Advice Please: Do Earmuffs Really Work?

Hello everyone

I just want to know if wearing Earmuffs is actually effective?

I've had tinnitus for 4 years now, and I recently became tired of being the one that has to kill the vibe and tell my friends that the music is too loud, so I decided to wear earplugs.. which made everything worse.

Now my tinnitus is extremely loud and I think I might have developed hyperacusis too as almost all noises aggravate my tinnitus.

I'm thinking of getting earmuffs to reduce noise since everywhere I go, whether I'm at home, at campus, in the city, in a bus or even sitting and talking with friends, my tinnitus becomes louder. Will the earmuffs help? Or will they make things worse just like the earplugs?

 

Wearing hearing protection is good around extra loud noise (not what your ears are use to daily) but over protection can cause sensitive ears and Hyperacusis.
Music that is excessively loud can still cause problems even with protection through your mastoid bone.
Love glynis

 

Hi Zee, effective against what is the question? If you’re using them all the time then they’ll be effective in making you feel worse and could possibly sensitise your ears. If you’re talking about using them around sustained heavy noise such as a concert, a nightclub, or power tool use than yes, they can be very effective.

Becoming overly reliant on ear protection in unnecessary situations is a bad habit and will likely cause other problems.

 

To be honest, I was planning on wearing them everywhere I go. I mean my ears have become so bad that almost every moderate sound makes my tinnitus worse.

I could be walking down the street and just the sound of the cars could trigger a bad spike. I can't even watch TV, listen to music or watch videos on my phone (even at the lowest volume) without my tinnitus being aggravated. I could be in the student centre on campus, and just the sound of everybody socialising aggravates my tinnitus.

So yes, it's pretty bad. That's why I'm planning on constantly wearing ear muffs where ever I go.

 

If my ears are already sensitive to almost every normal sound, does that not mean I already have hyperacusis?

I totally get what you're saying in terms of over protection, but what other solution do I have if my ears have become sensitive to normal everyday sounds?

 

I think this is a good call. But you might also want to do what you can to avoid loud places. Earmuffs provide a false sense of security. Just because you wear them, doesn't necessarily mean that you will be able to handle loud music.

I don't believe your spike was caused by you wearing earplugs. I think you finally reaped what you sowed (when you placed yourself around loud music), and earplugs proved to not be enough protection.

Listen to what your body is trying to tell you.

 

It sounds like over-protecting your ears has given you hyperacusis. Our ears are not designed to be blocked off all day and down the line it can cause further problems as you are now experiencing. Try not to protect your ears when it isn’t necessary; it may well become a very hard habit to break, but it’s not benefiting you. Only wear them when you are surrounded by continuous loud noise that’s dangerously loud.

And please don’t listen to Bill Bauer. His advice will have you climbing the walls. There’s no need for social isolation, and there’s absolutely no need for continual protection in everyday environments. Time and time again this often proves to make people feel worse but nobody ever listens, and once you normalise this kind of behaviour, you may find it incredibly difficult to change it.

 

Your brain has turned up the gain over time because you have deprived it of sound. It becomes a vicious cycle. You are now wearing ear protection all the time because everything sounds too loud to you. Your brain needs to relearn that these sounds are ok by reintroducing yourself to them.

I would advise you seek help from a professional because this type of hyperacusis is usually treatable.

 

Please don't listen to Ed. You had already followed his advice, and you know where it got you. Louder T will have you climb up walls, and his advice increases your chance of developing louder T (confirmed by your own experiences).

Check out what he wrote:

 

He just began protecting his ears (too little too late) recently. There was no time for him to get hyperacusis as a result of it. He had been abusing his ears for 4 years, and now his ears are messed up as a result.

 

Bill, do we really need to go through all this again? He said his tinnitus became worse after he started wearing ear plugs. It’s not the solution to ones T problems and it’s never advised by any Dr’s, professors, or audiologists. Don’t give the guy more of a phobia than he already has.

 

@JustCallMeZee, do you frequently go to loud places? Nightclubs, concerts, etc? When did your tinnitus and hyperacusis become worse?

If you were frequently exposed to these environments, without protection, then that could also be the cause.

 

You are the one who began going through this again by telling him to ignore the points that I made.

