Attending a Noisy Indoor Graduation Ceremony: Tips and Experiences?

[kingsfan]

Any tips or experiences? The graduation ceremony is going to be held in the gym. I was hoping it would at least be outside. It is a big city school with about 2,900 students, so I am estimating around 700 in the graduating class. I am sure there will be music played over a PA system, staff who do not have much experience speaking into a microphone, and a lot of screaming and shouting. I am expecting a very difficult outcome, but who would I be if I skipped a huge life milestone for my child?

 

[withintention]

I have to attend loud events occasionally for work. I have been using Westone custom fitted earplugs with ER-25 Etymotic filters. These reduce the decibel level by 25, not by a factor of 25 like some non-Etymotic earplugs.

They also offer solid filters, which I have been considering but have not tried yet, that would reduce the volume even further.

What is great is that the filters are swappable. I also have an ER-9 filter that I use for events that are just a little too noisy, such as a restaurant.

 

[Saba]

It would be great if you could be seated or stand near an exit to a hallway outside the auditorium. Being near an exit or door allows you to leave or take breaks without missing your child's moment. I would talk to the staff. Often, schools have quiet spaces, such as offices, that might provide a place where you can also view the ceremony.

I would wear protective earmuffs as needed, both in and out of the auditorium.

Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[Tryn2BHopeful]

I recently faced this scenario, except I got lucky because the ceremony was held outside and the class was about half the size. It was stressful, especially when my wife disappeared into the crowd to find my son among them. My tinnitus was screaming, and I had a headache, but I got through it.

I cannot tell you whether the risk outweighs the reward for you or not. I know that I, personally, could not have missed it. On the other hand, one event could cause you to miss many others. It is terrible, the kinds of decisions we have to make.

All I can say is that if you do go, take the necessary precautions for your situation. Wishing you the best!

 

[kingsfan]

I have to attend loud events occasionally for work. I have been using Westone custom fitted earplugs with ER-25 Etymotic filters. These reduce the decibel level by 25, not by a factor of 25 like some non-Etymotic earplugs.

They also offer solid filters, which I have been considering but have not tried yet, that would reduce the volume even further.

What is great is that the filters are swappable. I also have an ER-9 filter that I use for events that are just a little too noisy, such as a restaurant.

I have Westone custom molds, as well as filtered and solid 1of1 Custom earplugs. They still are not enough in many situations I have encountered. My issue is that I am beginning to experience pain after noise exposures, even while wearing these earplugs. I am talking about very short bursts, around 4 to 5 seconds, of noise at 80 to 85 dBA. It is not extremely loud, just loud enough, and for only a very short duration.

It would be great if you could be seated or stand near an exit to a hallway outside the auditorium. Being near an exit or door allows you to leave or take breaks without missing your child's moment. I would talk to the staff. Often, schools have quiet spaces, such as offices, that might provide a place where you can also view the ceremony.

I would wear protective earmuffs as needed, both in and out of the auditorium.

Good luck, and enjoy!

I recently faced this scenario, except I got lucky because the ceremony was held outside and the class was about half the size. It was stressful, especially when my wife disappeared into the crowd to find my son among them. My tinnitus was screaming, and I had a headache, but I got through it.

I cannot tell you whether the risk outweighs the reward for you or not. I know that I, personally, could not have missed it. On the other hand, one event could cause you to miss many others. It is terrible, the kinds of decisions we have to make.

All I can say is that if you do go, take the necessary precautions for your situation. Wishing you the best!

I am hoping I will be able to stand at a doorway. A few years ago, the junior high graduation was held in the football stadium. I was able to stand near the entrance and watch. I remember feeling uncomfortable, and my sound tolerance was much better then than it is now. I have missed a lot over these past three years. I cannot miss this event.

 

[withintention]

I have been looking into the solid plugs. How much better are they compared to the ER-25s?

Solid plugs combined with construction grade earmuffs might be enough. It is going to be around 100 dB, right? That should bring the level down below 80 dB.

 

[kingsfan]

I have been looking into the solid plugs. How much better are they compared to the ER-25s?

Solid plugs combined with construction grade earmuffs might be enough. It is going to be around 100 dB, right? That should bring the level down below 80 dB.

