Between The Wheels

Between The Wheels => General Discussion => Topic started by: Slim on March 11, 2022, 12:09:28 PM

Title: Tinnitus
Post by: Slim on March 11, 2022, 12:09:28 PM
I think I've got tinnitus. It's subtle, but there's an ever-present faint electronic hissing sound in both ears. I can't even remember when it started; I went to a gig a couple of weeks ago and I think I knew I had it then, but I forgot about it and didn't take ear plugs.

It's very like the slight ringing in your ears that persisted a couple of days after a Motorhead gig.

It's not really distracting, it doesn't prevent me from sleeping, I'm not suffering any hearing loss and I can hear conversations as normal without any trouble. I'm most aware of it in the morning when I wake up. Most of the time I'm not consciously aware of it; it's just there like the sound from my computer fan, or air-conditioning, or the humming of a fridge.

From what my Google research tells me there's a chance it will go away, but I have a feeling it won't. I'll probably never hear complete silence again. But I'll be careful not to listen to music at excess volumes.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: David L on March 11, 2022, 12:44:19 PM
Quote from: Slim on March 11, 2022, 12:09:28 PMI think I've got tinnitus. It's subtle, but there's an ever-present faint electronic hissing sound in both ears. I can't even remember when it started; I went to a gig a couple of weeks ago and I think I knew I had it then, but I forgot about it and didn't take ear plugs.

It's very like the slight ringing in your ears that persisted a couple of days after a Motorhead gig.

It's not really distracting, it doesn't prevent me from sleeping, I'm not suffering any hearing loss and I can hear conversations as normal without any trouble. I'm most aware of it in the morning when I wake up. Most of the time I'm not consciously aware of it; it's just there like the sound from my computer fan, or air-conditioning, or the humming of a fridge.

From what my Google research tells me there's a chance it will go away, but I have a feeling it won't. I'll probably never hear complete silence again. But I'll be careful not to listen to music at excess volumes.
Sorry to hear that. I hope it's only temporary.

I've tried ear plugs at gigs but they were rubbish, I just didn't like what they did to the sound. Maybe I should've persevered. I'm careful at home to not listen to music at high volumes, especially as most of my listening is on headphones.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Nick on March 11, 2022, 01:48:07 PM
Had high pitched tinnitus for many many years. Never goes, I just put up with it, it's a high pitched electronic sound, like the sound an old telly would make on switching off.I actually think its from my brain rather than my ears.

Tried reverse pitch settings on my headphones/ zinc tablets etc but nothing works. I can put up with it but I always question what I am missing from my hearing, but hearing tests have been ok. One of the worst aspects I find is that if I am in a crowd of loud talkers the sound gets jumbled and I struggle to pick up individual conversation.

I blame it on Loud gigs.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Fishy on March 11, 2022, 01:57:09 PM
My wife reckons her's started after a Rush show.... Doesn't bother her too much just a constant hum sometimes when there's no other noise...
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Slim on March 11, 2022, 01:58:24 PM
Quote from: Nick on March 11, 2022, 01:48:07 PMHad high pitched tinnitus for many many years. Never goes, I just put up with it, it's a high pitched electronic sound, like the sound an old telly would make on switching off.

That's it exactly! Sorry to hear. Mine is not bothering me at all at the moment, in fact there's something almost comforting about it, hard to explain.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: captainkurtz on March 11, 2022, 04:14:12 PM
I've worn earplugs at select gigs since R30.  The volume of those shows up until Glasgow was stupid. 

Whoever said 'if it's too loud, you're too old' deserves a slap.

I have a mild ringing too.  I sleep with foam earplugs which subconsciously help.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Rufus_the_dawg on March 11, 2022, 05:13:00 PM
me too Cardiacs gig.

stress does not help, Slim you have been busy doing this web site? Plenty of sleep and rest does help, I hardly listen to my stereo because that can set if off and if I do its at low volumes. One off loud banging noises can set if off like a hammer on a nail, also I have noticed when I have exercised a lot and am knackered the next day is bad but that could be the sound of gun explosion of the squash ball been hit hard.

I have also noticed it can go away if I am careful, it can get worse if you worry about it, I listen to the radio so I don't have to hear my ears ringing.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Nickslikk2112 on March 11, 2022, 09:27:16 PM
I've got a constant high pitched sound in my ears. Had it years. When I worked at a Chemical Works, we got an annual medical, the company invested in a high tech hearing testing booth. The results of my test were - INDUSTRIAL DEAFNESS. The Doctor couldn't fathom out why an office worker had INDUSTRIAL DEAFNESS.

