Should I Wear Protection in City Traffic?

[vaseto99]

I live in a big city and today I took a walk. The area has alot of traffic and its pretty noisy. Sometimes when a bus passes near me it makes this loud noice like it releases air or something. It makes me feel anxious when it happens near me since I dont want to worsen my tinnitus...

Do you wear protection when walking around the city and should I too?

 

[dpdx]

yes

 

[Luman]

There is no evidence that normal street and traffic noise will increase tinnitus. I live in a big city and used ear protection, when outside, for a couple of months when my T started, which made my ears too sensitive. After I stopped using the earplugs, it took a while for my ears to adjust to normal. I still carry earplugs with me at all times, but only use them when I'm in a loud subway station, or around other places where noise levels are very high.

 

[john paul]

i think its anything over the 80db mark that you need to protect against. The hardest part is you never know when something loud is going to come out of nowhere so it makes sense to just wear plugs all the time. Its such a hard thing to get right, i think you just have to use your intuition. Carry plugs with you and if you sense potential hazards use them.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Do you wear protection when walking around the city and should I too?

I do. I highly recommend it.

 

[Gman]

I live in a big city and today I took a walk. The area has alot of traffic and its pretty noisy. Sometimes when a bus passes near me it makes this loud noice like it releases air or something. It makes me feel anxious when it happens near me since I dont want to worsen my tinnitus...

Do you wear protection when walking around the city and should I too?

I got a massive instant spike last year when a bus did that as I was walking along the street. I used to be less vigilant about ear protection in normal situations.
If there are a lot of motorcycles or motor scooters and cars with ridiculously loud mufflers, or if people honk a lot in your area (as is the case where I am living), then I would say yes. It also depends on how long you are exposed to the sound.
Very busy intersections and roads can exceed 85db.

 

[Bill Bauer]

i think its anything over the 80db mark that you need to protect against.

You are talking about noises that could cause hearing loss for healthy people. Our ears have been compromised - T can get louder as a result of noises that are quieter than 80 dB.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Do you wear protection when walking around the city and should I too?

@vaseto99

If you are very sensitive to traffic then you will benefit from using "noise reducing" earplugs. However, they should be used temporarily. If you become dependent on noise reducing earplugs, to suppress normal everyday sounds, then you risk lowering the loudness threshold of your auditory system. This can make your sensitivity to sound worse. If you are not careful you could develop phonohobia and misophonia in addition to having tinnitus and hyperacusis, if hyperacusis is present? Please don't think it can't happen. I know people that have developed these conditions because of overusing hearing protection long term. Please click on the links below and read my posts on: Tinnitus, hyperacusis, phonophobia and misophonia.

Tinnitus and hyperacusis usually improve over time and in some cases may require treatment. The overusing of hearing protection, is not the solution and can matters worse.

Michael

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/the-complexities-of-tinnitus-and-hyperacusis.25733/

 

[SugarMagnolia]

Hi @vaseto99. I have never used ear plugs before, but after a recent loud noise near my ear and a worsening of my ear, I am going to start. I'm waiting for my package of ear plugs to be delivered, but I wish I already had them today when some rowdy teenagers were yelling near me and one clapped her hands loudly as she stood right next to me.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

Hi @Luman. Nice to meet a fellow New Yorker. I've given up the subway completely.