Tinnitus and headphones - I need advice - Tinnitus UK

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Tinnitus and headphones - I need advice

angelcat2003 profile image
9 Replies

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!

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angelcat2003 profile image
angelcat2003
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9 Replies
bournville profile image
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 profile image
angelcat2003 in reply tobournville

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 profile image
bournville in reply toangelcat2003

here’s a link to some bone conduction headphones

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

bikeboy66 profile image
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 profile image
angelcat2003 in reply tobikeboy66

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 profile image
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 profile image
Leedsunt1

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

RobWG profile image
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 profile image
TMotown

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

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