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[Lord Fader]

I'm about 5 minutes old on these forums so forgive me if this is redundant or in the wrong place.

I've been a Dj for 15 years, small time producer for about 10 and I'm currently taking post production for film and television in hopes of furthering my career in sound on the screen.


I recently got hit with tinnitus, about 6 weeks now and I'm having some difficulty adjusting as well as wondering about my future in sound.

I went and saw a specialist last week and the good news is, after telling him about the amount of exposure I've sustained in the live environment over the years is that my hearing isn't actually that bad (considering) and that he's seen a lot worse from people who are not exposed to sound the way I am (4 nights a week, 1000 + cap. clubs for half my life) so he said breathe easy BUT look into hearing protection before the news ain't so great.

He didn't help me much on the tinnitus issue though, told me just to keep monotoring the problem and come in for tests every two years.

So I really don't have much to go on. I know of musicians with the condition, but they're not the ones actually behind the boards. I haven't talked to many other producers, just casually throw it in there while on the subject of earplugs but don't push the issue (some might not want to broadcast that in a crowded room in case somone looks at that as a weakness)

So am I out of a job here or is this something that can be overcome?

[Jessica A. Engle]

Hi Jack.  Welcome to the forum.

I think everyone has some degree of tinnitus, engineer or not.  I know mine varies in intensity from time to time (I'm only 24).  

You can read some of what has already been written here:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/mv/msg/9723/0/0/0 /

I think tinnitus and hearing loss are not synonymous, but I'm also not an otologist.  My inclination is to say if your ear doc told you your hearing "loss" is not an issue then congratulations, and welcome to the new world of wearing earplugs all the time.  Enjoy it; it's not as bad as it sounds.  After a while I grew to love wearing mine.  I think it's a little power trip... like I can turn down the volume on the whole world if I want to!  It's noisy out there.

Cheers
Jessica

[compasspnt]

Do a Search on this Forum for tinnitus.

There is a lot of good information from several knowledgeable contributors.

[MagnetoSound]

Perhaps Bill's thread should be made into a sticky?

[studiojimi]

as a 56 semi-retired rock drummer now a studio owner/producer since 1986

my ears have rung since the early 70's


since 1986 i have produced over 3000 songs generating millions of dollars of income (no bragging....that's just my experience)

i don't think you have anything to worry about

rock on.

stay focused on timing, pitch, interpretation, conviction, and vibe and i'll think you be fine.....IF you are gifted in your field.

also  (advertising helps)

[Fig]

Hi.... uh... Lord - (I know your name is NOT Jack!),

If you pronounce tinnitus as - "Tin - eye - tus", it can sound like a disease or disorder like bronchitis.  Truth is, its pronounced - tin - it - us.

Tinnitus is a symptom - like a runny nose is a symptom of a cold.

The question is what "condition" is your tinnitus a symptom of?

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a possible candidate.  You are doing the right thing by having your hearing checked.

However, many folks that suffer from NIHL have never experienced tinnitus.  And many folks who experience tinnitus, never suffer from NIHL.  Just realize that tinnitus is your body trying to tell you something.

Do you experience temporary threshold shifts in your hearing?  These are generally a better indicator of potentially permanent hearing loss.

Tinnitus could be a result of too much caffiene or aspirin.

It could also be a neurological disorder or a brain tumor.  Not trying to scare you - just saying that like the runny nose symptom, it could be the flu rather than a cold, ... or worse.

Drinking lots of RedBull while you're DJ'ing?  Caffiene AND loud sound can result in pretty powerful ringing to be sure.

Best thing you can do is get some Musician's Plugs (flat attenuators) and start a habit of having your hearing tested (once a year is recommended here at Sensaphonics).  Its the only way to see if your hearing conservation plan is working or not.

Regarding ringing, though.  Do some searching under "ototoxic" which means "harmful to the ears".  You'll find all kinds of research showing substances and behaviors that can cause tinnitus (and hearing loss).  Do a truthful inventory of how many of which behaviors and substances you partake in and try lessening some of them.

