Tinnitus concern.

[Mike M.]

I've had tinnitus for years now. It's been very mild, hasn't really bothered me and the only time it flares up to the point of bothering me is when I'm around something that's very loud and then it calms back down. The only time I really notice it is when I'm in bed but again, it really doesn't bother me.

Last Sunday I played bass at church and it was an acoustic set. No drummer (but a guy on percussion) and while I had a monitor in front of me it was very, very low volume. Played the songs, came home and all was fine for the rest of the day. No problems.

Went to bed and I woke up with an insane ringing in my ears. The only way I can describe it would be calling it a "searing kind of whistle" that was very intense that's been there since. Thought that maybe it was wax build up, so I used ear drops a few times but that hasn't helped. There have been a few times since this week where it's calmed down a bit but then it comes right back.

So while I've had tinnitus for years it's really kicked up a notch and I don't know why. I really doubt it had anything to do with playing at church either. Again, it was very low volume and besides, you'd think if it was the music that the ringing would have increased there and then.

Has this happened to anybody else here? Where for no reason you can think of the ringing in your ears gets worse overnight?
I know there's no cure, but any suggestions?

[Vorago]

I'd see a docter, could be an infection or something like that.

Don't panic (just yet )

[Munjibunga]

Did you take aspirin before you went to bed?

[Mike M.]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Did you take aspirin before you went to bed?

Nope, no aspirin or anything out of the ordinary.

Offhand, I wonder if my sinuses have anything to do with it. I've had sinus problems for a long time, generally feel fairly stuffed up most of the time and wonder if maybe it's causing a pressure which could be contributing to the increase in the ringing. Wasn't feeling anymore stuffed up than usual last weekend, but maybe that's the culprit.

Just a thought.

[tekdiver500ft]

Originally Posted by Mike M.

Offhand, I wonder if my sinuses have anything to do with it. I've had sinus problems for a long time, generally feel fairly stuffed up most of the time and wonder if maybe it's causing a pressure which could be contributing to the increase in the ringing. Wasn't feeling anymore stuffed up than usual last weekend, but maybe that's the culprit.

Just a thought.

This could well be your problem, at least in part. When you're sleeping, the wax in your ear may move, causing tinnitus to worsen in one ear or the other. This can also cause balance problems. I'd been fighting ear infections (onset of an infection can cause this, too) due to allergies and/or smoking for 30 years, and finally was able to eradicate the problem when I quit smoking and found a better decongestant/antihistamine combination.

[Icey101]

after you see the doctor....

i always wear ear plugs....at any performance, i have some damage too so i keep them in just lightly and if anything loud happens i push em in further....some muso's thinks its wimpy to wear them...well i dont give a shyte...lol

[Mike M.]

Originally Posted by Icey101

after you see the doctor....

i always wear ear plugs....at any performance, i have some damage too so i keep them in just lightly and if anything loud happens i push em in further....some muso's thinks its wimpy to wear them...well i dont give a shyte...lol

I'll tell ya, I use to play full time back in the 70's and early 80's and I wore ear plugs even back then. Since '86 I've been working in noisey CNC machine shops and again, I use ear protection. I can only imagine how bad the ringing would be or how deaf I'd be if I never did try to protect my hearing.

You're doing the right thing.