What Hobbies Do You Have? (and Does Tinnitus Interfere?)

[Martin69]

I have many interests, which I prefer to call them rather than hobbies. But one in particular which can be very beneficial for my T is riding my Harley Davidson, not only does the exhaust noise and wind marsk my T but when I stop for a coffee break after 60 miles or more, low, my tinnitus has completely dissapered. Pure joy. I then have the rest of the day as a normal person!! Does any other Harley rider experience this T blocking. I used to do a lot of competitive clay bird and rifle shooting but no longer. I also have spent many years playing the tenor banjo in trad jazz bands but that also is behind me. If I pick up the banjo now I have to play with a soft felt pick, that's the only way my ears can take the sound. Sad is't it. But non of these noisy pursuits gave me T. That is another story.

The loud sound of your Harley gives you residual inhibition. So other areas of your auditory context are more active. For some, T is quiet afterwards for seconds, for some minutes and for others longer.

 

[astronomer]

hi,
well astronomy is the big one , i study the moon, planets, sun, double stars and deep sky visually with different types of telescopes and binoculars,the next one is playing acoustic guitar/singing,used to play in bands now i enjoy busking in local parks,lovely outdoor setting and you meet nice people along the way,then i include casual hiking,biking and kayaking as time permits...and reading astronomy books

 

[Ray Seddon]

I have many interests, which I prefer to call them rather than hobbies. But one in particular which can be very beneficial for my T is riding my Harley Davidson, not only does the exhaust noise and wind marsk my T but when I stop for a coffee break after 60 miles or more, low, my tinnitus has completely dissapered. Pure joy. I then have the rest of the day as a normal person!! Does any other Harley rider experience this T blocking. I used to do a lot of competitive clay bird and rifle shooting but no longer. I also have spent many years playing the tenor banjo in trad jazz bands but that also is behind me. If I pick up the banjo now I have to play with a soft felt pick, that's the only way my ears can take the sound. Sad is't it. But non of these noisy pursuits gave me T. That is another story.

Hi Clive - my wife and I are also motorcyclists, although not Harleys - unfortunately wind/engine noise makes my T worse but I use noise-cancelling earphones and play an mp3. Afterwards the T is a little less. T is definitely not going to stop us from what we enjoy - we ride across the country each year on a four-six week ride of some 10,000kms and love every minute of it.

 

[E1243]

I loved music. I started learning piano a few years before my tinnitus started. I went to the piano one day as usual, and when I pressed a single key there was a terrible pain in my ears, forcing me to stop, followed by ringing which became worse over time. I tried to learn how to compose and tried only using digital instruments rather than acoustic ones, but any noise made it worse, so I gave up doing anything music related. I love art though, and I started learning how to draw recently, but it doesn't feel as physical and rewarding like playing piano was.

 

[Blair14]

Great idea!
Well for me:
spending time with my kids
Reading
pc/computer/console/board gamer
watching movies/tv series
gardening
golf
photography
going to take up astronomy, been taking a few walks at night lately, live in the country, beautiful sky at night.
to learn French
and to serve in my church.

Much of this is on hold for me as I am trying to get stable. I can manage golf, but anything more physical like even bending over to pick up sticks in my yard and the blood rushes to the head and the T is more pronounced, so not sure how active I will be in the future.

 

[dan]

I have many interests, which I prefer to call them rather than hobbies. But one in particular which can be very beneficial for my T is riding my Harley Davidson, not only does the exhaust noise and wind marsk my T but when I stop for a coffee break after 60 miles or more, low, my tinnitus has completely dissapered. Pure joy. I then have the rest of the day as a normal person!!

Dang boy! ur 1 lucky sob

 

[Sen]

I used to be a musician, but tinnitus and hyperacusis robbed that of me. I sold my drums and I'm contemplating selling my guitars.

I have a year and a half old leopard gecko who is my only friend in the world right now. He is both a hobby and an amazing pet.

When my hands, wrists, forearms and elbows aren't in pain I like to play video games.

When I have a brain fog, headache, ear pain and vertigo free day I enjoy reading. Most of the time it is too difficult to focus on lengthy reading, which is a shame because I have all the alone time in the world.

I have no social life anymore, and most of the time I feel too sick and horrible to do anything so I either lay in bed and do nothing, sit in front of my computer watching game streams without volume, or go for short, zombie-like walks around my neighborhood.

It could be worse I guess.