I didn't mention about sticking my head in Motorhead's bass bins on the Bomber tour...
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: David L on March 12, 2022, 02:17:24 PM
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 11, 2022, 09:27:16 PMI've got a constant high pitched sound in my ears. Had it years. When I worked at a Chemical Works, we got an annual medical, the company invested in a high tech hearing testing booth. The results of my test were - INDUSTRIAL DEAFNESS. The Doctor couldn't fathom out why an office worker had INDUSTRIAL DEAFNESS.

I didn't mention about sticking my head in Motorhead's bass bins on the Bomber tour...
Stone Deaf Forever
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Slim on April 14, 2022, 11:09:49 AM
So I was at a BSP gig last night, I took earplugs but I was slightly concerned to find that they didn't diminish the volume very much once I'd put them in. They did seem to attenuate some of the higher frequencies.

My ears are hissing a bit now but I hope that will did down a bit over the next 24 hrs.

I do have more powerful earplugs, the ones I used to use for shooting years ago. But they would have cut out a lot of the sound. They actually make you virtually deaf for most intents and purposes.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Rufus_the_dawg on April 14, 2022, 08:12:42 PM
Quote from: Slim on April 14, 2022, 11:09:49 AMSo I was at a BSP gig last night, I took earplugs but I was slightly concerned to find that they didn't diminish the volume very much once I'd put them in. They did seem to attenuate some of the higher frequencies.

My ears are hissing a bit now but I hope that will did down a bit over the next 24 hrs.

I do have more powerful earplugs, the ones I used to use for shooting years ago. But they would have cut out a lot of the sound. They actually make you virtually deaf more most intents and purposes.

Oh dear, lets hope it dies down soon. your experience puts me off going to gigs.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Matt2112 on April 17, 2022, 09:41:18 PM
I certainly have tinnitus but generally only notice it when, say, I'm on a walk with the dog and I stop to take in the view in a quiet area. But even then it's not really intrusive.

I wear ear plugs when practising with the band but not during our occasional gigs. The hissing is obviously louder for a while after I've spent a couple of hours with a 4x12 right behind me, a wedge monitor in front of me and a large drum kit just to my left. And a screaming crowd, of course. ;) ;D

Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Slim on April 17, 2022, 10:19:07 PM
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 14, 2022, 08:12:42 PMOh dear, lets hope it dies down soon. your experience puts me off going to gigs.

It has actually died down to the usual level again, so perhaps the earplugs did help. However I will try a slightly more powerful pair next time.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Rufus_the_dawg on April 17, 2022, 10:49:05 PM
Quote from: Slim on April 17, 2022, 10:19:07 PM
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 14, 2022, 08:12:42 PMOh dear, lets hope it dies down soon. your experience puts me off going to gigs.

It has actually died down to the usual level again, so perhaps the earplugs did help. However I will try a slightly more powerful pair next time.

It would be worth it.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: The Letter R on April 18, 2022, 09:57:29 AM
My wife has had tinnitus for a few years now. She has issues in crowded situations where a lot of conversations are going on. She doesn't do that many gigs anymore but really enjoys live music so she has to be careful.
There have been some recent studies linking covid and the vaccines with increased numbers of people getting tinnitus or making it worse.
Unfortunately there is no cure although as someone else mentioned stress can make it worse.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Slim on April 22, 2022, 09:31:56 AM
I did wear a different pair of earplugs last night at another Sea Power gig; they did attenuate the higher frequencies noticeably without spoiling the fun. My ears aren't "ringing" this morning though I do have the usual background hiss.

Interestingly fatigue definitely makes it worse - the morning after a long bike ride for example, or after a late night it's definitely more apparent.

So far though it doesn't really bother me - I can still hear normally and it's not intrusive.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Thenop on April 22, 2022, 10:59:04 AM
Been drumming for ages and soon fond out I needed l[lugs to make it over 20 without hearing damage. Still, it is there, the high pithced beep that is. I listen to a lot of music with headphones or in-ears as well but it mostly bothers me in large(r) rooms when people are talking. I find I am having more difficulty understanding what people say, it frequency loss I guess.
It bothers me on and off, when stressed it execerbates, when I am tired as well. But when relaxed it is there but I hardly notice it. Something I need to learn to live with, I guess.
Title: Re: Tinnitus
Post by: Rufus_the_dawg on April 23, 2022, 03:55:25 AM
Yes try to get good nights sleep...says me posting at 3.55!