Dear members who suffer from tinnitus

[soundinmotiondj]

The standard advice is to "cover" the ringing with more noise. I tried that, but over time I found it to be more disruptive to sleeping than the ringing. After a lot of searching, I stated using some meditation techniques to clear my mind and actively "ignore" the noise. The "Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction" describes the technique. I heard about it on an NRP about a year ago....

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011...lear-your-mind

The custom molded plugs are worth the $$$. I went to my local audiologist to have mine fitted. It was the same price as getting the home kit. I can wear them under headphones, and just turn up the monitor volume a little. I use the 15dB filters.

One thing i didn't get though is at the product features it says the noise reduction is -12 but at the product description -20. Which one is true? I'm guessing -12 is not enough for some cases.

The different noise reduction ratings are "normal." The ISO standard for NRR uses the A-weighted curve, this is the -12dB rating. The -20dB rating comes from an unweighted curve that is more appropriate for music, but not "standard" for purposes of advertising.

[ksandvik]

..hope others will take notice so they don't get into this situation...

[backtothefront]

..hope others will take notice so they don't get into this situation...

Yes indeed, all those affected have my sincere sympathy, not nice at all. It's bad enough with temporary ringing but can't imagine it being permanent. I've had a couple of 'scares' over the years but thankfully after a few days the ringing has cleared. Wish you all the best OP. Cheers.

[KS2]

Didn't even realise you could get it from headphones to be honest. Always associated it with events.

[ksandvik]

Didn't even realise you could get it from headphones to be honest. Always associated it with events.

Any loud noise, especially for a long duration: motorcycle riding (wind is the worst), subway stations, driving a tractor, in-ear plug-ins with loud music 4+ hours a day and so on...

You could also get tinnitus from unexpected sources like eating too much Ibuprofen and similar NSAIDs (what I found out a month ago, ack.), as a side effect from allergies, naturally born thin ear canals, high blood pressure, too much of milk products, too much of natural sweeteners like aspartame (Nutrasweet et rest..) and other unexpected sources. In this later part, let the body heal and stay away from such products and there's a good chance tinnitus will go away.

As for hearing loss tinnitus, that today incurable, only thing I know of is to learn to live with as most rock musicians have learned the hard way. In the early days you could just try to avoid loud noises to let the ears relax and that might solve the problem, but if you then continue with loud noises again, the effect will accelerate on top of earlier damage.

As a musician and/or DJ, the ears are our main instruments so we better take care of them. It's a no brainer to use musician earplugs or otherwise not use loud volumes in studio if that's not needed.

[dope]

Didn't read the full thread but to the OP :

After going to a Skrillex afterparty (where he had the good idea to put a DJM style super high pass filter full of resonance on Ruffneck) i had a tinnitus in my left ear (closest to the speakers).
It lasted for 3 weeks, and now it's gone.


When I think about it/talk about it, i feel that my damaged ear is different from the other one. I'm not sure if it's real, mechanical, or psychological. But I don't have any ringing beep, or maybe a super low one that does not prevent me from living my normal life, sleeping etc.

I hope it's reassuring. Next time don't forget custom-made earplugs.

[KS2]

Any loud noise, especially for a long duration: motorcycle riding (wind is the worst), subway stations, driving a tractor, in-ear plug-ins with loud music 4+ hours a day and so on...

Just didn't think it was loud enough to cause it! Always wondered why they sold ear plugs for motorbiking but just put it down to a comfort level thing for engine noise.

I've never worn ear plugs whilst listening to music out, I imagine it's not as enjoyable? Obviously worth it though.
I'd definitely wear them if I was DJing out.

[ksandvik]

Just didn't think it was loud enough to cause it! Always wondered why they sold ear plugs for motorbiking but just put it down to a comfort level thing for engine noise.

I've never worn ear plugs whilst listening to music out, I imagine it's not as enjoyable? Obviously worth it though.
I'd definitely wear them if I was DJing out.

Some motorcycle helmets, very very high end, takes down some of the wind noise but in general if you drive 80mph on Highway 5 the noise level is pretty bad....

[ThinkAboutIt]

@zimfella thank you man i'm also going to a specialist when I'll go back home. See what he says

@dj gullum thank I hope I won't have to

@soundinmotiondj thansk for the info

@backtothefront thank you man I also had those "scares" a lot of time but the problem was I didn't know that they can be permanent. Wish I knew it before

@KS2 I didn't get it from my headphones but after the diagnosis I don'2t know if it's psychological or what but the ringing have increased just for listening to music even half-volume.

@dope thanks man that's really reassuring now I'm taking the medicals that the doctor gave me relax my ears hopefully it will be gone or decrease in time

[MYE]

My dad was a drummer and he has tinnitus. When I told him that I wanted to be a DJ the first thing he said is that tomorrow I'm buying you earplugs and after reading some of the horror story's of tinnitus I am so thankful that he has bought them for me.