Fireworks Going Off — Crazy Loud Spike

[Fangen]

Hey guys.

So I went to a diner near me and just picked up my food and stepped outside. Was about to put on my ear muffs when something popped loudly. My hands where holding muffs and food so I didn't reach my ear fully. A sec later a firework popped (some f**king kids playing with firework), like not just those small ones but an actual firework (smaller size but still one that emitts light in the sky) and it went off in the sky.

I just cupped my ears as much as I could all the way home but my ears are spiking like crazy. Like I have had spikes before but not this much. My right ear feels like it is muffled and both ears ringing like crazy. I'm so f**cking pissed. I didn't have them on and it haven't gone off any fireworks at around here but of course the only goddamn day I get take out for dinner this happens.

What should I do? It feels like this might be permanent.

 

[attheedgeofscience]

If earplugs were like shoes, you likely would never forget to put them on. I mean... let's rationalize: how many people (out of every batch of - say - 10,000) went to work and suddenly realized they weren't wearing shoes? Probably not (even) one.

The basic fact is: you (and many others) do not respect your ears. It's as simple as that. And the reason why some folks just get worse and worse. Noise is a fact of life. Deal with it.

 

[Rubenslash]

If earplugs were like shoes, you likely would never forget to put them on. I mean... let's rationalize: how many people (out of every batch of - say - 10,000) went to work and suddenly realized they weren't wearing shoes? Probably not (even) one.

The basic fact is: you (and many) others do not respect your ears. It's as simple as that.

Are you seriously saying u need to wear plugs all the time when walking in a city? To be honest the vibration from footsteps makes more noise than the actual outside noise often.

 

[Fangen]

If earplugs were like shoes, you likely would never forget to put them on. I mean... let's rationalize: how many people (out of every batch of - say - 10,000) went to work and suddenly realized they weren't wearing shoes? Probably not (even) one.

The basic fact is: you (and many others) do not respect your ears. It's as simple as that. And the reason why some folks just get worse and worse. Noise is a fact of life. Deal with it.

Very helpful. Seriously, f** you

 

[attheedgeofscience]

To be honest the vibration from footsteps makes more noise than the actual outside noise often.

Sounds like you have heavy feet...

 

[AZeurotuner]

I would get on prednisone immediately, as well as magnesium and NAC... It may or may not help, but better safe than sorry. Avoid anything remotely loud for awhile as well, your ears need time to hear from the trauma. It's always the worst when you get hit with something right before you put on your protection, has happened to me a few times, don't blame yourself though, shit happens.

 

[attheedgeofscience]

Very helpful. Seriously, f** you

Well... it may not have helped you, but it may help someone else down-the-line. I personally plug my ears back-and-forth to work - and - I really do not see what the big deal is. Noise is a fact of life. If you don't deal with it, it will deal with you.

 

[Fangen]

I would get on prednisone immediately, as well as magnesium and NAC... It may or may not help, but better safe than sorry. Avoid anything remotely loud for awhile as well, your ears need time to hear from the trauma. It's always the worst when you get hit with something right before you put on your protection, has happened to me a few times, don't blame yourself though, shit happens.

My country don't prescribe stereoids. I tried last time and they said there wasn't such a thing for loud trauma. I wore muffs all the way home even if it isnt loud but when it really mattered I didn't have it on. Like if my T is worse permanently now I really want to just die.

 

[Bill Bauer]

My country don't prescribe stereoids.

Have a family member fly to a European country that prescribes steroids. They can go to the ER and lie about having to stop a fire alarm while suffering from T.

 

[AZeurotuner]

My country don't prescribe stereoids. I tried last time and they said there wasn't such a thing for loud trauma. I wore muffs all the way home even if it isnt loud but when it really mattered I didn't have it on. Like if my T is worse permanently now I really want to just die.

