[SmOgER]

I wonder how this applies to amps. Either way, I guess I should ease up on the 10-hour headphone gaming sessions.

Lol. Its worse for your eyes than for your hearing

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

 
That's rough man, I had something very similar happen to me with my iems a few months back, it lasted maybe 2 seconds and flat out hurt like hell. Luckily it didn't seem to do any damage.
 
But truthfully I don't even know if I have tinnitus. I can sometimes hear a very very faint high pitch sound when im in a quiet environment. I've had that since as long as I can remember so I never really thought anything of it, i've adjusted to recognize that sound as normal just because it's barely audible. Hopefully it's not tinnitus, but rather what someone posted earlier about the mind trying to create sounds when in a very quiet environment. 

 
This is basically what I have also. It sounds like the hiss you hear when the volume is loud but paused. I only have ringing but no pain. In the beginning my ears were painfully sensitive to loud noises. Concerts and even loud movies are not an option for me anymore. When I get in situations when loud noise, I usually bring earplugs. 

 

[Oregonian]

This thread is now turning a bad thing into good. Well done folks.

I attend Oregon Duck football games, and Autzen stadium is considered if not the loudest, right up there. Has been measured at 120+ decibels, so earplugs are mandatory for me. At 51 my hearing is one of the few things that work as well as they always have.

 

[FlyingFungus]

Impact ear wax can also cause ringing in the ears.

Your ear drums are always vibrating because there is always noise even in your room at night when you are sleeping.

Impact wax is hard wax and usually is deep in your ears. The tip of the impact wax almost always touches your ear drums causing ringing in the ears.

Had impact wax at one point but an ear, nose and throat specialist removed it (looks disgusting lol). Made quite a difference.

Regardless turn down the music volume on your headphones.

 

[Oregonian]

Quote:

Impact ear wax can also cause ringing in the ears.

Your ear drums are always vibrating because there is always noise even in your room at night when you are sleeping.

Impact wax is hard wax and usually is deep in your ears. The tip of the impact wax almost always touches your ear drums causing ringing in the ears.

Had impact wax at one point but an ear, nose and throat specialist removed it (looks disgusting lol). Made quite a difference.

Regardless turn down the music volume on your headphones.

Same here.  Get mine flushed every 6 months or so.  Makes a difference on my hearing...................

 

[kkfan]

Here are VERY good "ear plugs" that have the capacity to vary the amount of noise being blocked. These should work very well at concerts, etc.

Do yourselves a favor and buy a pair. I've just ordered a pair for myself.

http://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/hearing-protection.html

 

[Stalker81598]

Quote:

Here are VERY good "ear plugs" that has the capacity to vary the amount of noise being blocked. These should work very well at concerts, etc.

Do yourselves a favor and buy a pair. I've just ordered a pair for myself.

http://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/hearing-protection.html

 
I use these, mostly when I'm shooting. It blocks out the loud sounds of the gun quite well but still allows you to hear range commands and people speaking in a normal voice. It's not quite as clear as having no plugs but still far better than using regular foamies. I also use them when mowing the lawn, running the snowblower, etc

 

[Chodi]

I've had tinnitus for over thirty years. Like one other poster here I got it from gun shoots in my youth. I went through all the medical possibilities long ago and finally just learned to live with it. Most of the time I can ignore it but it is always there. I enjoy headphones at a sane volume for hours every day and it is more of a relief as it masks the tinnitus. Frankly, I don't think you have to give up your music or your headphones as long as you keep it at reasonable volume and stop, give it a rest,  if you notice the ringing increase. I think your doctor is being way to cautious. I've managed to live with it most of my life and I still enjoy my music every day.

 

[TheJesusGuy]

This is a reason why buying slightly uncomfortable headphones isn't bad. It gives you an excuse to take a break every now and then.

 

[AnarchistFish]

I got tinnitus when I was 6 years old. Nothing much I could've done about it, haha..

 

[sonitus mirus]

​

This is a reason why buying slightly uncomfortable headphones isn't bad. It gives you an excuse to take a break every now and then.

Maybe if listening for over 8 hours at 85dB. I opt for very comfortable headphones and just take breaks to grab a beer or relieve my bladder. I don't have much room for excuses when it comes to comfort and my headphones, slightly or otherwise.

 

[pp312]

Quote:

 
I opt for very comfortable headphones and just take breaks to grab a beer or relieve my bladder.

 
One can see where one would naturally follow on from the other.

 

[Malevolent]

I'm sorry to hear about this, bareyb. I hope it gets better over time.
 
Truth be told, I know next to nothing about tinnitus, but thanks to this thread, I've come to understand more about this condition.

 

[newphones]

I wish you all the best. Your intuition is serving you well, as you feel an indefinite break from headphones is in your best interest.
 
If you ever do return to using headphones, STAY AWAY from headphones with excessive treble boost, limit your listening sessions to maybe an hour per day, and use a sound meter to make sure your listening level is lower than average. I wouldn't be surprised if you found 55 dBA peak to be quite sufficient for pleasurable listening.
 
I'm glad you're taking a break and if you do return, hopefully those simple guidelines will ease your way back.
 

 

[smedley]

  I would imagine people who use the ear "buds" are even more prone as with those the sound is almost right on the ear drum .