Oh, how are the mighty fallen

[D-w-L2023]

30 years of tinnitus and now hyperacusis.

I was invited to a 70th birthday party tonight, A small affair. Maybe 30 people in a room above a pub.

All those gigs where I was either deafening people or deafening myself are like a dream now.

I lasted less than 30 minutes. No music but the sound level was unbearable.

I wear hearing aids and people were saying "just switch them off". They really don't understand that hearing aids are not some sort of amplified earplugs. They do not block out sound. They enhance and modify what you hear but if the noise is loud it will still get through.

I tried various settings on the hearing aid app but it made no difference.

As I said.

Oh, how are the mighty fallen

[bluedawnstar]

I appreciate this was a distressing experience for you and meant you were unable to enjoy the party, which is upsetting. However, it does not necessarily mean that you will experience the same in a similar social event in the future. Of course, not everybody is the same, but I have been in situations where I had to leave due to the normal conversation of a large group being too much to cope with. The next time I was able to manage a similar situation fine. For me, I think it is about the room acoustics, the present level of T and my level of fatigue. I would advise that you do not assume that what happened will always be the case in future and encourage you to continue to attend such events. I share your frustration with others thinking that HA make sounds louder and that turning them off is the solution.🥴 🤦‍♀️

[D-w-L2023 in reply to bluedawnstar]

Thanks. It's true that the acoustics of the room and the number of people all contribute to the noise and it's true that not every gathering will be the same. Unfortunately, despite the fact this is not new to me, I'm finding it worse each time these days. My past is catching up to me.

Thanks for your comments.

[RobWG in reply to bluedawnstar]

Great point this. On occasions I find social events (pubs and I like pubs) difficult other times not.I also go to football matches and the same applies.

Rgds

Rwg

[D-w-L2023 in reply to RobWG]

I'm a season ticket holder at a local non-league club and I can't join the fans that stand behind the goals singing. I used to love it but now, even with earplugs, it's too much.

[Ray200]

I'm a great one for trying to understand how and why things are, and without being judgmental. There is a strong presence of sufferers who have been in the music business here. What I have trouble understanding can be put like this: If I was a runner and started having knee joint problems, I think I would give up running lest the knee become worse. Good reason too, of all medical conditions impaired mobility is the one that I'm most fearful of. However, I don't think I've read any account from a sufferer who has made it clear that for them any association with the business is now over, again, lest the condition become worse.

[D-w-L2023 in reply to Ray200]

Many of the musicians I know who have tinnitus have considered giving up but music is part of us, it defines us and is not an easy thing to stop. I look for ways to continue without doing more damage if we can. Ear plugs, changing the style of music I play, moving to acoustic but the damage is already done so it's a matter of living with it and ameliorating the condition.

[Ray200 in reply to D-w-L2023]

I know where you are coming from, but tobacco with me.

I wonder if musicians who have gone for medical advice have ever been told "what you have is not good, but unless you take noise avoidance, it might get much worse". In other words give the full possible outcome. I doubt that happens in general right now.

[D-w-L2023 in reply to Ray200]

Most of the people I know have all seen doctors and audiologists as it's their living.

I don't know what they've individually been told but all of the musos I know are incredibly aware of tinnitus and have taken active steps to protect their ears.

[Gladeville in reply to D-w-L2023]

Peter studenik has a book about tinnitus, check out his interview on Liz Bill's show on u tube . I think he said tinnitus is not related to hearing loss. Joey remenyi says something similar, about T and balance problems,which i had , if you have slight hearing loss and not know it you will play louder. I was always told I played too loud it was i couldn't hear myself properly, and was unaware i was damaging my ears even more.

[D-w-L2023 in reply to Gladeville]

Thanks, I'll check those out.

I don't think my tinnitus is related to hearing loss as it wasn't me playing too loud! It started at a gig in 1988 (I think) when the electric violinist had his amp right behind me and was deafeningly loud. I kept asking him to turn it down but he said he couldn't hear it (maybe he had the hearing loss?). Unfortunately the stage was tiny and there was no way to escape it. I went home ears ringing and they never stopped. My hearing started to deteriorate after that. No-one I knew was wearing earplugs in those days although started to wear them after a visit to an NHS audiologist who recommended them.

[PABLR]

That is one of the most difficult things for people to understand. I used the analogy of static on a radio. When you turn it up you can't hear the background any better, you just hear louder static, louder muffled words. And taking them out or turning them off just means you can't hear anything with a hope of understanding it. I now have a Cochlear implant one side, hearing aid the other and it's SO much better.

[D-w-L2023 in reply to PABLR]

Nicely put.

[sugarplumferry]

In a situation like this try to sit or stand at the edges of the room rather than in the middle of the room. I find it really helps as there is less sound behind me to be amplified.