Hearing Protection and Tinnitus: Keep The Tiny Hair Cells Safe — Discuss!

I'm thinking of changing jobs because of the fire alarm we have at the office. It went off a couple of times and each time I think it left me worse off. It's a shame because I really like this job, but what can you do.

 

They are here http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000UJ8RHE/?tag=tinntalk-21 there are several sellers but not sure if all have them with a cord / string attached, so check when you buy.

 

Good question. If it was me, I would wear plugs. I now wear plugs when I am drying my own hair at home, and it has helped get my day off to a better start. I tested the dryer with my decibel meter... that thing puts out more than 100 dbs and I am holding it right next to my head.

And thanks, SteveH. I have custom plugs that I carry with me everywhere. But I also want something on a string so I can pop them in when something happens suddenly, so I don't have to dig my custom plugs out of their case

 

Depends how noisy it gets? But I would always ask my hairstylist to let me put in my ear plugs before using the hair dryer. It can
get pretty loud blowing so near to the ears esp
with H.
@LeQuack Would it be possible to look at preventive measures rather than leaving a job u like? I would imagine the latter would make u feel more trapped by T?

 

I've been wearing noise isolating headphones just for this reason for the latter part of last year, but they seemed to make my tinnitus worse and my ears very sensitive to sounds, so I'm not sure that's been a good solution for me.

 

get them online dear that's the easiest. I got peltor optime 3 ear defenders for around 25 $ and they are really good

 

Never bought anything online but i guess I have to start doing it now

 

I'd also say earplugs like the ER-20s would be useful for fire alarms. I have a set ready in my drawer at work and if I have pockets in what I'm wearing I keep a set there too.

As for hairdryers, I always use plugs and for the noise of a hairdryer I have found foam plugs the best. Without plugs my 'buzz' is much louder for the rest of the day, with musicians plugs it's slightly worse and foam plugs seem to make no change. I prefer musicians earplugs (like the ER-20s) for everything else!

 

I might go to this convention in April to meet a few of the stars from The Walking Dead and I have heard it is pretty loud there. So what type of ear plugs would you reccomend? I never really wear them because I am not in loud environments a lot and I really don't like putting them in my ears. What do you think are the best and most comfortable for this?

 

Custom musicians plugs are the most comfortable, I think. And the interchangeable filters allow you to have something of a conversation while wearing them. But they are very expensive and cheaper ones will work, too.

On the other hand, if you have tinnitus, why not make the investment? Plugs are one of the most important tools in making a good life for yourself with tinnitus. You deserve the best.

Search this site and you will find plenty of info about good choices and brands.

 

Ok I will look into them but I don't know if I will get the expensive ones because I don't go to a lot of loud places.

 

I wouldn't go. The bass frequencies will get you. Is it worth it? Have you ever experienced "Mega Tinnitus?" That's what I call it. I had it twice. Twice I exposed myself to loud music while wearing super sealing earplugs. For a few days after it was scary as hell. Voices were distorted like going through a fuzz pedal. The frequency of my tinnitus came WAY down, it was like a horn blaring in my head, a super loud mid range sound. I'm SO lucky today to have a constant squeal/hiss and no hearing loss. Remember, the damage to your tinnae is permanent. It cannot be repaired. If someone handed me a BILLION dollars and said, "Here take this money and the Mega Tinnitus." I'd say No way.

 

Well I wouldn't be going to the actually show, I would just go to the signings and photo ops. I was more worried about the noise of people talking then anything.

 

That's good, Logan. I often wear plugs or cotton in a crowd of chatter and yelling. That's exactly what you have to do. Do your best and protect what you've got. Good luck.

 

Hi guys, i was using the little tree type ear plugs for a while, but only just found out I wasn't wearing them properly! Yesterday I got my custom made earplugs and was surprised how much more amplified my tinnitus was, this is because they are fitted properly, they block out sound properly.

I was just pushing the plugs in (reusable ones) and that was it, tinnitus barely amplified, comfortable, all good. I just found the instructions on inserting them properly, you have to pull the top of your ear to open up the ear canal more, I did this and they did go in further and created a seal, reduced noise around me considerably, no longer comfortable and tinnitus a lot louder.

So going back to the custom plugs, because they fit the way they should it makes my tinnitus a lot louder wearing them which is annoying, so I'm a little disappointed, making me doubt I could use them for noisy work environments for hours a day. The only way I could use them for hours would be in a club, loud enough to mask my T while wearing the plugs.

 

I think you should definitely wear them. They dont really make it louder, they only make it seem louder. Also, if you work in a noisy environment the noise will mask the tinnitus a little bit anyway. If you dont wear them, you are risking with your t getting permanently louder.

 

Hi stina, I brought them so I could get any job that might be a noisy environment, knowing now they block a lot of sound making my T seem louder, I don't think I could work in a job that required me to wear ear plugs.

The only noise that would mask my T wearing them would be very loud music, in a club etc.

I don't think many people with tinnitus would work in jobs where you need to wear plugs alll day, too much amplification.

 

Can anyone advise me on ear plugs. My daughter has started going to see bands, I can't stop her but she is conducive to wearing earplugs, she's always been a bit of a worrier so I think she really would wear them not just say so to appease me. I'm going to get some for myself too but I don't tend to go out to gigs nowadays anyway.

What sort of thing should I be looking for -do you get what you pay for or are they all pretty much the same?

Thanks

 

Etymotic Research ER20--for live music you want a plug that will lower the volume so that you can still enjoy...ER20 plugs do just that...check out their website and reviews. Inexpensive as well.

 

I just bought these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0034ZI9AQ/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazing blockage yet you can still hear the music around you. They erase the awful tinny feedback that will make your ears hurt and hearing deteriorate.

Emmy

 

Do you know how much decibel reduction these offer?

 

Supposed to be average 20dB. I've got a pair and they seem to do the trick.

 

Thanks Steve. I bought another pair the erasers I believe they're called and it turned out to only be like 5db. Not quite as advertised.

 

That's pretty poor. There's also earpeace, they've got an extra noise filter and I don't think they've got a plastic end like the er20's. We're hoping to get some donated for our campaign perks.

 

I just ordered the earasers 19 db ones... How are they not what they say they are.. Can they lie about that? These were 50 dollars :-/

 

They only have 19db at certain frequencies. Fromm 20000hz to 6300 hz they pretty good. On average it's about 5db reduction and. It provides more reduction at highrt frq which is good. I want something that 20+ in all frequencies. They still decent though.

 

Confusing. So if something is 90 db like music at a bar will this cut out 19 db?

 

Only if it's at certain frq. So from 2000 it's 15db. 3150 it's 19 4000 -17 63000 - 15 8000-11db reduction. So it depends on what frequency the noise is different freq different db reduction. They claim to have good reduction at levels that are dangerous though. Which I don't know much about.

 

Your best bet is to find a plug that show you their noise chart. Pick something that performs well around all the frequencies, find reviews too so you know they are comfortable for long term use.

 

I

put in the foam ear plugs and then seal the ear with silicon ear plugs