Airport Mishap Increased Tinnitus. What Now?

[MonstercatMusic]

So I was at my local airport, it's quite small so only turbo prop planes land here. And only 2-3 spots for them to park. Usually I have no issue flying, but last time our plane was late so we were directed out onto the tarmac when another turbo prop plane was parking less than 10m away... With its engines still thrusting. Everyone else bar 1 other person didn't express discomfort and casually walked by, I don't understand how they can. I initially didn't block my ears as I walked past, my left ear facing it, then both. I blocked it till I was about 15m away on the stairs for my plane. Still had to turn away from it to reduce the discomfort.

My main issue is why the **** is this allowed to happen. I'd rather be a few mins late than have to be exposed to at least 125 dB for a sustained period.

I heard that turbo props are not quieter than jet engines so that's possibly 130 dB+.

To be honest I'm surprised the ringing only raised a little. Enough to be very much an annoyance (new tone) as it was already very loud anyway, but not a massive increase.

My ears have felt a little dull ever since. I've made a complaint but no reply yet. I bet they think I'm mad and it's normal practice from time to time.

I want my money back but at the same time don't think it's a good enough reason to push for that (doubting myself).

I'm not asking for advice but venting at sheer stupidity. Usually I don't block my ears in such situation as I'll look like an idiot, but that was too loud to endure.

I'm going to give them a grilling if they do reply as I think my initial complaint was too polite. This will definitely impact on my studies this year as for the first time ever, I need something to mask the tinnitus at night and can hear it over an air conditioner.

 

[Digital Doc]

Wow, they would not let an airport ramp worker out there without hearing protection. How can they allow the passengers?

 

[GregCA]

Wow, they would not let an airport ramp worker out there without hearing protection. How can they allow the passengers?

That's because damage is not exclusively based on loudness, it is also based on duration of exposure. The airport worker will be there many hours during the day. The passenger is only there for a short period of time.

 

[Gman]

That's because damage is not exclusively based on loudness, it is also based on duration of exposure. The airport worker will be there many hours during the day. The passenger is only there for a short period of time.

Anything over 120db is going to be bad for normal people no matter the duration.

Whenever I've had to do a tarmac boarding Ive blocked my ears from the gate to inside the plane, but haven't had a plane taxiing like that nearby. Maybe next time don't go out and request another flight or take some ear muffs just in case.

I'd also consult a doctor quite quickly if your hearing is feeling dull @MonstercatMusic

 

[Bill Bauer]

Everyone else bar 1 other person didn't express discomfort and casually walked by, I don't understand how they can. I initially didn't block my ears as I walked past, my left ear facing it, then both. I blocked it till I was about 15m away on the stairs for my plane. Still had to turn away from it to reduce the discomfort.

Couldn't you come back into the airport building and wait for the other plane to shut off its engines? The further away you are from the source of noise, the less impact it will have on you. I have had experiences standing still waiting for planes to shut off their engines. On another occasion, I waited for all of the passengers to board before running towards my plane and up those mobile stairs. That way at least I didn't have to stand on those stairs, close to the source of the noise and wait for the other passengers to board. I've had ground personal approach me and ask whether I was ok (upon them seeing me standing still). It was not a big deal. I am writing this so that you might consider doing something like that if you ever find yourself in a situation like that...

 

[GregCA]

Anything over 120db is going to be bad for normal people no matter the duration.

I think that is incorrect. Duration does matter. The louder the noise the less exposure you can afford to take before you damage your hearing. See https://www.noisehelp.com/noise-dose.html for examples.

According to the page above, a couple of seconds at 120 dB shouldn't be harmful to you.

 

[Gman]

I think that is incorrect. Duration does matter. The louder the noise the less exposure you can afford to take before you damage your hearing. See https://www.noisehelp.com/noise-dose.html for examples.

According to the page above, a couple of seconds at 120 dB shouldn't be harmful to you.

Except it's not incorrect. It takes not much time at all for healthy ears to start being damaged at 120db and over. Seconds maybe, if you're lucky. The longer the worse of course. People with T I believe are much more susceptible to damage and at much lower decibels and shorter duration.

 

[Lane]

I don't block my ears in such situation as I'll look like an idiot

@MonstercatMusic -- Sorry to hear about your spike; I hope it is just temporary. -- Regarding your concern(s) about looking like an idiot, I would recommend you get rid of those concerns, and the sooner the better. The safety and long-term health of your ears are FAR more important than another person wondering for a few seconds whether your precautionary actions are appropriate (which they are). -- Best...

 

[GregCA]

Except it's not incorrect. It takes not much time at all for healthy ears to start being damaged at 120db and over.

Did you read the link I provided? The answer is explicitly there (well, for 121 dB).

Seconds maybe, if you're lucky.

7 seconds according to that link. I'm not sure luck has anything to do with the way the number is computed.

You seem to agree that below a certain threshold, your ears shouldn't be damaged. That's different from the following statement, which I objected to:

Anything over 120db is going to be bad for normal people no matter the duration.

It turns out duration does matter, as you state yourself above.

I'm not sure why you are arguing. You are saying the same thing I am, but perhaps you got carried away with an extreme characterization, which isn't a big deal, I think.

 

[Bill Bauer]

7 seconds according to that link. I'm not sure luck has anything to do with the way the number is computed.

They are looking at something like the 95th percentile of the population. If you are in the 5% who are unusually sensitive, you are out of luck.

I'm not sure why you are arguing.

He seems to be saying that even brief exposure will get them closer to having major health problems (even if it is not enough to cause problems right then and there). Of course the longer the exposure, the worse it gets.

 

[Gman]

Did you read the link I provided? The answer is explicitly there (well, for 121 dB).



7 seconds according to that link. I'm not sure luck has anything to do with the way the number is computed.

You seem to agree that below a certain threshold, your ears shouldn't be damaged. That's different from the following statement, which I objected to:



It turns out duration does matter, as you state yourself above.

I'm not sure why you are arguing. You are saying the same thing I am, but perhaps you got carried away with an extreme characterization, which isn't a big deal, I think.

I'm not getting carried away with anything. I think you are being pretty pedantic. 120db is dangerous and damaging extremely quickly. I don't know how much faith I would put in those sound charts anyway. They are averaged and also vary. Not all ears are the same and I strongly believe that if they've been damaged already, they are prone to damage quicker.
Additionally, below that threshold ears will still be damaged depending on the duration of exposure.

Anyway, I don't think any of this is helping the OP. I think seeking medical advice would be advisable if there's a change in hearing quality as a result of the exposure.

Also T a sufferer should not give a flying f*** what other people think if you block your ears. It's your health and sanity at stake.

He seems to be saying that even brief exposure will get them closer to having major health problems (even if it is not enough to cause problems right then and there). Of course the longer the exposure, the worse it gets.

Actually no, that's not what I'm saying. I think an exposure over 120db for a brief period could start causing damage very quickly. If you want to be pedantic and think like a robot, 7 seconds to be exact.