Introducing Myself — Singer with Tinnitus

Hello all. I am a 45 year old male who came down with tinnitus on Tuesday Nov 20th 2018, while sitting at my desk at work. But there is a long build up to it I would say.

I started going to live concerts in clubs at 14 years of age. I started playing live shows as a bass player at 16 years old. I do not think I wore ear plugs all that much, but I did from time to time for sure. At age 21 I switched from being a bass player to a vocalist. Since then, I have performed hundreds of shows, released records, toured etc. I have worn ear protection more than most of the time too. Among all of this is the music listening, on headphones, nearly every single day for some 20 years.

Sometime late 2017 or early 2018, I noticed that my ears would ring, only briefly out of nowhere and then stop. I also noticed light bouts of dizziness as well, but I was equating that with the meds I am on - 100 mgs of seroquel and 1000 mgs of depakote for anxiety and depression, 2 things I have struggled with for a long time as well.

Sometime after a meeting I was stressing about on Tuesday Nov 20th 2018, I went back to my desk and the ringing in my ears came on again. Only they didn't go away, I am now on day 13 of this and the sounds get louder, higher, change pitch, go from ear to ear and for one moment last week - stopped for a bit, only to come right back.

I went to an ENT in Brooklyn who came recommended. Did the ear test first to learn that I have mild to significant hearing loss in both ears. My lows and mids are good, but my highs are bad....whatever that means.

The ENT dr prescribed me the following: Lipo Flavonoid 3 times a day for 60 days to start and a week long 10 mg Prednisone course that ends today.

My biggest and most pressings current issues:

- The current ring volume is bad, worse than ever. What do do? I am at work and in a fog.

- What will become of my singing? Can I still rehearse and perform live? I have not even told my band members yet. I will very soon. We have a gig December 14th.

- Sleeping and the night time were 2 of my favorite things. Now I fear them both. Last Thurs night and last night were HORRENDOUS. The sounds were so loud I was and still am in a panic. I took a 3mg Melatonin very late. Should I take it earlier?

- Music listening. Do I stop for a while? I certainly stopped headphone listening.

Thank you all.

Sincerely,

Mike in Brooklyn

 

Hello @Mike in Brooklyn

Don't let it get to you. Especially if this is new to you. Do NOT let it take over. I was there once. Take care of your hearing for now and don't get yourself too close to loud sounds.

I'm not too sure about this, as I'm not a singer. But I imagine it'd be better take a break.

Well it's good that you stopped using your headphones. As for listening to music through speakers, I'd advise to not play it at high volumes, and to not play music with the speakers so close to you.

I had basically gotten along well, but I'm kind of having an episode right now. Hopefully it's only temporary, for me and you. We are all here for each other on this forum. To think I can tell others to not give up, yet I need strength myself. Well, let's pray and hope that all goes well, and things will only get better.

There are members here who seem to be very knowledgeable, and can give much better advice. @Bill Bauer @Michael Leigh @glynis are the ones I can think off the top of my head.

If you have any questions, they can hopefully answer you.

Sincerely
Hariz from Singapore

 

HI @Mike in Brooklyn

The advice @Hariz Nonis is good and I advise you to follow it. Without doubt it is loud music that has caused your tinnitus and the route cause I believe is Headphone use. These are the most dangerous devices on the planet for causing "noise induced tinnitus" in my opinion and for making the condition worse when people return to using them! The problem arises when listening to music at too high a volume and for long durations, something that a lot of people do no realize until it's too late, hence the onset of tinnitus. Therefore, I advise you never ever to use them again even at low volume - even after your tinnitus reduces and you habituate. I am very serious about this.

Please click on the links below and read my posts that you may find helpful.
All the best

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-ent-doctor-and-hearing-therapist.24047/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/inspiration.22894/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/can-tinnitus-counselling-help.22366/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

 

There is a chance that it will begin getting quieter sometime within the next 3-6 months. Don't assume that you will be stuck with what you are hearing now.

I would never be anywhere near a live concert if I were you. Some people tried living as if they don't have T, and ended up regretting it. However, many people take this risk and end up being ok. I just think that T can be so devastating that the risk is not worth it.

Stop using headphones and being around live music. Surely you can continue to listen to music as long as the volume is at low or moderate level.

Check out
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

 

This. Hopefully I did not make a mistake. Though @Michael Leigh , I do have a more recent thread, and I'd like to know your thoughts based on the replies and what other members have said.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...causing-the-ringing-i-hear.32703/#post-394530

 

I will reply to your question later @Hariz Nonis as I need time to read the entire thread and give some thought to the matter.

Michael

 

I'd take it easy on your ears for a while.

I personally don't subscribe to the "no-headphones mantra" (neither do doctors - it seems), but I do think it makes sense to limit the volume of what goes into your ears, whether via headphones, IEMs, speakers, or general environment.

I personally stay away from live gigs, but I keep making music in environments where I can control the volume.

Good luck!

 

So how is it for you now?

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_tinnitus

Go get custom molded earplugs.

 

how do you not notice the inability to hear high pitch noises?

 

Are you sleeping better?

 

I have a good cut on high frequencies on left ear.One thing i noticed when listen to jazz was if i cover my right ear i couldn't hear the brushes in the drums ,used a lot in jazz or even the beat on the plates.

 

Cymbals are also hard to hear with HF losses: I can't hear my hi-hat from my right ear :-(