Unfortunately there's gonna be times when you get hit hard, not too long ago I was riding in my brothers car to pick up some beer, I took off my muffs to tell him something and right then he received a phone call, he had it hooked up via Bluetooth to his car speakers, it rang full volume (aftermarket speakers too it was LOUD) and destroyed my ears before I was able to cover up. Ear pain, T spike, muffled hearing the works. I elected not to try to get prednisone because I honestly didn't think they'd prescribe them again so soon being that I'd recently done two rounds for two different traumas. I ended up takimg a bunch of supplements for a week (NAC, vinpocetine, taurine, and magnesium), and it ended up healing pretty well. Sometimes it does make it a little worse but don't give up just yet, we might even have a cure in the next few years, you should read the thread on frequency in the research section, they're progressing quite nicely with their trials. Try to stay positive!

-Ross

 

[Vincent R]

Hey guys.

So I went to a diner near me and just picked up my food and stepped outside. Was about to put on my ear muffs when something popped loudly. My hands where holding muffs and food so I didn't reach my ear fully. A sec later a firework popped (some f**king kids playing with firework), like not just those small ones but an actual firework (smaller size but still one that emitts light in the sky) and it went off in the sky.

I just cupped my ears as much as I could all the way home but my ears are spiking like crazy. Like I have had spikes before but not this much. My right ear feels like it is muffled and both ears ringing like crazy.

What should I do? It feels like this might be permanent.

Sound lessens with distance. The two first meters reduce the energy with 6 db. After that, another 6 db goes away every time the distance is doubled.

So:

2 m = 6 db
4m = 12 db
8 m = 18 db
16 m = 24 db
32 m= 30 db
64 m = 36 db

You say it went off "in the sky". 100 m away shouldn't be overly optimistic, which means a reduction of 39 db. Fireworks might have a loudness of 140 db, so an estimation suggests you took 101 db flatfooted. Maybe your T will be permanently worse, but you may not be as bad off as you think. And it won't remain as bad as it is right now.

Even if you can't get predistone, eat magnesium for the nearest two weeks. Lots of it. Supplies and in natural forms.

I'm so f**cking pissed. I didn't have them on and it haven't gone off any fireworks at around here but of course the only goddamn day I get take out for dinner this happens.

It's possible to never open the door to the outside world again without earmuffs even during the summer. These are easily confused with headphones:

https://www.amazon.com/Peltor-Shotg...&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=peltor+optime+neckband

 

[JurgenG]

If earplugs were like shoes, you likely would never forget to put them on. I mean... let's rationalize: how many people (out of every batch of - say - 10,000) went to work and suddenly realized they weren't wearing shoes? Probably not (even) one.

The basic fact is: you (and many others) do not respect your ears. It's as simple as that. And the reason why some folks just get worse and worse. Noise is a fact of life. Deal with it.

What a utter nonsense is that?
We use shoes because everyone wears them and because they have no downside, using plugs on normal places have HUGE disadvantages. Hearing yourself louder, not hearing traffic and people near you, hearing T louder for some, generating H, and so on..

And yes, I too use plugs SOMETIMES outside, but I hate it, and should not do it. And even sitting inside I have loud things happening..

 

[AZeurotuner]

What a utter nonsense is that?
We use shoes because everyone wears them and because they have no downside, using plugs on normal places have HUGE disadvantages. Hearing yourself louder, not hearing traffic and people near you, hearing T louder for some, generating H, and so on..

And yes, I too use plugs SOMETIMES outside, but I hate it, and should not do it. And even sitting inside I have loud things happening..

That's the sound of salt being poured into a wound... Completely unnecessary.

 

[Fangen]

Unfortunately there's gonna be times when you get hit hard, not too long ago I was riding in my brothers car to pick up some beer, I took off my muffs to tell him something and right then he received a phone call, he had it hooked up via Bluetooth to his car speakers, it rang full volume (aftermarket speakers too it was LOUD) and destroyed my ears before I was able to cover up. Ear pain, T spike, muffled hearing the works. I elected not to try to get prednisone because I honestly didn't think they'd prescribe them again so soon being that I'd recently done two rounds for two different traumas. I ended up takimg a bunch of supplements for a week (NAC, vinpocetine, taurine, and magnesium), and it ended up healing pretty well. Sometimes it does make it a little worse but don't give up just yet, we might even have a cure in the next few years, you should read the thread on frequency in the research section, they're progressing quite nicely with their trials. Try to stay positive!

-Ross

Sorry to hear about your incident Ross!
Glad it worked out well for you! Luckily I only have one day left at work before a week off so I can sit inside and be a bit safer. I am gonna take NAC, magnesium and vitamin suppliment for at least 2 weeks and hope it heals.

