Diagnose: Tinnitus

ganga · #1 09-17-2008, 02:22 AM

Yeah - now it happened. :/

I recently noticed that I was getting some static noise in my ears even a couple of days after playing a gig. I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but after playing a few more gigs a ringing began to develop. I've had some ringing in the ears before, so I figured it would just pass. But after a week of this I decided to see an ear-doctor.

I got my worst fear confirmed. Tinnitus. The incurable crap.

I never played with earplugs, and I played a lot of gigs (a couple a week) and now I regret completely not listening to peoples warning. But now I will have to live with it. It's only in my right ear which is the one facing the crash cymbal and hi-hat, which I think has caused it.

I have just ordered earplugs now, and I'm not doing a gig until I have them.

Do any of you suffer from this? Is there a way to deal with it?

PS. Everyone who's new or old who is not wearing earplugs. Buy a set today.

thumpbass1 · #2 09-17-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganga

Yeah - now it happened. :/

I recently noticed that I was getting some static noise in my ears even a couple of days after playing a gig. I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but after playing a few more gigs a ringing began to develop. I've had some ringing in the ears before, so I figured it would just pass. But after a week of this I decided to see an ear-doctor.

I got my worst fear confirmed. Tinnitus. The incurable crap.

I never played with earplugs, and I played a lot of gigs (a couple a week) and now I regret completely not listening to peoples warning. But now I will have to live with it. It's only in my right ear which is the one facing the crash cymbal and hi-hat, which I think has caused it.

I have just ordered earplugs now, and I'm not doing a gig until I have them.

Do any of you suffer from this? Is there a way to deal with it?

PS. Everyone who's new or old who is not wearing earplugs. Buy a set today.

Yeah I've got a touch of it in my left ear, and you can bet I take ear plugs with me to every gig. Fortunately my tinnitus which is of the ringing in the ears variety, and is mild enough to live with. You have my utter empathy and sympathy. Until medical science can start regenerating nerve and other sensitive tissues of the ear, it's incurable for the moment.

Tinnitus is treatable to a certain extent for many people, but most of the therapies involve masking the symptoms, along with coping with it. Do check the web for the many rescources out there to help you deal with this rotten condition. I wish you the best in what is not a good situation to be in. By the way I'm 52 years old and my ear damage started in my youth when every stupid amp went to 11!

Philbiker · #3 09-17-2008, 07:14 AM

Years of practicing and playing clubs in a loud rock band gave me tinitus also. Nothing to do but wear earplugs. You have my sympathy and empathy.

playinpearls · #4 09-17-2008, 07:17 AM

ya, welcome to the club....

ROON · #5 09-17-2008, 07:17 AM

I sometimes get a whirring noise in my right ear, I'm not sure if it's a mild case of tinnitus, or what, but boy is it annoying. It comes and goes, I might have it non stop for a month, then I won't have it for six months or something. And the worst part, it is LOUD. A constant "wherrr, wherrr, wherrr" sound.

If I ever start gigging I'll definitely buy earplugs, I don't want any ear damage at all.

ForestThump · #6 09-17-2008, 07:21 AM

This is a group I really like. The guitar player has tinnitus and often plays with the kind of ear protection worn at building sites and shooting ranges. Very good bass player too I might add.
Protect yourself and keep playing!
Good luck!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PTWR...eature=related

ganga · #7 09-17-2008, 07:27 AM

Thanks all. I'm only 22, so I feel that it is a bit early to get this. It's not very loud in my opinion and I don't notice it unless I start thinking about it. I think I'll be able to learn to live with it. But it is quite annoying to feel damaged on the thing you use the most. It's like a guy who has played football and get an injury, even though he can play with it it limits him and just wont ever get rid of it.

DaveDeVille · #8 09-17-2008, 07:28 AM

i've been suffering with tinnitus for about a year ... after 35 years of playing loud rock .
i wear earplugs now , but the damage is done .
mostly in my right ear , a constant high pitch , annoying , drilling sound .

i've been telling my son { also a bass player } to wear his plugs , and for the most part , he does .
his bandmates think it's not cool , but thankfully he's learned from my stupid mistake ...