 

[Teri]

Reading
Computer
Gardening
Canning garden produce
Cooking
Volunteering at an elementary school (kindergarten)
Volunteering at church (teaching 2nd grade, Bible study, fundraising)
Embroidery
Scrap booking
Puzzles
Crafts

 

[DebInAustralia]

Im a crazy cat lady! proud owner of a long haired maine coon - Milly
I enjoy being in my garden, nature walks, gym, being near the water. I am classically trained (piano) and still like a tinker..but never liked performing for others. I like to draw and paint, and meet new people. I have recently discovered VODKA! lol

 

[Ilija]

Video games, never stopped probably never will.
Come to think about it I always stayed in and played video games, watched movies, TV shows and stuff.
GOD I WAS ON TO SOMETHING THEN I REALLY WAS.
Right now if instead of going to some bullshit gig 16th of august I would have stayed home playing WoW I would be in sweet silent bliss right now ignorant to the ways of Tinnitus.
I still can't believe how unlucky I am.
No loud noise exposure, no concerts, 2 gigs I mean really fucking 2 gigs and bam Tinnitus like I've been to hundreds of gigs.
Sometimes I hate my luck.
I wish there could be a test to see if a persons Tinnitus was permanent day one.
I would go they would either say it's not so I would laugh my way to complete recovery or they would say it is and I would deal with it the best I could.
This way I have to deal with it but still hoping that it'll go since I don't really have a history of noise abuse.
Man I hope it goes, I'll be devastated if this is how I get Tinnitus by going to 2 shitty gigs.
Life really sucks sometimes (you can't imagine how angry I get when someone tells me it's just the lord testing you).
God really reminds me of a bad girlfriends in that way.
-Believe in God
-"Lol you just believe cause you're not in deep shit"
-Gets cancer
-"Let me see you believe now"
?
In short, video games lots of them, God I wish I just played games.

 

[UserID]

Surfing!! Just got a new board and super stoked with it!! My T doesn't interfere or complicate my surfing. It actually provides needed relief from my T!!

I love to read, but it has to be quiet for me to read, and that's when my T really kicks in!! And I am such a knucklehead that I can't read and have background noise (music, tv, white noise, etc...) at the same time.

Peace!

When I found crickets, Jeff, they were the doorway for me back into reading, especially Mike Petroff's nature tracks. They're ideal for me because they mitigate the sounds I hear in my head better than any other recordings I've tried.
David

 

[Jeff M.]

Thanks David!! I will give them little chirppers a try!! I appreciate the heads up!

Hope you are well!!

Jeff

 

[Martin69]

When I found crickets, Jeff, they were the doorway for me back into reading, especially Mike Petroff's nature tracks. They're ideal for me because they mitigate the sounds I hear in my head better than any other recordings I've tried.
David

I listen to crickets many hours per day. Of course not pleasant, but they mix up with my high frequent T.
Unfortunately I still have problems standing the noise in my head and listening to it.

 

[Martin69]

Surfing!! Just got a new board and super stoked with it!! My T doesn't interfere or complicate my surfing. It actually provides needed relief from my T!!

I love to read, but it has to be quiet for me to read, and that's when my T really kicks in!! And I am such a knucklehead that I can't read and have background noise (music, tv, white noise, etc...) at the same time.

Peace!

Try audio books.
I myself currently listening to "Mr. Mercedes", the new one from Stephen King.

 

[Jeff M.]

Audio books...great idea @Martin69 ! Thanks, I'll give that a shot!

Peace!

 

[Kathi]

I wanted to add that I thought I'd never ride (motorcycles) again (my post above) but this month I have been! I use a good ear plug and got a new helmet that covers my ears. It doesn't look very cool but that doesn't matter anymore. I got a 3/4 coverage Harley helmet with a visor and sun visor. It really is pretty good--so slowly but surely, I'm getting my old life back. I rode and didn't have a spike or any problems.

 

[FuzzyFrey]

I am a freelance cartoonist, I love cartoons and animated shows ^^. I draw a webcomic called Transmission which can be read here; http://transmission.thecomicseries.com

 

[Blair14]

@FuzzyFrey hey that's pretty neat!

 

[FuzzyFrey]

Here's a picture I drew earlier this month

 

[Blair14]

@FuzzyFrey Fantastic!

 

[Sjoerd]

I wanted to add that I thought I'd never ride (motorcycles) again (my post above) but this month I have been! I use a good ear plug and got a new helmet that covers my ears. It doesn't look very cool but that doesn't matter anymore. I got a 3/4 coverage Harley helmet with a visor and sun visor. It really is pretty good--so slowly but surely, I'm getting my old life back. I rode and didn't have a spike or any problems.

I love to ride my bike! Last year I thought it was over.....but... well I I still riding. Bought myself the sickest bike on the planet. The Husqvarna Nuda 900. Every time I see it I want to do a little dance. It sounds brutal (a little bit like a harley, but propper). You either love it or ....wel you are wrong!

Noise wise: Buy a schuberth C3-pro helmet. It is a very quiet helmet. Despite the price, they are very popular in the Netherlands and Germany among a certain group of riders. It feels like putting your head in a mini BMW.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/schuberth-c3-pro/review.htm

 

[Lisa Robinson]

Nail art. Even though it's a quiet hobby I always manage to block my tinnitus out.

