Tinnitus and headphones - I need advice

[angelcat2003]

Since my tinnitus started I haven't been able to use headphones to listen to music or watch films. So I've been having to watch films on my laptop without headphones. I really want to use headphones again. When I put my headphones on or basically anything that blocks my ears it makes the tinnitus really loud and I can't hear anything above the tinnitus. If I watch a film or a video where people are talking I can't hear them as the tinnitus is loud and drowns out the voices. I really need some advice on how I can use headphones again, how to make the tinnitus seem quieter when I'm using headphones. I live with another person and it's really awkward if I want to watch something on my laptop and the other person wants to watch TV, I have to go upstairs to be able to watch what I want without disturbing them. before the tinnitus I would just plug my headphones in, but now I can't. Please help!

[bournville]

hi have you tried bone conduction headphones ? They don’t block the ear canal so they could solve the problems you have. Only other easy fix I can think of is using sub titles.

[angelcat2003 in reply to bournville]

I've never heard of bone conduction headphones, I'll have to look into that. I do use subtitles normally, but the problem is when I want to watch say, a youtube video, it gets a little more difficult as they don't always have subtitles, or if I want to listen to a podcast, I won't be able to have subtitles then.

[bournville in reply to angelcat2003]

here’s a link to some bone conduction headphones

uk.shokz.com/?gclid=CjwKCAi...

[bikeboy66]

Hi, your still young and therefore your brain is actually still growing and maturing...so there is lots of room for optimism that your T may resolve itself naturally over time. To maximise every chance of this happening I would suggest refraining from headphone/earphone use altogether for the time being. When I used headphones my tinnitus definitely worsened. Now, I just avoid loud music, noisy places etc....But that's probably easier for me than you due to my age!

[angelcat2003 in reply to bikeboy66]

My tinnitus wasn't caused by loud noise, it was caused by taking the antibiotic clarithromycin. I have taken a hearing test since it started and there's no hearing loss and the audiologist said it was fine to use headphones as long as the volume is not too loud. But I can't hear the audio through the headphones as the tinnitus drowns it out and I feel like if I get used to headphones again as I haven't used them since the T started, it will help me habituate to the T and feel more like myself before the T started.

[Karlos99]

have you tried having only one of your earphones in? I found with mine it was enough of a distraction. All the best.

[Leedsunt1]

Thats weird i am better with ear phones in and watching tv .

[RobWG]

Hi

Another recommendation for the bone conducting headphones, in or over year headphones are difficult for me as I get eczema / swimmers ear.

i have two, one just headphones for use as your case and another with a mic for work.

All the best

Rgds

Rwg

[TMotown]

I use the bone conduction headset, they are really good without blocking your ears 👍