Which Earplugs Would You Choose for Cinema?

[Michael Leigh]

Stay out of movie theater. Usually, there will be good hi-fi stereo speakers in theater
and it is no good to your ears regardless good earplugs.

In a way I agree with you but it all depends how sensitive one's auditory system is. A person can use the best custom made earplugs available but they will not help in the slightest if external sound is too loud, because it can pass through the skull and reach the inner ear by bone conduction.

A person that has noise induced tinnitus. If they have not habituated I advise not go to a cinema. If a person has habituated and has no hyperacusis and wants to go to the cinema, I advise wearing noise reducing earplugs but keep in mind what I've mentioned above and be careful.

Michael

 

[robHing]

keep in mind what I've mentioned above and be careful.

I agree.
The whole purpose for this advice is trying to enjoy life but also protect yourself.
When spike of T comes (God forbids), you are the one who suffers.

 

[Michael Leigh]

When spike of T comes (God forbids), you are the one who suffers.

Well said @robHing Your last sentence reminds me of a post that I wrote some time ago referring to the same. The link to this post is below.

It saddens to say, if a person doesn't heed the warning signs their auditory system and tinnitus is telling them, then they will eventually feel because tinnitus is very unforgiving. It is fine when some people are telling others what they want to hear: "listen to music through headphones because life is for living". "Go to the club as often as possible you're safe with earplugs. If your tinnitus increases you will be the one that will be in the suffering.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/are-spikes-from-loud-noise-permanent.18156/

 

[Ed209]

A person that has noise induced tinnitus. If they have not habituated I advise not go to a cinema. If a person has habituated and has no hyperacusis and wants to go to the cinema, I advise wearing noise reducing earplugs but keep in mind what I've mentioned above and be careful.

Michael

I agree about not going if not habituated because it can be incredibly hard for one to control their emotions. However, if you live in the UK, I will repeat, that if the film is in a non-IMAX theatre (haven't tested IMAX since my T worsened) they are not dangerous with plugs. In fact, it's debatable whether they are dangerous at all for occasional visits (I'd still always wear earplugs). You're not really exposed for a very long period and the noise is very negligible. The majority of the time you are looking at the 60db range with spikes around the 80db range. Cinemas are not really comparible to nightclubs, or gigs, for example, as the latter two carry far superior SPL levels that produce, at least, a hundred times more energy. Concerts and nightclubs are often above 100db and rarely less than around 95db. They are in a league of their own and always have been. I believe they are, by far, the biggest cause of T along with loud headphone use (in my opinion). This obviously doesn't include vets exposed to gunfire, and workmen exposed to factory noise, and repetitive power tool noise. I'm referring to the average person in a non-noisy profession.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I agree with you @Ed209 and also agree with @robHing Life is for living and I don't want to become paranoid over sound as this can do more harm than good. On another matter, have you noticed Bill Bauer, is no longer visiting this forum?

 

[Ed209]

I agree with you @Ed209 and also agree with @robHing Life is for living and I don't want to become paranoid over sound as this can do more harm than good. On another matter, have you noticed Bill Bauer, is no longer visiting this forum?

I was wondering the same? Where is @Bill Bauer?

Maybe he is on holiday.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I was wondering the same? Where is @Bill Bauer?

Maybe he is on holiday.

I will tell you what I think is the reason in PM

 

[SugarMagnolia]

@Michael Leigh
But sounds aren't more harmful to people with hyperacusis than people without it, right? If that's the case, people with H would be protecting their ears to avoid pain, not damage.

I'm trying not to overprotect because it's exactly the sort of thing I'm prone to do. That's why I'm interested in knowing what can do damage and what can't. If I know that certain discomforts are harmless, I can keep my anxiety in check.

 

[robHing]

 

[Ed209]

View attachment 17879

That's a good point. An average inner city is likely noisier than an average cinema. In terms of dosage, you're likely to be exposed to a higher level of noise outside the cinema, than inside, if it's located in a big city.

 

[Michael Leigh]

But sounds aren't more harmful to people with hyperacusis than people without it, right?

Sound is not usually more harmful for people with hyperacusis @SugarMagnolia nor will any hearing damage occur, providing the sound is kept within normal limits. What will happen is this. A person that has hyperacusis if it is not treated or reduces in severity or not cured, then they will always be over sensitive to sound or certain sounds and this will cause "spikes" in the tinnitus. Often people refer to this as "Reactive tinnitus". This Reactive tinnitus is actually hyperacusis and it comes in different levels of severity. I am not going to get into a long debate with anyone about "Reactive Tinnitus" not being hyperacusis and it's something separate. This is my opinion and I'm staying with it.

Please read my post Hyperacusis, As I see it:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/
If you are sensitive to sound or certain sounds then you should try to desensitize your auditory system by trying some of the suggestions in my post. Some people may need specialist help in the form of wearing white noise generators, to help desensitize the auditory system.

All the best
Michael