Tinnitus scare and yoga buzz

meta · #1 06-21-2009, 08:36 PM

Hi All:

recently I was kind of stupid, and crouched down in front of my amp (mesa walkabout combo, 300w ouch) during a rehearsal for a few songs (and then later sat down at amp level to play guitar for a few songs - showing the guitar player what I was thinking). we were louder than usual that night. Anyways, the next day I had relatively strong ringing in my ears (didn't go away from the night before), and it felt like I had cotton in my ears kind of blocking my hearing. The cotton hearing loss effect lasted around 5 days, but the ringing continued. it subsided after around 10-12 days to a level I barely notice, but there is still a low grade ringing that I only notice when it is very quiet, and only if I focus on it. Not sure if there was water build-up as a reaction to the noise, or just the regular flattening of hearing hairs and a rebound... or me just getting used to it... I consider myself very lucky, and certainly take my hearing much more seriously than I ever used to (I've always had great hearing, and still do, although I must have lost something after that rehearsal)

Anyways, the point of this post is that I found something that works quite well to tame tinnitus - at least in my particular case. About 3 days in, I told myself I would just have to live with it, and so did a bit of research and started taking a vitimin B complex vitamin supplement, and a ginko biola supplement. I'm skeptical about either of the supplements working, but I've got some good results..... the think that seemed to work though was to get a yoga buzz in my head.

The real point of this post and the most noticable thing that made the tinnitus livable (when it was strong those first 10 days or so.. and it still helps now) was doing yoga. I don't know if any of you have done yoga, but I've been doing it a few years, and know that after yoga you get a kind of yoga buzz in your head. it is kind of a weird thing, but it is definitely real. if you do it in the morning, the lasts almost the whole day, and if you do it in the evening it lasts until you're asleep. I can get the buzz from doing Bikrams Yoga - one of the most intense workouts you can imagine - but fcuk do you forget about tinnitus after that workout, especially as the yoga buzz seems to kind of blend in to the tinnitus in a werid kind of way. I'm not sure if other kinds of yoga will give you the same kind of buzz or not... but if you have tinnitus I'd recommend you try Bikrams Yoga for a few weeks and see if you get the same yoga buzz thing, it really helps the symptoms (would never say that yoga could ever cure anything).

Not sure if this info would be of any use to anyone, and warn that my case is entirely subjective and I have no scientific evidence behind any of this.... and I'd hate to give false hope to anyone, so all I can say is that it seems to work for me. my experience is entirely anectodal. but thought I'd pass it on to all you tbers as I have definitely benefited from it and it may benefit others

If you've got tinnitus, worth a shot! fkuc anything would help, and almost anything is worth a try! but if it is just exercise you've got nothing to lose (not like you're trying a weird supplement or surgery or anything like that

ps: all you have to deal with are the crazy yoga people, but they are easy to ignore

and water. drink tons of water before hand as bikram yoga is "hot yoga" and you can get dehyrdrated easily

cheers,

meta

JimmyM · #2 06-21-2009, 11:27 PM

Wow, that's a scary story. But yes, alternative medicine has proven its worth as far as I'm concerned. At least good alternative medicine. Some of it IS BS. But a lot of it really does work. Hope it keeps working for you. And naturally I don't have to tell you...well, you know

kimstevens · #3 06-22-2009, 12:17 AM

Whatever you do, please do not ever again subject your ears to such punishment again. If your ears ring after a rehearsal or show, even if only for a few minutes, it is a sign that you have damaged your ears, and if repeated enough, you will likely have permanent tinnitus someday, if not immediately. None of this loud music is worth that. Always wear plugs.

**Stumbo** · #4 06-22-2009, 01:13 AM

Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs

OtterOnBass · #5 06-22-2009, 09:49 AM

I'm sure you've read the earplug sticky, but let me tell you personally, my musician's earplugs are one of the best purchases I've ever made. No more hating the guitarist/drummer/singer/soundman for ridiculous stage volume, plus I can hear myself sing in the midst of all that noise.

I use them in the the woodshop, mowing the grass (though muffs would be better if I had them), at concerts, as well as at practice and performances.

DanRJBrasil · #6 06-22-2009, 11:28 AM

is the blood pressure in your hear that make you hear the tinnitus when doing yoga, I like to use ear plugs to sleep to help to alleviate the ear faster after a ear straining night

meta · #7 06-22-2009, 06:53 PM

The yoga buzz is after doing yoga... maybe the same reason - blood pressure. It does seem to help

anyways, I just bought a pair of e20 earphones... although the little manual says they are rated at 12db. the foam ones I bought are rated at 29db... anyways, can't have too many I suppose

makanudo · #8 06-27-2009, 03:04 PM

i got permnent tinnitus not bad but not good either

jeffbrown · #9 07-04-2009, 11:12 PM

I also have tinnitus, fairly loud at times, caused by: LOUD MUSIC - while playing and by just listening (concerts, headphones), loud motors and wind noise (tuning cars & mcycles, driving w/window open), gunfire, and other silly pastimes. All this years ago before anyone thought much about hearing protection and earplugs.

