What's Your Experience with Exposure to Police Sirens?

[Sodlin]

Hi! Yesterday, I was walking on a narrow street, wide enough for only one car. I was wearing my Moldex earplugs (35 SNR reduction) when, suddenly, a police car turned on its siren about 8 meters behind me and sped past. It came so close that if I had reached out my hand, I could have touched the windshield. The whole thing happened so fast that, after an initial jump of about 2 meters, I completely froze and didn't put my fingers in my ears.

All I can find about the sirens in my country is that they average 120 dB and can reach a peak of 128 dB.

Has anyone experienced a similar sound exposure and can offer advice or share how things turned out for them?

At the moment, I'm experiencing a spike, but it's hard to tell if it's from the sound or just the panic from what happened, as I'm feeling a bit traumatized. I already had a lot of stress in my body, and I suffer from quite severe hyperacusis.

I've searched the forum for similar incidents, but none of the threads provide closure on whether the spike was temporary or permanent.

 

[Sodlin]

Has nobody experienced something similar?

 

[Mark F.]

I have had mild tinnitus for 16 months now. Fortunately, it has been non-reactive, and the hyperacusis faded away within the first six months or so. However, I did experience something similar to what you described—a wailing police car rushing past me. I've also had loud Harley-Davidson motorcycles rev their engines close to me (in the 120 dB range) for 5–10 seconds. It freaked me out, worrying that these loud sounds might further damage my ears, but thankfully, they haven't affected my tinnitus.

I carry Moldex earplugs with me everywhere I go. I only wear them for situations that most people would consider loud, such as mowing the lawn, attending outdoor concerts, or being exposed to heavy traffic. You've had tinnitus much longer than I have, but I believe you will be okay. Hang in there. I wish you peace and healing.

 

[PeteJ]

Has nobody experienced something similar?

I live near downtown in my city, and there are sirens all the time—from police to ambulances. They're all really loud. Our genetics and ear problems are unique to each of us, but for me, they cause ear pain. If I don't wear earplugs—and even when I do—it's still pretty bad. I need to wear earmuffs if a siren is nearby. Sometimes, earplugs and earmuffs cause discomfort because I'm just that sensitive.

I think most people experience spikes from it; it should go down, though, but who knows. A lot of people here suggest taking an NAC pill or Magnesium bisglycinate. You could search the forum for discussions on that.

 

[BeepBeep]

Has nobody experienced something similar?

I have, and I wore similar protection. These are the reasons why I still do.

In my opinion, it's insane to have sirens that can be heard from ten miles away.

 

[Kumashi]

I have, and I wore similar protection. These are the reasons why I still do.

In my opinion, it's insane to have sirens that can be heard from ten miles away.

I'm wondering how loud these sirens are for the drivers driving them?