He has been around loud music for four years.

Since nobody will be able to come up with a reason why having earplugs in his ears for a couple of hours could cause a spike, it makes sense to assume that he was reckless and stayed around loud music longer than normal because he thought earplugs would protect him. It turned out that he was wrong.

As you are well aware (we talked about it in the past), there had not been any peer reviewed studies about what can make T worse. This is the reason doctors don't talk about it.

He spent 4 years hanging around loud parties. He should be made aware that many of us learned the hard way (or learned from the mistakes made by others) that this behaviour might lead to louder T. Too bad I couldn't talk to him earlier, and he had to find this out the hard way too.

 

HI @JustCallMeZee

You have had tinnitus and hyperacusis for quite some time and you should have habituated and hyperacusis improved or cured by now. Sometimes specialist treatment is required under the care of a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist, that practices treatment and management of tinnitus and hyperacusis. There are variety of treatment options. A person can also try self help particularly for the treatment of hyperacusis.

Please be aware. The overuse of earmuffs as I believe you intend on doing or any other form of hearing protection, will usually make the auditory system more sensitive to sound, and lower its loudness threshold. This is well documented in the medical field. This will usually make your hyperacusis worse especially if you keep away from normal everyday sounds. Some people do not believe that using hearing protection as and when they want to and not just for suppressing "loud sounds" will do no harm. They are mistaken, for this practice not only causes problems as I've mentioned above. In addition to this, one risks developing Phonophobia (a fear of sound) and Misophonia : having an extreme emotional reaction to typically occurring sounds.

Please read the post below and click on the link, to read my post: Complexities of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis.

All the best
Michael

PS: I advise you not to use headphones even at low volume as you risk making your tinnitus and hyperacusis worse. Please read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/


Hyperacusis, As I See It.

Some members have asked for my opinion on hyperacusis as they are finding it increasingly difficult to live with. They want to know if there is a way of treating this condition so that their life can become a little easier? Or whether it can be completely cured? For a few it has become so distressing they have decided to only leave their homes when it’s absolutely necessary. This is because of the fear of making the symptoms worse, by subjecting their ears to the hustle and bustle of everyday road traffic noise and other environmental sounds that we are all familiar with.

Reading some of the posts in this forum, one can easily see that certain people daren’t leave their homes without first checking they have their earmuffs and an assortment of earplugs in various degrees of attenuation, in readiness for any potential environment that they happen to find themselves in. The cinema, nightclub, restaurant, or on public transport. If money is no object aspiring to custom made moulded earplugs for some is the way to go. It can bring the added assurance they will be getting the best hearing protection. Whether this is true or not doesn’t really matter because it’s what the person believes and this helps to give them that peace of mind which is something many of us strive for at one time or another.

The above may seem a little extreme until I tell you one member provoked a lot of discussion here, when he mentioned having the air bag in a car that he had just purchased disabled in case it was deployed in an accident. I suppose the thought of 170 decibels raining down on his auditory system and the possibility of his tinnitus and hyperacusis shooting through the roof was too much too bare and is more important than a potential life saving device. As strange as this might seem, others have discussed doing the same thing elsewhere on the Internet.

I am not an expert in this field but do have the experience of living with very severe hyperacusis that was brought on with the onset of my tinnitus twenty years ago due to loud noise exposure. It was so severe; conversation with someone at times caused immense pain. However, it was completely cured in two years with TRT and having counselling with a hearing therapist. I wore white noise generators for 10hrs a day and used a sound machine throughout the night until morning for sound enrichment. My tinnitus had reduced to a very low level.

Some people believe hyperacusis cannot be cured and if treatment such as TRT works then it merely suppresses the condition. In the event of future loud noise exposure it will return and the condition will be worse than before. I believe it's up to the individual to take care of their hearing and not subject themselves to loud noise exposure. However, accidents do happen as in my case. I have previously explained in this forum that my tinnitus increased to very severe levels in 2008 due to noise exposure so won’t go over it again. To my surprise the hyperacusis did not return and has remained the same till this day, completely silent.

