Albanian 121 Posted October 16, 2013 I know people who shoot can get Tinnitus if they fail to wear proper hearing protection. Funnily enough I developed Tinnitus about a week and a half before I went shooting for the first time ever back in February. I'm largely used to it and often don't even notice it until I think about it or it is late at night. I like to sleep with the tv on now when before I preferred complete silence lol It's true you don't know what you have until it is gone. I sometimes miss complete silence but it isn't that big of a deal. I just hope this isn't a predictor of hearing loss I'm only in my mid-twenties. Though the ENT said my hearing was fine aside from the Tinnitus. He also said like 10% of the population has it since we live in such a noise filled world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
302w 83 Posted October 16, 2013 My suggestion is to go to a quality audiologist who specializes in tinnitus. I know of one in Morristown, and they are few and far between. Also, custom made "shooter plugs" are supposedly good stuff. I'm getting a set at some point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
db1775 4 Posted October 16, 2013 Is this something that you can sense coming? Or does it just appear one day? Does it seem more intense in one ear than the other? This is actually something I've feared getting lately as I am having some hearing issues as I get older. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogfarmer 138 Posted October 16, 2013 My ears ring like crazy now, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted October 16, 2013 I wound up with tinnitus and hearing loss before I was 19. Repeated unprotected exposure to gunfire, explosions and a few head injuries have helped this along. I have a hearing aid but rarely use it as its a PITA. There are a lot of things done to help tinnitus and I've tried most of them with no real luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulnj088 9 Posted October 16, 2013 i have it..it SUcks ringing all the time . it started when i was about 20 or so and i know it had nothing to do with shooting a gun . dr said deal with it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Malice4you 627 Posted October 16, 2013 WHAT? I have a slight, but certainly constant, ringing in my ears...Subwoofers and gunfire without adequate hearing protection in my younger days are probably what did it... I haven't had my hearing checked recently, but it was never great... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted October 16, 2013 My ears have been ringing since my 20's doctors said not to worry about it.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJM981 924 Posted October 16, 2013 I have been dealing with it for about 15 years. Too many Metallica concerts without ear plugs. I run an air purifier at night to cover the ringing. I have no idea what to do for it. 302, what is the name of the Dr./practice? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iCARRY 0 Posted October 16, 2013 I need to get my hearing checked. Having trouble hearing things lately. Lots of loud music through headphones in my younger days. No ringing though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhunted 887 Posted October 16, 2013 It's not your ears! Answer that dang 1940's phone you refuse to get rid of! My ears ring like crazy now, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhunted 887 Posted October 16, 2013 Not much you can do about it and I don't have much faith in doctors that say they can do something about it. I also don't think they can do ear tests worth a turd in a punch bowl. I insisted getting a hearing check for both of us. Even though I explained my Tinnitus and not being able to hear certain frequencies of conversation, he said my hearing was fine. Huh? I say! I've had it in my right ear for many years and just got worse over time. Probably started out, (and I warn young folks not to use those darn ear muff style headphones), from listening to loud rock like BTO and stuff. Didn't even realize how it comes to light. You just notice it one day especially in a quiet room. When you see a movie where someone simulates ringing when a bomb explodes or when a gun shot is fired in confined areas, the producers simulation is spot on. That's what my right ear is like 24/7.. Working in loud environments, computer rooms, gun fire, all caused mine. If you already have it, it can also get temporarily worse if you experience a gun shot for instance. Happens to me once in awhile... My freaken ringing doubles intensity and almost every sound, including music with a lot of highs, make it sound like I have tin can in my ear. If you never had it before then just got it recently during a loud experience like gun fire, it could go away and may take 1 week to 3 to finally go away. Cons: Annoying when you are in quiet zone. It stands out and can be annoying big time. Pros: Wife snores like a lumber jack. I usually sleep on my right side. When her turmoil kicks in, I turn to my left side and get some piece out of it. Acts like white noise. If I have window AC on, it really is easier to sleep. All in all, you won't notice it most of the time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hops 0 Posted October 16, 2013 Have it and try not to focus on it or it reallly seems louder. I have noticed it gets worse with caffiene, sugar, or gluten foods. I cut out all of those for about five weeks to help get rid of a chronic inflammation joint pain issue. The pain went away and so did the ringing. Too bad i could not stay on that diet, cause the ringing came back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zack 17 Posted October 16, 2013 I got a hearing test as part of my annual physical. The Doc asked me if I was having trouble hearing because the test results showed some hearing loss. Then I asked him about the ringing in my ears. He told me the ringing was a result of the hearing loss and there really was nothing that could be done about the ringing. So if my Doc is right and you already have some ringing then you probably already have some hearing loss. An audiologist would be the way to get more details. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
