Alternative title was “It should be at zero” but I felt the click through on that would be low.
It’s been long joked that I don’t listen, or I don’t catch what people say and to be honest, I didn’t think I had really any hearing trouble. Sure I guessed I had tinnitus but that was bearable. I can hear the “ringing” as I type this.
I got my new glasses and also some contact, I had to go back for a checkup and Duncan & Todd, like a lot of places, offer hearing tests as well. I had a quick overview test and got booked in. At least I can say I’ve had a test, I said to myself ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The other week, I had my test. It didn’t go exactly as planned. I did the headphone and hearing test with the beeps, I had to press a button when I heard it. The audiologist and I talked over my hearing history and I mentioned my love of gigs and loud music, and said I thought I had tinnitus.
Part of the test charts my hearing in each ear and where it is compared to where it should be. I mentioned how I still put the volume up full in my earphones, and she replied “You’re not hearing music as it should be heard”. 😢
Damn 💔
I guessed something wasn’t right but not that bad. Okay, what do I do? Turn down the music a bit? Continue my utter lack of gig attendance of the last few years compared to my weekly attendance of c. 2003-2013?
Nope. I’m going to need help. I’m being referred to my doctor/Ninewells for a follow up. Oh, okay, cool. Not ideal. “You’ll probably need to look at hearing aids soon so this doesn’t get worse” wut.
“It should be at zero”
She showed me the chart, “normal” good hearing is at that zero line. And well, you can see where I am.
Basically the higher pitch, the worse I hear, but even at lower pitches I still didn’t hear as well as I should.
That dip at 1K is “severe” 😬 At 34, my decade plus of loud music at shows and best part of 20 years of listening with earphones and the music up loud has permanently damaged my hearing.
Permanently.
Plus side, the audiologist did say there are fancy aids with Bluetooth which would turn into my “earphones” 🤓👏🏻🎶
So aye. That happened.
doug dot blog... 
Damn dude, sorry to hear that. It’s something I’ve been avoiding getting checked out as well. Like you I attended a ton of shows growing up without any ear protection (what am I, a poser?) and turned my music up super loud.
I can’t remember when it started but for at least 10 years I’ve had constant ringing in my ears. It’s partially the reason I listen to music as much as I can, to drown out the ringing.
Maybe I’ll get a screening and we can be hearing aid buddies together.
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Same.
Do it! That ringing will be tinnitus, guaranteed!
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Dang mate, I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that. Hope at least the consultations with the right people will help you out in the long term.
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Shit, Doug, that’s bad news, especially knowing how you appreciate good music, and especially good loud music. I was going to recommend earbuds too, as Niels already did. I have different ones, they are called Isolate, and mine are aluminium. Although I don’t have hearing problems that I’m aware of, these earbuds make shows much better – to the point where I’m starting to think I’m actually listening to a record. I have survived through The Dillinger Escape Plan with them, had no ringing in my ears whatsoever afterwards, and the sound was clear as something really clear!
If you want, I can bring some spare replaceable earbuds so you can try them out next time we meet.
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Oh, that doesn’t sound good. And there’s no chance of recovery from that? 🤔
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Nope, it’s permanent. I can stop it getting worse, but from what I’ve been told, it won’t recover.
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Back in the good old days, when I used to party hard, I used these https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-E-A-R-UltraFit-Earplugs-340-4004-Corded-Poly-Bag-400-Pair-Case/?N=5002385+3294780169&rt=rud
While they reduce the noice by 25 dB(A), you can still have a conversation with the person next to you on a concert. In fact, using these earplugs, in front of the stage, even allows you to hear conversations better. I guess they mainly filter the low frequencies, wich make 80-90% of the volume.
I’m very sorry to hear that though, Doug, and I hope my tip helps to prevent future damage to your hearing. 🤞
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I appreciate that Niels, buying a permanent pair of plugs is the plan, thanks!
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