Tinnitus No Longer Bothers Me

My noise-induced tinnitus remains at about 60 decibels, when voice matched. I have had tinnitus since 1992, and it was fairly mild to start with. I have been a professional brass player since 1962 - trombone and trumpet. An acquaintance blasted an instrument directly into my face in June 2014. On waking the following morning I was in ‘HELL...!!!’

I asked my lovely wife to take me to Dignitas. She said, “Dave I would do anything to help you - but never that. I know that it must be terrible, but you have to be bigger than tinnitus.”

I’ll cut a long story short. Sylvie achieved a diploma in clinical hypnotherapy at King’s College Hospital, London (2002). On a jazz week in Salabrenia in Spain, my tinnitus was ragging. I told Sylvia during the afternoon, that I didn’t think I could go on stage that evening. This would have jeopardised the entire booking, and my career.

We went to our bedroom, Sylvie hypnotised me, and gave me a subliminal suggestion that my tinnitus would recede into the background, and would begin to bother me less and less. I was able to appear, and continued performing on stages, jazz clubs, international festivals, cruise ships etc... using earplugs throughout each performance, but easing them out of the ear when playing a trombone feature when tone and execution were absolutely vital.

In 2017 I decided to leave my beloved profession to minimise the risk of further damage.

My tinnitus level has not dropped by even 1 dB since 2014.

I haven’t been appearing on ‘Tinnitus Talk’ much recently, though I did make a video called “Dave’s Tinnitus Story” which is up on YouTube, about five years ago. I wanted it to be informative, and encouraging, though I stated that there is no cure, unlike various other videos that claimed to offer a cure???!!!

If you watch it, you will easily see that in emotional terms it cost me something to make it.

In recent years I lost Sylvie, my adorable wife, developed progressive Parkinson’s disease, broke my right shoulder in a (P) fall, which is beyond surgical repair, joined a philosophy class, and now give two lectures a month on Jazz Appreciation. I have several anecdotes, having played with several of the jazz greats.

Since joining Tinnitus Talk, I have written countless items on here. Until today it had not occurred to me to write a ‘Success Story” - let’s face it - I still have loud tinnitus. But my tinnitus very rarely occurs to me nowadays.

Sylvie’s hypnotic suggestion obviously helped, as does meditation, and lessons on acceptance learnt in my philosophy class.

Best wishes to everybody.

Love,
Dave
Jazzer xx

 

That was a really nice read Dave. I have to say that your optimism and positive attitude, despite your plight, is admirable.

Wish you all the best.

 

Thank you very much brother. But I should really say - in essence, what choice do I have?

As you may know, Eckhart Tolle advises, “I accept this moment just as it is.” Resistance to that which already is, will increase the suffering. (Clever buggers them philosophers.)

Dave x
Jazzer

 

Eckhart was spot on with that advice. Letting go and accepting is "the only" way forward.

Thanks for sharing @Jazzer. All the best!

 

Thanks for sharing @Jazzer. Reading your story was one of the first things I did when I was introduced to Tinnitus Talk. I enjoyed learning about your jazz background and adapting/adjusting to severe tinnitus.

 

I just can't let go. So I suffer I guess.

 

It takes time. Lots of it. Hang in there.

 

You’re only a few months in. I think most people think that initially. You’ve read this story so it should give you hope that even with severe tinnitus you can learn to be unbothered by it and as a result notice it less and less.

 

Hello @gameover, hang in there, you can do this x

 

@Jazzer, did your tinnitus ever fluctuate much after it got worse in 2014?

 

No, I don’t think so.

I bought a decibel meter for my iPhone (SPLnFFT) and voice matched my tinnitus noise to the meter, and it was always about 55-60 dB.

 

Thank you for your story. I’m also a brass, cornet, trumpet, flugelhorn player.

I developed tinnitus 12 months ago after a COVID-19 infection, which coincided with the first return to performance post-COVID-19 and in quite a loud environment! I’d never used earplugs or thought about hearing damage up until then. I think the combination of the infection and performances over that weekend probably was the cause.

I’ve only played a few times over the past year for fear of more damage. I’m intrigued how musicians cope with tinnitus and continue to play. Interestingly, I haven’t met anyone in my circle who has tinnitus and plays.

I’m 51 years old so probably with many years of unnoticed cumulative damage.

 

What type of music do you play Sam?

I’m a Dixieland / mainstream jazzer, with a fairly forthright sound. I continued playing for three years with tinnitus using earplugs, but eventually had to give up.

 

Oh amazing!

I started off in traditional brass bands and still play occasionally with a carnival style band that I organise. I managed a 3 day festival in Germany last September. I had to, I organised the band getting there! I struggle to play with attenuated earplugs. It takes the enjoyment out of it. I really want to return to banding properly again!

What ear protection did you use?

 

When I stopped playing, I was first call trombone for five bands. As I took solos in every number, I could only use the standard silicone sponges, as I had to ease them half out for my solos and features. If you look up ‘Jazzer’s Videos’ on here, and find ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’, you’ll get my style of jazz.

 

Looking back, do you think you should have given up earlier?

 

Good question.

The single incident that doubled my tinnitus occurred in June 2014.

I was playing very well - strong concept and good technique. I was enjoying myself. I decided to pack up in 2017. My noise hadn’t increased - I just got more worried about it.

 

I had a listen and watch. What an incredible sound and style... bravo! My dad was a trombone player, he loved Dixieland style. He got me into brass by bringing home his little girl, a cornet, from band one night. 40 years later I’m still playing, but only half playing now. I just don’t want to have to give up completely!

 

Well done Sam - with earplugs you should be okay I think. Working in jazz clubs, some of the band leaders set the volume too high, I always complained and asked for some consideration, but was ignored. So I decided to quit. But I had played professionally for 57 years, and enjoyed every minute of it.

Best wishes Sam.

Dave x
Jazzer

 

And best wishes to you too.

Sam

 

I wish I was as brave as some people here. Sometimes it gets really soul crushing, especially when you can't sleep.

 

You are very new to it. Everybody who joins Tinnitus Talk has or has had a tinnitus problem, it has nothing to do with "bravery". In the vast majority of tinnitus cases, the mind has to adjust to it, and it becomes less and less bothersome. The chances are very good that your tinnitus and its annoyance will improve, in time.

 

Beautifully said @Luman.

 

Thanks for sharing @Jazzer.

I admire your optimism even though it's the only choice. Your story is a must read for everyone, not only tinnitus sufferers. You're such a strong person, my hat is off to you. I wish you all the best

Sincerely.