Anyone else in my shoes? Ears going.........

Sadly, yes. I'm only 36. I've tried to wear earplugs whenever possible when playing drums, etc..., but my right ear isn't what it used to be. Thankfully it's not really a ringing problem. Sounds more like it hasn't "popped" after an altitude change. Some days are better than others.

There are clinics with audiologists who specialize in tinnitus treatment. My wife has suffered with tinnitus for over a year. She uses an ipod-like device that trains the brain to ignore that sound. She has found significant relief.

I have always had the tiniest ringing in the ears when things are extremely quiet
(the woods, the lake on a perfectly still winter morning) - even as a child - to
me this IS the sound of complete silence. It does not change the fact that I can
still hear better than most adults although my nine year old seems to be able to
hear what I do. When I say do you hear that (a quiet sound) - the wife usually
says What? and confirms she can't hear it even after trying. but the daughter
chimes in and says, "Really Mummy, can't you hear it too?"

I guess it is a matter of degree but I suspect we all have Tinnitus to a
degree....my only point is that it does not affect hearing accuity.

My tinnitus is most evident when it is quietest. At my desk in my office it is as loud as my PC fans or the sound of air blowing from the central air conditioner. At night it can be quite raucous. It is completely unnoticeable when I am listening to my stereo, a good movie on my home theater system or am out and active in public. I can understand it being a response to noisy environments. Tinnitus is very similar to the ringing I experienced as a teenager after attending a rock concert or after some time at a private outdoor gun range without ear protection. I take much better care of my ears than I used to… I want them to last, now more than ever.

I recently saw something about tinnitus on pbs, which said there is some evidence that tinnitus is activated by the brain when long term exposure to a noisy environment is replaced by a quiet one. As a previous post said, the brain responds by producing ringing. The researcher in the program seemed to suggest that when the ringing starts it may be dimished by creating or returning to some noise, such as turning on the tv or radio or engaging in conversation. If the theory is correct, then going to a quiet place such as a lake in the wilderness could activate tinnitus.

I notice my tinnitus is most noticeable in the morning and late at night. It does seem to disappear when I'm active. Perhaps I'll take my ipod with me to the lake.

I have read that tinnitus is a result of your brain compensating for the frequencies that you have lost the ability to hear, hence the high frequency ringing. I figure if my brain is compensating for the loss subconciously, and the tones are actually generated from within, with enough concentration, maybe I can shut them down. It may sound crazy but real or imagined (does it matter?) I can quiet it down for periods of time, even though it doesn't seem to be getting any quieter as a whole I don't think it has gotten any louder either.

I have gotten about as used to my Tinnitus as I ever will. It doesn’t really bother me (it can literally drive some people nuts – my poor brother-in-law is near the brink with his Tinnitus). What’s really disconcerting – maybe you can relate to this, is when you find yourself in a very quiet moment, or a very quiet and serene place, but you aren’t able to truly appreciate the moment because of the damn ringing in your ears. I used to go on annual fishing trips to the Canadian wilderness, where I would set aside my fishing poles for a whole day of hiking. I saw some fantastically beautiful geography and I would feel the peaceful tranquility of my environment, but I could never fully appreciate the whole experience because I couldn’t “hear” the complete quietness. The ringing is so loud in a truly (truly) quite place like that- it becomes almost deafening. Anyone with Tinnitus can probably relate…yada…yada. Anyway, Music and noise prevail over the Tinnitus and there’s no shortage of noise in my world.

The addition of an equalizer (no groans please) to my main audio system has not only helped me more finely set what I'm hearing but also enables me to adjust out some of the more harmful sounds that I find impact my hearing most. Redbook CD's are definately more of a problem then vinyl or SACD. Radio varies with station.

For support of my personal finding read on ... .

This system is deliberately very naturally sounding. I don't find the equalizer to negatively impact that. Plus I can always push-button it out.

I'm 56. Lost 40% of hearing in my right ear as a child. Lost notably more over the past 5 years for some reason. I have been around loud music for many years although my years with a band are now mostly limited to church service. I have learned to compensate for the loss since I pay for days with the ringing in my right ear if I'm not careful.

I usually like to listen to my music loud. I like to feel it and jam along most times. I believe I have quite a good sounding set up (my musician friends seem to agree and they are to say the least, CRITICS). It sounds very good at low levels BUT I like it loud more often.

I turned 49 in February. I have been a carpenter since I was 18, and have always listened to pretty loud music as well. About 5 years ago really started to pay attention to my hearing. I have had tinnitus for a while too with more hearing loss in my right ear than my left. I have become as OCD about my ears as I have about my gear. Earplugs when I work and run any machinery.
I can actually get my ringing to lessen a great deal with a 20 minute hot bath, ears below the water line, and concetrating on quieting the noise, calming my breathing, and trying to create a feeling of complete relaxation.

