Is Hand Clapping Loud Enough to Cause Hearing Damage / Tinnitus?

Hey all, hope everyone is doing better.

I have a question, does anyone know if hand clapping is loud enough to cause hearing damage?

I have a friend who I love who after every joke claps his hands super loudly, my ears don't ring, but it doesn't feel comfortable. Recently I was in a small room with him and he kept doing it and my right ear actually felt sore and kinda blocked afterward.

I can't tell if this is just hyperacusis or not. I read somewhere that a handclap can be 130 decibels, but I can't find anything "scientific" to back this claim up and it seems unlikely as that's basically just like on par with a .22 rifle.

 

No.

 

I'd say listen to your body if it seems to irritate your ears. As someone with hyperacusis, sounds like this could definitely spike my hyperacusis or tinnitus.

 

Your ears feel uncomfortable by the sound of loud clapping because you have hyperacusis. Although keeping away from sounds that bother you help this does not provide a long term solution. If you are one of these people that overuse earplugs then you risk lowering the loudness threshold of your auditory system, which can tend to make it more sensitive to sound.

You have had tinnitus for quite a while and probably hyperacusis too. If you are unable to get professional treatment with an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment and management, which may or may not help. Then, I suggest trying to help yourself by slowly introducing yourself to normal everyday sounds. This maybe too much for you at present. Therefore, noise reducing earplugs might help but shouldn't be relied upon.

Michael

 

In all likelihood, it would probably cause symptoms, but not setbacks. Listen to your body. You want to do as much exposure as you can, but if something is making you worse, take precautions. Holy ****, if your friend claps at 130 dB, you must be the funniest person in the world.

 

Handclapping is very loud. For instance in a classical concert hall, it can be louder than the music...

 

Do you have hyperacusis?