Tinnitus

[Halikus]

You know, today was one of those days where I woke up and did not notice the tinnitus, then I saw this thread and as if by magic.....

And my titnitus is way louder than my speaking voice, time to fire up the Herbert

 

[threadkiller]

So I guess I should chime in. Im an ear, nose, and throat doctor who was also a professional guitarist in a touring thrash band back in the day. The best way to think of tinnitus is as a phantom limb type phenomenon, the sound is being generated in your brain as a result of damage to the high frequencies in your cochlea. I have very loud tinnitus that I can practically hear over my speaking voice. I've had it so long that its basically a part of my life and I can ignore it. One, no OTC meds have been consistently proven helpful. One study demonstrated that 150-200 mg of Ginko Biloba helped about 50% of people. Two, if there is an element of depression involved anti depressant meds have been shown to be helpful but of course there are side effects. Thirdly, in patients where it is intolerably loud, tinnitus habituation training is very helpful. Its basically a form of bio feedback thats taught by specific audiologists (so call around in your area). Like any form of PT, you have to be willing to put in the work for it to be effective.
For what its worth I still play through a bogner shiva, but wear earplugs or keep the volume reasonable. Down load a sound meter ap for your phone to monitor things and its the highs that kill your ears.

Good info, thanks doc.

Yes, thanks for the info. Mine is there but not too bad yet. I second the Hearos made for musicians and concert goers. Not perfect but very good.

 

[Adam of Angels]

I always have plugs with me, thought they're the soft foamy hearoes. I wonder if they're actually not very effective, now that it read a few things.

 

[chris lykins]

So I guess I should chime in. Im an ear, nose, and throat doctor who was also a professional guitarist in a touring thrash band back in the day. The best way to think of tinnitus is as a phantom limb type phenomenon, the sound is being generated in your brain as a result of damage to the high frequencies in your cochlea. I have very loud tinnitus that I can practically hear over my speaking voice. I've had it so long that its basically a part of my life and I can ignore it. One, no OTC meds have been consistently proven helpful. One study demonstrated that 150-200 mg of Ginko Biloba helped about 50% of people. Two, if there is an element of depression involved anti depressant meds have been shown to be helpful but of course there are side effects. Thirdly, in patients where it is intolerably loud, tinnitus habituation training is very helpful. Its basically a form of bio feedback thats taught by specific audiologists (so call around in your area). Like any form of PT, you have to be willing to put in the work for it to be effective.
For what its worth I still play through a bogner shiva, but wear earplugs or keep the volume reasonable. Down load a sound meter ap for your phone to monitor things and its the highs that kill your ears.

Good info, thanks doc.

Yes, thanks for the info. Mine is there but not too bad yet. I second the Hearos made for musicians and concert goers. Not perfect but very good.

You guys are welcome!

 

[Guitar G]

Had really bad ringing in both ears for a while. Was convinced that all the loud concerts, car radios, guitar amps, drums, etc. had caused it. Took a chance and bought OTC med called DeBrox at pharmacy. Read directions, used just like it said. Amazed at what came out of each ear. Immediately could hear better and the ringing was considerably less. Head became clearer and dizziness subsided.

Might try a good old cleaning and see if it helps. Read that excessive wax buildup can contact the drum putting pressure on it and cause ringing.

 

[chris lykins]

No the wax just causes a relative conductive hearing loss which decreases the masking effect of ambient noise,

 

[Adam of Angels]

Bump

 

[Shiny_Surface]

I wish I had been more proactive when I was younger.

I started wearing plugs later on in an effort to preserve what's left.

For me it's the highs that kill me, cymbal wash is really tough to bear.

 

[Adam of Angels]

Bumping this to see if there are any other gigging/touring members with chronic tinnitus.

 

[hawk269]

I'm not a touring musician, but I've been suffering from tinnitus as long as I can remember. It was there even as a kid. Even though I've become used to it, I still have difficulty falling asleep in silence. It is not a fun thing to deal with.

 

[C1-ocaster]

No the wax just causes a relative conductive hearing loss which decreases the masking effect of ambient noise,

I may be incorrect here doc, so please correct if need be, but I believe ear wax build up is the easy natural defense against loud sounds/noises. So that if one works in an environment where they are exposed to very loud sounds, then they will have a more than average wax build up in the ear.

Also, it's not a good idea to completely remove all the wax unless the wax build up is giving you problems, because the wax is there to help protect the ear from loud sounds and other things.

I have slight tinnitus that once in a while I can hear when it's very quiet in the house.
When I was younger on one occasion I was at a local club with a live band. As the sound man was setting up and testing I happened to be walking by one of the main speakers. Right at the very moment when my right ear was about 2 feet from the horn there as a VERY loud feedback and it shot right into my ear. That ear rang for a few days afterward and I know I suffered some damage on that occasion.

BTW, I believe that tinnitus can also be a symptom of high blood pressure, yes Doc?
This typically presents more as a "pulsating" ring/tone.
So you may want to have that checked out too.

Also, you may have a vitamin deficiency if you aren't eating lots of fruits and veggies.
Certain vitamins can help reduce tinnitus and/or keep your ears healthy, such as;
magnesium, zinc, selenium, along with A and B vitamins, and as the Doc stated, Ginkgo Biloba, all can help reduce the symptoms.

 

[C1-ocaster]

I'm not a touring musician, but I've been suffering from tinnitus as long as I can remember. It was there even as a kid. Even though I've become used to it, I still have difficulty falling asleep in silence. It is not a fun thing to deal with.

Have you tried using a fan or a sound generator?
There are devices that create pink noise (more soothing vs white) that may help mask/cover the ringing so your brain isn't perceiving/registering it as loudly.
Other devices create wind, rain, or ocean waves, river/running water, etc...

 

[Adam of Angels]

Giving this a good old bump again, since I'm still scouring for more info from guys who tour with tinnitus.