Are Laptop Speakers Making My Tinnitus Worse?

Are my laptop speakers causing my tinnitus to get louder? For the last couple of months, my tinnitus had become a whisper and I could barely hear it.

I just started a new job as a salesman and I have been using my laptop over the last week and I have been able to hear my tinnitus in my right ear, at a pretty loud volume as well.

I am not using headphones or any object that goes in my ears. I have been using the laptop at a desk, on my lap, and on my stomach. The volume is usually at 80 but sometimes I turn it to 100 if I can’t hear someone but even then it does not feel that loud. I have never put anything directly in my ear since I I got tinnitus so I am at a loss on why my tinnitus is getting louder.

Any help is appreciated.

 

I wouldn’t worry too much about it, but if you feel your tinnitus is flailing up then it’s perhaps good to give your ears a break for awhile. 80 is pretty loud in my opinion. I’m currently listening to Metallica at 10 /100 on my laptop speakers and can hear it fine (bar some parts are a bit distorted due to my ears). I’d suggest that you turn the speakers well down to protect your ears, but ultimately it's up to you.

 

Using your laptop on your lap or stomach generally results in a bad posture, which can strain the neck and, I believe, impact the way we perceive tinnitus.

 

They can do. Modern laptops seem better though as the speakers cover a wider surface area of the laptop, making it easier to hear at lower volumes, with more balanced frequency response. If you've been given an old laptop with small speakers then you may be able to request an upgraded one on health and safety grounds, if you have a doctor's letter confirming the risk to your hearing.