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Tinnitus

Fast_Eddie

Fast_Eddie

Upper-middle fi
Anyone here suffer from tinnitus?

Like a lot of you, I have a lifetime of concerts and stereos that were a little too loud. But a couple of weeks ago I ended up driving home from an autocross with an exhaust that wasn't attached due to a mechanical failure. That 90 minutes of noise seemed to be the last straw.

I now have a ringing in my ears that doesn't go away. It's not terrible, but all the same, I prefer it gone. Alas, it seems that it's not likely to go away. So anyone else in this position? Anyone found anything that helps?

Take care,

Ed
 
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Fast_Eddie said:
Anyone here suffer from tinnitus?

Like a lot of you, I have a lifetime of concerts and stereos that were a little too loud. But a couple of weeks ago I ended up driving home from an autocross with an exhaust that wasn't attached due to a mechanical failure. That 90 minutes of noise seemed to be the last straw.

I now have a ringing in my ears that doesn't go away. It's not terrible, but all the same, I prefer it gone. Alas, it seems that it's not likely to go away. So anyone else in this position? Anyone found anything that helps?

Take care,

Ed
Click to expand...

Alas is right. I've heard of folks looking for solutions but not finding one. I'm no expert but my dad lived with severe hearing loss & tinnitus for about 45 years so I can appreciate the situation.

As for the cause (persistent SPL), I have been known to stuff a corner of a tissue in my ears to provide a little protection in situations like that. Ears and high sound pressure levels just don't go well together, especially for extended periods of time.

Most comfortable hearing protection I've found so far is the soft disposable plugs on a cord. You can buy them in bulk from safety supply companies:
http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/Hearing_Protection/Disposable_Earplugs/12621/
They are very soft, come in little plastic packs and weigh next to nothing so they're very portable, and you can use them once or dozens of times -- as long as they stay reasonably clean. Also helpful for blocking out unwanted distractions if you end up stuck near someone or something noisy -- I keep these in several places, including one set in the backpack that goes just about everywhere I do. I rarely use it, but when I need it I sure am glad it's there.

For quick use, I keep a set of these (or something pretty close) by my power tools:
http://www.safetycompany.com/ear-mu....html?osCsid=29a9d0ac03607906aeb6db637f24ce04
Amazon also has them.

In case anyone thinks I go overboard about this, keep in mind that the idea is to keep enjoying sounds (& understanding people when they talk) for as many years as possible. Plenty of guys I know are already starting to lose their hearing.:sigh:
 
Yep. I've had tinnitus for as long as I can remember, but no indication of any hearing loss. Maybe it's because I'm used to it, but I don't even notice it 99% of the time. But, if things are really quiet (at night, usually) - it's a problem. I've not slept without a fan running in the room for at least 20 years. Does the trick for me.

There's also CD's available that contain "white noise" that are supposed to accomplish the same thing my fan does, but I've not tried that. I stick with what works. I've always thought of the tinnitus thing as the hearing version of 'floaters' with the eyes - occasionally annoying, but rarely noticeable once you're used to it.
 
Like Onkwood, I've had it most of my life, maybe all. I know I had it by the time I was 10. Mine is not the result of too much loud music. It's just there.

Most of the time I don't even think about it . . . unless someone brings it up. Thanks. :D
 
Yep....got it here too. Sometimes it's worse than others and I'm really susceptible to hearing the high pitch noise that TV's produce. And if that "resonance" matches what my ears constantly do, it's a pain in the ass.
 
Yep.. my ears ring all the time too.. sounds like church is about to begin... never really bothers me though.. guess I'm just used to it.. like others, bed time is the most noticable, but nothing a bottle of wine can't fix :D
 
Alcohol and caffeine increase the effect of tinnitus.

I have it as well, and its pretty bad honestly. I am learning to listen around it. I have had it ever since I can remember. Damaging my hearing is the biggest regret I have ever had.

Eddie, what were you racing? Yours might go away after some time.

Evan
 
I'm hoping it will get a little better as it was definately as a result of exposure to noise- though there is no question that I've not taken care of my hearing the way I should. I'm sure I'm stuck with it to some degree or other.

I autocross my '91 Toyota MR2 in SCCA E Stock. I run a stock exhaust and it's not at all loud, but somehow I lost all three nuts that hold the exhaust to the manifold. Weird. Wasn't loud outside the car, but inside, it was pretty bad. My ears were ringing a lot when I got home and it never really went away.

Oh, and good tips on the alcohol and caffeine. I use a fair bit of caffeine. Been thinking about switching to decaf for a while. Maybe it's time to give it a try.
 
