Long Day in New York City — Construction Noises, Sirens, Loud Sounds — Can I Get a Tinnitus Spike?

Hey everyone,

Today I was walking around New York city for hours.

I wore musicians earplugs with earmuffs on top. I was exposed to a lot of construction noises, sirens and other really loud sounds so I'm worried about getting a spike.

How likely am I to get as spike in this situation? Considering I wore earplugs and earmuffs. Thank you.

 

If you are not experiencing a spike (or an ear fullness sensation) right now, you will likely be ok. If you wake up tomorrow and discover that you are not experiencing those things, you can be pretty sure that you won't be having a spike as a result of this exposure. As for the future, please keep in mind:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/members/pinkrose16.26792/#profile-post-16427

 

The spike is not all that likely, considering you wore both earplugs, and ear muffs. Then again, it depends on how loud the sounds were really, at your location, for how long and how reactive your T is to loud sounds. I have had police sirens go past me with only musician earplugs, and not spiked at this point, but plenty of others have spiked from far less of an exposure.

Also, musician plugs are quite variable in their protection. The ones I have are -18 NRR's, but I have seen others from -12 NRR all the way up to -25 NRR.

 

If your tinnitus reacts to such sounds and as a result you usually get spikes, then you have to worry, otherwise you will be fine. I never wear/wore earplugs or muffs after the onset. IMO, it is meaningless to wear those if you have non-reactive tinnitus.

 

You’ll be fine...

 

NYC is one of the few places that I am more prone than not to wearing earplugs around "normal noise levels", but I go there for several days for a conference every 2 years and I've never had any problems with spikes/etc. Mostly just carry plugs and insert them when street noise gets loud or before entering loud bars / restaurants (which is basically all of them).

 

Lifelong NYer. You're fine. It's rough when you have hyperacusis - and I wear plugs around the city a lot - but you're using way more protection than is needed unless you're one of the construction workers.

 

Thanks for the support everyone. @Tom Cnyc yeah I think I was definitely overreacting out of fear of making the tinnitus worse. Thanks for the reassuring words @Bill Bauer @Candy @Digital Doc @linearb. Today was another day with multiple noise exposures, a leaf blower, dog barking close to my ear but I'm gonna keep in mind that no matter how careful you are certain sounds are unavoidable and try not to worry about getting a spike.