Going to the Beach — Should You Be Wearing Earplugs When There Are Rough Waves?

I went to the beach for the first time (in two years) since my tinnitus got worse. The beach was empty, just me and the ocean. I swam and I walked along the shore were the waves break. After 5 to 10 minutes I started obsessing again and whipped out the sound meter. It read around 74-76 dB where the waves break and at its max it read 82 dB.

Should I be wearing earplugs around rough waves? Could a 10-15 min exposure at up to 82 dB cause damage?

It seems like exaggeration as I've never worn earplugs for light swimming or walking along the seaside before, but heck, I don't know.


Thanks

 

I went to the beach, the waves were crashing and moving back and fourth, without earplugs and I did not spike. I was there around six hours.

 

If you feel you should, then yes.

When my hyperacusis was at its peak two months ago, I couldn't be within two rooms of a boiling kettle. Now in a good day I can stand next to one quite happily.

Your ears will start to tell you if they are feeling under pressure. But try not to protect or avoid sounds as long as it feels comfortable and there is no imminent danger.

 

It depends on whether this kind of a sound gives you a spike. If I were you, I would be on that beach for 15-30 minutes, and then see whether this gives me a spike that day, or the next morning. If there is no spike, I would gradually increase the time on the beach. If there is a spike, I would try wearing earplugs.

 

Sounds wonderful. Do you live in Australia?

 

Probably no need for earplugs, but if you think so, then not foam, but silicone, or earplugs designed to keep water out would work.