In June 2022, I was exposed to a very loud noise in a workshop. I immediately reacted by clutching my ears, and the fullness in my right ear was immediate. I managed to get a GP appointment straight away. Their first diagnosis was blocked Eustachian tubes.
For the next three months, I continued working, using ear defenders when necessary—until it became impossible. It was as if the ear defenders were the problem.
I had audiograms done twice at work. The results suggested noise-induced hearing loss due to age (I was 59). In December 2022, I went back to my GP, who referred me to an ENT specialist. I finally got an appointment in April 2023. By that point, I could no longer work. I was forced to sit in the mess room, enduring constant abuse from my coworkers. I couldn't understand why I was like this.
At that appointment, they did an audiogram and a quick symptom review. The nurse who conducted the test immediately told me I had noise damage and needed to be very careful. That discussion led to another ENT appointment in August 2023, by which time I had developed constant tinnitus.
In August 2023, nearly 16 months after the incident, I was told I had suffered an acoustic trauma, resulting in hyperacusis and chronic tinnitus. I was relieved to finally have a diagnosis—an explanation for why I was reacting the way I was. I had been embarrassingly clutching my ears and running away from sirens, struggling to hold conversations when alarms and warning tones went off.
By January 2024—18 months later—I was finally learning how to manage it. My must-have item every day is attenuated earplugs. I use them to empty the dishwasher, to walk onto a busy road (removing them once I reach open fields), and to avoid unexpected noise from nearby houses where power tools might be in use. I know the earplugs help, but I also realize I need natural sound.
Unfortunately, work is impossible. I've done manual labor my entire life, and retraining for remote work probably isn't ideal, but I know it's my only option.
I take a lot of precautions. I don't go out at night because, while I could wear earplugs, it wouldn't be enjoyable. I still go to football matches in York, wearing earplugs for the full two hours. This prevents headaches and worsening tinnitus, so I try to do what I can. I listen to music, carefully monitoring the decibel level (I stay around 55 dB).
Still, you can't avoid noise entirely. I sometimes get caught off guard, leading to days of intense right-sided headaches and worsening tinnitus in my left ear.
I suppose I'm writing this because I feel inadequate. The only person who truly understands is my son, who has complete empathy. My wife still thinks I can work in a quiet environment, but that's not how it works. I feel stupid constantly having to explain that I need full control over my surroundings to function—I can't just rely on others.
I think I just want to talk to people who have similar struggles. When I do have bad days, the headaches are getting worse, accompanied by a stiff neck and pain at the base of my skull. And now, nearly three years later, all of this came from a ten-second incident.
For the next three months, I continued working, using ear defenders when necessary—until it became impossible. It was as if the ear defenders were the problem.
I had audiograms done twice at work. The results suggested noise-induced hearing loss due to age (I was 59). In December 2022, I went back to my GP, who referred me to an ENT specialist. I finally got an appointment in April 2023. By that point, I could no longer work. I was forced to sit in the mess room, enduring constant abuse from my coworkers. I couldn't understand why I was like this.
At that appointment, they did an audiogram and a quick symptom review. The nurse who conducted the test immediately told me I had noise damage and needed to be very careful. That discussion led to another ENT appointment in August 2023, by which time I had developed constant tinnitus.
In August 2023, nearly 16 months after the incident, I was told I had suffered an acoustic trauma, resulting in hyperacusis and chronic tinnitus. I was relieved to finally have a diagnosis—an explanation for why I was reacting the way I was. I had been embarrassingly clutching my ears and running away from sirens, struggling to hold conversations when alarms and warning tones went off.
By January 2024—18 months later—I was finally learning how to manage it. My must-have item every day is attenuated earplugs. I use them to empty the dishwasher, to walk onto a busy road (removing them once I reach open fields), and to avoid unexpected noise from nearby houses where power tools might be in use. I know the earplugs help, but I also realize I need natural sound.
Unfortunately, work is impossible. I've done manual labor my entire life, and retraining for remote work probably isn't ideal, but I know it's my only option.
I take a lot of precautions. I don't go out at night because, while I could wear earplugs, it wouldn't be enjoyable. I still go to football matches in York, wearing earplugs for the full two hours. This prevents headaches and worsening tinnitus, so I try to do what I can. I listen to music, carefully monitoring the decibel level (I stay around 55 dB).
Still, you can't avoid noise entirely. I sometimes get caught off guard, leading to days of intense right-sided headaches and worsening tinnitus in my left ear.
I suppose I'm writing this because I feel inadequate. The only person who truly understands is my son, who has complete empathy. My wife still thinks I can work in a quiet environment, but that's not how it works. I feel stupid constantly having to explain that I need full control over my surroundings to function—I can't just rely on others.
I think I just want to talk to people who have similar struggles. When I do have bad days, the headaches are getting worse, accompanied by a stiff neck and pain at the base of my skull. And now, nearly three years later, all of this came from a ten-second incident.
Thank you.
