Why is This Spike Not Going Away? (1.5 Hours Using Heat Gun/Hair Dryer)

[Rust]

Hello everyone,

So, I'm currently experiencing a big spike in both ears that is not subsiding – and I don't know why – because it shouldn't have been a bad enough exposure to do this.

I used a heat gun to remove some old lino flooring for about 1-1.5 hours. I turned it off every 2-3 mins or so for about a minute – so it wasn't constant for the entire 1.5 hours. I used double ear protection the entire time – silicone earplugs fully inserted and 37dB Peltor X5 ear defenders on top. The heat gun basically sounds like a hair dryer, and my iPhone measures it at 72dB from the distance I was using it from my ears.

At no point did it feel loud or uncomfortable – my ear protection should be bringing down the exposure to 55dB (at worse!)

Following this, both ears have gotten worse – by a decent amount. Enough to unsettle me. It has been 8 days, and no real sign of improvement.

The fact that it is in both ears, feels like a different spike than normal, and has not subsided in the usual time has got me concerned.

So… what do you guys think? Any similar experiences?

I keep telling myself it will get better – but my ears seem to be saying otherwise.

Thanks as always,
R

 

[JurgenG]

That is very weird for sure. I am pretty sure you are unable to do any haircell or nerve damage with those dB, even if your phone a few dB wrong and even if you didn't wear any plugs.
So there is that.
Have you've been overprotecting a lot just before this?
Were you stressed before? Did you take any meds or different?

 

[IreneO]

I'm going through something similar at the moment, and yes, it's difficult not to worry. But I'm pretty sure you'll return to baseline soon. Nothing in your post suggests it was an unreasonable level of noise exposure. I've given up trying to gauge how long it should take for a spike to go away - my experience is that it varies, often for no obvious reason.

 

[Rust]

That is very weird for sure. I am pretty sure you are unable to do any haircell or nerve damage with those dB, even if your phone a few dB wrong and even if you didn't wear any plugs.
So there is that.
Have you've been overprotecting a lot just before this?
Were you stressed before? Did you take any meds or different?

Hi @JurgenG, thanks for your reply. Yes you're right, it's strange. In answer to your question – I have not been overprotecting – though I do always wear ear protection for my DIY tasks – it';s too risky not doing so as there is always a bang or loud noise even on quiet jobs. No meds, and not stressed.

Thanks!

 

[Rust]

I'm going through something similar at the moment, and yes, it's difficult not to worry. But I'm pretty sure you'll return to baseline soon. Nothing in your post suggests it was an unreasonable level of noise exposure. I've given up trying to gauge how long it should take for a spike to go away - my experience is that it varies, often for no obvious reason.

Hi @IreneO

Yes, you are right. It can be hard to gauge. However, I usually have around 5-7 days for a loud bang until I'm back to baseline. Unless it's very loud, in which case it can be weeks. I've never had this happen before, and to my knowledge flights are the only similarly loud and prolonged event to this – and I've never had any trouble with them.

I'll try to wait it out longer and report back!

I hope you recover shortly from your spike.

Take care

 

[fishbone]

Hello everyone,

So, I'm currently experiencing a big spike in both ears that is not subsiding – and I don't know why – because it shouldn't have been a bad enough exposure to do this.

I used a heat gun to remove some old lino flooring for about 1-1.5 hours. I turned it off every 2-3 mins or so for about a minute – so it wasn't constant for the entire 1.5 hours. I used double ear protection the entire time – silicone earplugs fully inserted and 37dB Peltor X5 ear defenders on top. The heat gun basically sounds like a hair dryer, and my iPhone measures it at 72dB from the distance I was using it from my ears.

At no point did it feel loud or uncomfortable – my ear protection should be bringing down the exposure to 55dB (at worse!)

Following this, both ears have gotten worse – by a decent amount. Enough to unsettle me. It has been 8 days, and no real sign of improvement.

The fact that it is in both ears, feels like a different spike than normal, and has not subsided in the usual time has got me concerned.

So… what do you guys think? Any similar experiences?

I keep telling myself it will get better – but my ears seem to be saying otherwise.

Thanks as always,
R

Your stress/anxiety could be more of an issue, than the actual noise itself. Spikes can take anywhere from a few hours to few days to calm down. I had a horrible spike myself a few days ago and it took 2 days for it to get better.

Hope you feel better

 

[Red]

In my opinion, ear protection does not actually protect against loud noises. Better to have it than not have it but T sufferers should not use any power tools or loud equipment.

 

[JurgenG]

In my opinion, ear protection does not actually protect against loud noises. Better to have it than not have it but T sufferers should not use any power tools or loud equipment.

What?
Of course it does.. the only thing where it can't protect you enough is from very deep bass.
Or I guess using a jack-hammer in a tight space might also be too much, but otherwise?


I've seen spikes that were multiple days long here on the forum, even weeks.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I turned it off every 2-3 mins or so for about a minute – so it wasn't constant for the entire 1.5 hours.

At the dentist, the recommendation is for 5 seconds on, 10 seconds off. I think those guidelines ought to be followed in other loud environments.

Temporary spikes often last over a month, so there is still hope.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/poll-how-long-do-your-tinnitus-spikes-usually-last.23110/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/poll-how-long-was-your-longest-spike.22099/
I hope that you will consider not exposing your ears to moderate noises anymore. We are given only a limited number of second chances.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I am pretty sure you are unable to do any haircell or nerve damage with those dB, even if your phone a few dB wrong and even if you didn't wear any plugs.

Healthy people can't damage their ears with noises like that. Our ears have been compromised. Literally every day we get new horror stories about people learning the hard way that what can't hurt a healthy person can hurt a T sufferer.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Of course it does

It reduces the damage, but it also offers a false sense of security.

I guess using a jack-hammer in a tight space might also be too much, but otherwise?

We just learned that it is also too much when one wears hearing protection and uses a heating gun. There are countless stories of people going to concerts and loud pubs relying on hearing protection, and getting horrific spikes.