Tinnitus Spike After Highway Drive in Noisy Car Despite Using Earplugs: How to Proceed in the Future?

[grayfox00]

I've had tinnitus since 2021, probably from heavy headphone use. It was well habituated until recently, when I got a new car with relatively loud tires, measuring about 72 dBA inside and peaking at 78 dBA according to a professional sound meter. After a two-hour highway trip wearing Alpine Music Pro earplugs with a 16 dB filter, my tinnitus seemed louder and more reactive.

It might be a temporary spike, but I'm unsure whether to use earplugs on future trips. I plan to reduce cabin noise by adding sound-deadening mats and changing the tires next month. I've had tinnitus spikes in the past when I started focusing on it too much and frequently checking if it had gotten worse.

 

[Badger55]

You should be getting the maximum possible attenuation. Car travel is very risky for reactive tinnitus. I use Peltor earmuffs with foam plugs underneath.

 

[delta784]

You should be getting the maximum possible attenuation. Car travel is very risky for reactive tinnitus. I use Peltor earmuffs with foam plugs underneath.

How old are you, @Badger55?

 

[Jupiterman]

@Badger55, when you drive with double protection, how does it affect your tinnitus?

 

[Badger55]

My car has been fitted with noise-dampening material in the doors and floors. I usually drive for short periods on smooth roads, and the average sound level inside the car while driving is between 58 and 68 dB. I believe the spiking while driving is fairly minimal.