What is a safe level of noise??

Doctors and audiologists tell me to protect my ears under heavy noise conditions like everybody should. Things like power tools, concerts, clubs etc, I should be protected. They also tell me not to overprotect, regular environments like pubs, traffic noise, loud grocery stores, things of this nature are fine. I come on here and a lot of people (including myself) seem to be wearing ear protection in any environment for the most part. Is this because we get a temporary spike? We are worried or even paranoid maybe? Or are we more prone to permanent damage having tinnitus vs. someone without? Are the guidelines different for us? What is safe for others is not for us? Really confused, hope someone can shed some light here!!

 

I think most people are overreacting on the noise level, i read about people wearing ear protection almost everywhere they go. Im not saying that they shouldnt do it but atleast i havent had a problem with high noise level since i got my tinnitus. I have had tinnitus since 6 months back now and i have still been gonig out to clubs, drinking and just simply having fun. Almost every weekend i am out partying at clubs with loud music and still my tinnitus have not changed a bit since the day i got it.

As we dont know much of tinnitus i understand that people are afraid of loud noises incase it would increase there tinnitus even more.

 

That's great you are enjoying life! Yeah, I wonder if it's just a fear thing more than anything. I know I'm f--kin scared!

I would never attempt a club even with plugs...although I miss it so so much. Going out with buds and getting slammered without a care in the world!!

ts

 

Are you wearing ear plugs at the 'clubs with loud music'?

 

I havent got alot of experience of tinnitus since i have only had it for 6 months, but i read this thread recently https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/long-time-sufferer.4496/

Maybe it has something with how much your ears can handle and that could be different from person to person. Ive been ok with the loud noises hell i even feel better with loud noise, it shuts out the frkn thing completely

 

No, ive actually never bothered with wearing ear plugs anywhere except from work when im working with loud machines. Maybe its stupid of me not to wear them at clubs, but then again, my tinnitus havent changed a bit since i got it.

 

I hve cranked my music in the car at times...just feels so good for the moment. Stress release and yeah makes shit disappear. Mine is not noise induced, so not sure if that makes a difference or not. There must be something to do with clean sounds vs noise as well. Like a crisp audio system doesn't hurt my ears like a ton of people shouting would, don't know if that's a emotional reaction or has something to do with the actual signal.

 

Wear ear plugs at the club man! It's dangerous even without T!

 

I think this is a question that many on this board struggle with, myself included. My primary care doc and ENT both told me that hearing protection was not needed in everyday situations, even bars/restaurants/movies, so I was surprised to read that so many on this site seem to wear them all the time. I don't know the answer, but "what is too loud" probably varies from person to person. If I had to guess, I would say that many people on here are overprotecting, which makes sense because the idea of worsening your T can be terrifying. But if you let that fear control you, it will just make it worse. Do whatever you did before T, but use common sense and have some plugs with you just in case you need them (like your friends drag you into a bar with a live band, or something).

I got some custom plugs for loud situations, but I'm trying not to wear them unless I really have to. Most cafes, restaurants, bars, movies etc are probably fine (sometimes I use them, sometimes I don't). But definitely use plugs if you're operating machinery or going to a concert... that's how my T started.

 

I had new smoke detectors put in around my home, these suckers are loud, I mean ridiculous loud (I'm sure 110-120db at least! I stood outside with ear plugs and still loud!! The guy stood there, one foot away testing them, man!! Tried to say something, he just gave me a weird look. He proceeded around the complex doing this all day!! I bet he does this all day everyday. Guess you don't know until it's too late. Everyone warns about hearing damage, why not talk about screaming T?? This is way the f--k more scary than reduced hearing.

 

I've read that if one has to raise one's voice to be heard during a normal conversation that it's time to leave wherever you are or use ear plugs. Is that erroneous? It's not very practical at family gatherings after everyone's had a few drinks.

I don't protect my ears unless riding or using a hair dryer.

 

Yeah was going to say just that, voices get loud even with no background noise.

 

I dont protect my ears everywhere, i dont want to over protect and get H. Hair dryer, vaccume, if someone is using a chainsaw next door and im workin in the yard, loudass bars, loud movies in the theatre which i rarely ever see movies, dont go to clubs or concerts like ever so dont gotta worry bout that. Did have a few fireworks and firefrackers go off infront of my like ten feet away that i wasnt wearin plugs for cause the neighbor unexpectly lit them off but was okay thankgod.