First Haircut Since Tinnitus Spike — What Precautions Should I Take?

Hey everyone,

About a year ago is when I first noticed my tinnitus and I got my first spike a couple weeks ago due to acoustic trauma. Luckily the spike is fading.

I really need a haircut so I'll be getting my first haircut since the spike but I'm worried it can cause another one and prevent the healing of my ears.

When I get a haircut it's mostly done with scissors but electric clippers are used a fair bit as well. I was wondering if I should wear earplugs. I've heard mixed opinions on this. Some say it's not worth it because of the occlusion effect and the low frequencies of the clippers, and others say to wear them.

I'm not sure what to do and was hoping to get your opinions on it. Am I worrying for no reason? The barber I go to is never very busy and when I go it's sometimes just me or maybe just one other person getting a haircut.

Thank you for your help.

 

Tell your barber not to use the electric clippers because you have a medical problem with your ears and hearing. You won't be the first to say this, and if you are, then he'll be glad to accommodate you, by doing it the old fashioned way. Make sure that you give him a good tip.

 

If you feel it is too loud, you can plug your ear with a finger while they go around your ears with the trimmer.

No need to protect ears against scissor sounds.

 

It helps letting the person doing the cutting know of your problem beforehand. I did and it always turned out fine. I either bring earplugs or simply close my ears using my fingers when the clippers are in use.

 

The electric clippers don't bother me, and no protection needed. On the other hand, I have a battery powered detail trimmer at home, for sideburns, and that makes my ears crackle, so I use my earplugs with that.

 

Have you ever worried about plugging your ears and the vibrations from the trimmer not being able to escape? Somewhat of an occlusion effect. I don't even know if that's how it works but it's been a concern of mine, been sticking to just scissors, stylist very understanding.

 

I wear earplugs, the only thing that is irritating is if they rest the clippers on your ear it causes a lot of vibrations that sound pretty loud when you have earplugs in.

 

I need a haircut and I'm really scared to mess up my ears.

 

I just got a haircut. Wore earplugs but when the barber finished off with the clippers it makes a very loud buzzing sound when it was pressed up next to the skull right above my ear. The occlusion effect is pretty bad, I have no idea if it's dangerous levels or not. This is far from the first haircut I've gotten since getting T/H, I never got any lasting spikes from one, but it's still pretty uncomfortable when they rest the clippers on your ear. I think the earplugs may actually make it louder. This time it seemed even more uncomfortable than in times past.

 

If you're concerned about the electric trimmer, ask for "scissor cut only please".

 

Do it yourself and you can minimise the clipper contact around the ears. I do my own and never had an issue. In addition to T, I’ve suffered from H and all sorts of middle ear muscle sensitivities too by the way.

The sound of the clippers isn’t that loud but some are quieter than others. I have two of them and one is def louder than the other.

I wouldn’t use plugs because it will make the vibrations seem louder and upset you.

 

Ask for just a scissor cut works for me no noise

 

So I got the haircut today. I said scissors only and towards the end of the haircut he finished it off with electric clippers on the sides near my ears and the back of my head. Now I'm really worried it caused damage.I feel like my tinnitus is worse now but it may be my anxiety and me expecting it to be worse. I would say he used the electric clippers for like a minute. Do you think it would cause damage? To top it all off the haircut isn't good lol.

 

I don’t think it caused you any damage.

 

It's the blow dryer you need to worry about.

 

Even if you don't use the blow dryer, if it is used in the shop, wear ear plugs! I doubt the clipper did damage.

 

That's good to hear. I hope not

 

Yea, no blow dryer was used.

 

Luckily no blow dryer was used at all while I was in there.

 

The electric clipper does not bother my T at all, or increase it afterwards.

 

I do ask for scissor cut only, but they still use the trimmer for sideburns and up around the ears.

 

Yeah, that's what I do too, an only-scissors haircut, no noise around.

 

I ask them to use a razor for the sideburns and around the ears.