This summer I went onto the Brighton Pier and into the arcade. The place was a hive of activity and many people were using the slot machines. Music was playing and mixed with loud laughter so everyone seemed to be having a good time. I had my sound level meter and also a sound App on my mobile phone. Just in case things got too uncomfortable I had my noise reducing earplugs with me that reduce sound levels by 18 decibels. This was a test and not something I normally do or recommend anyone else to try.

The sound level in that place remained constant at just over 100 decibels. My ears didn’t feel uncomfortable and I felt no pain. I stayed at the venue for 30 minutes and then left.

The next morning my tinnitus was silent and I experienced no symptoms of hyperacusis. I do not believe that it is a good idea for someone with tinnitus or hyperacusis (or both) to wear earplugs or noise-reducing earplugs with filters too often, because it’s possible for the auditory system to become hypersensitive. In some cases it could make matters worse and cause a condition called phonophobia. This is literally having a fear of sound.

I used to counsel someone that had phonophobia like symptoms although she wasn’t diagnosed. This person had hypercausis that gradually got worse and at every opportunity she kept away from sound. This got so bad going out the front door because of the noise was a problem. Her ears couldn’t tolerate the sound of the microwave, dishwasher or the washing machine. She even complained of the sound of rain falling on her conservatory roof that was made of glass. Fortunately she has improved.

There is much discussion on this in the medical field from experts saying that the overuse of hearing protection isn’t good and therefore discouraged as it will lower loudness threshold and I completely agree with this. I think if one isn’t careful they can become paranoid over sound making their hyperacusis and tinnitus worse and I don’t think it’s healthy.

I believe the answer is to seek proper treatment. If TRT is unavailable then start using a sound machine by the bedside at night for sound enrichment. This usually helps to desensitise the auditory system. Try going out for long walks and getting used to everyday sounds instead of keeping away from them by staying at home. I don’t normally recommend anyone to use white noise generators unless they are under the care of a hearing therapist. However, if your tinnitus is under control and you have habituated but experience hyperacusis, that some call: Reactive tinnitus. Then white noise generators could be the way to go. Two should be used to keep the auditory system in balance and set the volume level low, preferably below the tinnitus. This will help to desensitise the auditory system and treat the hypercusis.

Hearing protection is important and does have its place. If I am going to venues where I believe noise level could become loud then I have my earplugs with me. Night clubs, parties etc. I would always use them at the cinema although I haven’t been to one in years. Reading some of the posts on this forum people say those places can be very loud.

When I use my petrol lawn mower or electric power tools for those DIY jobs around the home, I always use my ear defenders. I want to live life and enjoy it. Not to be living in fear of hearing a fire truck or ambulance siren coming towards me and I have to panic and quickly insert earplugs or reach for earmuffs to protect my hearing. I just think this is overkill.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-complexities-of-tinnitus-and-hyperacusis.25733/

 

What earplugs did you wear Zee? And what do you mean by they made everything worse? Did they increase your T?
In this case maybe wearing them less and using plugs with a built in filter would be better.

 

I agree, more clarity is needed to understand your situation a little better @JustCallMeZee. There are plenty of good people here who can help support you.

 

I was not very clear, I actually want to know if he/she thinks the earplugs are directly responsible for this extremely loud tinnitus.

 

Same here. The way it was worded makes it seem as though he feels the ear plugs made it worse. But more information is needed.

When was you wearing the earplugs @JustCallMeZee ? And what kind of activities were you engaging in leading up to it becoming extremely loud. Were you wearing earplugs all the time or just during exposure to dangerous noise?

 

@JustCallMeZee ,
As you can see members views differ but I agree wearing hearing protection all the time will only make matters worse.
I never got on well with foam plugs and did give me spikes and got on better with noise reduction plugs only around extra loud sounds that were not a normal daily sound for my ears.

Your ears need time to introduce daily sounds again and gain confidence around sounds for yourself and to stay calm and not panic.
Extra loud sounds going to pubs ,clubs etc can still be ok for some people wearing noise reduction plugs but Hyperacusis can add to that problem .
You need to see a professional like @Michael Leigh advised for support and reasurance till you get back on track if you don't improve.
Love glynis

 

Wow! @Michael Leigh Thank you so much for your advice. You obviously did a lot of research on this and know what you're talking about. I really appreciate it!!

