Tinnitus

[briansbrew]

55 minutes ago, Bolo said:

It's psychological really. Or at least how much it gets to you is. 

Everything you can do to enjoy a wholesome life helps against how irritating the tinnitus is. Sleep well, eat healthy, de-stress, improve your fitness, reduce alcohol/caffeine/nicotine/fastfood, enjoy music and company. The better you feel the less your ears will bother you.

Mindfulness or meditation and cognitive behavioural sciences seem to help a lot of people with getting some grip on the situation.

Everything you mentioned above @Bolo is my goal as I head towards retirement after Christmas, and hopefully these recommendations will take me to a better place so that I can enjoy my spare time with my favourite hobby, fixing up basses and a little bit of playing of course

[el borracho]

On 09/08/2021 at 13:30, PaulWarning said:

I've got a friend who got when he fell over in the bathroom and banged his head on the toilet bowl

 

Really glad I read this thread. About a month ago I suddenly developed bad tinnitus in my left ear. I've had high pitched ringing in both ears for years but this is much louder, lower in pitch and variable in volume. I've worn ear plugs for 25 years but assumed it was down to the band I've recently started rehearsing with - I've even been trying different ear plugs the last couple of weeks. I couldn't understand why the sudden inexplicable change.

 

Then I read the above quote & a realisation came over me.

 

I suffered a head injury last month when I split my forehead open by whacking it off a rock while walking in the Lakes (loads of blood/concussion/Ambulance/ A&E/ stitches etc) & that's when it started. It never occurred to me there was any link between tinnitus & head injuries.... you learn something every day!

[BillyBass]

Our drummer wore ear plugs for the first time at our rehearsal yesterday, so possibly my acquisition of tinnitus will have helped to stop or postpone someone else getting it.  

[Rothko]

Anyone noticed a correlation between tinnitus and using headphones? I have had some in my left ear for years that I can manage to ignore most of the time. But after using headphones, even at very low volume, the tinnitus seems to become more obvious – either because the headphones actually make it worse, or because it just becomes more clearly audible with cans.

Either way, I'm very cautious about using headphones, much as I'd like to use them as my main practice source.

[MGBrown]

2 minutes ago, Rothko said:

Anyone noticed a correlation between tinnitus and using headphones?

Yes. I find it difficult to judge volume levels on headphones especially if they are of high quality. I do try to keep levels down but it's difficult! 

[dmccombe7]

Cant say i've noticed any link with headphones. I use mine a lot with my laptop but to be fair i dont use at high volume. Usually just enough to hear things.

I'll keep an eye on it now that you've mentioned it.

Dave

[briansbrew]

16 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

Cant say i've noticed any link with headphones. I use mine a lot with my laptop but to be fair i dont use at high volume. Usually just enough to hear things.

I'll keep an eye on it now that you've mentioned it.

Dave

That was one of my worries too as I use headphones when practicing along with tracks at home, but I usually keep them slightly above my ears, hopefully this is fine 

[Downunderwonder]

When I hear some kid's music clear as day as he walks by with his earbuds cranked I think to myself there goes a future case of messed up hearing.

[vinorange]

Open back headphones are apparently better for tinnitus sufferers as some of the sound naturally escapes and, as you’re aware of the background volume, you can set the level better. With sealed  / closed back headphones the sound pressure level can get high without realising it. The only trouble with open back headphones is that they sort of defeat the object of silent practice. When I rehearse with headphones on I only have them half over my ears.

[Dood]

Just bumping this topic.

 

At what point is Tinnitus too much? At what point do you decide that it being any louder, more impinging that you no longer risk more damage?

 

If you know a certain thing exacerbates it and it continues to get worse, is it time to heed the warnings and cease? Even if that very thing is necessary to doing what you do, playing live for example.

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[dmccombe7]

Interesting question @Dood.

At moment mine is not overly intrusive.

If something was making it worse and i couldn't protect my hearing from it i'd seriously consider stopping whatever it was.