 

[Fangen]

Have a family member fly to a European country that prescribes steroids. They can go to the ER and lie about having to stop a fire alarm while suffering from T.

Half of my family is overseas and none of them speaks a word of English so they don't know how to get it. I tried calling ER but they passed me on to a smaller ER that said they couldnt help and I needed to see someone else. After an hour of repeating myself and getting passed back and forth I just gave up. Most places were about to close and none seem to know anything about steroids.

 

[Snake]

Hey guys.

So I went to a diner near me and just picked up my food and stepped outside. Was about to put on my ear muffs when something popped loudly. My hands where holding muffs and food so I didn't reach my ear fully. A sec later a firework popped (some f**king kids playing with firework), like not just those small ones but an actual firework (smaller size but still one that emitts light in the sky) and it went off in the sky.

I just cupped my ears as much as I could all the way home but my ears are spiking like crazy. Like I have had spikes before but not this much. My right ear feels like it is muffled and both ears ringing like crazy. I'm so f**cking pissed. I didn't have them on and it haven't gone off any fireworks at around here but of course the only goddamn day I get take out for dinner this happens.

What should I do? It feels like this might be permanent.

I feel badly to hear that something like this happened to you :<

I've also heard firework today but fortunately i was inside the house with closed window in my room. I'm a little nervous right now because this window is not 100% tight, (if you cover the corners with hand you can feel a little of cold air, but only a little. Room is warm) i would say it's 99%. Noise didn't deal any pain to my ears, i didn't heard any high pitched sound etc. What i've experienced was only a strange feeling in an right ear that was directed towards the window, but it was only for a half/quarter of second. Maybe it was just that i was immediately frightened by the noise when everything else was quiet, idk.

I think that i'm overreacting and everything is ok? It's a shame that anxiety can affect T badly and i can't tell if it's same as was before :|

I have to close up only one thing left here and spend the next 2 weeks with parents. They live in a quiet place outside the city, with noise proof triple glass windows so it's perfect for me for this hard christmas/new year's eve time. Only the dog can be the problem but they said that they do their best to calm him down

But it's your thread not mine, and if i were in your shoes i would still try to get prednisone ASAP. In most countries it's first med that they prescribe in high amounts when it comes to acoustic trauma. Have you really tried all hospitals etc near you? Idk how it is in Sweden, but in Poland acoustic trauma qualifies you for an immediately hospital treatment. Also vinpocetine + A, C, E (vitamins) + magnesium can give you a good results.

Trying all of the options can at least give you peace of mind that you've done everything you could. It really helps when you don't have to feel guilty

Hang in there, and keep as informed how are you doing. Try and fight, don't give up and don't lay out your weapon.

 

[InfiniteLoop]

@Fangen

Most likely is a temporary spike. If it is not, there is no much that we can do since our ears like to have their own life. Steroids, NAC, etc... do not seem to have any consistent results.
You can get a new audiogram to see if there is any new damage. However, I recall that your audiogram to 8KHz looks perfect and probably still does.
I hope that it calms down because you were showing really good habituation.

 

[AZeurotuner]

Sorry to hear about your incident Ross!
Glad it worked out well for you! Luckily I only have one day left at work before a week off so I can sit inside and be a bit safer. I am gonna take NAC, magnesium and vitamin suppliment for at least 2 weeks and hope it heals.

The NAC, magnesium, vinpocetine, taurine combo has really helped me when I've had noise related spikes. Just try to stay optimistic (I know it's hard) and avoid any further exposures (over protect the hell outta your ears for the next few weeks) and you'll probably be ok. Like other posters have said prednisone is optimal, but if you're unable to get it my combination has worked well for me and can obtained pretty easily. Good luck!

-Ross

 

[JurgenG]

That's the sound of salt being poured into a wound... Completely unnecessary.

I agree. No idea why he or she thinks it's good to tell OP is not protecting her ears, while she clearly is..

 

[Michael B]

We can't be expected to protect our ears when we're doing something as normal as going to a diner for take out, otherwise we'd be wearing earplugs all the time. And nobody should be doing that. Sorry for your spike but chances are it's temp.

