The Steel Guitar Forum

Well, I finally went to an ENT specialist today, to see just how much damage I've done to my ears. Back in the 1960's and 1970's my Dad and I were avid hunters and never used any protection when firing our shotguns and deer rifles. In the early 1970's I played in a pretty loud band. I'm sure that added to the damage. I've had tinnitus (ringing in the ears) now for about 5 or 6 years. I'm also aware that my high frequency hearing seems to come and go. When I got tested today, the chart showed my hearing loss starts at just above 2,000hz.

It looks like I'll be in the market for some of those custom-fitted ear plugs that lower the volume evenly across the tonal spectrum. Anyone have any suggestions on brands?

Also, are any of you guys having luck treating your tinnitus?

Lee, from South Texas

Do a search and I think you'll get results. I use the products made by Westone. They are custom fitted and I have two sets of filters, one at -15db and the other at -25db. I mostly use the -15 because I lose too many highs with the -25s. The also started making a -9db.

Good luck, Dave Z

i have had ringing in the ears for 40 + years , doc told me about 25 years ago that there was nothing they can do for it ...sorry

calvin

Hi Lee, For what it's worth,I was just fitted with a set of plugs for the same problem. they are made by starkey, and the model is destiny. they are digital, and completely programmable. they have four seperate channels,and each channel can be programmed for certain hearing conditions. I am still going through an adjustment period, so I am not an expert by no means, but so far I am impressed. I had the tec set up channel #2 for my steel, and he nailed it the first time. If I cant hear the sound I want, Im dead, the sound is great. they are somewhat spendy, but how can you put a price on good sound. Also the volume is automatic. hope this helps, Billy Webb

Lee,

I have tinnitus too. I use custom molded "Musicians' Ear Plugs," 20 db, if I'm not mistaken. They work very well and cost about $150.

The Dr. I visited suggested I join the American Tinnitus Assn. (or something like that--search on the Web) and get their newsletter.,etc. to learn more about the problem and what you can or can't do about it. I joined for a year. Was it worth it? I don't know.

Unless your tinnitus is really severe (fortunately mine is not), in my opinion, the best thing you can do is to learn to ignore it. And also protect your ears.

Pain relievers generally exacerbate tinnitus. Take one Excedrin and hear the difference.

By the way, hearing loss does not equal tinnitus. There are lots of people with hearing loss from exposure to loud noise who do not have tinnitus. Also, I have read that there are many people with severe tinnitus who have not been exposed to loud sound.

Hope some of this helps.

Best regards,

Bob

I too suffer from tinnitus. I've had my hearing checked by several hearing specialists' and the answer is always the same: "we're sorry there is nothing we can do for you"! The condition seems to get more intense in time and for me, extremely high pitch tones causes the ringing or whistling noises in my case to really kick in! I have been fitted for ear plugs to be used especially when loud constant noises are present, i.e., running a lawn mower, boat motor, and workng in a shop type environment, etc. I have been told that possibly hearing aids may offer some relief but definitley not a cure. In my case, it definitely cannot be ignored, it is ever present, never a moments relief.
John Buffington

Westone's here, too. I carry the -9 and -15 filters--sometimes use different ones in each ear according to stage placement...

there are days when it gets louder and it can make me very irritable ,
if anyone has heard of any new developments please post them . i would kill for just 1 hour of silence

calvin

I haven't heard silence for over ten years,
and and my ears shriek (even louder when I'm tired). I can't afford hearing aids on a tavarn entertainer's salary, so I just have to live with it. I wrote a poem about it.

It’s The Shrieking
-------------------
it’s the shrieking
amplified by quiet rooms
I’d like to hear
what silence sounds like again

pondering the alternative
should I kill the nerves
there is so much
I can’t bear to lose

to be free but imperfect
or chained to false perfection
either way
something is lost

now I know the feelings
of a rusted Chevy
it’s not the age
it’s the shrieking

*<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 08 June 2006 at 04:02 AM.]</p></FONT>

