StefanTerpstra

When I started as a musician in the 80s, I played in a band and spent a lot of time on music. After that, I was allowed to study at the conservatory, as a pianist of pop and jazz music. Between the ages of 15 and 30, I did little to protect myself. Fortunately, I started to wear earplugs around the age of thirty. Yet I have been suffering from tinnitus for about 15 years. The left ear is sensitive to noise. Furthermore, I hear a hiss and sometimes a beep around 1khz. My right ear is fine.
To deal with tinnitus, I use hearing protection. Furthermore, the ZEM hearing protection helps with hypersensitivity. Sometimes I use masking techniques. Fortunately, there are still days or weeks that I hardly suffer from it. When I'm stressed, tired, or both, my ears become sensitive and I can get irritated very easily. The fact that I no longer have 8 hours of noise around me has also helped enormously. I have learned to live with it, but I must add that tinnitus has been one of the reasons that I have chosen a different profession. I stopped teaching music and I don't perform anymore. Music has become a hobby again, which I am honestly very happy with.

I have two daughters and am married. Besides music, drawing and swimming are my hobbies. I also like to read. Together we provide enough rest for myself and our family.