Should I Change Careers?

Hello everyone,
I’ve got a bit of a dilemma and need some advice. I’m currently working as an apprentice electrician about 3 years in to my apprenticeship, I love the job and it has great pay and benefits but the problem is my tinnitus increased 6 months ago to be rather intrusive with multiple tones in each ear from a build up of fluid in my middle ear. I’ve gotten to a place where I’m fairly habituated while I’m at home but at work it’s rather bothersome because I have to wear hearing protection almost constantly since I’m on construction sites.

It really brings me down being trapped in with it like that and although it wasn’t caused from acoustic trauma I’m absolutely paranoid it’s going to get worse being in this line of work even with hearing protection. I really hate the thought of giving up this career after I’ve been working at it so long but I’m starting to think this might be the best option for my health and since I’m only 25 with no kids I suppose now would be the easiest time to do it.

I was thinking of moving into a drafting job if I can find one as my experience could benefit me and I would be in a quiet environment so no worries about hearing damage.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice/ thinks it would be wise to change jobs ? Thank you

 

I think you are absolutely right to consider changing careers. The reality is that exposure to loud noise does make tinnitus worse and that even the best hearing protection can't protect from prolonged exposure to very loud levels of sound. The good news is that from what you have said you are still young and don't have kids currently so now is the best time to make a change rather than several years down the line when your tinnitus has got worst.

 

If it’s affecting your health and T and due to being on a building site with noise, constant vibrations etc you might want to consider as in the long run it could (but not definitely) increase your T.

I know you said you enjoy your job which is great btw not many do, it comes down to wether you want to carry on doing what you love and risk it affecting your overall health in the long run or maybe look for the other job you mentioned. It’s sad if you do have to leave your job but you need to do what’s best for you.

In my opinion I would look to change career as I couldn’t work in a place that affects my T if there was a chance of making it worse as that would affect my overall mental health as well (but don’t take this as you have to as I would never tell anybody to do something only give them my thoughts)
I’m sure you will be fine going forward and where one door closes another one opens and all that haha
Keep us posted on what you decide and hope it all works out for you man.

 

Did you have this fluid in the middle ear issue checked out with a doctor Thomas? Do you still have that problem?

Yes this is a very good profession! Would you always have to be on active construction sites?

 

Thank you for the responses, I really appreciate it. I just needed to hear the opinions of fellow T sufferers who know how debilitating it can be, my family is very supportive but they don’t quite understand and think I’m making a knee jerk reaction. I think I’m going to try and make the jump for the fact I couldn’t deal with the idea I contributed to making it worse if it got to that point. @Starthrower I’ve had my ears checked by multiple ents who can’t figure out what’s going on, the fluid did clear but the symptoms remained, I still have excacerbated tinnitus plus my ears crackle and feel full on and off. I also had some dizziness but that seems to have resolved. I would atleast have to remain on construction sites for the rest of my apprenticeship and after that I would likely still use loud power tools throughout the day unless I could get into the office side of things. That was my original plan but I’m to the point I can’t make it that far unfortunately.
Thanks again for the responses!

 

Does not seems like you have actual damage inside the ears - with good hearing protection you should be fine

 

I went to a fairly known ENT, publishes research, the whole deal... He told me sometimes he sees construction workers with perfect hearing, and sometimes someone will come into his office and say he/she was passing by a construction site and thinks the sound damaged him. He told me a lot of what we think we know about Tinnitus is still a mystery.

I learned that the best I can do is to try to live a full life without freaking out too much. If you wear hearing protection and you like your job, I would say you're lucky to have a job you like. If you feel you'll be going to be freaking out all the time and not really enjoy your job, then, I would say for you to at least think a little better on the subject.

I've met people with Tinnitus who shoot guns, play live music and others who have regular "boring" jobs. In the end, it's all about what you're going to do with your life.

The only 100% sure thing I can tell you is that if it's loud, you should protect yourself. Other than that, it's up to you.

Best,
Zug

 

Something important to keep in mind are the dimensions of the space in which you work. if it is a small place, the reflective waves arrive with greater intensity to your body, whereas if the space is large, the intensity decreases drastically. It seems logical but many times we do not consider it. in my case, I ended up going from my job (I was also 25 at the time) because I FEEL that it was bad for me to be there. So this is about how you feel about yourself, regardless of what the ENT says

 

I would advise staying in the job you love, and taking good precautions like you already are, with your ears.
I know what you mean when you say the ear protection increases the volume and awareness to your T. It probably always will to a degree, but you will become more and more used to it.
I almost gave up riding my motorcycle because of the impact of wearing earplugs had on me in the earlier days. But I got used to it over time.
I would be a shame to make a permanent change because of a temporary problem.