Anyone else got tinnitus? Or other hearing problems?

Surferdude · **November 20, 2011, 07:29:03**

Seems like at least three of us suffer from it.
The topic came up in the thread on sound proofing.
I understand it can be quite debilitating and cause some serious mental stress. Fortunately although constant, it doesn't worry me like that.
A lifetime spent working with compressed air (plastics factories then tyre places) and driving noisy rally cars all night seem to have caught up with me - about 10 years ago.

Dazzler · **Reply #1: November 20, 2011, 08:43:37**

Fortunately I haven't got it yet (although I am close to needing a hearing aid

However, apparently my late Stepdad had it quite badly and it made him a nervous wreck with no tolerence for noises (so I sympathise with you)

Mike · **Reply #2: November 20, 2011, 09:31:26**

My Tinnitus is mostly in my left ear and is at roughly 2-3 KHz. It's not too bad but is affected by noise at the same frequency depending how loud it is, my ears then tend to ring. My left ear rings with the tire noise at 50 - 60 MPH. I would then have difficulty hearing other people in the car or the radio clearly. The same thing happens at noisy parties with everyone talking, I struggle to hear the person across the table.

I bought some custom made ear plugs for when I go to concerts as the music is so loud I just hear a horrible screaching sound in the mid range. It's nice to be at home where I'm in control of the volume. The audiologist when I had the moulds made did a hearing test. Although my left ear is slightly worse than my right she said I have normal hearing. she showed me the results and explained I could hear better than the average person. If she had done a different test without plain, quiet test tones and added lost of harsh mid range noise I wouldn't have done so well.

Its strange I can hear a pin drop in my quiet house and can appreciate the highest of highs but cant hear someone talking with a bit of background noise. I also suffer a bit with my balance and can stagger sometimes. Lifts or elevators don't help either.

Surferdude · **Reply #3: November 20, 2011, 09:44:49**

Have fixed the topic title to widen things a bit.

AlanHo · **Reply #4: November 20, 2011, 09:45:22**

I have suffered from tinnitius for quite a few years - possibly brought on by working in (offices) in a rolling mill.

I started using hearing aids about 5 years ago and now only notice the tinnitus when I am not wearing them. The audiologist explained that in my case, hearing loss at the higher frequencies causes my brain to "strain" to hear the sound which results in pseudo noise being generated within the brain. I am at present sitting at the computer without my hearing aids and the tinnitus is quite bad. It will subside when I start wearing them.

The only positive thing about hearing problems is that I sometimes don't hear my wife talking at to me.................

Phil №❶ · **Reply #5: November 20, 2011, 09:48:10**

Don't strain yer brain too much.

Dazzler · **Reply #6: November 20, 2011, 09:48:30**

I'm hearing you Alan

As I said in another thread due to my damaged hearing I have issues with establishing the direction that noises or voices are coming from (do others have this issue?)

Phil №❶ · **Reply #7: November 20, 2011, 09:52:08**

Yes, I lost my mobile the other day so I dialled it. I had the car open & could hear it but couldn't locate it. Dialled again & it was 20 feet away in the rubbish recycling bin. They were due to be emptied in 2 days.

constipated · **Reply #8: November 20, 2011, 10:21:17**

Didn't know it was such a common problem. I too have hearing loss, wear aids, and suffer from tinnitus. Can relate to everything mentioned here.

Surferdude · **Reply #9: November 20, 2011, 10:30:47**

I first got tinnitus after a particularly long session on Go Karts at a work conference in about 1995. It lasted a few months and was attributed to a virus/ ear infection disturbed by the g-forces and noise.
It went away and re-appeared in about 2002 and persisted. The audiologist I went to explained that if it was still there in 6 months, it was with me for life.
She explained there were "help groups" for sufferers and did I want her to put me in touch with one.
"Why"? says I.
She explained that some sufferers actually commited suicide.
I've been fortunate. Although it is pretty much equal in both ears, it doesn't worry me. Yet I go crazy at prolonged or repeated noises like snoring, barking dogs etc.
Anyway, I also suffer from high frquency hearing loss which means I can't hear a cat's bell even beside me. And in a crowded room or across a table I'm pretty useless. And lately I notice an issue on the phones at work. Still OK unless the person on the other end rushes through what they're saying.
I guess I'll have to give in to my wife's wishes and get hearing aids.
I'm a cheapskate though and don't want to spend the money.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #10: November 20, 2011, 10:37:41**

No,no,no don't get hearing aids, you won''t have an excuse for not hearing her tell you to put out the trash etc. Surely you can get some mileage or is it kilometerage out of it.

Seriously, when I first got it it created panic type symptoms for a while, I just wanted to run away from it initially. I gave myself a serious talking to and have learned to accept it. I don't enjoy the best of health on several fronts so, tough cheese basically.

neptune · **Reply #11: November 20, 2011, 10:40:23**

yes , I join the above with tinnitus from early years standing next to big band speakers and not being able to hear the next day,...to many years in an engine room with no ear muffs. At one stage it was that bad that I split my head open by banging on a brick wall to try and stop the noise. It was driving me insane. this happened on more than one occassion and once kept me in hospital for fear of concussion. Its not a happy health issue when it is screaming your brains out constantly

Phil №❶ · **Reply #12: November 20, 2011, 10:46:43**

I always wear ear plugs for ANY NOISY operations now, mowing, machinery, etc. I don't want my hearing to deteriorate any further.

neptune

Take comfort that you're not alone. Try to stay in command and remember, it could be worse, you could be paralysed or terminally ill.