 

[Bill Bauer]

otherwise we'd be wearing earplugs all the time

Whenever I am outside of my home, I wear earplugs.

 

[Fangen]

I feel badly to hear that something like this happened to you :<

I've also heard firework today but fortunately i was inside the house with closed window in my room. I'm a little nervous right now because this window is not 100% tight, (if you cover the corners with hand you can feel a little of cold air, but only a little. Room is warm) i would say it's 99%. Noise didn't deal any pain to my ears, i didn't heard any high pitched sound etc. What i've experienced was only a strange feeling in an right ear that was directed towards the window, but it was only for a half/quarter of second. Maybe it was just that i was immediately frightened by the noise when everything else was quiet, idk.

I think that i'm overreacting and everything is ok? It's a shame that anxiety can affect T badly and i can't tell if it's same as was before :|

I have to close up only one thing left here and spend the next 2 weeks with parents. They live in a quiet place outside the city, with noise proof triple glass windows so it's perfect for me for this hard christmas/new year's eve time. Only the dog can be the problem but they said that they do their best to calm him down

But it's your thread not mine, and if i were in your shoes i would still try to get prednisone ASAP. In most countries it's first med that they prescribe in high amounts when it comes to acoustic trauma. Have you really tried all hospitals etc near you? Idk how it is in Sweden, but in Poland acoustic trauma qualifies you for an immediately hospital treatment. Also vinpocetine + A, C, E (vitamins) + magnesium can give you a good results.

Trying all of the options can at least give you peace of mind that you've done everything you could. It really helps when you don't have to feel guilty

Hang in there, and keep as informed how are you doing. Try and fight, don't give up and don't lay out your weapon.

I think you'll be fine! You were inside and that helps to block out a lot even if you think the window is not completely sealed. I think you just got scared from the sudden noise, I get a bit jumpy too over sudden noises, loud or not.

I am trying to get in touch with doctors now, as it is morning and more places are open compared to late last evening. Two ENT specialists (from different hospitals) told me there wasn't anything to do and refused to hear about the steroids. I didn't hope for much as it is the same thing they told me last time. Waiting for my GP to call me up but I don't think the chances are big to get anything at all. Most doctors here haven't even heard of this and just shrugs at me. Tell me to relax and not get exposed to new loud noises (like thanks, I didn't try to get exposed to the damn fireworks)

I am taking NAC and magnesium now, they don't sell vinpocetine here in the pharmacy so I would have to order it online but I think due to the holidays and all it might take well over a week or two to get it here. I'll take more vitamins.

I woke up this morning, there was a 20 sec when I woke up that I just forgot what happened last night and when I remembered it, my ears started to sound louder. I guess anxiety kicked in and I was listening for it. I feel like there isn't any doctor that seem to care and it's frustrating when I see that other countries are taking it more seriously while here it just seems like they are either not bothered to look anything up or just ignorant.

 

[Fangen]

We can't be expected to protect our ears when we're doing something as normal as going to a diner for take out, otherwise we'd be wearing earplugs all the time. And nobody should be doing that. Sorry for your spike but chances are it's temp.

It is 2 min from my house. The diner is located in a residential area with only one road for cars to pass by, and it is always so quiet around the evenings expect for anyone that might have gone to the store to buy food or pick up take-out food at the diners. It is not a busy area so I was caught by surprise a lot. The damn kids didn't fire anything prior (I was waiting for the food for 5 min) so it was a major bad luck that they fired it off just when I went outside. Had I seen or heard them before I went out I wouldn't have stepped out or at least been able to put my protection on, now I was just stupid because I didn't think of it before I stepped outside and that was too late. There were no one in the nearest 50 m from that place when I went there, so I thought it would be safe to wait to get it on or go the 2 min back home as there was seriously NO ONE around the place.

The joke is on me though, got caught in this anyway.

 

[Michael B]

Maybe the reason my T tends to be bad is because I throw caution to the wind and only use earplugs in the most serious of situations. Food for thought.
Good post.

 

[Fangen]

Update for Day 3 since the fireworks:

Taking 3 mg of NAC everyday + magnesium + multivitamin suppliment.

