im NEVER around loud noises

What do you mean with GP?
 
@Rasmus If you carry on wearing headphones and playing audio through them even at low volume, then you are at risk of making your tinnitus worse. ENT doctors know about the anatomy of the ear but the majority of them know nothing about tinnitus because most of them have never experienced it. ENT doctors are good health professionals in their field, however, they are not tinnitus experts.
My advice is to stop wearing headphones.
Michael
 
@Rasmus If you carry on wearing headphones and playing audio through them even at low volume, then you are at risk of making your tinnitus worse. ENT doctors know about the anatomy of the ear but the majority of them know nothing about tinnitus because most of them have never experienced it. ENT doctors are good health professionals in their field, however, they are not tinnitus experts.
My advice is to stop wearing headphones.
Michael
I have not been using headset for almost 3-4 mounth now. I stoppet using headset after it got worse.
 
I have been using headsets for over 10 years because im a gamer :) My ent says my hearing is fine but i dont believe that, because when i watch a movie i really need to focus on what they are saying and even then i cant hear it anyway when there is background music...

And no after i got T im NEVER around loud noises

What do you mean with GP?
To be fair though movies and dvds seem to have really bad sound mixing at times. That or everyone just has to be whispering in movies.
 
I have not been using headset for almost 3-4 mounth now. I stoppet using headset after it got worse.
Good, at least you have stopped using headphones never use them again is my advice. It sounds as if you have some hearing loss, so, ask your ENT to test your hearing again. If he or she won't, then see another ENT doctor.
Try using sound enrichment at night. Click on my Avatar and choose "started threads" read my article in the list:Tinnitus, A Personal View. You might find it helpful
All the best
Michael
 
It was never a problem before i got T :/ Im sure i have Hidden hearing loss and not hearing loss
:/ If you've noticed a change, then it most likely is related. I know personally that I've had a lot of issues understanding certain parts of dvds on my laptops for a while, so I came to the conclusion that people don't know how to sound mix properly >_>
 
:/ If you've noticed a change, then it most likely is related. I know personally that I've had a lot of issues understanding certain parts of dvds on my laptops for a while, so I came to the conclusion that people don't know how to sound mix properly >_>
Ye i know its sometimes bad mixed :) But even when i can hear they are talking loud, i cant hear what they are saying, bacause background music, its the same thing in many songs, i cant hear what they are saying because of all the melodis they are using :/
And the only related thing i can find to my hearing problem is hidden hearing loss it sounds alot like my problem.
 
Ye i know its sometimes bad mixed :) But even when i can hear they are talking loud, i cant hear what they are saying, bacause background music, its the same thing in many songs, i cant hear what they are saying because of all the melodis they are using :/
And the only related thing i can find to my hearing problem is hidden hearing loss it sounds alot like my problem.
But do songs use a lot offrequencies that could qualify into the "hidden" hearing loss category though? I always was under the impression that thet were higher than stuff in songs and the like...
 
But do songs use a lot offrequencies that could qualify into the "hidden" hearing loss category though? I always was under the impression that thet were higher than stuff in songs and the like...
Well i never had this problems 5 years ago, but i have them now after i got T :/
 
Sorry I haven't been posting anything I've been a little busy but here's my update:

Since I last posted my T has been up and down but bearable... I've been taking viatamin B12, Zinc, and Ginko Biloba, the brand I've been using is Webber Naturals. I've noticed most my spikes have been from marijuana use. I've been watching my diet as I've read up viatamin defficancies can lead to tinnitus. I have strong hope that this will only get better, and am no longer using my headphones. I am a little nervous though cause I landscape for a living and we mow lawns. I'm a little worried it might get worse with he loud engines, even with ear protection. But thank you all for your responses!! We tinnitus suffered need to stick together as we are the only ones who understand each other.

Ps. As i was writing this my tinnitus has been obsolete, well... I can only hear it in a quiet room when I'm completely still and focusing on it.

Pps. Also yesterday marked 1 month
 

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