I no longer drink coffee, this has done wonders to my occasional ringing that I thought was from loud sound.

Hope this helps,

Fig

[Chris Ilett]

Jessica A. Engle wrote on Wed, 21 November 2007 21:56

Hi Jack.  Welcome to the forum. I think everyone has some degree of tinnitus, engineer or not.  I know mine varies in intensity from time to time (I'm only 24).   You can read some of what has already been written here:  http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/mv/msg/9723/0/0/0 / I think tinnitus and hearing loss are not synonymous, but I'm also not an otologist.  My inclination is to say if your ear doc told you your hearing "loss" is not an issue then congratulations, and welcome to the new world of wearing earplugs all the time.  Enjoy it; it's not as bad as it sounds.  After a while I grew to love wearing mine.  I think it's a little power trip... like I can turn down the volume on the whole world if I want to!  It's noisy out there. Cheers Jessica

^^^^^
This

Well done Jess. You took the time to offer some great advice.

However, I believe from a previous post that you can make  a lot of money from actually carrying on regardless.

I don't know whether I love or hate that guy  

[studiojimi]

why would you hate me for encouraging you to follow your dream/gift?

in the rock world...if it's too loud ...YOU'RE TOO OLD.



i'm 56 an still rocking like a mofo every fuckin day

so hate all you want..i'm happy joyous and free.

i only want you to realize the same is available for you cuz

God doesn't play favorites

you see HE's not a respecter of person

and he is about as far away from hate as you can get

carry on brother!

[MagnetoSound]

Right on!

Love your sig, Jimmy, BTW!

[maxdimario]

stay away from headphones..

they are worse than anything else including really loud music.

do not drink and listen to loud music, it makes the threshold of pain dissapear and it makes you very silly regarding issues such as self-preservation.

you will get used to it, and it probably won't go away.

it will not hinder your musical abilities.

I don't subscribe to the loud=cool thing anymore..

you can enjoy the 'body massage' rock concert or disco with musicians earplugs and not damage your ears or your lifestyle in the process..

[blaugruen7]

if you drink alcohol and smoke i would cut down it completly and watch what happens.
get much fresh air and a balanced and relaxed general condition if needed.
be good to yourself.

that helped a friend of mine.

[MagnetoSound]

It's all cool advice.

You have to find the right balance for yourself, of enjoying what you do, and looking after yourself.

Don't be so abandoned in the present that you forget to care about tomorrow.

But don't be a wuss, either.

That's rock'n'roll!

[Lord Fader]

Thanks a lot everyone, encouraging words (especially Studiojimi)

This is all new to me so I've obviously had a lot of questions and I've been careful not to consult Dr Google too much because by the end of his diagnosis I'll be the only guy in the world with Leprosy, three nipples, scurvy and ovarian cancer.  


As for my habits I only have one.. beer. I don't drink coffee, or anything else with caffeine, don't smoke (although I did for years..3 years quit now) and I don't so much as take an advil when I'm run down.

Diet is another ball game. I'm a tall and stocky dude, generally meat with every meal, potatoes or pasta everyday, and that's it. Lots of carbs, along with a serious crack like adiction to double Big Mac's

Since I'm in school right now I'm not so much a pig for that stuff but I can't say I've gone much healthier with my alternatives, and you're not the first people to mention this so that's something I'll work on.

[Lord Fader]

blaugruen7 wrote on Tue, 27 November 2007 07:23

if you drink alcohol and smoke i would cut down it completly and watch what happens.

Yeah my boozing already cut down drastically over the last year anyway while I buckled down for career plans. But that was well before I got hit with tinnitus. Now that I'm on 2 weeks holidays I'll probably be having a frat boys share of the keg, but I'm going to pay attention to the after affects and see how much it really does contribute.


Again, thanks for the tips everyone.

[J.J. Blair]

Pete Townshend blames the bulk of his tinnitus on headphones and booze, FYI.