Re: OT: Jehn's (and anyone else's tinitus)

[DaViD AuKeR <DavAuk@Hevanet.Com>]

PaulPokr@aol.com writes:

> I, too, have had tinitus problems in the past. It is horrendous when it 
> happens. ...A couple of years back, one thing caused it to flare 
> up: the noise from a bus engine while taking the bus to work. Those 
>mothers 
> are loud! Earplugs helped somewhat.

I am a cyclist, and traffic is one of the major sound sources on this
planet (w/o any redeeming qualities of music)!   I knew my tinitus was
worsening when I started hearing it over the sounds of traffic...  For
years I was pretty strung-out on ear plugs, but was advised by two
audiologists that over-use was akin to wearing dark glasses all the
time: eventually, even moderate intensity becomes too much.  Now, while
I still do wear plugs riding in heavy traffic, I have freed myself from
overly protecting my ears, and it's GREAT!  Too much sound (restaurants:
agrh!) still can hurt, but letting more in has toughened me up quite a
bit.  I'm freed from a silly addiction (still have the plugs in my
pocket, just in case!).  ...not a 'cure' in the tinitus dept, but I'll
just live w/it...

Dav