MakiSupaStar · #9 09-17-2008, 10:23 AM

WHAT?

couldn't resist.

DudeistMonk · #10 09-17-2008, 10:47 AM

I'm glad I joined this forum and saw posts like this...The first time I jammed with a drummer my left ear (next to that damned high hat) was a little ringy the next day, the same week I read a thread about tinnitus and invested in some plugs...I don't even crank my car stereo anymore.

My condolences and thanks for the post, hopefully some people will see this (like I saw a similar post months ago) and it will teach them that as annoying as plugs are they are necessary.

NJL · #11 09-17-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Years of practicing and playing clubs in a loud rock band gave me tinitus also. Nothing to do but wear earplugs. You have my sympathy and empathy.

I have it, too.. do you ride the bike with ear plugs? I have to use them when I commute everyday (in addition to using the helmet)..

NJL · #12 09-17-2008, 10:54 AM

I have it in both ears, btw...

varunkapahi · #13 09-17-2008, 10:56 AM

my ears ring all the time..... a little, not too much. it is irritating some times but it does not blow my mind unless am sitting in very very quiet surroundings like a recording studio

Bob Lee (QSC) · #14 09-17-2008, 11:10 AM

My right ear rings constantly, at some times worse than others.

Philbiker · #15 09-17-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

I have it, too.. do you ride the bike with ear plugs? I have to use them when I commute everyday (in addition to using the helmet)..

I've been wearing earplugs on the moto for probably 12 years. Been riding for 15 though, and those first 5 years of riding without earplugs did a LOT of damage. My hearing is effed.

MakiSupaStar · #16 09-17-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

My right ear rings constantly, at some times worse than others.

I've come to find silence very loud for this very reason.

NJL · #17 09-17-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

I've been wearing earplugs on the moto for probably 12 years. Been riding for 15 though, and those first 5 years of riding without earplugs did a LOT of damage. My hearing is effed.

what kind do you use?? i'm curious.. i've been using some blue Hearos that are NR33.. i know there are better out there..

my little ninja even with the double bubble has horrid wind protection.. time to buy an FJR

dmq89 · #18 09-17-2008, 11:44 AM

WEAR PLUGS!!!

I started wearing them years ago when I noticed that "whooshing" sound in my ears after rehearsals - now I won't even perform without them!

I use filters as opposed to the traditional foam-type plugs (I think they were called "Hear Music Feel Music" or something like that) - I even wear them at concerts! Not only do my ears NOT ring for days afterwards, the live music sounds better (especially if the room is extra boomy!).

Just my .02...

hey · #19 09-17-2008, 12:43 PM

On the topic of ear plugs, are these any good?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ers?sku=421214

I'm still a young gigging musician with no/little hearing loss, so I'm looking to protect my ears now rather than later.

Jeff K · #20 09-17-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hey

On the topic of ear plugs, are these any good?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ers?sku=421214

I'm still a young gigging musician with no/little hearing loss, so I'm looking to protect my ears now rather than later.

They're not bad. I used Hearo's for awhile. But you might consider going to an ear specialist. They can make you some fitted ear plugs especially for your ears. (They take a mold first.) They're expensive (over $100.00), but that's a small price to pay to protect your hearing. I also wear them when I mow, edge, etc.

I'm an old guy. I was in the military/Vietnam from '68 - '72. I was a dog-handler (K-9 Section), so I was always shooting guns - often without any ear protection at all. Between the gunfire and playing in a band for years, I have tinnitis in both ears. I have a hard time with conversational tones when there is background noise (like in a bar or restaurant).

Like another guy said before me, I have a son who I try to encourage to wear ear plugs; but I don't think he heeds my warnings once he's out of sight. He plays bass and guitar.

To the OP, you're very young (compared to a lot of us). Please take whatever steps you can to prevent further damage, no matter what your bandmates say. Good luck!