If that meant giving up playing in loud bands then yes i'd stop without hesitation.

From what i know Tinnitus can get worse with age but i've also read that as you get older your brain adapts to the frequencies its not hearing and begins to cope with it. Afraid i have no experience of that. 

I actually notice mine more now in the car since moving from a noisy 3 litre diesel pick up to the Volvo V90 because its very quiet inside. I never heard it when driving my pick up.

At bedtime i just think of other things and i dont notice it.

There's so many different views on this its hard to know what's right so i tend to go with common sense ideas like earplugs at loud gigs etc.

Dave

Edited September 26, 2021 by dmccombe7

[Owen]

1 hour ago, Dood said:

Just bumping this topic.

 

At what point is Tinnitus too much? At what point do you decide that it being any louder, more impinging that you no longer risk more damage?

 

If you know a certain thing exacerbates it and it continues to get worse, is it time to heed the warnings and cease? Even if that very thing is necessary to doing what you do, playing live for example.

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Mine is beginning to get to a stage where I am wondering about making significant changes. I do not want to make significant changes, but I am wondering if I have a choice. It is getting worse. It is in no way life changingly bad, but I can see reaching a stage where I would change things in retrospect, and it makes sense to actually make the changes now.

[SteveK]

1 hour ago, Dood said:

Just bumping this topic.

 

At what point is Tinnitus too much? At what point do you decide that it being any louder, more impinging that you no longer risk more damage?

 

If you know a certain thing exacerbates it and it continues to get worse, is it time to heed the warnings and cease? Even if that very thing is necessary to doing what you do, playing live for example.

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I've played and attended loud shows for more than 50 years, played professionally for nearly 45 years, and not had a noticeable problem until about 5 or 6 years ago. Until then, I cockily thought that I'd got away with it. The permanent tinnitus appeared to happen after one particular show, although ear damage had probably been building up over many years.

 

To answer your question:

My tinnitus is at the point, where, any louder it would be extremely difficult to live with. I try to be philosophical about it, and think that it is the result of many incredibly enjoyable shows, some great times in my life, and a hazard of the trade that has been my living and life - it's my equivalent of "the old shrapnel wound"! Of course, I'd rather not have the constant noise in my ears, but, it is what it is! I wouldn't change a thing... other than maybe starting to use earplugs sooner. Hindsight, eh?

I'm not ready to retire, and fully intend carrying on with playing live shows.  The only difference now being the wearing of custom earplugs. The gigs are a little less enjoyable, but at 66 I guess it's time to be responsible😨

[chris_b]

When I noticed more tinnitus I upgraded my ACS plugs from ER17's to Pro26's. That's done the trick for now.

 

I am being told at home that the TV is too loud. I guess that's a bad sign!!!

[dmccombe7]

Altho i have tinnitus my hearing is still ok. Had hearing tests every 2 yrs and was told it was above average for my age.

Since i retired in 2016 i have done on line tests and they show the same results. I have one frequency in my right ear that is lower than others and specialist reckons it was caused by motorbikes in 80's. He told me it was not down to loud music because of the frequency and he was confused why only one ear enough so i had to go for an MRI to check nothing physically wrong. It was clear.

Since retiring i have noticed it more but that's probably because i live in countryside and no more background work noise.

Dave

[Owen]

3 hours ago, Dood said:

If you know a certain thing exacerbates it and it continues to get worse, is it time to heed the warnings and cease? Even if that very thing is necessary to doing what you do, playing live for example.

Ultimately, something will need to change.

Is that cool? Nope.

Is making it worse avoidable? Yes.

Will you look back as a 70 year old with screaming tinnitus and think "yeah, gigging, totally worth it"? Only you can answer that.

For me, the joy of playing unprotected dissapears as soon as I realise that I have upped my Tinnitus by a notch.

