Tinnitus After Using Noise-Cancelling Headphones?

[Pero1234]

After seeing an audiologist and having a hearing exam, my preliminary conclusion is the text highlighted in red above. I see the main doctor - an otologist/neurotologist - on Tuesday.

I've frequently seen tinnitus defined as the perception of noise in the ear. That doesn't make it less real, of course, but I'm guessing - I'm certainly no tinnitus expert - a distinction needs to be drawn between noise-canceling headphones ("NCHs") making one's tinnitus worse (in the sense of causing hearing or inner ear damage) and NCHs altering your perception of your existing tinnitus because of the reduction of ambient noise. One might say it effectively is the same (i.e., heightened perception of existing tinnitus is the same as making it worse). I wouldn't argue with that view. But my primary concern is avoiding damage to my ears. If I feel that isn't the case, then I think it will be easier for me to deal with the perception my tinnitus is worse. I found it interesting that the audiologist said I would be better off using my NCHs with music (at reasonable levels, of course) because that would help mitigate my tendency to focus on my tinnitus.

Here's an interesting study indicating silence can, in effect, cause tinnitus - https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/25e9/235a247155cb3a9f38bd1b4240bffcfb6863.pdf

BOSE are most effective at cancelling noise. That may be it. My Sennheisers let in more environment sound... hence reducing the need for my brain to "turn up the volume".

 

[John Smythe]

BOSE are most effective at cancelling noise. That may be it. My Sennheisers let in more environment sound... hence reducing the need for my brain to "turn up the volume".

So you are saying Bose are more likely to cause or increase tinnitus? My brother-in-law chose Sennheiser because he believes (based on various reviews) that they do less to enhance the music. He said he wanted his music less filtered, so he chose Sennheiser. I have compared the two, and I do like the Bose sound and ear-fit better (not sure about the sound-reduction ability).

I have yet to see any scientific data or any other professional indication that noise canceling technology causes or enhances tinnitus (over and above any standard headphones used with loud music or for extended periods of time). I leave in 1/2 hour for my appointment with a neurotologist. I'll report back.

 

[John Smythe]

Well, I had my appointment with the neurotologist, and his answer was that noise canceling headphones, when used at a reasonable volume, neither cause or enhance tinnitus. If anyone has a follow-up question for me, by all means ask, but I'm done with the issue.

 

[IvanRus]

I have another question for you. When you put on noise-canceling headphones - the pressure drop is felt. And the plastic, from which the surface of the headphones is made, has a very high sound conductivity.

Tonight I put on noise-canceling headphones to work with sawing out of the boards.

But there was an evening and there were mosquitoes on the street, brushing off a mosquito, I accidentally hit my hand on the right side of the earpiece covering the ear, the sound seemed very unpleasant, amplified, and I felt a slight push of pressure in my ear.

Do you think this could lead to barotrauma or acoustic ear damage?
Before, I would not have paid attention to such a case, but now every little thing can cause trouble.

I need to know your opinion or personal experience.

Thank you

 

[Elfin]

Do you think this could lead to barotrauma or acoustic ear damage?

100% not. This has happened to me many times. Whilst not pleasant, it has never caused any lasting problems

 

[Rohit Saluja]

I recently purchased some noise-cancelling headphones and although I love them, I think they may have given me tinnitus.

what's the brand of your headphones?

 

[Rohit Saluja]

You're confusing hearing aids with headphones.

Just to confirm the guy who died used boss noise cancellation headphones???????

 

[Rohit Saluja]

But at low volumes, how could damage have been done? Anybody else suspicious?

Count me in I also gets tinnitus from headphones, at lower volume, I thought lower volume is safe, as per the guidelines, but I forget to use my common senses.

 

[Rohit Saluja]

I thought I was listening at a safe volume when I gave myself T. Turns out a volume that is safe for one hour can be unsafe when listening for say 5 hours. Sounds like you did yourself in with duration as opposed to volume, just like me.

This is same happens to me, I forget to notice the duration and just takes care of the volume level.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I think headphones are fine as long as you keep the volume in moderation.