240sx4u said:
Damaging my hearing is the biggest regret I have ever had.
Click to expand...

I don't know about the biggest regret but it ranks right up there.
If you are young and are reading this post. Wear your damn hearing protection. Young doesn't last forever.
 
Hey, I did an internet search after that post 240sx- found this on CNN:

Coping skills

Sometimes symptoms of tinnitus improve with time. Improvement isn't the result of physical changes, because any damage that has occurred to your ears is permanent and irreversible. Instead, many people learn to make adjustments to lessen the symptoms.

Try these techniques for reducing the severity of the noise and increasing your tolerance to it:

Avoid possible irritants. Tinnitus may be aggravated by loud noises, nicotine, caffeine, tonic water, which contains quinine (the same substance as the medication used to treat malaria), alcohol and excessive doses of aspirin. Nicotine and caffeine constrict your blood vessels, increasing the speed of blood flow through your veins and arteries. Alcohol increases the force of your blood by dilating your blood vessels, causing greater blood flow, especially in the inner ear area.
Cover up the noise. In a quiet setting, a fan, soft music or low-volume radio static may help mask the noise from tinnitus. For some people, tinnitus maskers — devices similar in appearance to hearing aids that produce a pleasant noise — may help.
Wear a hearing aid. If tinnitus is accompanied by hearing loss, hearing aids can amplify outside sounds, possibly making the tinnitus noise less obvious.
Manage stress. Stress can make tinnitus worse. Stress management, whether through relaxation therapy, biofeedback or exercise, may provide some relief.
 
If I have it, it's very slight.

It always sounds like a high pitched tone. So high pitched it's almost ultra sonic, and it's very faint. I'd have to be in a quiet room to notice it. I've had it since as far back as I can remember.

I can also hear high pitched sounds. The scanning noise from the TV isn't very high pitched compared to some of the things I've heard.
 
Only when I read about it.

Onkwood said:
Yep. I've had tinnitus for as long as I can remember, but no indication of any hearing loss. Maybe it's because I'm used to it, but I don't even notice it 99% of the time. But, if things are really quiet (at night, usually) - it's a problem. I've not slept without a fan running in the room for at least 20 years. Does the trick for me.

There's also CD's available that contain "white noise" that are supposed to accomplish the same thing my fan does, but I've not tried that. I stick with what works. I've always thought of the tinnitus thing as the hearing version of 'floaters' with the eyes - occasionally annoying, but rarely noticeable once you're used to it.
Click to expand...

Pretty much the same here, floaters and all. I was about 38 when the ringing arrived. Right ear first, then the left. I can still remember the weirdness when the left one started ringing. :sadwave: I too, have been using a fan at night for over 20 years that does wipe it out. I think my hearing is otherwise normal for an old fart.

I've only been to two rock concerts in my life, so that ain't the cause. It's a mystery, but I won't be giving up my Bulleit Bourbon or my coffee just yet. :beerchug:
 
Oh, yeah-Caffiene is a BIG-TIME kicker for ear-ringing...I was downing like 4,5 cups BEFORE lunch, & had allsorts of Tweety-Birds in my head... cut it out, had a terrific headache for a day or 2, but the Tweetys went away, too..
 
Sandy G said:
Oh, yeah-Caffiene is a BIG-TIME kicker for ear-ringing...I was downing like 4,5 cups BEFORE lunch, & had allsorts of Tweety-Birds in my head... cut it out, had a terrific headache for a day or 2, but the Tweetys went away, too..
Click to expand...

Thanks for that post Sandy! I'm going to give it a try. I tried cold turkey once before and made it to noon the second day before I couldn't stand the headache anymore. I think I'll try to ween myself off of it and see if it helps. But I suspect if it doesn't I'll get right back on the coffee kick.

Thanks,

Ed
 
Never mind the tinnitus!

Sandy G said:
Oh, yeah-Caffiene is a BIG-TIME kicker for ear-ringing...I was downing like 4,5 cups BEFORE lunch, & had allsorts of Tweety-Birds in my head... cut it out, had a terrific headache for a day or 2, but the Tweetys went away, too..
Click to expand...

IS THAT YOUR CAR?!!!!! (in the avatar)

I was always in love with the "suicide door" Lincoln Continentals!

If so, I'm sure you take good care of it. :thmbsp:
 
I dont suffer (yet) I'm 34 and for most of my adult life time of performing and listening to loud music, as well as some industrial noise, I guess I'm lucky. I have heard from sufferers that Ginko Biloba extract works. Could be worth a try, can get it from health food stores
 
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