14-Year-Old with Tinnitus Caused by Headphone Usage

[TinH]

Hi,

I recently about a week ago started having high pitched noise in my ear which I now know as tinnitus. I think this is caused by me listening to my headphones for too long which I have done for the past 2 years.

I was wondering as I am only 14, if it is possible for my ears to heal, if I stop listening to loud noises such as stop using headphones?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Digital Doc]

Yes healing is certainly possible, but it is a slow process that can take months to years. You need to stop listening with the earbuds and earphones right away to not have further damage. Also avoid further exposure to loud noises, especially rocks concerts and clubs. Look into hearing protection as well and use it religiously when using power equipment, and other loud exposures.

 

[Hazel]

Hi there,

While I don't know whether there's any hard evidence on this, it seems only logical to assume that a young person is more likely to recover from tinnitus than an older person. Particularly since your tinnitus has only been there for a week; there is a good chance it will go away.

But you must indeed take very good care of your ears from now on. Even if your tinnitus goes away, the fact that you have it now means you will always be vulnerable to it.

Finally, and I know this is very difficult, try not to stress too much. The more anxious you are about your tinnitus, the more it will start to bother you, and this can become a vicious cycle. Many of us have experienced that, over time, even if your tinnitus does not go away, it becomes less bothersome as you learn to focus your attention elsewhere.

All the best to you

 

[Vincent R]

There is a good chance that your tinnitus will quiet down over time, but you need to take precautions.

Don't use headphones or earphones ever again. Only listen to music via external speakers on a moderate level.

Don't attend very loud events like concerts or clubs of firework shows. Your ears are likely to suffer further damage.

If you decide to attend semi-loud events, consider to wear earplugs. It's very important that you insert them properly. They are to go inside your inner ear canal:

Don't use earplugs that looks like this:

Because they don't work. Stick to conventional foam earplugs.

 

[TinH]

I went to my GP today and they said that this is actually more likely to do with a viral infection of having a damp ear drum. It was something to do with mucus from a viral infection blocking part of the ear drum that is causing the ringing and it might not be the headphones.

Does this mean if my tinnitus is caused by a viral infection, it will go away eventually?