(Part 2) Top products from r/tinnitus

I got high fidelity earplugs on Amazon that come with a little case. I take them everywhere. Literally the only time I’m aware of them is when I switch pants and when I need them. Best spent $24 ever.

They aren’t perfect, but when you find yourself in a loud place they take the edge off. I still tend to leave loud places, but you can’t really do that immediately without it being awkward and these things make that possible. I use clay earplugs and earmuffs when I really need to protect my hearing. That said, they are good because it seems to get rid of the super low base and high treble, but you can talk to the people you’re with. It’s a bit muffled, but not bad.

it is weird, but the mind is incredibly weird. I would try to be optimistic about your situation, in that, if you sort of got yourself into this at least partially because of psychological factors, you may well get yourself out.

I have a couple friends who don't have significant T, but can hear it in very quiet rooms, and have told me that when they focus on it, it becomes "deafening".

I am presently reading and really enjoying this book, and you might, as well: https://www.amazon.com/Suggestible-You-Curious-Science-Transform/dp/1426217897

I feel your pain it is ruff. You may want to look at what has changed in your life to cause the sound to get louder.

Eating less sodium and working out help a lot. For me making sure I get at least 30 mins a day exercise has always made a noticeable difference.

If your work environment is rather loud I highly recommend these ear plugs. They take sound in so you can still hear everything but it reduces how harsh heavy bass or high pitched sounds are.

With sleep I keep my right ear (the problem one) facing my fan. I focus on the fan sound instead of the ringing.

I hope things get better for you.

My biggest advice is not letting the tinnitus ruin anything you want to do. For me, I just accept the cards I was dealt, but I don't let it stop me from doing what I want to do. I've been battling issues with my ears my entire life. I've had consistent tinnitus for the last 2 years. I never let it stop me from attending concerts. I attend EDC and Coachella every year, as well as multiple other concerts, and I always wear ear plugs when I can. I've never had my ears feel worse or better afterward. I've tried many ear plugs over the years and for me these ones are hands down the best.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K18KSNA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Foam ear plugs like this;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WWMJTG/ref=emc_b_5_i

Are the same as the industrial foam plugs and do a great job of noise reduction.

I don't like the other shaped softer foam plugs with the smooth surface finish, usually colored, as they don't seal in your ear as well.

I’m finding this book to be useful:
https://www.amazon.com/Tinnitus-Self-Management-Guide-Ringing-Your/dp/0205315372

And this cognitive behavior therapy book on anxiety:
https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Worry-Workbook-Cognitive-Behavioral/dp/160623918X/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=cbt+anxiety&qid=1556231441&s=gateway&sr=8-3

These things require work and it might be wise to work with a therapist. I’m working with one and it’s useful to be able to talk about things.

That's true, but honestly, wearing something like this ought to be enough and really shouldn't decrease your enjoyment of an event.

Personally love these: https://www.amazon.com/Hearos-Earplugs-Rock-Roll-1-Pair/dp/B001EPQ842/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1493001350&sr=8-11&keywords=hearos+ear+plugs

Picked a pair up from a local Guitar Center. I wore them to an alter. rock concert and they worked wonders. Didn't muffle the sound, I was able to hear everything clearly but at a level that didn't destroy my ears. I highly suggest them. At 5 bucks too, can't beat it.

https://www.amazon.ca/Hearos-Plugs-Xtreme-Protection-pairs/dp/B001EPQ86A

33dB filter, which is the best in the market right now. I wore these to a hockey game last week and it was completely fine. They do start to annoy the ear canal after about an hour or so because they're thick, but it's worth it in my opinion.

Here are a few examples of attenuators you can use for headphones:

1. https://www.amazon.com/Shure-EAADPT-KIT-Adapter-Combines-Attachable/dp/B001P5HL3S/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=attenuator+mp3&qid=1569248903&s=electronics&sr=1-2
   
2. https://www.amazon.com/Ear-Buddy-Headphone-Optimizer-Travel/dp/B075PVVHF5/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=attenuator+3.5mm&qid=1569248936&s=electronics&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A34JWT04R7KMFW&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyR1ZDUlNZS0JYWkhEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjM4MjY1M1RVU1lTWkpTR0Q0USZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDMwODQxMjdPRTdDVjU2WkdZMCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
   
3. https://www.amazon.com/Volbox-inline-audio-control-attenuator/dp/B071VL2GF8/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=attenuator+3.5mm&qid=1569248936&s=electronics&sr=1-5
   
   I got the second one listed which is good but there are a ton to choose from some more tailored than others.