Lee;
I have used ear plugs from:
Sonic II
North Consumer Products
2664-B Saturn Street
Brea, CA 92621
(714)-524-1665
Fax (714)-524-7944
These are sound limiters, at high volumes and preset freguency it restricts the entry into the ear. In a normal conversation you hardly notice you have them in your ear.
When down in McAllen I think I saw some of these in the bigger music store I think on 10th street like two doors north of Rio Grande Reproductions. Same side of the street.
These are made for musicians, I wear them to stop the high freq's from the steel and the low's from the bass. Small stages are a problem for me I need the sound seperation as well as the lower volume.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Curtis Alford on 07 June 2006 at 12:09 PM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Curtis Alford on 07 June 2006 at 12:11 PM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Curtis Alford on 07 June 2006 at 12:20 PM.]</p></FONT>

"Tinnitus " We lost the best part of our group
! Our Fiddle / Vocal had to quit because of this .
It would be grate if ever there is an answer
to this . Her problem seems to be so sever that it's
even hard to listen to music ! I'm sure the worst of
it would be not being able to do what you have
done all your adult life and loved doing it .
In this area she was the best of the best !
very serious & sad thing to have happen to you .

Hick

I've had tinnitus since 88. Lost the hearing in my right ear and a lot in the left ear. The first 5 or 6 years was bad. I used a small am radio(tuned off fre. to white noise) with an ear phone speaker to help bring the noise down an to get some sleep Turn it off and it wouldn't be long in coming back. Couldn't go hear live music in a bar--listen to anything with headphones-be around any loud noise. Discovered I could be on a bandstand and the noise didn't bother me as much. Dug out my guitars and started back playing again. Lee there is approximately 50 million people with our problem--no real cure and most probably won't be in our life time.

I've had tinnitus for as long as I can remember. I usually can tune it out unless I'm really tired or it's really quiet around here...........

I have had a very high frequency ringing in my ears for
about thirty years, but it wasn't too loud.
About five years ago, I was sitting in my apartment
watching TV, when I was amazed at how loud the
crickets were! So I went outside, and it was freezing!
I realized it was the middle of November, and that I
had a serious problem.
I have been to the VA, here in Nashville, but they tell me the same thing about no cure.
I'll be watching this thread, to see if any one has some
solutions!

Mike Dehner...Sho-Bud Pro III

I've had tinnitus since the early 70's. It stared when I got slapped out of my desk by a teacher in the 7th grade-on the right ear. Loud bands, guns, motors haven't helped. You have to learn to ignore it but, there is one thing that has helped me. Pay attention to what you eat and how it affects your tinnitus. Certain foods will cause your blood pressure to rise and the ringing will get louder. Most common are: caffine, dairy products and sweets. All the good stuff. Hope this helps - good luck.

I have mild tinnitus. I cut out coffee (just decaf now), coke and any other caffeine. Alcohol makes it worse - one beer is OK but that's it. Of course, loud noise sets it off, so I have earplugs for gigs and riding my motorbike.

Caffeine's the killer though.

Ian

Hi Lee, Haven't spoken to you since last winter. I too have had tinnitus for many years and have been told there was nothing could be done for it. Of course, playing music for the last 55 years hasn't helped the problem. During my service years, shooting the M-1 Garrand, .45 acp etc., also spent some time in a 105 howitzer batalion. We were never issued any hearing protection and I'm not sure there was such a thing in the '50's. but then we hunted and shot a lot of big guns so can't blame it all on the military.
I do find it is worse when I drink too much coffee or am really tired. I hope someone comes up with a cure or a solution for this thing, I too would do almost anything for a little silence. Sure seems like a large percentage of men suffer from the same problem.(GOD Bless), see you next winter.

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Emmons LeGrande II D-10, 8 & 5, Keyless Willy "400" D-10, 8 & 8 two Peavey 112's, Profex II and Hilton Pedal.

why did you have to tell me about the coffee?
i drink about a pot a day . 2-3 pots a day in winter . i can do without just about anything but my coffee

calvin

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Mullen SD-10 3&5 / nashville 400

When I'm asleep, that's when I get peace from my ringing. Usually, I just live with it. Some days it's worse than others. On the really bad days, I just tell myself that it's been that way before and it will quiet down some later. White noise helps like a fan or something like that in the background. Not worrying about it is the toughest part, but when I can ignore it then it helps some. You're right though, sometimes it just blows my mind!