 

[BobDigi]

i have always loved motorcycling and been doing that for years. even before tinnitus got the better of me.

I still can, but even with good hearing protection (hearos nnr 33db) I'm a little scared.

I never ever want to be responsible for making my tinnitus worse. but I do understand the risks, and if it ever worsens, I know it's my responsibility and will not cry over it.


besides bikes I have tons of smaller hobbies, like badminton, tennis and videogames. yep, some late nights playing videogames


am curious what hobbies or extracurricals you have and does T complicate matters and if so, how

Motorbike, video games, cycling, chess and tv are my hobbies. T has effected every one of them somewhat. If you play Forza Horizon two on xbox one let me know. We can race.
I have a Honda VFR800i. What bike do you have?

 

[Sjoerd]

I have a Honda VFR800i. What bike do you have?

The VFR's are great. Never ridden one though. I have the plan to buy a RC36 (VFR750) and turn it in to a cafe racer type of thing. I just love the sound of the V4 engine....just plain love it (not as good as my Husky Nuda 900).

 

[BobDigi]

The VFR's are great. Never ridden one though. I have the plan to buy a RC36 (VFR750) and turn it in to a cafe racer type of thing. I just love the sound of the V4 engine....just plain love it (not as good as my Husky Nuda 900).

Yeah mines a 2001 pre vtec version. As you know the 750 has a cult following. Good luck with your project.

 

[Sjoerd]

Yeah mines a 2001 pre vtec version. As you know the 750 has a cult following. Good luck with your project.

The project is a very long time deal. First ned to buy one, ride it for a while...
Awhile back I found this video, cool build and awesome sound....

 

[OnceUponaTime]

Bringing this post back to life. Was nice reading through all your hobbies and interests.

I enjoy camping/hiking with my family. We have a Pop-Up Camper and visit different State/National Parks. I love it. I wish I was camping all the time it gives me the most relief from T. The outdoors is soothing it helps me forget about the T.
I also crochet. I learned to crochet after I got T and it has helped me tremendously. I taught my 6yo daughter how to crochet and now we crochet together and it is much fun. I also enjoy digital scrabbooking.

What I USED to enjoy was target shooting with my husband and "that" I have not found the courage to try again after I got T. (Don't tell him, but I was a better shooter..lol) I miss this because it was something I did with my husband that we both enjoyed... I get very sad when I see him go to the range alone. Well, he did surprised me and got me a Bow! Sooooo watch out 'cus I'm going to learn how to Bow-hunt soon! Exciting!

I most absolutely enjoy Bible Studies. It brings me closer to God and certainly strengthens my faith. Plus, I enjoy fellowship with my sisters in Christ.

 

[jimH]

What I USED to enjoy was target shooting with my husband and "that" I have not found the courage to try again after I got T. (Don't tell him, but I was a better shooter..lol) I miss this because it was something I did with my husband that we both enjoyed... I get very sad when I see him go to the range alone.

@OnceUponaTime

It's unfortunate that you feel that you had to give up something that both you and your husband enjoyed doing together. You might want to try what I've been doing for years when I shoot. I use two stages of hearing protection. I wear ear plugs and then shooter's ear muffs over them. I've never experienced a spike in my T after shooting since I've been doing that.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

@jimH

I use two stages of hearing protection. I wear ear plugs and then shooter's ear muffs over them.

That is how I used to do it before I got T. It is encouraging to me, to hear that you still go shooting after T without any spikes. How long have you been shooting after you got T? Any "particular ear muffs"? I think that I actually do not have the courage to go back because of my fears that it may get worst. It is something I have to work on... maybe I can start by shooting the BB gun...lol. I remember one time going to the range with my husband and I stayed in the car, watching from far. That made me so mad at this T crap. I try not to let T interfere with my everyday life but there are areas in which it does. Also, do you shoot indoors or outdoors?? Because, I don't think I can shoot indoors ever again.

 

[jimH]

@OnceUponaTime

To answer your questions:

I've been shooting since the 80's with T. I only shoot at outdoor ranges since I've developed T.

I did a search and read some reviews for you. These shooter's muffs were given a 5 star rating by 45 out of 56 customers. Ten other customers rated them at 4 stars. So, check them out to see if you think that they may be superior to the ones you've been using:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083ZZH2U/?tag=tinntalk-20

However, I do not shoot while I am experiencing a severe/raging Tinnitus spike. So far, they usually only last for a matter of hours or a couple of days. In fact, I don't have any desire to do anything other than the basic necessities of life during those periods.

Anyway, I hope that you'll be able to enjoy going to the range with your husband again some day. If you do, try not to rub it in too much when you out shoot him...