Tinnitus Specialist Listed on ATA Website Gave Me Conflicting Advice

So I just went to visit a tinnitus specialist that was listed on the ATA site. This marks my second doctor visit since my issues began. He ran more tests this time on top of the regular audiogram which I received last time. Right from the beginning I noticed something was wrong because he didn’t seem to care about running tests that played sounds up to 75 db in both my ears. I naturally had to stop my last one because he wanted to play a loud clicking noise for 10 minutes for an acoustic neuroma test. I’m pretty sure I don’t have this so I went ahead and discussed results.

I was confused to hear him explain some things which went against the general held beliefs on this site. First he wanted me to completely stop wearing any protection because he believes a weakened ear still applies to the OSHA regulations. He told me there are many studies to confirm this. As long as I don’t subject myself to extremely loud noise, I could even continue listening to music on my earphones following regulations. I find it strange that many here have argued for the exact opposite. I got the impression that a weakened ear has a lower threshold or tolerance. My ears certainly behave this way so I’m not sure what to believe.

He also treated my reactive tinnitus as more of a psychological issue rather than a physical one. The explanation was that I created a negative response to the noise with my anxiety and stress. I think this can be true absolutely but I don’t see how this can explain every spike we experience. My showers fill my head with a buzzing sound that vibrates my whole head. Many here describe similar experiences with temporary or permanent spikes. Again, I don’t see how stress or anxiety can be the sole reason for spikes when many experience their issues through noise exposure.

At the moment I’m dealing with a spike from his tests. Ears don’t feel well again and his advice has me scratching my head. It was interesting to learn that he himself suffers from T with considerably more high frequency loss (this test went up to 12k and revealed more loss compared to my last). He mentioned he used to play in bands which probably contributed to his rise in T. This doesn’t exactly inspire confidence considering he wants me to abandon the plugs when I go outside. I feel bad for the criticism but my symptoms just don’t agree. If you have any input please share!

 

The only time I wear earplugs is when I know I'm going to be in a loud environment. Otherwise they stay in my pocket. I don't agree with his suggestion that you can continue to use earphones. Earphones can be bad for your ears so why take a chance. I agree with you that stress and anxiety cannot be the sole reasons for spikes. That just doesn't make any sense.

 

To me a primary issue with headphones and earphones is that they always go wrong sooner or later and blast noise into your ears. It's just something that will happen - a bad connection, bad software, feedback... there are many causes. Even if it only happens once in 1000 times, that means it'll happen once every three years.

That's why I avoid headphones. If I had some way of guaranteeing that they'd stay under a certain dB level no matter what I'd be willing to use them, no problem.

 

Have you seen https://www.amazon.com/FSL-Protec-Headphones-Adjustable-Limiting/dp/B019Y5OJRQ ?

 

Thanks! Yeah, that's the feature I'd want, though what'd make sense to me is to get it as a small headphone amplifier that just rolls off the volume at a high dB.

E.g. I'd still want to be able to hear voices clearly, but if for some reason a loud sound came through it'd just drop that to a conversational dB level. Essentially compressing the whole signal.

I wonder if it exists! I haven't looked, to be honest.

 

If you already have ones you like you can use a cable like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9U7KFC/?tag=stackoverflow17-20

I use these headphones: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Noise-C...59&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=sony+wh1000xm2&psc=1

They have active noise cancellation but can amplify voices. They are great for an office environment. I usually have music on about 10 % and it seems plenty loud to mask my T.

 

A small percentage of people experience permanent damage following these regulations. Its designed to protect the majority. Some people are just more susceptible to damage than others. The same thing happens in animal studies. I know this and I'm not an expert.

 

I wish he was right, but I do not think so

 

I agree. After reading through many threads, you learn quickly that all damage to the inner ear is not exactly the same. He may be able to expose his ears to louder sounds and that’s great for him. I’m sure I can’t so I stay away.