Which Approach to Relatively Loud Work Environment

[Mellow7]

Greetings everyone,

Now that my Exams are coming to an end, I'm about to encounter a different sort of dilemma.

I've been raised in a family running a transport service and have worked there part-time for the past 5-6 years. This is the first year I'll be doing it with tinnitus, so I'm a bit at a loss regarding how I should approach this. First of all, I'm absolutely terrified of making it worse. My anxiety has been relatively manageable as of late, despite having to take my last exams before graduation, but that is due to the fact that I've been able to work in silence.

Now summer is approaching, my family (and particularly my father) demands participation in running affairs. He doesn't exhibit too much sympathy for my condition, when it comes to the business. I also do some administrative work back at the office, but the majority of working time will be spent behind the wheel of a 20 tonne coach with all manner of folks on there. Some are loud and some are extremely loud. Disregarding the social and safety aspect of driving a coach with hearing protection on, I might be able to wear ear muffs most of the time. But on the other hand, I'm sure many customers will find it highly discomforting to see a bus driver with big ear muffs on his head, whereas he should be able to hear traffic and to anticipate dangerous circumstances. This may lead to complaints back at the office.

The reason I'm a bit skittish is because of this article, dealing with the loudness of an average school trip on a bus: http://theschoolbus-jkraemer.blogspot.com/p/dangerous-noise-levels-on-school-buses.html They seem have readings of 88 db with children on board. But I'm sometimes driving for hours on end and on the freeway, which may up the volume even more. So I'm not sure I'll be fine without hearing protection and I can't wear ear plugs for too long, because my ear canals are super irritable and have a tendancy to produce ear wax when there's stuff jammed in there, which I would also like to avoid...

Does anyone have advice for me? Thank you.

 

[glynis]

Give it a try but if not good for you just do admin or local work short distance.
love glynis

 

[Ed209]

Greetings everyone,

Now that my Exams are coming to an end, I'm about to encounter a different sort of dilemma.

I've been raised in a family running a transport service and have worked there part-time for the past 5-6 years. This is the first year I'll be doing it with tinnitus, so I'm a bit at a loss regarding how I should approach this. First of all, I'm absolutely terrified of making it worse. My anxiety has been relatively manageable as of late, despite having to take my last exams before graduation, but that is due to the fact that I've been able to work in silence.

Now summer is approaching, my family (and particularly my father) demands participation in running affairs. He doesn't exhibit too much sympathy for my condition, when it comes to the business. I also do some administrative work back at the office, but the majority of working time will be spent behind the wheel of a 20 tonne coach with all manner of folks on there. Some are loud and some are extremely loud. Disregarding the social and safety aspect of driving a coach with hearing protection on, I might be able to wear ear muffs most of the time. But on the other hand, I'm sure many customers will find it highly discomforting to see a bus driver with big ear muffs on his head, whereas he should be able to hear traffic and to anticipate dangerous circumstances. This may lead to complaints back at the office.

The reason I'm a bit skittish is because of this article, dealing with the loudness of an average school trip on a bus: http://theschoolbus-jkraemer.blogspot.com/p/dangerous-noise-levels-on-school-buses.html They seem have readings of 88 db with children on board. But I'm sometimes driving for hours on end and on the freeway, which may up the volume even more. So I'm not sure I'll be fine without hearing protection and I can't wear ear plugs for too long, because my ear canals are super irritable and have a tendancy to produce ear wax when there's stuff jammed in there, which I would also like to avoid...

Does anyone have advice for me? Thank you.

If this is really worrying you consider wearing slim and light ear muffs. The big heavy duty ones would be overkill for what you need.

 

[Mellow7]

If this is really worrying you consider wearing slim and light ear muffs. The big heavy duty ones would be overkill for what you need.

Hey @Ed209. Sadly enough, it does worry me. My T is quite unpredictable around some sounds. Especially long and continuous noise exposure awakens the reactive beast. Do you have any models I could look into? I've got 3 pairs here, but they're all quite bulky.

 

[Ed209]

Hey @Ed209. Sadly enough, it does worry me. My T is quite unpredictable around some sounds. Especially long and continuous noise exposure awakens the reactive beast. Do you have any models I could look into? I've got 3 pairs here, but they're all quite bulky.

@OnceUponaTime, wore a slim pair to an event she was very concerned about but ended up having a great time. If she sees this maybe she could comment.

Or you could try these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peltor-Hea...6_SY340_QL65&keywords=Peltor+3M+Ear+Defenders

 

[kelpiemsp]

You could always use small in ear monitors or electronic hearing protectors which amplify low level sounds and cut out at 85 decibels. I have both the over ear peltor 500 tactical and the etymotic music pro. I love them both and they allow for situational awareness while protecting your ears.