I have read that tinnitus is a result of your brain compensating for the frequencies that you have lost the ability to hear, hence the high frequency ringing. I figure if my brain is compensating for the loss subconciously, and the tones are actually generated from within, with enough concentration, maybe I can shut them down. It may sound crazy but real or imagined (does it matter?) I can quiet it down for periods of time, even though it doesn't seem to be getting any quieter as a whole I don't think it has gotten any louder either.

I just turned 50 and have slight high frequency hearing loss in one ear. I also have a never ending extremely high pitched squeal (tinnitus) in both ears that is louder in the one with some hearing loss. I have suffered from earaches my entire life. Even with these issues I can enjoy my system and hear the differences when swapping cables and equipment. I can tell a good accurate speaker from muddy ones or those that roll off. I agree with Raks - Enjoy the music!

You know you're getting older when...;*)

Everything that works hurts, and what doesn't hurt doesn't work.

You feel like the morning after, and you haven't been anywhere.

Your little black book only contains names ending in M.D.

Your children are beginning to look middle-aged.

Your mind makes contracts your body can't keep.

You look forward to a dull evening.

Your knees buckle and your belt won't.

Your back goes out more than you do.

You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there.

You know all the answers, but nobody asks the questions.

My ears are getting so bad that when my wife of almost 30 years yells at me to get away from the stereo and talk to her I can't hear her. Could that be considered an upgrade?

I’m kind of surprised that no one contributing to this thread has mentioned what Jim Smith says about “old ears” (“Get Better Sound” Tip 57). He didn’t dwell at length on the subject, but he did say enough to make me feel better about my 66 year ears… which I never felt were any darn good to begin with. He gave the example of an orchestra conductor that after standing in front of “really loud” orchestras for decades could still tell a string musician to retune his/her instrument, even though he’d lost a lot over the years.

After reading that, I immediately ordered the new pair of interconnects I had been dreaming about… and yes I did hear the difference. I love music! It has purpose… it makes my life better... it drives my wife nuts… it has influenced my children to appreciate one of God’s gifts… my son-in-laws think I’m cool because I’m got an over the top system … it makes my heart leap watching my 5 year old grandchild dance at Barnes & Noble with the headphones slipping off her head. I have to cut this short now because I just now convinced myself to buy a better power cord. ENJOY THE MUSIC!

At 53 I just recently got into high end audio because of my damaged hearing and raging tinitus. I find that the finer equipment allows me to enjoy the spectrum that is left to me better. And I believe that there is evidence out there somewhere that ones hearing acuity does improve within the spectrum you have to work with, much like the nose of a perfumer gets better with training.
For me my ears are ringing when I get home Friday night, but if I wear ear protection mowing the lawn ect, Sunday mornings I can really enjoy my system.
PS, beware of silica based antacids can cause tinitus, its in the fine print if you check.

You have discovered the cure for "audiophila nervosa" and can now spend time enjoying the music rather than searching for the unattainable.

Say it ain't so Joe

Plenty of hearing left in my Olddddd ears. You need to get out and listen some more.

Ear-igra is not for everyone- just men who are healthy enough to listen to music. If you have a listening session that lasts more than 4 hours, you should seek an audiologist's help immediately.

There is far more to music than just frequency response - think distortion, pitch, timbre, timing, etc. In fact each of us has such a unique combination of frequency response and varying sensitivity to the other factors that it's a wonder that other peoples opinions on the sound of gear are any use at all. As has been said many other times - if you hear a difference and it's good then that's all that matters.

Dick

It is a fear of mine as I just hit 53. I kinda like Zenieth's idea. "Viva Ear-igra!". It's all nerve endings in the ear isn't it? Hope I am just looking for hope.

Do you realize most of the audio equipment reviewers in magazines are over 50 as well? They are not super human. Imagine what they are hearing now and ask ourselves how much can their reviews be trusted?

I am 56 and I've got a very slight mid range hearing loss and a lot of other body parts that are not what they use to be..LOL

We all lose our ability to hear the higher frequencies that normally you can when younger as we get older.

At the same times the ears of those who listen to music over the years becomes more "tuned" and refined and better able to enjoy what is heard, I believe.

Botoom line is if it sounds good to you, then it IS good!

It might not be your ears. maybe you have finally realized that there aren
salut, Bob P.

I don't know what's worse...I can't see to hook anything up any more - my near vision is so far gone, or having to deal with trying to get a good central image when the hearing in my one ear is way worse than the other. Don't even get me started about the damn ringing in my ears...%$@! Tinnitus.

I'm in the same boat. Try a pair of Oticon Deltas they boost the frequencys that are needed allowing the mid & low range to pass through unaltered.

My ears went along with my **** Maybe they'll come up with a pill for that! :))

I'm over 65, my ears are not what they use to be, cannot hear above 13K on a test CD, BUT I can hear subtle differences every time I swap equipment or try a new tweak.

There's no need to give up on system improvements just because of calendar age or presumed deficiencies in hearing.

I'm in my upper forties and I can tell that my ears aren't what they used to be....enjoy what you have is my motto!