Some people with noise induced tinnitus are not affected by headphone use. If you are one of these people that's fine but it's something I don't advise anyone to do if their tinnitus, was caused by loud noise.

 

[Rohit Saluja]

Used headphones for several months with volume at 5%. Still got tinnitus.

same here bro.

 

[bendruitt]

I just wanted to add that I've used Bose QC35s since mid 2015 and now have low grade tinnitus that sounds EXACTLY like the background sound of the QC35s - that high frequency low level hissing sound. Coincidence!? Be careful out there!

 

[textmarker]

I've bought a Sony mdr100 1 month ago. . I knew my left ear is a bit weaker (high frequencies are not noticed compared to the other ear) then my right but I never had tinnitus. Now after using that headphone for 3 weeks I have a constant eee in that ear and its already lasting for 1 week I think there should be made a reasearch regarding NC headphones and tinnitus.

 

[Rohit Saluja]

I thought I was listening at a safe volume when I gave myself T. Turns out a volume that is safe for one hour can be unsafe when listening for say 5 hours.

What brand headphones do you use?

 

[sirhand]

What brand headphones do you use?

I was using the Bose soundlink around ear wireless headphones II. They're not noise cancelling, if they were I wouldn't have had to turn them up so loud.

 

[Rohit Saluja]

I was using the Bose soundlink

For how many hours per day did you use it, and for how many days, did you feel any pain before getting tinnitus while using headphones?

 

[sirhand]

For how many hours per day did you use it, and for how many days, did you feel any pain before getting tinnitus while using headphones?

This was a one time acoustic trauma. One day I listened too loud for like 5 hours. Didn't notice any pain during, just ringing the second I took them off.

 

[Rohit Saluja]

The only thing that could have brought this on during this period is quite heavy use of my QuietComfort headphones at normal volumes (in quiet surroundings)

For how many hours you used to listen to headphones? And at what percentage of volume?

 

[Jatin Gupta]

This is same happens to me, I forget to notice the duration and just takes care of the volume level.

Hi Rohit,
Are you still facing the issue? Could we please connect, I'm very confused and in need of guidance.

 

[textmarker]

I've bought a Sony mdr100 1 month ago. . I knew my left ear is a bit weaker (high frequencies are not noticed compared to the other ear) then my right but I never had tinnitus. Now after using that headphone for 3 weeks I have a constant eee in that ear and its already lasting for 1 week I think there should be made a reasearch regarding NC headphones and tinnitus.

Quoting Myself. Used the NC for 2 days and have increased tinnitus again. Def a trigger for me

 

[Rafael M]

Hi everyone!

I'm Spanish, and I have T before use headphones with NC. My otolaryngologist recomended me that I use headphones for isn't hear T. Then, I thought have a good headphones it could be good for me (Sony WH-1000XM3B). A month after my T It was multiplicated by 10. I was very worry and stressed because my T was very high. It could be because to use the headphones or use headphones with NC, but I think that the people with T we spend a lot of time with music because we dont want hear our T. With new headphones it is possible we spend a lot time with them.
I will never use headphones in my life. I'm sure for this. My T has down now. I'm no using headphones. Never!

 

[michaelnyorks]

I recently bought the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
I have never suffered from tinnitus before.
Almost straight away they caused pressure and then headaches.
I persevered for a while which was foolish in hindsight and after a couple of goes (of an hour or so, normal volume for podcasts) the tinnitus started and has lasted a month now.

 

[Ken219]

@michaelnyorks NC headphones, don't kid yourself.

'There had been some limited success with cumbersome devices like MEDUSA (Mob Excess Deterrent Using Silent Audio) and LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device), designed to cause excruciating ear pain to disperse mobs'

 

[Brenda Wood]

My Bose wireless noise cancelling headphones definately caused my tinnitus. I'd love to know if any other brand is involved... I've never had tinnitus before except after 1 concert 40 years ago. Now it's 24/7 constantly squeeling.
Not happy...