As others have said, you should try to not dwell upon it.
Remember, human lifespans have more than doubled in the space of 100-150 years, so some of our parts haven’t evolved to last so long.
Hey, compare your tinnitus with my colonoscopy exam next week. Or, a cytoscopy. Now, don’t you feel better? |
Most cases of mild age-related tinnitus are associated with high frequency hearing loss. The damage usually comes from chronic exposure to loud sound over a period of years. In some cases exposure to a medication contributes. Caffeine, salt, alcohol, stress, and fatigue can make it temporarily worse, but eliminating these things won't make it go away. There is no cure. In my case, it largely came from using earbuds in an urban environment, back in the days when portable music was in its infancy.
|
bdp24
I admire your durability. |
Unfortunately lpretiring, I'm at the other end. |
bdp24
when your young, you can get away with just about anything. |
Great, caffeine and alcohol, the only things I drink. |
As far as diet and tinnitus, its not fat, its salt/sodium, alcohol and of course caffeine. And maybe what lpretiring mentioned but I have not gone down that route yet...
Sodium was the big one for me. You would be surprised. Cut it out as much has possible for a few days or more, then eat a pizza or big meal out or something high in sodium (most american or asian food) and then see what you hear... I now keep all meals down to 500mg or below...but thats just me. It helps.
As far as your system and room affecting it...YES, this can indeed be the case. I went through this very thing. My system sounded great but there was this almost 'unheard' high freq resonance that would set my ears off within moments. Ridding my system of glare and harshness on the power side helped but it wasn't until I properly treated the room --especially the back wall in my case-- then it was gone! I of course still have tinnitus BUT sitting in my listening chair with music no longer exacerbates it.
I would bet your tinnitus is not actually worse in the last month, you are just concentrating on it more. Although, I have gone though three 'upticks' of it over the years and then there is a new learning curve to get to the point of not noticing it again... But do not dismiss the system and the room. Glare from your systems power and the room acoustics have a huge affect on what yo are hearing. It worked for me. And my systems sounds even better, too.
|
Racer, if your willing to pay the price and explore diet, I have evolved over the last 30 years into a now gluten-free, flour free vegan. Research suggested to me that any flour restricts arteries for about 8 hours after ingesting. I forget the %, but it's over 25 for sure. Could it influence hearing? I'm not sure because I do not have this issue. Simply put, stick to veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans and gluten-free whole grains for a week and see where you are at. It clearly helps my air flow among other things.
Apologizes to all who might feel this is off topic. |
Normally I would agree with the above, but it really started when I did some extensive auditioning of equipment, I have backed off listening to my home (new) system for almost a month now with no change, the tinnitus actually may be a little worse now. I have been paying attention to the diet, I rarely have caffeine and now zero, but am also staying away from high fat foods and other foods that might exacerbate the problem. Eventually I will have to except it and simply listen at a fairly low volume, when I play music the tinnitus doesn't affect the music, to me at least I still hear everyone I remember from the past. |
Racer 45, The timing of your problem is curious. Perhaps the performance of your new system somehow is contributing. Your system and you also, might benefit from extensive isolating of all your new gear. Attention to room acoustics will not hurt either if needed. At the very least your system will sound better, and with luck maybe your condition will improve too.
I know how most of us truly love this hobby, and I wish you the very best in finding a way to relieve your symptoms. |
I'm sure many of us have mild tinnitus from loud concerts etc. but I got it from taking Accutane. Anyway, I felt really had about it at first, but the good news is the mind is a great filter, and it really doesn't interfere with my listening, or my perception of low-level musical details.
Much like surface noise on a vinyl record, you stop noticing it most of the time. |
"I got it bad and that ain't good."
rspyder, I will check out the suggested device.
|
There is a little device you can get from Hammacher Schlemmer. I found it very helpful at reducing the symptoms of tinnitus.
First World problems.