Spike is still present with high and lows during the day. My right ear have a clear "eeeee" tone since 2 years and this tone is louder and more bothersome. Left ear have more of a electric hiss and this is also louder. Some minor improvements since the fireworks but I would say 10% at best in terms of loudness improvment. I try to mask it and usually goes OK but harder at night not to focus on it. Sometimes it feels it is back to somewhat baseline but when I listen to it it feels louder for some reason. I guess it could have been worse but still loud and annoying. I hope the spike does settle but so far some limited progress although anxiety level is not as bad as 3 days ago. But it feels a bit depressing to hear it after masking it sort of a full day. I guess it is the hope that you thought it waa better but it was just being masked and your T is still spiking and loud as hell

 

[Jiri]

and - I really do not see what the big deal is.

Do you enjoy not thinking? This lady right here is in severe pain, needs help and advice. What did you do? Patronize her. Her response to your comment was spot on.

 

[Jiri]

Update for Day 3 since the fireworks:

Taking 3 mg of NAC everyday + magnesium + multivitamin suppliment.

Spike is still present with high and lows during the day. My right ear have a clear "eeeee" tone since 2 years and this tone is louder and more bothersome. Left ear have more of a electric hiss and this is also louder. Some minor improvements since the fireworks but I would say 10% at best in terms of loudness improvment. I try to mask it and usually goes OK but harder at night not to focus on it. Sometimes it feels it is back to somewhat baseline but when I listen to it it feels louder for some reason. I guess it could have been worse but still loud and annoying. I hope the spike does settle but so far some limited progress although anxiety level is not as bad as 3 days ago. But it feels a bit depressing to hear it after masking it sort of a full day. I guess it is the hope that you thought it waa better but it was just being masked and your T is still spiking and loud as hell

From what I learnt on this forum spikes can take some more time to settle down. I'd say in another week or two you should be doing much better. My longest spike after the onset of my tinnitus was 2 weeks and it was really bad.

I have great hopes that your spike will subside eventually. Getting on that course of Prednisone as someone else mentioned might speed up your recovery. Well, I am no expert but I read a lot and this is my impression

Also, I don't think you were exposed to those firecrackers long enough - which is certainly a good thing.

 

[Fangen]

From what I learnt on this forum spikes can take some more time to settle down. I'd say in another week or two you should be doing much better. My longest spike after the onset of my tinnitus was 2 weeks and it was really bad.

I have great hopes that your spike will subside eventually. Getting on that course of Prednisone as someone else mentioned might speed up your recovery. Well, I am no expert but I read a lot and this is my impression

Also, I don't think you were exposed to those firecrackers long enough - which is certainly a good thing.

Hi Jiri,

Thank you for the encourging words! Spikes does indeed take time to settle, I guess I was hoping for faster improvment but its true that you can't really rush it.

About the firework it was lost likely a second or two only. I wasn't next to it but also not too far away so hoping the distance was enough to take the worst off. I heard a smaller bang (probably from when it was lit and shot off in the air) but it wasn't near as loud (still loud) so it was two bangs in a 3-4 sec span. I've been so careful until now and now I won't even walk empty street or walk in quiet parks without muffs out of fear for similar events. This isn't really doing well for trying to live normally haha.

I tried to call a lot hospitals and ENT but none had any doctor to see me and they also said they never heard of stereoids so all I got was "sorry we can't help you, try googling some other place".

 

[Jiri]

I wasn't next to it but also not too far away

Someone mentioned here that sound lessens with distance. That's correct.
However I'm not entirely sure if the table given in that comment was accurate. I might ask someone from the faculty of Maths & Physics to help me calculate the lessening of the sound impact from the 'boom' epicentre.

I'm sure there will be a lot of variables to take into account (the sound power of the blast, distance from the 'boom' epicentre, open field area vs a blockade between one and the explosive etc. etc.)

Now with the New Year's Eve and all the fireworks coming this could be interesting to look into and get some valid info. If nothing else it might put some people at ease and lessen their anxiety.

Anyways, how do you feel?

 

[LisaCuddy]

The thing is that you actually would have to calculate even the temperature of the air and direction of wind among so many other factors to boot. I would love to know how much all kinds of phenomena affect the decrease and increase in loudness.