The reality of tinnitus: it can be a total nightmare

Hearing, Ear Health & Tinnitus
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Hello everyone. I found this community while looking for information on tinnitus. Please, stop turning your volume up so high and avoid the front of the stage at shows. It does your hearing no favors.

Many of you might feel lucky because you’ve attended concerts without protection and came out fine. My experience was different. I went to my very first concert—not even in the front row—and ended up with permanent tinnitus. I was actually wearing ear protection at the time. It is honestly devastating. Since it started, I’ve lost 10kg, my sense of peace, my career, and my ability to concentrate. I can’t sleep anymore; the insomnia is a serious struggle.

I used to get a bit of ringing after a night at the club, but I didn’t realize that even temporary ringing indicates permanent damage. Please don’t forget that. I really wish someone had told me.

I was never someone who sought out loud environments—I’ve only been to a club about eight times in my life (always with protection) and just that one concert. That was all it took to land me in this hell of tinnitus and hyperacusis.

I’m writing this just to spread the word. Noise can ruin your life. Don’t use earbuds at high volumes, always use hearing protection, and understand that sometimes even that isn’t enough. When you’re dealing with 110 to 130 dB, standard earplugs might not stop permanent damage.

As a medical student (or at least I was), it’s frustrating to see how little awareness there is regarding tinnitus. Everyone talks about hearing loss, but no one understands tinnitus until they are stuck with it for life. No one ever explained that temporary ringing was a sign of lasting harm, despite how careful I tried to be.

I’m just venting, but if this helps even one person, I’ll be happy. The hardest part is watching my friends continue to go to shows and clubs without any protection, even knowing what I’m going through. It hurts as much as the ringing itself to see that level of carelessness. You only get one set of ears. Look after them. Even if you’re young and feel invincible, or if you love music—especially if you love music—protect your ability to live a normal life. Silence isn’t something you should take for granted.

Don’t repeat my mistakes. Our ears aren’t designed for the volume of modern clubs or concerts, even with plugs. Make sure you check the NRR and SNR ratings. If a product claims 18 dB of protection, you’re likely only getting about 7 dB of actual reduction. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, that difference is massive.

Stay safe.

TLDR: Even with protection, your first show can change your life forever. Be careful. Always wear earpro and keep the headphone volume low.

I’ve also struggled with hyperacusis and noxacusis. While it has mostly improved, I’ll probably never be able to go back to loud restaurants, concerts, or bars again.

17 Likes
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I’m dealing with tinnitus even though my hearing tests come back normal. It’s been a nightmare trying to find the cause. I’ve spent months seeing doctors and getting tests, and sometimes the noise is so loud it interferes with my hearing and makes it impossible to work.

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That sounds absolutely frightening. Thank you for sharing your story to warn others. I truly hope you can find some relief in the future.

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Hi! I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this; it’s a very difficult adjustment. I’m curious about how your habituation process is going? I damaged my ears at a concert back in 2016 and went through a dark period of depression because of it. However, over the last few years, I’ve found that I don’t really notice the sound much anymore, even though it’s technically always there.

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There’s honestly no reason for live events to be that deafening. Even at church services, the volume gets so high I’ve started relying on EarProMax to keep my hearing safe.

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I have ringing in my left ear, and my right ear actually hurts when music is even slightly above a normal level. I’ve dealt with this for years and I’m only 22. I used to have Sony headphones that would randomly jump to max volume and I couldn’t fix it until I already had them on. It might have also started when I fell off a truck and hit my head on concrete. I love music more than anything and dream of making an album, but I feel like the thing I love most is being taken away from me before my life has even really started. It’s the same with going to the cinema, which is my other passion.

7

I actually took a half-year break from all music production and live shows just to deal with this.

8

Just reading this is making my ears flare up. I spent way too many sessions playing the drums without any protection.

9

I’ve recently found a routine that helps with my sleep and the ringing. I use a Manta sleep mask with speakers and listen to binaural sine waves. It helps me reach a meditative state where the waves mask the tinnitus enough for me to drift off. It’s the best sleep I’ve had since suffering a bad concussion.

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I see a lot of people mixing on headphones now, which is okay if the volume is low, but with all the distortion and processing people use, it’s risky. I was one of those people who started wearing high-fidelity plugs as soon as they hit the market.

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I recently started using earplugs at concerts and I felt so much better afterward. I still had a great time without the usual ear fatigue.

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I totally understand. My tinnitus isn’t extreme, but I really notice it when it’s quiet. I miss being able to hear true silence. Now, I wear earplugs for most of the day. When I’m producing, I use monitors, and I only use headphones for 30-minute bursts when mastering. I also tried some supplements that seemed to help a bit.

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I’ve lived with intense tinnitus since the mid-90s, and it definitely changed my life. I stopped going to concerts and rarely go to the movies anymore. I was happy when a drive-in opened nearby because I could control the volume, but that’s gone now. I also dealt with hyperacusis, which was miserable, but I received treatment and improved. I eventually got back to enjoying music at 75dB on my home system. Unfortunately, I overdid it one night and the ringing became terrifying, causing major insomnia. That was eight months ago, and I had to stop music and movies again. My tinnitus can become ‘reactive,’ where it sits on top of every sound. I was just starting to habituate again when a shelf of metal pans collapsed on me. The noise was deafening and sent me right back to square one. I’m working on habituating again now, but it’s a huge bummer. I’ve found that just trying to carry on with life is the best way to cope, though dealing with Long Covid makes the anxiety harder to manage.

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If you’re experiencing dizziness along with the ringing, please see an audiologist. It could be Meniere’s disease, which can cause permanent hearing loss if not addressed.

15

Tinnitus is actually very common, affecting about 1 in 10 people. It sounds like you might be struggling with depression alongside it. Generally, tinnitus isn’t completely debilitating and can be managed well with cognitive behavioral therapy. I do agree with using protection, though, since hearing doesn’t heal like other parts of the body.

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Hello! I’ve been a drummer and audio engineer for 20 years and have some tips. I’ve dealt with temporary ringing from loud guitarists and poor sound mixing, but never permanent tinnitus until recently. After losing weight and getting sober, I developed low-frequency tones and ear clicking. It turned out to be Patulous Eustachian tube, which makes you hear your own breathing and pulse internally. It caused me severe insomnia and depression for a year. My advice: prioritize sleep above all else, even if you need a prescription like zopiclone. Also, cut out all stimulants—caffeine, nicotine, and ADHD meds—as they aggravate hearing issues. Stay hydrated, exercise to improve blood flow, and maintain a diet rich in healthy fats and minerals. Also, check for TMJ or neck issues, as nerve tension there can affect your ears. Don’t let doctors dismiss you; many GPs have very little training in audiology. Be your own advocate and stay positive. You can improve your quality of life!

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I’ve had tinnitus for over ten years. Honestly, I don’t even notice it unless I think about it. My ears are ringing right now only because I saw this post. You can definitely learn to tune it out and live a normal life.

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My tinnitus improved by about 90% once I stopped using headphones entirely.