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?

 

[Sodlin]

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.

Thanks for the reply!

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.

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I take NAC and Magnesium after I've had a "loud incident." I'm not entirely sure how much it helps, though.

Have you experienced any increase in your tinnitus from sirens?

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.

Thanks for the reply!

Did the increase go back down to baseline? It's hard to tell, but it kind of feels like the tinnitus is still 10–20% louder. It's difficult to judge, though, since I've been under an insane amount of stress constantly since the incident.

I got really angry at work today, and now my tinnitus is through the roof, plus I have a "lid" sensation in my left ear.

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

The reports say around 80-90 dB.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Sirens are pure hell for me. Whenever I hear one, I stop whatever I'm doing and plug my ears with my fingers, or I even duck into an alcove or alley for some shelter. I ride my bicycle as my main means of transportation, so if I hear an ambulance coming, I pull over and cover my ears.

Thankfully, my city is quiet. I couldn't live in a big city with all the honking horns and sirens. When I visited Boston two summers ago, the noise from the fire engines was overwhelming and, honestly, dangerous.

 

[BeepBeep]

Thanks for the reply!

Did the increase go back down to baseline? It's hard to tell, but it kind of feels like the tinnitus is still 10–20% louder. It's difficult to judge, though, since I've been under an insane amount of stress constantly since the incident.

Yes. I've come to think that for me anyway, as long as I don't ACTUALLY DO MORE ACTUAL DAMAGE, it goes back to baseline. That said, I still totally freak out every single time.

 

[Sodlin]

That said, I still totally freak out every single time.

This is so me as well...