EarPlugs to Sleep

Hi
Before my T started, I used to used earplugs every night, since I am a light sleeper and any noise disturbed my sleep, then, T started and obviously using earplugs at night for sleeping was impossible since it made it sound louder..
after a while, few months, I did start using then again on and off, but sometimes it is not possible , it depends of the loudness of the T.
To be honest with you, If I could used earplugs every night as before T, it would not be a problem for me. During the day doesn't bother me that much, I am busy with work, etc,etc,etc.. but at night is the problem, what do I do? if I don't use earplugs any noise is going to disturb my sleep, and if I use them..is hell..because the noise gets louder..
sometimes I think it was actually the fact that I have used earplugs for years at night what brought my T, but I have spoken to my specialist about it and they say is unlikely the cause.
If I had a deep sleep , like some people I know..tinnitus would not be a problem at all.
anyone have this problems with earplugs at night?

 

Same story here. After my T started, I have found great help from rain fall sounds during night. They not only mask your T but outside noises as well. Give it a go for example via this great app. iPhone / iPad built-in speakers are enough for this. If my T would disappear today, I would still continue to use this!

http://rain.simplynoise.com/

 

Hi Marian, maybe worth trying to improve the quality of your sleep instead of using earplugs?

I recommend magnesium (best types are chelated, citrate etc, avoid oxide forms because of poor absorption) an hour before sleep, it really does help improve sleep quality, I also take zinc, also good for sleep. Also avoid caffeine to near to bedtime, personally I can't drink coffee anytime of the day because it causes awful sleep for me, I can handle tea a lot better.

 

I cannot recommend prolonged use of the foam-type earplugs. They cause irritation and inflammation. And they do not allow the inner ear to "breathe". Using earplugs repeatedly upsets the ecosystem inside the ear.

 

I use earplugs to sleep also and have since I was around 15 years old, I'm 31 now. My tinnitus is caused by a neurological disease that also affects my vision so I know wearing earplugs is not the cause of my tinnitus, by the way.

I still wear earplugs to sleep even though they do make the tinnitus sound louder. I just try and not care about my tinnitus, I noticed something last night actually, as I was laying in bed I realized with my earplugs in I could hear the sound of my own breathing and heartbeat and that I had just never thought or cared about this noise before. Realizing that made me realize I could habituate to the tinnitus.

 

before my T, I used the foam type of earplugs, for ages, and I never had a problem, with infection of itchy ears,..now, when I use them, I used the silicone ones, I find them much better for different reasons, specially they do not go very far down the ear canal like the foam ones, and also I find they reduce the outside noise much more than the foam..only thing is that, ever since my T started, whenever I use the earplugs for days on a row..my ears itch like hell..which didn't happed before..
I also hear the sound of my own breathing when I use the earplugs but that never bothered me, on the contrary , I find it relaxing.
I am exploring EFT. or tapping..see what happen..

 

hi mick1987

thanks for the vitamins advise..I will definitely try them..

 

Hi, not sure if you will get to read this as I know you posted several months ago, but I've just been going through the forum and seen your post. It's such a relief to find someone else who seems to have T because of extended earplug use. I know you were not sure last year whether the T was earplug related or not but according to my consultant it could be...The reason being that restricting your hearing at night makes your ears harder to hear, thus making them ultra sensitive to noise. I wore earplugs for about 6 years, maybe more, and not even normal foam ones but noise reducing earphones (which are amazing at keeping noise out by the way). Now I have a kind of distorted noise, a white noise really whenever there's a loud noise or whenever I talk loudly. The consultant seems to think that not wearing earplugs will eventually get my ears to operate normally. I'd love to know if your T has improved.

 

Try using white noise while sleeping. Once you get used to it, it will help mask any other noises. I used it when I first got t. My wife wasn't a fan at first. But now she's the one who wants it on at night!

 

I find foam to be incredibly uncomfortable. Wax always seems to fall out.