Do you still go to concerts?

[RockyB88]

I'm sorry to anyone who finds the idea of this distressing. For me, going to concerts and festivals has been a huge part of my life for the last 20 years. So my current T spike which is quite severe is making me so nervous that I feel I should be throwing in the towel. I went to a few concerts and to Glastonbury this last year, so this is after my T really got going at the end of last year. I was always wearing high attenuation custom ear plugs at these events and didn't feel like there was any real change to my T as a result. But obviously the idea of going to a concert now during a spike seems like it wouldn't be advisable.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi RockyB88

A spike, by its nature, is temporary. Try not to make any lasting decisions based on it - the likelihood of being around by the time that next year's festivals and tours come around isn't great.

What does your previous experience tell you? Are tinnitus spikes more often temporary than not for you? What tells you that this current experience is different or more likely to last?

[RockyB88 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Hi BTAPat

My T really started in the middle of last year. But there was a big increase in intensity toward the end of last year. And to be honest, I don't know if that ever reduced or if I just habituated to that level. The recent spike therefore I'm not sure what to expect, whether this is now my base line or whether it will reduce slightly again.

Also, the reason I'm asking is during this current spike I've already not attended one gig I had tickets for. And I have another gig booked in early December and one in March. The December one I'm really nervous about. I understand that you have to live with T but equally I don't want to recklessly endanger myself by doing something that's going to possibly make my T, and therefore, my mental health worse.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to RockyB88]

I get your concerns - but are they more to do with fear of a potential outcome rather than you having any proof that the outcome is likely?

At that point, you have to try and look at the situation from a perspective of '(A) Is my anxiety about tinnitus changing my behaviour, and is there a definite risk that I'm facing or (B) Is this purely anxiety making me retreat from doing things that I enjoy?'

If the answer is more 'B' than 'A', it's worth looking at what the risks are. If you're using appropriate earplugs, the likelihood of being exposed to damaging levels of noise is significantly reduced. So long as you're taking appropriate precautions, you shouldn't have to stop doing things that you enjoy.

If you take away gig-going, what do you replace it with? That's a key consideration. A lot of people have tinnitus and take away hobbies and activities for fear of worsening tinnitus - at a certain point, the actual problem may become fear of making tinnitus worse and not any definite proof that our actions have contributed to tinnitus becoming 'louder'.

[RockyB88 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

More fear than proof I would say for sure. I know what you are saying, and I know I've been to concerts recently and had no adverse effect. But then I am quite sure I can point to working near a Vacuum Excavator (circa 100db) as the initiation of this spike. The duration of the work and the fact I was wearing ear defenders throughout, I still can't get my head around how that could have had such an impact. Some people stand next to them every single day, this was for a few hours on a one off!

It's almost as if I'm imagining there must be a limit to how loud or intrusive your T seems as to whether you should or shouldn't go in to a loud environment, even with ear protection. As if earlier this year it felt like I was approaching a cliff (the concert) at 30mph (my T perception) so was confident if I slam the breaks on (ear defenders) I wouldn't go over the edge (worsen the T), compared to how I feel now which is approaching at 200mph so I have no confidence that slamming the breaks on will do anything and I'll be in a much worse position as a result of the fall!

[Fridays_Child_62]

This is an interesting question and I must admit that I have stopped concert-going but still occasionally attend the theatre. In the past, attending a concert has actually temporarily reduced my T (as well as my hearing), even with ear-plugs in, but this can't be good for you. I have been reluctant to attend concerts for a few years now but more out of fear than anything else. Early this year, my T stepped up and I cancelled a big event for me. One issue is that my T is reactive to sound, even more so now, although very loud sound still reduces it. One of the pleasures that I've had to cut down is listening to music at home and my interest in Home Audio - I can only listen when my T is in the mood. This not because I think these low-to-moderate sound levels will cause any damage, it's just because my T becomes intrusive and uncomfortable. You may want to put your toe in the water with concerts - try attending a concert with a seat at the back, well away from the stage and speakers. Or first try attending a musical in a theatre where the sound levels may not be so high.

[Gloomster]

Ah now I would be terrified if I was dropped in Glastonbury ...someone might try to sell me some painted wellingtons apart from anything else ( shudder).My T is very very sensitive to volume though ,maybe thats just me

I am a big music fan as well so it does hurt. One of my sons has got a little band at school and I couldn't even got to see their gig they are kind of wannabe Kooks but really quite good considering how young they are .I had helped them with their songs I would have loved to have gone.I had to get someone to record bits on their phone and show me. Cant go to the cinema ..nervous about big crowds even nervous about a rough sea ...sigh it is annoying ( a noisy pub even is dangerous )

There are lots of things you can do though and I often protect my ears and do stuff I want to Live music is very loud though , its out of the question for me

For you .. who knows

[PopcornLover1971]

I just attended an Elton Johnconcert with a horrid sound system.

Took my hearing aids out and put in professional hearing protection. No spike.

I was amazed.

[daverussell]

Absolutely do not stop what you enjoy doing. As TinnitusUKPat says it's just temporary. Likewise, as he suggests, you have think rationally; it's a good idea general.

I use these for concerts, and in general for Hyperacusis. I'm on my third pair that I keep at work for different sites I travel to.

Alpine MusicSafe Ear Plugs Hearing Protection for Musicians - 2 Filter Sets and accessories to enhance your music-making experience - Hypoallergenic and Reusable earplugs - Transparent amzn.eu/d/c5UM2DT

(Available elsewhere, I'm sure)

All the best

[Beagleears]

Hi I can understand your reluctance to possibly have a T spike or worse a permanent increase in your T. I was concerned about this last year as I had a few rearranged concerts to attend but I went to them and thoroughly enjoyed myself and the freedom after living in lockdowns. As a few people have already commented keep living your life as it helps your mental and physical health so much if you can do the things you like to do. My T is up and down in volume a lot at the moment so irritating at times I'd like to pull my ears off!However I just get on with things and keep myself busy and that helps me a lot and sometimes the T seems to go away. It doesn't really go away but for a few hours doing something I like takes my mind off it so it's less noticeable all the best and take care.

[OKShakespeare]

I have given up on concerts. I wore ear plugs and sound reducing headphones and only had a few exposures but I think that the sound still was transferred to hearing organs through bone conduction. If someone knows something different about bone conduction of loud sounds being relevant to tinnitus I would like to know about it.