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Tinnitus worries...

I have had on and off periodic ringing in the ears for 30 years, (lots of live music) and back in March I decided to invest in a new home audio system, speakers, amp preamp CD player and cables costing about 7k, I have almost constant low level tinnitus now, my doctor says it's a cumulative thing and there is little that can be done. I hardly listen to music beyond normal talking decibels, and am very careful about any other loud DB exposure. Odd how the tinnitus became constant the minute I got my new system set up.  I guess this is more of a warning than anything else, so be careful! 
racer45
vindanpar
58 posts
 

I am beyond baffled as to why people go to places where there is deafeningly loud music whether it is a rock concert, a disco or a bar.

From when I was a teenager I found it not only painful but I'll be very very kind and say incomprehensible.

Maybe someone can explain this to me.

Even at a young age I knew there was something very wrong with this and not only was I hurting my eardrums but it was pretty clear it would have long term consequences.

I know people my age who have hearing loss(really beyond annoying when they keep asking me to repeat myself or ask me what was said in a movie) and tinnitus because of this and I'd like to know if it was worth it.

I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like to have a constant ringing in the ears and when it was so easily avoidable. 

Why would you want to compromise such a precious gift?


stevecham
3,340 posts
 
For the very small amount of ringing that I sometimes detect, likely the result of playing in rock bands and attending concerts long ago (6 dB dip shelf from about 4500 to 5500 Hz), I have found that listening to very low levels of music, either on the system or via headphones, has improved the ringing (meaning reduced it) considerably. Perhaps it is the brain’s desire to hear detail at low levels that partially compensates so as to improve perceived signal to noise. Anyway, give it a try, it might help.
falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
vindanpar,
So you were never in your twenties and just had to go see the Stones during their "Some Girls" tour? My buddies and I sat in the nose bleed seats at the Pontiac Silverdome about the farthest from the stage as you could get. This was beyond doubt the loudest concert I have ever attended. But hey, we were young and well, stoned and it was just what you did at that age. I guess we weren't as responsible as you.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,096 posts
 
You know what group suffers a lot from hearing loss? The horn players in Symphony Orchestras! Very high SPL in those crescendos. I've been wearing molded earplugs for decades now, but they make gauging dynamics and inter-band balances when you're performing very difficult.
vindanpar
58 posts
 

I did go to the Stones, Elton John, John and Elvis Costello but I kept my concert going very limited.

But small clubs and discos-a couple of times and then no.

Anyplace where you have to scream at the person next to you makes no sense whatsoever.

But try talking to friends on the phone who went to these places and concerts a lot and I'm thinking was it worth it.

 



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