I have two words for this condition. IT SUCKS. My hearing is damaged by my own ignorance, doing things I love to do. I say again. IT SUCKS.

I wear plugs when I play now except when I practice alone. Then I turn it DOWN to a reasonable, soft level. Why practice loud? It doesn't help, really. I use plugs when I vacuum the house, fer cryin' out loud. I use plugs AND headphones when I go to the range for target practice. I use plugs when I ride my bike. The bike's not loud, but the wind noise'll get you by sneaking up from behind.... Mow the lawn? Plugs in! I want to be able to hear my kids' kids call me grampa.

Tinnitus is hearing damage, plain and simple, and it NEVER goes away. Think about it. Think about it twice. IT NEVER GOES AWAY. That buzz in your ears doesn't quit. Do you really want that hissing as your constant companion? When you lie in bed at night, trying to sleep, and it just goes on in your head, driving you absolutely nuts? And you can remember when it wasn't there and wish you could get that back?

Am I bitter? A little. Do I want you to save your hearing? You bet! I can't fathom why anyone in their right mind wouldn't recognize that protecting your hearing (as a musician, don't you use your ears?) is a *good thing*.

OK, rant over. Whew! But really. Save your ears. You WILL need them at some point in your life.

walterw · #10 07-05-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffbrown

Tinnitus is hearing damage, plain and simple, and it NEVER goes away. Think about it. Think about it twice. IT NEVER GOES AWAY. That buzz in your ears doesn't quit. Do you really want that hissing as your constant companion? When you lie in bed at night, trying to sleep, and it just goes on in your head, driving you absolutely nuts? And you can remember when it wasn't there and wish you could get that back?

Am I bitter? A little. Do I want you to save your hearing? You bet! I can't fathom why anyone in their right mind wouldn't recognize that protecting your hearing (as a musician, don't you use your ears?) is a *good thing*.

OK, rant over. Whew! But really. Save your ears. You WILL need them at some point in your life.

this post should come up as the entry page whenever anyone logs on to talkbass (or the gear page, or PSW, or harmony central for that matter).

after all, movie buffs don't go around sticking their faces in front of the projector at theaters to get the "full effect" of the movie, do they?

daystcity · #11 07-05-2009, 08:31 PM

I only notice a ringing in my ears when I open my jaw really wide, does this happen to anyone else? If it's really quiet I have a little bit, I am definitely careful with my hearing, but not to the lawnmower level (mower's pretty quiet). And now I'm going to a Sunn O))) concert in a couple of weeks

. As someone who enjoys loud noises as much as the next guy, I find the sound level of mp3 players to be quite frightening. It's not a good loud, like a feel it loud, but a high pitched ear bud kill yourself loud. When my friends who don't play in a band or anything listen to their music louder than comfortable for me (earbud sharing) sometimes I wonder about them...

JazznFunk · #12 07-08-2009, 10:27 AM

+1,000,000 to everyone here who has suggested earplugs. I've been wearing plugs in every conceivable and appropriate situation since I started playing music 12 years ago, and my hearing is just as good now as it was then. I am obsessive about keeping pairs of earplugs in my car and gig bags and use them when I'm at concerts, doing yardwork, etc. I use the Hearos Hi-Fi plugs onstage and they do a great job. Long story short... if there's a chance you'll be exposed to loud sounds, keep earplugs on-hand. Also, wear them during soundcheck/setup for your gigs even without your bass in-hand... you'd be surprised at how often that scream-inducing blast of feedback will rear its head when moving around microphones, monitors, etc. Wear your plugs! ;-)

Richard G · #13 07-10-2009, 10:16 AM

i think walter w is right on what he says ...ive blown my ears when i was little and when a "walkman" became affordable i was listening to my fav bands and radio was my fav to listen to whether it was ac/dc or ted nugent or even some disco from the very early 80's.... to make a long story short i broke each ear drums not knowing any better by getting closer to my music by playing it loud in my headphones ...as a result my ears leaked seperatly for days with little sleep and lots of pain...then years later playing in different bands we were very fast and very loud and long rehearsals i didnt wear ear plugs as often as i should when i got older ringing in my ears that never ever goes away im used to it but every once in a while it just annoys at concerts i try to bring ear plugs or seek them out to buy. Your ears are fragile i think there should be more emphasis/education on protecting hearing!