Is It Safe to Go to Movie Theaters If You Have Noise-Induced Tinnitus?

[jess1]

Does anyone with noise-induced tinnitus have experience or advice about going to the movies? I've seen that many people still go to the movies with tinnitus, but is it a bad idea to go if the cause was noise-induced from headphones and possibly concerts?

 

[alwaysmasking]

This is one of those things that differs from person to person. You will find all kinds of accounts. Some people say their tinnitus became worse, while others say they still go regularly and notice no difference. You never really know until you try, and in my view, it is playing with fire. There is a good chance you can do this and be fine, but there is also a chance you could end up with irreversible damage. Unfortunately, part of this condition is never knowing what will or will not make things worse. Sometimes the best choice is simply not to take the risk.

Look at it this way: a good film will eventually come out on streaming, but your ears may never heal if they are predisposed to damage from a theater.

 

[MindOverMatter]

There is no definite right or wrong with this. I used to go to movie theaters for about ten to fifteen years after I first got tinnitus, and I had no issues whatsoever. If you ask me today, I would not go.

If you feel comfortable with it and do not have problems with the sound levels, you could try going with musician earplugs, for example.

 

[withintention]

I have a decibel meter and Westone custom-molded earplugs with 9 dB, 15 dB, and 25 dB filters. I use the appropriate filter to make sure I am never exposed to more than 80 dB for longer than a few minutes.

When the movie starts, I measure the decibel level and then insert the appropriate filter. No problems so far.

 

[Emperor-Drax]

I've been going to the movies for years with earplugs. They make dialogue harder to hear, but they help me get through the louder moments. Right now, though, since I have a recent acoustic trauma and all the symptoms that come with it, I don't think I can handle loud venues or events, even with earplugs, for the foreseeable future.

 

[RingDingDong]

I use the Hearos concert earplugs every time I go to the movies or attend a loud event. I can still hear the dialogue, but during loud moments I'm not overwhelmed by the noise. I also use earplugs whenever I'll be in a noisy environment, like a busy city street or sidewalk.

I know some people frown upon using anti-anxiety medication, but from time to time I take 1 mg of Clonazepam to help me relax. I keep a small supply just for the days when the tinnitus is especially bad, to help me get through it. I also play white noise while taking a bath, use the Clonazepam, and soak in the hot water to relax my muscles.

With relaxation, I can lessen it a little, or perhaps it's just that my perception of it decreases. Still, it's always there, like a dark passenger that refuses to leave my head. I wish all my fellow tinnitus sufferers relief, and I pray that one day spontaneous recovery will occur.

 

[Cor]

I always take earplugs with me. I found a local cinema that's a bit quieter, where I rarely need to use them.