I've read about half of the article you suggested I read, but I decided to take a break (it's a lot to read and I'm that much of a reader ) but it's highly informative and I plan on reading the whole thing. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

 

HI @JustCallMeZee

Thank you for your kind comments. I have had tinnitus a long time and the experience I have gained is in that article. Please take your time and read for it took me many months to write. I believe if you do this hopefully you'll get the maximum benefit from it.

I wish you well and take care
Michael

 

@Julien87 & @Ed209 Let me explain what happened.

So like I said I've had tinnitus for about 4 years now. June 2014 I was depressed, and to cope with the depression I would always listen to sad music using earphones on full volume. That is how I developed tinnitus.

When tinnitus first developed I was scared and became more stressed after noticing it wasn't going away. Eventually I habituated, which honestly didn't take long because at the time the tinnitus was relatively mild. It stayed this way for the next 3 and a half years and I lived a normal, unbothered life.

It wasn't until 6 months ago, December 2017, that my lifestyle drastically changed. I started going out to clubs, parties, and I obviously started drinking. These are things never use to do prior to December 2017.

I noticed late February that something was wrong. My tinnitus began increasing in volume. But I was caught up in the hype. I was caught up in the fun. And I ignored it. WHICH I GREATLY REGRET.

Over the past couple of months my tinnitus has been getting worse and worse. Till about 3 weeks ago were the ringing starting becoming unbearable.

I realised that my partying days are over, but my young and foolish self didn't want to except that. So I came up with the "bright idea" to go to parties without harming my ears, and that was to wear ear plugs at the party (this party happened 5 days ago by the way).

2 hours into the party I could feel that the ear plugs are not working. I then asked my friends if we could leave because I started panicking and we left. What made matters worse is that I was high (we smoked marijuana that night) so it made me extremely paranoid and all my mind focused on was the tinnitus. I couldn't even sleep that night, the ringing was too much.

5 days later and the ringing is still loud. And it's not showing any signs of decreasing in volume.

The past 4 days have been hectic. I've been having suicidal thoughts and I was slipping into a deep depression. But last night I came across this Forum, read a couple of threads and decided to sign up immediately. I feel so much better already and after reading so many positive stories about how people have recovered or have habituated (people who's conditions were worse than mine) I have so much hope and I believe the same can happen for me!

I just want to say thank you to everybody who's giving advice in this thread, you guys don't understand how much I needed it. @Michael Leigh @glynis @Ed209 @Julien87 and @Bill Bauer THANK YOU. I really appreciate you guys.

 

@Julien87 I read my previous message and noticed that it has countless typos that made it impossible to read. I quickly edited the typos if you would like to read it again.

 

No worries! I would advise you to focus on your wellbeing. Stop the loud parties and try to stop drinking if you are still into it. And try to relax.. That should be the road to feeling better and calming your T. Sorry for the short reply, I am writing from my phone.

 

Hi @JustCallMeZee, in that case I agree with everybody else. You need to take a step back and look after yourself. Take a rest and lay off the alcohol and parties for a while because they aren’t helping you right now. The feelings of depression are normal at this stage and they will pass, given time, as long as you don’t do anything reckless. Tinnitus affects everybody differently but we can all do things that can help us through the difficult stages. I advise you eat well and try exercising as it’s brilliant for fighting both stress and mild depression. At the same time try and take up some new hobbies to keep your mind occupied; try not to sit and ruminate about your problems because it doesn’t solve anything, and it will further fuel your negative emotions.

Most important of all is to give yourself time and don’t be ashamed to ask for help if you ever need it. Having a support network is very important for overcoming any troubles in our lives.

So remember, take it easy and rest your ears.

 

Keep in mind that temporary spikes can last a surprisingly long time.

Check out that entire post that contains a summary of what I learned after reading this forum for over a year.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

 

To the original poster, I had to leave a venue last night after two minutes because the music was too loud for me. It was a Spanish guitar player whose music is rather good, but even with earplugs I could feel the loudness in my skull, so I got out of there quickly.

To be fair, I was there a week prior to my accident and I wore ear plugs and it was still too friggin loud for me. I sat there quietly though. Maybe I'll just avoid that restaurant on Thursday nights for a while.