[Ryan Williams]

Permanent tinnitus is generally caused by prolonged loud volume. If you don't fit this profile then it probably isn't permanent tinnitus. I'm assuming you didn't keep exposing yourself to prolonged loud volume after discovering the problem in one ear, yet it still appeared in the other ear weeks later?

A number of things have caused various types of hearing loss/internal noise for me in the past: ear infections, excessive ear wax, general illness, and stress.

It is important to use speakers if possible though, as any prolonged volume even if not loud can cause tinnitus -- the last thing any audio lover wants is tinnitus, but headphones are pretty much a recipe for it. I love headphones as much as anyone, but if I can use my high-quality speakers without annoying anyone or feeling embarrassed I will.

 

[Shahrose]

why are some of you talking to the OP like he has cancer? this is very common and the doctor is right. it's only temporary and can be caused by a lack of sleep, a cold, stress (high blood pressure), allergies. this is nothing to worry about.

if it goes on for a long time, meaning a few months and doesn't change, then go see your doctor for another checkup. even then it's not such a big deal so relax.

edit: i also have a feeling that somehow you're just becoming more conscious of this problem and psyching yourself out. you need to take it easy

 

[Ryan Williams]

A dedicated sound enthusiast could argue that hearing loss is as bad as cancer.

There's always grounds for being worried about the onset of tinnitus. While the results may not be permanent in this case, real tinnitus is permanent. I know that suffering temporary hearing problems in the past has woken me up to just how horrible it is, and made me take steps to limit how much I listen to loud headphone music, substituting with much more healthy speakers whenever possible.

It's not fatal, but it's pretty damned bad. Even muffled hearing depresses me.

 

[snejk]

I have a slight case of tinnitus and I've noticed that alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and stress worsen it quite noticably. In the case of alcohol it doesn't have to be much to induce a louder tinnitus and it also includes the day after if I have had more than a beer or two.

Too bad I like all of the things above, save stress....

 

[Mush77]

My tinnitus that I had a while ago fixed itself up - it turns out that it was most probably sinus and cold-related. I was under a fair bit of stress to, so bear that in mind - just wait it out.

One thing I found out at the Audiologist today was that my left eardrum isn't moving as much as my right. Nothing that you would normally hear, but I have noticed that hearing in my left ear can be slightly more sibilant, and less bassy. 'Borderline normal', she said. That kind of worried me, because I've prided myself on my hearing. Ah well.

 

[D_Tinnitus]

Tinnitus is a permanent condition. If it fixed itself up, may just have been ringing based on pressure (air, blood, or fluid), or inner ear cold/nerve related.

 

[N15M0]

But if you do not listern to headphone at high volume are there change that you will still get Tinnitus?

 

[D_Tinnitus]

It can develop after a serious illness, or even might be hereditary/genetic. Most of the time, what you mostly hear is that is occurs after long-term exposure to loud music/audio. Strange thing, is that many doctors/neurologists/audiologists still don't have a clear bead on what is really happening. And if you talk to them, they don't really seem concerned (at least the ones I have).

Loads of fun.

 

[Ryan Williams]

Yes. There are two factors at play: sustained exposure to volume, and exposure to high volume. Amongst many other things, listening to moderate-volume music for very long periods of time can cause damage; however, it takes much longer than it does when listening to high-volume music.

Read more about causes here:

Tinnitus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And about prevention here:

Tinnitus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Note the following quote:

Quote:

Prolonged exposure to noise levels as low as 70 dB can result in damage to hearing...

70 dB isn't particularly loud:

dB Engineering - Tutorial - Everyday Noise & Decibel Levels

The uncomfortable reality of headphone enthusiasm is that it's unhealthy for the ears. This might not be something many people acknowledge, but it remains a fact.

I'm sure people will talk about it more as the general Head-Fi audience ages.

 

[Wotan1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schalldämpfer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Went to an ENT specialist today finally and took audiometry, tymponometry and some other tests. Turns out my hearing's excellent, and my ears are physically sound. Yet I still have tinnitus, sometimes get physical pain in both ears, and my left ear feels clogged. The doctor thinks it COULD be allergies and that I should try some nasal spray allergy medication.

You and I are in the same situation. I went to the docter today after having developed tinnitus since 4 weeks. Luckely no hearing loss as well. My left ears sometimes feel glogged and slightly painful. It seems that my rightside eardrum is not responding enough to presure form inside. Got a nasal spray today as well to reduce potential infection in the lower side of the tune of eustachius. The tinnitus varies in intensity during the day and between days. I also sometimes have a slight stange Tjijjjnggg sensatio while typing.

First i though I damaged my ears using HP's to much or to long. I bought a DB measurement tool and it seems that I normally listenen between 70 and 80 db. But sometimes for over 2 hours a day (long commute). Now I hope it might be something else. Will keep you posted..

 

[Wotan1]

oops

 

[Schalldampfer]

Mush, how long did it take for your tinnitus to go away?

Wotan, do keep us informed. It seems like you and I have the same problem. I got some nasal spray, too, along with some pills to take at night. I'm going to try some herbal medicine when I get back home.

 

[eruditass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Williams /img/forum/go_quote.gif Note the following quote: 70 dB isn't particularly loud:

oh no, that is horrible! i've always listened to lowest volumes as possible with my iem's, but i just got hd-25's and i can't help but turn them up. i figured it would be a problem, since i listen to music all day long, when i'm walking, etc. maybe i should go back to IEM's...

also makes me think my shure's are good for me, with the high freq roll off, i feel like when i age, i will lose my high frequencies slower than normal, since everyone loses high frequencies with age.

i really have no idea how high up i can hear, i can hear 16khz for sure, but i don't really have phones that extend up to 20 khz so i can test it.. and when i went to the ear nose and throat doctor, their audiologist only went up to 10khz or so