2i30s · **Reply #13: November 20, 2011, 10:49:54**

i hadn't come across that T word until now,Ive had a ringing in my ears for as long as i can remember.

if your not looking at me when you speak to me, i cant hear you.

years of loud car engines and engineering shops without hearing protection,obviously that's the cause.

Shambles · **Reply #14: November 20, 2011, 10:57:51**

A local (ie, 400 metres away) railway bridge is being replaced and they've been working on it 24/7 since 12th Sep, due to finish 4th Feb

All day, all night, the background droning of generators echoes in my head. So much so that when I get to work I hear it there too... psychosomatic I think it's called.

No tinnitus or other physical hearing problems tho...

Shambles · **Reply #15: November 20, 2011, 10:57:55**

Did someone say something?

Dazzler · **Reply #16: November 20, 2011, 11:02:42**

Quote from: 847563 on November 20, 2011, 10:46:43

I always wear ear plugs for ANY NOISY operations now, mowing, machinery, etc. I don't want my hearing to deteriorate any further.

Same here (or should that be hear)

Trev.. I don't want hearing aid yet (make me look too old) and like you say they ae expensive little blighters.. (I might have to ask Trish's mum to leave me hers in her will)

2i30s · **Reply #17: November 20, 2011, 11:03:12**

pardon?

Phil №❶ · **Reply #18: November 20, 2011, 11:08:59**

shambles

If it causes that much effect on you, it should be addressed or compensated. I'm surprised you tolerate that intrusion.

2i30s

Yep, you're a sufferer too, welcome to the club.

2i30s · **Reply #19: November 20, 2011, 11:20:25**

Quote from: 847563 on November 20, 2011, 11:08:59

shambles

If it causes that much effect on you, it should be addressed or compensated. I'm surprised you tolerate that intrusion.

2i30s

Yep, you're a sufferer too, welcome to the club.

so I'm blind as a bat, and now as deaf as a post.

constipated · **Reply #20: November 20, 2011, 11:33:16**

I look at people on the train with music blaring out of their earphones just wishing they could be in my shoes and know what it's like with hearing loss. Kind of want to shake them to their senses.

bumpkin · **Reply #21: November 20, 2011, 12:49:22**

I suffered a lot as a child with ear infections and perforated ear drums, I was one of those kids that you used to see with cotton wool sticking out of their ears

These days I have a constant high pitched whine, which does not affect days to day activities but is a real PIA when trying to sleep in a quiet room. Fortunately both Kim and I like the radio on a timer when we go to bed so it's only an issue if I wake up during the night.

So far I have refrained from going to the doc with it, but after a particularly heavy cold recently I have noticed it to be worse and I am wondering if perhaps I should be asking if anything would help?

Phil №❶ · **Reply #22: November 20, 2011, 20:25:43**

Like you, it's more noticeable when the surroundings are very quiet, almost like auto audio level in video recordings. When sound is present, it recedes. There are medications, but I don't think they're very effective, more a placebo effect to make you think you're doing something about it.

Dazzler · **Reply #23: November 20, 2011, 20:27:27**

Don't know if this is any good.. Lots of stuff on the web about it..

http://www.soundtherapy.com.au/v3/tinnitus-and-sound-therapy.html

Phil №❶ · **Reply #24: November 20, 2011, 20:35:12**

I wouldn't hold my breath on that being very effective. I 'm always sceptical when someone says there is no known cause of the disease. How can you fix it if you don't know what broke it. And of course, you have to pay for the treatment first, even if it doesn't work.

Dazzler · **Reply #25: November 21, 2011, 08:26:33**

Quote from: 847563 on November 20, 2011, 20:35:12

I wouldn't hold my breath on that being very effective. I 'm always sceptical when someone says there is no known cause of the disease. How can you fix it if you don't know what broke it. And of course, you have to pay for the treatment first, even if it doesn't work.

I'm hearin' you Phil.. or I would be if I wasn't a bit deaf

kittikat · **Reply #26: November 22, 2011, 11:54:45**

Wow, a real litany of woe here!

For the record, I had meningitis when I was two and have been partially deaf in my right ear ever since. I don't hear so well when there is background noise. I also have the whining noise, but only in my right ear. It does have it's bonus's though. I sleep on my good ear, so in the morning when my husband is whinging about a dog barking or people in the street shouting I just shrug and say 'didn't hear anything' It really annoys him. That, and when the dog whinges to get out, because it is a high pitched whinge not a deep bark I don't hear her. Guess who has to get up? Not me.

Dazzler · **Reply #27: November 22, 2011, 12:05:20**

That's funny kittykat

syecadelic · **Reply #28: November 23, 2011, 09:58:44**

I reckon it will catch up with me, still youthful thankfully, but I think its fair to say loud music in the car, loud music at night clubs and general disregard for my hearing will screw me over. Until then

<-- loud whistling will have to do

Dazzler · **Reply #29: November 23, 2011, 11:14:36**

In hindsight I would have worn ear protection more when using power equipment and been more careful of the sun when I was younger..