[ezbass]

I have some weird things going with my stomach/throat/ears. Lots of discomfort, mostly burning sensations. The stomach is well on the mend, but the throat and ears are a bit miserable to be honest. Outside of the discomfort, my tinnitus has definitely gone up a few notches and I’ve lost more top end. Seeing the audiologist on Thursday and have an MRI booked in 2 weeks time to rule out any nasties in the ENT department. It’s not been great  .

[Bolo]

Even if you play music where it's expected to be at harmful level in the audience, there's no need for that on stage. Eliminate cabs on stage. See if you can get transparent screens around the drums or get the drummer to use quieter materials.

 

As musicians we are at the root of improving quality everywhere we play.

[SteveK]

8 minutes ago, Bolo said:

Even if you play music where it's expected to be at harmful level in the audience, there's no need for that on stage. Eliminate cabs on stage. See if you can get transparent screens around the drums or get the drummer to use quieter materials.

 

As musicians we are at the root of improving quality everywhere we play.

That all sounds very sensible😉

[Dood]

Thank you all so much for your responses, I hear you loud and clear, it's certainly making me think about my next move. I've actually been on IEMs alone for live music and ear plugs (or my own private ambient system) for rehearsals, but this hasn't been enough to keep things under control. Even for the last two years I have operated a silent stage save for the acoustic drums.

 

I genuinely fear the worsening of my Tinnitus and it could signal some very depressing and dramatic changes in my musical life. Even now, the howling is very disruptive.

[dmccombe7]

Sorry to hear that @Dood.  Especially when you've made the effort to protect your hearing. 

Mine seems to be worse at moment as ambient weather seems to affect it plus i have some sinus issues at moment again related to weather up here.

Think its more to do with the sudden changes from 20oC the other day to 5oC this morning.

Dave

[Bolo]

1 hour ago, Dood said:

Thank you all so much for your responses, I hear you loud and clear, it's certainly making me think about my next move. I've actually been on IEMs alone for live music and ear plugs (or my own private ambient system) for rehearsals, but this hasn't been enough to keep things under control. Even for the last two years I have operated a silent stage save for the acoustic drums.

 

I genuinely fear the worsening of my Tinnitus and it could signal some very depressing and dramatic changes in my musical life. Even now, the howling is very disruptive.

The noise load may not be the major issue. Can you talk to someone regarding CBT or tinnitus related mindfulness therapy? Maybe you can get a better grip on how much it gets to disrupt you.

[SteveK]

2 hours ago, Dood said:

Thank you all so much for your responses, I hear you loud and clear, it's certainly making me think about my next move. I've actually been on IEMs alone for live music and ear plugs (or my own private ambient system) for rehearsals, but this hasn't been enough to keep things under control. Even for the last two years I have operated a silent stage save for the acoustic drums.

 

I genuinely fear the worsening of my Tinnitus and it could signal some very depressing and dramatic changes in my musical life. Even now, the howling is very disruptive.

Assuming that your IEMs are operated at normally safe levels, the text I've highlighted suggests that your tinnitus may not necessarily be a result of loud noise. Maybe a trip to the doc's would be advisable.

 

While I've never used IEMs myself, I've worked with many professionals... and singers😉 who have. Invariably the professionals say that they have to be used properly, ie: Not half in - half out; Not just in one ear; Problems can arise when using IEMs in addition to on stage monitors; etc

 

Edit: Just seen Bolo's post.

Edited September 29, 2021 by SteveK

[Dood]

I really appreciate all the replies and messages of support, you are all amazing, thank you. I will read them all properly, I've been tending to my rather poorly daughter these last couple of days though.

[dmccombe7]

1 hour ago, Dood said:

I really appreciate all the replies and messages of support, you are all amazing, thank you. I will read them all properly, I've been tending to my rather poorly daughter these last couple of days though.

Jings hope she's ok.

Tinnitus pales into insignificance when kids are unwell.

Maybe the stress is making it worse. I know when i'm stressed my tinnitus seems worse.

Dave