Question for those that have habituated…

[want2habituate]

Hi, I’m about 4 months into this.

In every day life, when do you take precautions / what do you avoid?

So, a noisy pub - do you wear ear plugs. What if you wanted to go to a gig?

I went to a friend’s party last night - karaoke, louder than my comfort zone so I wore my alpine earplugs. I would’ve taken my new Loops that have a little insert for additional protection but unbelievably I forgot them in a rush!

I guess part of what I’m trying to work out is whether what feels like a limit to the noise exposure is a real thing - or psychological / psychosomatic.

Today I’m tired so that makes things worse but beyond the extra noise in my ears, my tolerance for noise levels is certainly reduced.

I can’t decide if I need to heed that or push through it to adjust?

[Jimbob7]

Well done - four months in and it sounds like you're experimenting with the T - pushing yourself, taking some risks, applying what you've learned, etc. I don't see anything wrong with how you approached that evening out.

Ultimately, we have to try new things, new approaches, equipment - like HA's, ear defenders, etc.

All of us here - our mileage with these things will vary - as will yours. What works for you - might not work for me and vice versa.

But it sounds like you've got a good attitude towards promoting yourself back in to life and getting on with stuff you enjoy. Take your time. Don't rush - there is no rush.

Habituation is ocurring in the background - I assure you of that.

Each time you try a different approach - jot down the results - keep a Tinnitus Diary. Record your progress - the highs AND the lows. Then, it becomes a manual - something you can refer to when you forget or are struggling.

Well done, keep at it!

[Ray200]

I had a nasty experience this summer. Walking along a line of traffic, an ambulance next to me decided to put its siren on full intensity (maybe gig level, I wouldn't know). My tinnitus level went up for the rest of the day. Not taking any chances with it. If there's a wailing emergency vehicle around, it's stop and fingers in ears while it's in the area.

[kenenu in reply to Ray200]

yep - ambulances, police cars and motorbikes! I stop n put my fingers in my ears. Glad it’s not just me as I always think people must wonder what I’m doing!

[Kellythecat-74 in reply to kenenu]

Same here . I try not to look at the people staring at me with my fingers in ears !

[Pineappleonpizza]

i think your question about physiological / psychosomatic is good. I’m too anxious to go to another concert, I tried, and left after 10 Minutes. Whether the anxiety would have increase my T or noise I didn’t want to find out! Also working out what your limit to noise exposure is a good question and perhaps to also think about how you got T. For me I got mine through nightclubs and noise damage so I am very cautious to not cause anymore noise damage. I do go to the pub now and that seems ok, I sometimes wear the loop earplugs there and have been wearing them a little bit over the last week visiting family for Xmas with noisy children!

I have a key ring on my house keys which contains my ear plugs so I never forget them.

[doglover1973]

Hi there. I've habituated but I'm still careful. I don't take unnecessary risks but nor do I panic if my T gets louder. It will settle down again. I think it's a balance. There's no right or wrong. Work out what you feel comfortable doing. It's just good sense to protect your ears whether you have T or not.

[want2habituate in reply to doglover1973]

Out of interest, how long did it take you to habituate? I'm still checking off potential reversible causes....like B12 deficiency.....looks like quite a faff to get an active B12 test....and it's a balance.....not sure if hoping I can fix it might slow down habituation....

[doglover1973 in reply to want2habituate]

A couple of years. That's about average. It's very natural to hope you can fix it one way or another. There's no harm in ruling things out either. I'm still aware of my T but it doesn't trouble me like it used to do. Habituation isn't a quick business. Give yourself time. Be kind to yourself. You'll get there.

[MAC0811]

and there lies “the rub” (the problem) with tinnitus and hyperacusis - as you simply can’t easily tell when a sound you hear is with acceptable levels or not?? And even if the sound is, what if your tinnitus might be that bad that the bar has been lowered? I’m afraid ‘we’re all shooting in the dark’! And as we all experience noise as something that’s individual to you there is just no way of really comparing!? You just have to hope for the best! And then you can’t tell if your T has later gone louder or is it just the perception?? It really is one of the most evil and debilitating conditions out there! And it can have you from every corner and not give you any respite at all!

[want2habituate]

Yeah, my tinnitus started lovely and quiet today. An unexpected Christmas cracker set it off. Did some mindfulness and seemed better. But by 8pm I just felt saturated - family playing games downstairs and I just want peace - both from my T but also their screeching.

I can’t be a killjoy - they aren’t doing anything wrong. And there’s every chance my T spike is caused by my own anxiety and not the noise at all.

Does make me dwell on how my life will be like now though….but I’m sure I’ll soon be back to more positive thinking.