Causes of tinnitus includ hearing loss, noise exposure, dental issues, neck issues, psychological issues, etc... so yes, blood pressure could very well be another cause. Not sure about cholesterol, but since your inner ear is full of blood and other fluid I'm sure that pressure changes could cause some tinnitus.

And no, there is no cure for tinnitus unless it is some kind of physical problem that can be corrected (like I'd mentioned - a dental issue or something like that). Hearing aids often help because they bring in sound to stimulate the ear and keep it busy.

Don't buy into "miracle cures," for sure, but lots of techniques are out there that can help manage tinnitus. The clinic that I work at has a large Tinnitus Management Program and we give out copies of this book: http://www.amazon.com/Consumer-Handbook-Tinnitus-Richard-Tyler/dp/0966182677/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348714023&sr=1-2&keywords=tinnitus May be worth a read...

I'm sorry you're going through this. I have visual snow and tinnitus that ranges from meh to paralyzing. I was suicidal for a few years. And then I switched to thinking "suicide is an option" and started talking about it.

Sounds about like where you are? So, we're basically in a similar place. Yay us.

I don't think about things like "this might get better" or "it might be worth it to hold on." I think about it like "now I eat lunch, turn on music" and "pack the slightly embarrassing way to have noise even in nature."

I finished college with it. I dated with it. I got married. I can hold down a job with it. It's really only problematic when I obsess about it.

You'll get plenty of book recommendations. This is the one that helps me, Full Catastrophe Living:
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Hoping the best for you.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EarPeace-High-Fidelity-Hearing-Protection/dp/B00K18KSNA well im in the UK and these are the ones I use :P

From what I've read on other forums, it's not just Lipo-flavinoids, and not Citrus Bioflavinoids---but specifically "Lemon Bioflavonoids" that are said to help. I take these, twice a day. Seem to keep the T down some, but YMMV

I got a sound conditioner (basically a white noise generator) for nighttime, since it's the hardest for me when I'm trying to fall asleep and everything else is silent. works wonders! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000LQI2S0?pc_redir=1397953164&robot_redir=1

KAL Magnesium Glycinate 400 |... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00013YZ1Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Two of those a nite

I often wear ear protection when putting the dishes away.

Just ear muffs for hearing protection, they will block out a lot of the noise allowing him to keep his ear buds at a reasonable volume.

Or you can get him something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-WorkTunes-Hearing-Protector-Compatible/dp/B0013092CS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1418321831&sr=8-4&keywords=hearing+protection

Hearing protection and audio playback all in one.

These are the ones I bought, but there are many out there and I’d imagine they all work more or less the same. Also, about the sleep pods, they were not very comfortable, and they block a lot of noise, which makes listening to podcasts/TV difficult. 9 nights out of 10 I’d wake up to find them on my pillow or under the sheets (I’m guessing I took them out while sleeping).

I've had tinnitus as long as I can recall. Before I met my wife, I'd always sleep with music on to drown out the T. Well, she doesn't like sleeping with music because it gets her mind going. And she snores terribly loudly which usually prevents me from sleeping.

I picked up a pair of Custom molded earplugs and a set of SleepPhones. Earplugs alone drown out the wife, but makes the T super noticeable. Add the headphones, put on some relaxing classical or simple white noise, turn them up just enough to drown out the tinnitus and I'll pass out no problems.

It seems you have severe noise sensitivity in the low frequencies and not so bad in high frequencies. Car sounds are mostly low frequency from the road and engine, and the bass from music at the gym is low frequency as well.

Three are three problems you need to deal with here; 1.) Blocking the loud sounds that you are sensitive to, 2.) dealing with the apprehension of loud sounds and 3.) the effect of the loud sounds on your T.

1.) I suggest you get a pair of earplugs that block out low frequency sounds. Vibes Acoustic Filter Ear Plugs Amazon might help. Quieton active noise cancelling earplugs are expensive, but they actively filter out low frequencies, almost like a pair of battery powered hunting earmuffs. Bellman ER20 is the only one I've tried, they work decently.

2.) The apprehension of loud sounds. It's important to not let T run your life or limit what you want to do. Get a cord for your earplugs and wear them around your neck or in a front pocket. That should remove any worry about what sounds can occur in a situation, since you know you have defense for it right there.

3.) Loud noises can make your T spike. If you're subjected to a loud noise that ruins your T for the day, so that you can't think.. then you have to accept that. There is no point in fighting through the day. Cut your losses, go home and recover for the next day instead. Some battles are ok to lose as long as you win the war.

As for masking sounds, this audio track is my favorite at the moment. It's boring enough that it won't disrupt your focus, but varied enough that it won't fade into the background.