Well of course you need to try to protect your hearing as well as possible. You have the warning signs that your hearing is very sensitive and you have done some damages to the hair cells that send signals to the supporting cells that transmit what we hear into the sounds. A few statements above are very true. I also believe headphones and ear buds are a horrible idea, even for those with no hearing issues or tinnitus. A nice subtle amount of background music is typically fine and the sound waves can dissipate in a larger environment. Using headphones and buds concentrate these sound waves to be limited to a very short area (ear canal) with less chance to be absorbed in other things like walls, rugs, insulated walls, etc. If you live in a place that has hardwood floors and lots of glass, the sounds will bounce around the room more and continue to assault the ears. Soft furniture like most material made couches,rugs and beds will help absorb these waves too.
Keep some noise reducing buds or headphones available when around loud areas. Listening to music and televisions/movies should always be enjoyed. Turn these things up too much and you're playing with fire. Video games are bad this way too. They are geared to deliver a ton of bass to make you feel like your in the fight. Maybe cool off of them awhile and use the volume correctly when you do play them. We can't protect our hearing all the time. Car alarms chirping, fire trucks whaling, ambulances and cop cars, kids popping a balloon, noisy gymnasiums, you drop yur glass of water on a hard floor...... I mean these things are going to happen.
Never stress out about what you can't do in these situations. As long as you remain vigilant and smart about things you can help, you will slowly get better and have less spikes etc. After awhile you simply get used to your tinnitus. I know I did but it took YEARS!!! After that. life becomes somewhat normal again and you will have so many awesome days ahead.
Much love brother!
Mike
Member
