Podcast at High Volume with Leaf Blower Leads to Severe, Lasting Tinnitus and Sleepless Nights

[PVR]

I was listening to a podcast with Apple AirPods Pro 2 while using a leaf blower. I turned up the volume so I could hear the conversation, and it went on for maybe one and a half to two hours. The result was brutal ringing, mostly in my right ear. I thought it would go away, but it hasn't. One year later, it is just as awful as ever.

I use white noise at night to mask it, but it does little, and my sleep is interrupted every night. As I type this, my head feels like it is exploding. I pray for a miracle.

 

[henkess]

I think it will get better. The same thing happened to me with a leaf blower. My ear slowly healed after a while, and I returned to my regular baseline tinnitus.

 

[Sonia554]

I think it will get better. The same thing happened to me with a leaf blower. My ear slowly healed after a while, and I returned to my regular baseline tinnitus.

How long was a while?

 

[PVR]

Thank you, @henkess.

 

[henkess]

How long was a while?

It was getting much better around nine months, and almost completely gone after a year. I was so happy. =)

 

[Sonia554]

It was getting much better around nine months, and almost completely gone after a year. I was so happy. =)

That's awesome. I'm just beginning month nine. I've had a lot of reduction, but it's still there. This gives me so much hope, and I hope I can say the same at one year.

 

[Sonia554]

I was listening to a podcast with Apple AirPods Pro 2 while using a leaf blower. I turned up the volume so I could hear the conversation, and it went on for maybe one and a half to two hours. The result was brutal ringing, mostly in my right ear. I thought it would go away, but it hasn't. One year later, it is just as awful as ever.

I use white noise at night to mask it, but it does little, and my sleep is interrupted every night. As I type this, my head feels like it is exploding. I pray for a miracle.

I'm so sorry, @PVR. There are many stories out there just like yours, where people had extended exposure to lawn equipment such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers and eventually healed completely after one and a half to two years, even if they saw no improvement at the one-year mark. There is still hope. You might be right on the edge of beginning to see improvement. Please keep us updated, I would love to know how you progress.

Here is one of my all-time favorite recovery stories. It shows that even after a severe exposure and long-term symptoms, full recovery can still happen.

Here is another story from someone who had trauma from a riding lawnmower. It took two years to heal, but resolved almost entirely.

 

[delta784]

I was listening to a podcast with Apple AirPods Pro 2 while using a leaf blower. I turned up the volume so I could hear the conversation, and it went on for maybe one and a half to two hours. The result was brutal ringing, mostly in my right ear. I thought it would go away, but it hasn't. One year later, it is just as awful as ever.

I use white noise at night to mask it, but it does little, and my sleep is interrupted every night. As I type this, my head feels like it is exploding. I pray for a miracle.

How old are you?

 

[billie48]

I pray for a miracle.

A miracle happened to me after one year of suffering. After that, it became more bearable. In the third year, I wrote my success story, "From Darkness to Light…" where I shared some helpful strategies.

Time and the right strategies will bring healing. I never thought it was possible when I was in deep suffering at the beginning, but I live a normal and enjoyable life now—traveling often, fishing, gardening, and dancing with my wife.

Be patient. It will get better. Take good care, and may God bless your recovery.

 

[Bill Arsenault]

I'm more afraid of some maniac wielding a running leaf blower than of someone holding a loaded rifle.