Chewing in Earplugs Causing Tinnitus Spike

Was at a restaurant. It wasn't even loud, 70-75 dB (measured using a professional meter), but just to be on the safe side I had my -20 dB Alpine earplugs in.

All was fine until the food arrived. I had a salad with a lot of crunchy stuff such as onions and peppers. The crunches were quite loud due to the occlusion effect caused by the earplugs and after I finished eating I noticed that my main tinnitus sound is much louder and shriller than usual. I'm panicking.

Is it possible that I did permanent damage by 10 minutes of chewing in earplugs? It's been 2 hours now (I basically fled the restaurant) and not much change yet.

 

Chewing is unlikely to permanently damage your ears. I agree the occlusion effect caused by the earplugs can be soooo irritable. Back then when I had bad H, I went everywhere with earplugs on and in the first mean outside I could hear the chewing so loud with the earplugs on. So I stopped having the earplugs on when I ate. I guess your ears may be still in highly unstable state so even chewing with earplugs on hurt. But I doubt the spike will last as there isn't any real loud sound to damage the hearing or ears. Tray stay calm and not going into stressful mode, as that will aggravate T. Take care. God bless.

 

It's loud enough to be annoying, but shouldn't cause any real damage. I've eaten plenty of meals with earplugs in. I agree, if it's very crunchy the occlusion effect gets bothersome.

 

Was in full-blown panic mode for the whole evening then I decided to punch the hell out and popped an Ambien. It put me out cold and now it's morning and it seems the spike has subsided.

Thank you for your support. Lesson learned: no eating crunchies in earplugs. Tinnitus is the gift that keeps on giving!

 

Mine always spikes/changes tones when I chew gum. At about 3 months now. Fml.