Riders with tinnitus?

[Dave]

My ringing ears has gotten worse over the last couple of years. I finally got a hearing test and saw an ENT specialist. Although I hear a lot better than my wife, I've lost quite a bit of my high frequency hearing and hearing loss contributes to tinnitus. It seems that hearing aids with sound masking are a common solution.

Top of the line in-ear hearing aids cost $6-7,000. A lot of that price has to do with the continued service provided.

Any experience from fellow forum members?

[Likes2ridefar]

No experience but I have it as well and think a good portion of the damage came from hours on the bike at high speeds…

Time for a test soon too.

[Tickdoc]

I'm right there with you. Had mine tested several years ago and am definitely in need, just being stubborn about spending the money and wondering if I will actually wear them. My tinnitus is getting worse, and my ability to hear any conversations in any loud setting is getting downright embarrassing.

I'm guessing you don't wear them on rides? I mean, that wind noise sounds miserable enough with my poor ears, I can't imagine how bad it would be amplified and with sweat.

And then my last holdout is I like to hunt and shoot and that is another expense entirely.

[Duvivr6]

I'm on the same path, have tinnitus which causes ringing in the ear from military service. Doesn't really impair me much, but I also damaged something in my inner ear causing balance issues. Luckily it has not impacted my bike riding much.

My hearing is still inside the normal spectrum so no experience on that side.

[EB]

It turns out road riding exposes you to very loud and continuous sound:

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/08/list...-hearing-loss/

[bigbill]

Twenty seven years spent in steam engine rooms did it to me. Twenty percent in both ears so I'm not in the hearing aid world yet, but the who knows going forward. I sleep with a fan, otherwise the ringing will wake me up.

[Likes2ridefar]

I use a white noise machine to keep my sanity during quiet nights.

[Marvinlungwitz]

.

[texbike]

Originally Posted by Eli Bingham

It turns out road riding exposes you to very loud and continuous sound:

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/08/list...-hearing-loss/

Wow! This is an eye-opening article. I've been very critical of people wearing earbuds, etc while riding, but maybe that's providing a certain level of protection that riding without doesn't.

As for tinnitus, I've had it as long as I can remember - at least back to 1st grade. It doesn't seem to be as bad as what some people describe experiencing, but it would be nice not to have it. I haven't noticed a correlation between riding and increased volumes, but higher levels of stress seem to make it worse for me.

Texbike

[Likes2ridefar]

I never thought cycling would do it until I started riding with an Apple Watch for my computer. It very consistently says I’ve been exposed to unsafe levels…

[mcteague]

I've got a constant background hiss. Some days it is louder. Nothing you can do about it other than try to ignore it.

Tim

[drewski]

Originally Posted by Dave

My ringing ears has gotten worse over the last couple of years. I finally got a hearing test and saw an ENT specialist. Although I hear a lot better than my wife, I've lost quite a bit of my high frequency hearing and hearing loss contributes to tinnitus. It seems that hearing aids with sound masking are a common solution.

Top of the line in-ear hearing aids cost $6-7,000. A lot of that price has to do with the continued service provided.

Any experience from fellow forum members?

I bought a set of Oticon hearing Aids. I have really bad Tinnitus on my right ear. I've had since 2015ish. Not sure what caused it. Seeing Manowar ( talk about campy heavy metal) at L'mour in the 1980's did not help:


https://www.reddit.com/r/Metal/comme...cluded_in_the/

T

[arimajol]

I've had it for almost 20 years. I remember it was during finals my last semester in college that it kicked in and has yet to really stop. I chalked it up to playing in a rock band in high school, wearing earbuds for the first time ever studying a lot that semester. I think my tooth grinding in my sleep is an exacerbating factor, too. Maybe also over-zealous use of the q-tip as well. Probably. I have a weird ear thing where if I'm sleeping on my back without a big enough pillow, or my head isn't raised enough, I wake up with the sensation of sliding down headfirst. Its a horrible way to wake up.

I talked to somebody recently who had tinnitus, went to an ENT who cleaned their ears out and it went away. Thinking maybe it's worth a shot?

I've definitely noticed it being worse after long rides in strong wind. Remember riding along the lakefront in Chicago for like 30 miles and just taking a beating.

[Tickdoc]

Still waiting for the "I have it and this is what I did to resolve it" crowd to chime in.

[Bruce K]

I’ve had similar issues for years.

Ruptured left ear drum in college due to rapid elevation change while having a cold. Add in loud music, driving race cars before we knew ear plugs were a good thing, competitive firearm shooter, avid cyclist - I never stood a chance.

I’ve been stubborn for several years but I also realize the time has come so I am watching this thread carefully.

BK