I have the Westones with the Tru filters rather than the Etymotic. They make two different molds, the Tru Custom and the Style 49, that use different brand filters. I do not wear the Westones anymore though. They are not anywhere near as comfortable as the 1of1 Customs.



As far as I can subjectively tell, the solid plugs attenuate more high frequencies but seem about the same with all other frequencies. However, that is only compared to the 1of1 Pro26 filters.

I am bringing both my Peltor X4A and X5A with me. The last time I flew, I only brought the X4A. Those, along with foam earplugs, did not feel like enough during takeoff and landing, so this time I am going to try the X5A.

 

[trevl]

I use custom-made silicone earplugs made by GN Hearing Australia. Their Sleep Plugs reduce external sounds by 40 dB. Your audiologist will make an impression of your ear canal, which is then sent to GN Australia in Brisbane. The finished product is sent back to your audiologist for you to collect.

Because they are custom-made, they do not cause soreness over time. You can wear them all day. My audiologist advised that any external sound over 70 dB can cause ear damage. This is much lower than the 85 dB level suggested by the EPA.

 

[kingsfan]

Well, I've been back from my trip to Los Angeles since Sunday. My tinnitus is really bad. The whole trip was loud.

The graduation ceremony lasted two hours, with speeches peaking at 96 dBA, and there was a two-hour wait sitting in the sun while pre-recorded speeches played over the PA system. I wore foam earplugs, but they became uncomfortable after sitting for so long. I tried pulling one out slightly to relieve the pressure, but I think that compromised the seal. By that point, the commencement had started, and the principal's voice was booming across the stadium. The ceremony ended up being outdoors, but I'm not sure that helped much.

I kept taking the earplug out and trying to get it reinserted properly, but it wouldn't go in. I think my ear was swollen from irritation. I'm sure the plug was still giving at least some protection, because it was excruciatingly loud every time I removed it to try repositioning. Eventually, I gave up and just held my finger against it for another hour or so. I had about three or four exposures of five to ten seconds each while trying to reinsert the plug.

Now both ears are excruciatingly loud. Between that, the noise from the airplanes, and the loudness of Los Angeles itself, I think I'm in serious trouble. I felt like this would be the end of me. I don't think I'll make it unless this settles down. It's been almost a week.

 

[kingsfan]

I just realized today that I also took two or three doses of Pepto Bismol before my flight on Saturday night. I completely forgot that I'm supposed to avoid this drug. I was feeling ill and too distraught before the flight, and I didn't even think about it. I took it again either Sunday night or Monday night—I can't remember exactly.

My tinnitus was noticeably worse after the graduation ceremony, but it became significantly worse around Monday, once I was already back home. I wonder if the Pepto Bismol had something to do with it, and whether the effects might wear off so I can get at least a bit of relief. It has been just over a week since the graduation ceremony, and around five days since I last took the Pepto.

I'm debating whether to try getting some Prednisone, even though it has already been a week. I just don't have the energy to explain everything and advocate for myself again. It takes so much effort to convince them at urgent care, and I've already gone there twice in the past year and a half for Prednisone.

Right now, all of my tinnitus is louder. Every single tone, which is not typical for a spike in my case. Even my 4 kHz to 6 kHz tones, which haven't increased since the summer of 2021, are now blaring, along with all the static and hissing.

 

[kingsfan]

Not even high dose Prednisone combined with Gabapentin is having any effect on this spike. I know I started Prednisone 7 or 8 days late, and I have never been fully convinced it actually helps with tinnitus. However, it usually gives me several days of relief when I first begin the course. This time, nothing. My tinnitus is exactly the same.

I really do not know what to do. I do not have much hope that this is going to recede at all, and I am not sure habituation is going to be possible in this case.

I had really hoped this trip would prove that I can go out and live life without being so afraid of sound. Instead, my fear feels even more deeply reinforced now.

 

[Strife_84]

Not even high dose Prednisone combined with Gabapentin is having any effect on this spike. I know I started Prednisone 7 or 8 days late, and I have never been fully convinced it actually helps with tinnitus. However, it usually gives me several days of relief when I first begin the course. This time, nothing. My tinnitus is exactly the same.

I really do not know what to do. I do not have much hope that this is going to recede at all, and I am not sure habituation is going to be possible in this case.

I had really hoped this trip would prove that I can go out and live life without being so afraid of sound. Instead, my fear feels even more deeply reinforced now.

Oh man, I am sorry to hear that. This is truly a devastating condition.

I tried to "live" about two months ago and went to a club with my school friends, wearing earplugs. I thought I could handle it if I had my earplugs in, but no — I made my condition a lot worse.

I really understand how you feel. For a moment, you just wanted to feel like a human being again. To belong, to be out there with others. You took precautions, you were careful. And the price? Your condition got worse.

All the strength to you. I hope you can recover. It has been about two months since my exposure, and I feel better, but I think I caused some permanent damage.

But lesson learned. Never again.

 

[kingsfan]

Oh man, I am sorry to hear that. This is truly a devastating condition.

I tried to "live" about two months ago and went to a club with my school friends, wearing earplugs. I thought I could handle it if I had my earplugs in, but no — I made my condition a lot worse.

I really understand how you feel. For a moment, you just wanted to feel like a human being again. To belong, to be out there with others. You took precautions, you were careful. And the price? Your condition got worse.

All the strength to you. I hope you can recover. It has been about two months since my exposure, and I feel better, but I think I caused some permanent damage.

But lesson learned. Never again.

I have known since the beginning of my tinnitus that I would be attending this graduation ceremony. I knew my tinnitus would likely get worse; the only question was how much worse. I did hold onto some hope that it would not, making this a defining moment in my journey, but that does not seem to be the case.

Now more than ever, I am convinced that any sound over 70 dBA is dangerous for extended periods, and anything over 80 dBA is risky even for a few seconds, even with the strongest hearing protection.

My daughter plans to pursue a Master's degree, so I will likely be attending at least two more of these ceremonies—probably even louder and longer—over the next five to eight years.

 

[Maruashen]

You know that stress and anxiety have a lot to do with tinnitus. I am very sure it will settle down for you. Just give it some time. I think you know that a week or two is not long enough for anything to settle—what you are feeling right now is your panic speaking.

 

[Strife_84]

You know that stress and anxiety have a lot to do with tinnitus. I am very sure it will settle down for you. Just give it some time. I think you know that a week or two is not long enough for anything to settle—what you are feeling right now is your panic speaking.

For me, stress and anxiety do nothing to my tinnitus. It is an injury inside my ear.

 

[withintention]

Likewise, @Strife_84. I can be working an 80-hour stressful week or meditating for ten days, and neither has any impact on the constant whine in my head. That's what made me realize this is truly a physical injury in my case, caused by acoustic trauma.

 

[Maruashen]

For me, stress and anxiety do nothing to my tinnitus. It is an injury inside my ear.

Interesting. So your tinnitus tone is always 100 percent constant? Always exactly the same tone, with no changes throughout the day, ever?

I think for many of us, it varies a lot.

 

[Strife_84]

Interesting. So your tinnitus tone is always 100 percent constant? Always exactly the same tone, with no changes throughout the day, ever?

I think for many of us, it varies a lot.

Oh, it does vary. But stress or anxiety doesn't affect it, at least not in the way you might have meant. I thought you were referring to mental stress or emotional anxiety.

I have reactive tinnitus. It reacts to certain sounds and to what I eat. Just now, I had a cup of coffee while sitting comfortably on the couch, and my tinnitus became slightly louder.

It's really annoying.

 

[Maruashen]

How does coffee affect the injury inside your ear?

I was just trying to help Kingsfan. There are always many different factors that can increase or decrease our tinnitus, and stress or anxiety is definitely one of them.

For example, today I slept less than usual, and I feel like my tinnitus is louder. But with that being said, it could also be that I expect my tinnitus to be louder when I sleep less, and as a result, I end up paying more attention to it throughout the day. It is so hard to tell sometimes.

Attending this ceremony involves many factors that are beyond our control, and that alone might affect tinnitus, even if no new damage has occurred.

 

[kingsfan]

Well, I have been experiencing burning in my ears, mainly in the right one, for a few days now. There is no doubt it is because of the graduation and the trip. I guess that is it for me. I knew it would be bad, but not this bad.