302w 83 Posted October 16, 2013 I have been dealing with it for about 15 years. Too many Metallica concerts without ear plugs. I run an air purifier at night to cover the ringing. I have no idea what to do for it. 302, what is the name of the Dr./practice? Total Hearing Care in Morristown. They have offices everywhere but the people there are significantly better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulnj088 9 Posted October 16, 2013 i put a tin foil hat on and the ringing stops Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDon 3 Posted October 16, 2013 It's called getting old. First to go are the eyes. Then the back. Then the ears. Then the junk. Get used to it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryan_j 0 Posted October 16, 2013 I have a very slight form of tinnitus at very high frequencies. I always hear a faint hissing in the background. I've mostly learned to tune it out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted October 16, 2013 Every so often my right ear will ring, usually when it's quiet. Any sound will be drowned out by it, but it only last for a few seconds and then the ringing stops. Not sure if that counts. But I did play the drums throughout my childhood and rarely used ear protection. Once I hit 20 I almost always use ear protection for anything loud, or avoid it entirely. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Recon Racoon 49 Posted October 16, 2013 I have a constant slight ringing in my ears because of idiot kids in school, rock concerts, and power tools. Every once in a while though it goes from very slight, to a loud buzz for a minute then stops. I've learned to live with it, and it doesn't really bother me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Albanian 121 Posted October 16, 2013 Well for me it was music. Blasting music in Albanian weddings from infancy onwards until now. I always had occasional tinnitus, it would go away, but this time it stuck. I also blame listening to blasting music in my headphones. Essentially it was my own damn fault and thankfully not due to loss of hearing itself, ENT said I have great hearing, perfect for my age otherwise. Might check that place in Morristown out anyway for shits and giggles. Overall though I can tune it out. Even in complete silence I might just "forget" about it. If I am out and about doing stuff I never hear it unless I think real hard about it lol My brother has it in his right ear. I took him shooting for the first time and he did not properly place his ear muffs on in Bullet Hole. Bang, Tinnitus in his right ear. JackDaWack that's how it was for me until it decided to remain one day lol I don't think it will stay for you as long as you use ear protection. I made this post because it is interesting to see how many people actually have it. People just learn to live with it overall so they don't talk about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frank Rizzo 59 Posted October 16, 2013 Had a slight case since mid 20's. 1997, 7th row at Garden State Arts Center (PNC) watching Aerosmith with no earplugs sent it into overdrive. Just had my hearing tested 2 months ago, ENT Dr. said I have hearing of a 10yr old.. or was it hung.. forget it. Anyways.. just live with it.. tune it out. For what its worth, Citrus/Lemon Bioflavinoids do help with tinnitus. Try some, available at most health food stores and possibly even Walmart. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barms 98 Posted October 16, 2013 I can 100% attribute mine to shotgun shooting outdoors 3 months ago. Was wearing foam plugs but weren't seated correctly. And mine is bad. Doesn't have to be totally silent for me to notice. I was so discouraged I almost quit this sport. Ive tried handfuls of riboflavin it didn't do a thing I have an appointment for a professional ear cleaning soon, I will get the hearing checked again and inquir me about special plugs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishnut 2,358 Posted October 16, 2013 I have had tinnitus since about age 8 when I had an ear surgery that went wrong. I sleep with an air purifier on or a fan and that helps but honestly I have had it for so long I rarely even notice it any more. I have been to many specialists and even had a surgery to correct the bad one but nothing can stop it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cemeterys Gun Blob 165 Posted October 16, 2013 Absolutely nothing can be done about tinnitus. It will always be there, even with hearing lose. Save your money for guns, not snake oil. Get quality ear protection to protect what you have left. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mipafox 438 Posted October 17, 2013 I had it a long time ago for many years and it went away. I still have hearing loss from my early 20s, but the tinnitus went away. No explanation. I know this has nothing to do with it, but I also lost all feeling in the right side of my tongue and my face during the 1990s after a surgery. I had it tested and mapped by doctors over several months, then a couple years later, and nothing changed. After more than a decade, a couple years ago I had nearly a full recovery over a period of a few months. Not that I would know for sure how long it was. But it was pretty sudden. And, sorry, not pedaling any Snake Oil to help you achieve the same results No idea what happened. Just weird. I don't think it has anything to do with my tinnitus, either, which seemed to be resolved nearly ten years earlier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buell508 6 Posted October 17, 2013 I don't even notice it anymore, growing up on a farm, always around noise, never used ear protection, shot all the time ,now work construction . The ringing never stops. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anactivegrenade 25 Posted October 17, 2013 Tinnitus here. I used to always blast music - I painfully regret it now. It's not horrible, but is annoying when it's silent at night. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barms 98 Posted October 17, 2013 What really is scary is when i put on my muffs and shoot, then when I'm done and leave the firing line and I am where it's quiet and I still have my muffs on the ringing is 1000X stronger because the muffs are silent. Then I freak out because I think the ringing just got worse from the range. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Golf battery 1,223 Posted October 17, 2013 Yeah my ears have been ringing (tinitus) since ive been 18 or so. Just deal with it. We all get old. And believe me. That will be the least of your problems 25 years later. Years of loud music and farm machinery and gun fire. Yup that will do it. Im happy i still have all ten toes and nine fingers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites