Christmas carols and earplugs -update

[Jane2012]

Hello all - happy new year to you.

Following my post below unfortunately the new tinnitus sounds have not subsided. I have now got constant hissing and static in my ear and neck on my left which has tinnitus which then at times right across the head and into my good ear!

I have tried to find information about singing with ear plugs in but nothing definite found. I spoke to my doctor today as I am so stressed out with this noise and very tearful. Also waking early and not been able to get back to sleep. I have tried the self help technique that I’ve previously used. The doctor has increased the amitriptyline that I take to see if that helps with the anxiety. I explained what I thought had made the tinnitus worse but he did not think that would happen.?

Also when I press that side of my face and neck the hissing gets worse - probably the extra tension held there.

Any flare up in the past was usually down to wax or an ear infection and it flared up before with syringing but luckily went back to ‘normal’. As this increase is due to none of those I am very worried this increase in sound could be permanent.

Sorry for long post. So upset and wish I’d never gone to the Carol service!

Best wishes

Hello all . I’ve just read fulltimemusos last post and it’s raised a question I’ve been worrying about for the last few days. I’d finally got to a point I was a more comfortable around music with earplugs in - noise blocking one’s that printers use - but it still allowed me to hear the music if I was at a wedding etc

I went to a Carol service Wednesday, first in 10 years since getting tinnitus- organ and other singers average sound - I was well away from the small organ. I had my ear plugs well in but I did join in with the singing - I’ve missed a Carol sing along at Christmas.

With earplugs in you can hear your voice loudly in your head and mine was rather high pitched singing along to the carols. Now my tinnitus which is in my left ear is hissing, ringing and much worse than it was before I went. Think we sang about 8 hymns in total - rather more than I expected but as I was protecting sounds going into my ears I thought I would be ok - was I wrong. Can your own voice in this situation cause tinnitus or make it worse- I’m having a pre Christmas panic, which is probably making it worse. My right ear is good and not been affected by it.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed it will settle down to where it was before.

Best wishes all for Christmas

[Fulltimemuso]

Hi, I don't have an answer for you but I just wanted to follow your topic to hear any advice anyone offered!

I hope your T calms down a bit. I sure you won't have caused too much of a problem by one carol session especially as you were wearing earplugs.

But the question of could that 'booming' effect of you voice cause a problem, if you keep doing it. I'm sure it IS possible.

I'm in the process of getting new ear plugs from ACS Custom, that have been moulded a bit deeper into my ear in an attempt to try and combat this effect.

All the best for Christmas

[Jane2012 in reply to Fulltimemuso]

Thanks for your reply - yes it would be good to hear what others think with the amplified sound inside the head with earplugs.

Hope your new earplugs work for you. I won’t be out Carol singing again like that! It’s a shame as you try to lead a ‘normal’ life with T but that’s just not possible for some.

Wishing you all the best and fingers crossed for a quieter Christmas.

[Sonnybee]

Hi there. As someone who plays in a band I'll try to explain. Try not to use ear plugs in situations with average sound levels. A church service would be one of these situations. The more we avoid normal sound, the more sensitive we become to ANY sound. Also, singing with earplugs in will make your own voice sound really loud, it also creates a pressure in your ears. Most singing musicians will use vented ear plugs for this reason. I personally use these. A combination of these things probably upset your tinnitus a little but it will settle back to its normal level. Keep singing and hopefully some of this might help. Take care.

[Jane2012 in reply to Sonnybee]

Hello - thanks for your reply. I’m keeping my fingers crossed it is temporary and will settle- still got high hissing like an electrical current in my left ear to day. I know tensing and stressing is not helping but trying to stay calm for the family today but it’s difficult. Wishing you a happy Christmas hope you have a lovely day and thank you for replying today x

[Cookie24 in reply to Sonnybee]

Can you recommend a particular type of earplugs? I want Togo to concerts and also bars with bands playing.

[Jane2012]

Hello Cookie24. Hope you find the right earplugs that work for you and sonnybee might be able to make a suggestion. Don’t think from my current situation mine are correct!! Best wishes