AirPod Pro Noise cancelling worsen tinnitus?

[Fulltimemuso]

Hi guys,

I have all sorts of tinnitus/earplug dramas in my life! It's a constant battle!

I'm a singer, and also I have a motorcycle. So, for singing I have custom moulded plugs with filters and I shove these things in my ears a couple of times per day. My ear canals don't really like it, but I do it to reduce the sound level on gigs.

There is a problem of 'occlusion' which I now know all about! Certain frequencies are actually boosted, and I worry this sound could be damaging. Put your fingers in your ears and hum an 'nnnnnnnnn' sound. Loud! Deeper plugs, and venting can partially help this.

Anyway, the AirPods different, they mostly remove this occlusion effect and also block more of the low frequency sound. So I think it may be possible to sing using them.

On the motorbike (slow scooter!) they seem good, my windy sounding helmet is almost silent. Brilliant!

However, my question is - does anyone have any info about the effects of them exacerbating tinnitus?

[Iwilldothisthisyear]

I have just bought a pair of AirPod Pro to replace an old pair & I really like them . I can hear my music or podcasts better with these as they have a noise cancellation programme & then go quiet if I speak . I do not think my tinnitus has got any worse as it’s constant at the moment .

[Pineappleonpizza]

Hey Fulltimemuso, I’m about to get some custom earplugs made as I’d still like to go to an outdoor concert this summer (no more indoor gigs for me!). Can you tell me more about what you know about occlusion? Is there a better type of earplug? I’m not bothered about hearing the music I just don’t want to make my T any worse (and I know I am taking a risk anyway)

[Fulltimemuso in reply to Pineappleonpizza]

Hi, if you are not worried about hearing the music the most simple effective earplugs are probably just the cheap disposable foam ones.

However, with the custom moulds you have the option of the various filter so they reduce volume across a more even range of frequencies. So you can still hear just as well, but everything is quieter.

Occlusion, is where the sound is trapped, and resonates between the earplug and eardrum. It's only really an issue while speaking or singing. For singing it's a bit of a nightmare!

If you can get a very well fitted, and deep moulded plugs you can reduce the effect. But it does sometimes just depend on the shape of your head, ear canals etc.

The occlusion effect is hard for me to understand. It seems a combination of the voice sound conducting through your ear bones (and getting trapped), and the outside sound re-entering the ear canal (then also getting trapped).

Hope that helps a bit, any more questions just shout.

[Pineappleonpizza]

Morning! Thanks for your reply. Yes the whole ear plug thing needs a bit of researching for me. I actually got tinnitus whilst wearing foam ear plugs at a nightclub. I had forgotten my Loop ear plugs so grabbed some foam ones from the bar, which I probably hadn’t inserted properly. I was only theres for two hours but it must have just been so loud - though I have had quite a bit of noise exposure over the years.

[Fulltimemuso in reply to Pineappleonpizza]

Yes, I can imagine a nightclub especially if it's combined with the adrenalin of a night out could easily cause a problem!

The earplugs is a bit of a rabbit hole! Also, I try to keep in mind that the perceived tinnitus can vary depending on stress etc.

So if I try a certain type of ear plug, that actually works well but I feel stressed about my tinnitus on that day - then the T can seem louder. Also, there is a delayed effect between an event the increases the tinnitus (in a short term way) and you noticing it.

Lot's to think about! The foam plugs when interred properly generally have very good sound reduction.

Also, ear defenders are good for certain situations. I have a cheap £15 set at home, and I'm always putting them on. Quite relaxing, and also I can hear what my T is doing.

Good luck!