Ray
|
The best suggestion I have is just accept that you have tinnitus and pay as little attention to it as possible. My tinnitus bothered me much more when it was at a much lower level than it's at now. Then I decided I just had to accept that it was going to be part of my life and I had to stop letting it bother me or it would drive me nuts. I can listen to my stereo or even sit in a quiet place without noticing the ringing. I only notice it when I think about it, like right now, but I just try to focus on something else and before long I’ll forget about it. |
Prior to the Stones, I saw KISS at one of the smallest venues they ever played to promote their first album. Couldn't beat "Strutter" back then. This was also a loud show (as you can well imagine) hell, I was having fun and never thought about the future (of course) so there you go. It's interesting how decisions in your early years affect you in a, shall we say, "older" state!
|
I did go to the Stones, Elton John, John and Elvis Costello but I kept my concert going very limited. But small clubs and discos-a couple of times and then no. Anyplace where you have to scream at the person next to you makes no sense whatsoever. But try talking to friends on the phone who went to these places and concerts a lot and I'm thinking was it worth it.
|
You know what group suffers a lot from hearing loss? The horn players in Symphony Orchestras! Very high SPL in those crescendos. I've been wearing molded earplugs for decades now, but they make gauging dynamics and inter-band balances when you're performing very difficult. |
vindanpar,
So you were never in your twenties and just had to go see the Stones during their "Some Girls" tour? My buddies and I sat in the nose bleed seats at the Pontiac Silverdome about the farthest from the stage as you could get. This was beyond doubt the loudest concert I have ever attended. But hey, we were young and well, stoned and it was just what you did at that age. I guess we weren't as responsible as you.
|
For the very small amount of ringing that I sometimes detect, likely the result of playing in rock bands and attending concerts long ago (6 dB dip shelf from about 4500 to 5500 Hz), I have found that listening to very low levels of music, either on the system or via headphones, has improved the ringing (meaning reduced it) considerably. Perhaps it is the brain’s desire to hear detail at low levels that partially compensates so as to improve perceived signal to noise. Anyway, give it a try, it might help. |
I am beyond baffled as to why people go to places where there is deafeningly loud music whether it is a rock concert, a disco or a bar. From when I was a teenager I found it not only painful but I'll be very very kind and say incomprehensible. Maybe someone can explain this to me. Even at a young age I knew there was something very wrong with this and not only was I hurting my eardrums but it was pretty clear it would have long term consequences. I know people my age who have hearing loss(really beyond annoying when they keep asking me to repeat myself or ask me what was said in a movie) and tinnitus because of this and I'd like to know if it was worth it. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like to have a constant ringing in the ears and when it was so easily avoidable. Why would you want to compromise such a precious gift?
|
Racer45, sorry to hear you are so sensitive to even wind sound. With that information, I really think you should see a hearing specialist, Now.
My tinnitus is a pita, but nothing that makes me notice it during the day.
Thankfully, medical science has been addressing the ills of advanced age for a while, so now us young'uns benefit from their discoveries. |
Check, check and check on painkillers, (thankfully I don't need them) and no caffeine, I use quality earmuffs, (shooting style) while doing any yard work or using noisy machine tools, I am wondering if alchohol intake has any negative side effects as I do enjoy the evening cocktail or beer/wine. I actually got most of my new (used) audio gear off Audiogon for superb savings, if new I would have about 11k in my system. It's kinda heartbreaking that I can't fully enjoy it to its full potential. I do plan on seeing a hearing specialist to understand if there is anything in my daily activities that is causing a problem. I do daily morning road bicycle rides, and I even wear ear plugs as the wind noise is surprisingly loud.
|
Also be sure not to use pain killers such as Aspirin or Advil, or use it very little. Reduce caffeine. Then wear ear protection doing vacuuming, using lawn mowers or leaf blowers, going to movies, or anything else where the noise level is high. Relaxation techniques such as slow deep breathing before listening can be helpful too.
|
NR - the main ingredient in the supplement Basis has been shown in studies to protect the hearing of mice from sound induced damage. (Whether they were given it before or after the exposure!!!)
It has had a host of other even more beneficial effects for myself and other family members.
I have tinnitus as well from lots of shows and drumming. I carry earplugs and don’t attend loud shows anymore.
I will say I am more sensitive to etched treble though And have recently gotten back into listening to vinyl.
Since taking basis I don’t worry about enjoying music at home any longer. |
I have it, too. But, my stereo doesn't seem to be influencing it.
I would suggest consulting a hearing specialist. Sometimes something like TMJ might be a trigger.
|
There are recent threads about this ..
good luck i know all too well |
