Ringing Ears?

[elser]

I wonder if any other old rockers out there deal with Tinnitus(ringing ears). Mines been constant for about 12 years now and I've always been able to just blow it off but now it's starting to get kind of irritating, disturbing my sleep and stuff. Has anyone found any kind of successful treatment or coping mechanism etc...? Elser

[sgs4u]

pardon me, could you repeat the question....Quote:I wonder if any other old rockers out there deal with Tinnitus(ringing ears). Mines been constant for about 12 years now and I've always been able to just blow it off but now it's starting to get kind of irritating, disturbing my sleep and stuff. Has anyone found any kind of successful treatment or coping mechanism etc...? Elser

[elser]

nyuk nyuk nyuk!

[ggalen]

Elser,I've had tinnitus since 1970. Used to be in a garage band in Chicago in the late 60s. As you said, we get used to it and no longer really "hear it".In November 2003 it started to bother me. I was paying attention to it all the time. At night when I was trying to sleep, too.But the good news is that just as mysteriously, I got "used to it" again in less than a month, and it hasn't really bothered me since.So let's hope that you get re-acclimated to it again, and it effectively goes away.As I tell myself, "if I am not paying attention to and therefore am not hearing it at the moment, then it isn't there, for all practical purposes."

[og]

I don't recall not having tinnitus, but some pretty large chunks of the 70's are hazy... My main problem is not hearing the highs well anymore. I have to put on phones while mixing every so often, and turn them round a time or two to make sure I'm not cranking the hihats too much. Can't hear them at low levels at all in my right ear. As for night, I find that classical guitar or string quartets distract me from the ringing quite nicely. My father had tinnitus that made him nuts, so it may be partly genetic, but we did a lot of shooting before ear protection was cool, and we both work(ed) in manufacturing.Closing the barndoor after the horse, I now wear earplugs while doing anything remotely noisy. Wish I'd had a pair when I was with the grandkids Sunday...

[anne]

I have it. About a year ago it got so bad that I was miserable - like you described for months. I went to a doctor after it going on for a long time and she gave me valium for it. Presto, it settled down within days. Its been fine since then, if fine means back to the normal "wish I knew more about earplugs when I went to loud concerts" level that I can deal with...My brother, another former sound engineer, has it really badly and finds acupunture helps it settle down when he can't deal with it any more.Hope that helps

[squidlips]

I've done a couple papers on tinnitus for school. Interestingly, people have a better response to biofeedback and acupuncture than to most anything. Drugs don't seem to affect it much except to make it less noticeable (along with so many other things! ). Biofeedback has the greatest result.I have one of the forms (intolerance of loud noise) so my barhopping and days of listening to plugged in bands is now over, even with compressors. Here's an example of a biofeedback technique:http://www.abc.net.au/southwestwa/stories/s1159050.htm

[elser]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've tolerated mine without much stress until lately, but now it's multiple frequencies and little chirping sounds and even loud music doesn't mask it. I've been playing in a band for the last couple of years where I play alot of Glockenspiel believe it or not and the Glock really seems to irritate it, but it's a great band with really cool gigs so I can't quit. I'll definitely be researching the biofeedback and acupuncture, thanks for that Squid. Best to all.

[gitarrero]

fortunately I never had tinitus, but I had to deal with a hyperacousis (...yes, that does exist..)it's basically a hypersensitiv reaction of the ear - everything seemed very loud to me, even "normal" noises like normal traffic, a computer that whir, etc.finally I went to homoepathy-doctor, and tadaaaa - it is MUCH better now. I still have to pay attention to my ears (I get a cold very easely), but normal noises don't bother me anymore.the quality of life is completely diffrent, I'm VERY glad that this problem is solved.ps: this doctor told me that she had high success with tinitus. the principle is quite simple: she injects an anastetic in specific points near the ear (acupuncture points) which help to "lay down" the nerves. I also heared that acupuncture itself can be helpfull - it may need more time then the injection, though.all the best,martin

[ddusty]

Hey Martin,Living in Switzerland may not be ideal for getting to the road rally , but you are lucky that Homeopathic medicine is much more excepted over there then here in the states. Our insurance will rarely cover any visit. I don't have any experience with tinnitus (yet), but please don't hesitate to go see an "alternative specialist". It may not work for you, but keep an open mind as these things have helped millions of people for thousands of years...besides, we need all of your ears to continue critiquing our submissions!! Rob