We Are All Dummies for Giving Ourselves Tinnitus

[TheDanishGirl]

Actually may be a fantastic idea. Most people never even heard of this condition. If they only knew, it might prevent a lot of suffering. We take a lot for granted. Until it's gone.

I don't think I've met a person that didn't know what tinnitus is. Everybody I know or have spoke to about this, knows that tinnitus is "ringing in the ears", but they usually only know that.....they don't know how serious a condition it is, how bad it can get, that it can be combined with hyperacusis and so on.

 

[Tybs]

I don't think I've met a person that didn't know what tinnitus is. Everybody I know or have spoke to about this, knows that tinnitus is "ringing in the ears", but they usually only know that.....they don't know how serious a condition it is, how bad it can get, that it can be combined with hyperacusis and so on.

About half of the people I talk to about it seem to know about the phenomena in theory. Of course, experiencing it yourself is a whole other ship to sail with, not to mention the difference between mild and severe cases...

 

[Shaz1]

I think people really don't know how bad it can be. I certainly didn't. I know there are lots of ways to get it, but noise is such a common one and in an increasingly noisy world where headphones are common, I think awareness is super important. More and more people will be getting it in coming years unfortunately, which is good for awareness at least.

I do see a lot more people wearing or carrying earplugs. I know many people (without tinnitus) who carry earplugs on their keychains. I did before I got chronic tinnitus. I've seen DJ's post things on social media about hearing protection. But no one ever told me when I was younger, we had no idea how fragile things were. I liken it to how now one wore ski helmets in the 90's and now everyone does. I tell all my friends about protecting themselves now.

Of course I had no idea about getting it from medication, because even googling said medication and side effects never turned up things - but honestly I'm telling so many friends about it and people will be more careful if they know.

And I had no idea how bad it could be even when I was trying to protect myself, just that I should protect myself.

Awareness and education is important.
(Same reason comprehensive sex education is important - if people don't know the truth, they can't protect themselves. We don't blame the kids who don't know better, the fault lies with lack of awareness and education.)

And of course, sometimes it's just shit luck, just like getting cancer or Parkinson's.

 

[Dirtworks]

I can't remember ever hearing too much about tinnitus either but I was always pretty careful about wearing hearing protection. My problem I think was just working around a lot of noisy equipment so often. I've warned my own kids and all my nieces and nephews and I just hope they listened. My dad had tinnitus too, but wasn't as exposed to loud noise, making me wonder if there isn't some genetics at play.

 

[PeteJ]

I can't remember ever hearing too much about tinnitus either but I was always pretty careful about wearing hearing protection. My problem I think was just working around a lot of noisy equipment so often. I've warned my own kids and all my nieces and nephews and I just hope they listened. My dad had tinnitus too, but wasn't as exposed to loud noise, making me wonder if there isn't some genetics at play.

There's different levels or forms of tinnitus and also, different types of noise exposure. Typical noise exposure like concerts, loud work environments are the usual contributors but ototoxic drugs and other triggers can probably contribute as well. It doesn't have to be only one.

 

[Gman45]

My tinnitus is from a concussion that I never saw coming. Most people that had the same concussion would probably be fine and still enjoying silence. It's just bad luck I think. I have also known plenty of folks that blare music all the time with no tinnitus. It's almost as if by some bad luck our brain flicks the switch and turns on the hellish sound. I hope my brain will eventually flip that switch back off. One can only hope. There does need to be a cure though no doubt. It's mentally painful.