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Post by TKennedy on Aug 11, 2023 10:56:10 GMT -5
Hello all, I have not been around much. The main reason is that about three weeks ago I developed tinnitus or a ringing in my left ear along with a change in the eq of my hearing. More midrange and reverb. I was hard of hearing in that ear anyway. I am deaf in the right ear from birth so it’s a big deal. I had no idea how a constant whine in your ear 24/7 can prevent any meaningful sleep and almost drive you insane.
The world is a very dark and gray place right now as the condition is probably not going to get better but apparently folks adapt and re-enter the world over long periods of time.
I will be doing some future consultations with audiologists but the treatments apparently are more along the lines of mechanisms of learning to live with it, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, and noise suppression devices.
Anyway take care of your ears and wear protection in any potentially harmful situation.
I’ll keep you updated and for the religious folks here send up a prayer I survive this. It may possibly end my guitar business and playing live music as well as enjoying music at all. If anyone here has had troublesome tinnitus and learned to deal with it I’d love to hear from you. I am trying to stay positive.
Thanks for listening to me whine.
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Post by howard lee on Aug 11, 2023 11:02:58 GMT -5
Terry, I am terribly sorry to read this and I hope you can find a way, with therapy etc., to live with this condition and find some peace. And I mean to the point at which you won't have to stop building guitars or playing music.
Don't really know what to tell you, even though I have mild tinnitus in both ears. It is likely not as severe as what you have described above because I can still go about my normal business, not building guitars but playing music and the other everyday activities that involve listening to music, watching films, listening to upper management at my job spin their BS, and dealing with the wall of sound from my wife and daughter.
Don't give up hope is my advice to you now. Take care.
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Post by david on Aug 11, 2023 11:06:05 GMT -5
My sympathies.
My wife, two sons, brother, and I have tinnitus. It grew gradually and we became accustomed to it. I do not think about it unless someone brings the subject up. Humans are adaptable and, though your symptoms came on abruptly, I believe you will adapt over time. Best of luck to you my friend.
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Post by Rob Hanesworth on Aug 11, 2023 11:14:19 GMT -5
Terry, so sorry you are going through this and I hope you and the specialists find a way to manage it. I'll send up a prayer.
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Post by Russell Letson on Aug 11, 2023 11:17:56 GMT -5
I've had tinnitus for decades, though not accompanied by other distortion (at least, not that I notice)--just a variety of whines, whistles, and warbles that have gotten (subjectively) louder over the last few years. (I can hear them right now over KBEM's jazz programming.) I keep monitoring treatment regimens, but the only kind that seem to work are those that train one's perception machineries--essentially, learning to ignore the unwanted signals. Nevertheless, I fall asleep with a radio on in order to listen through tinnitus racket that's harder to ignore in quiet environments. Some therapeutic approaches include white-noise generators, but I find Haydn or Bach in the background more interesting--I'm engaged in the music as I drowse away. (It also doesn't bother C., who is kept awake and alert by, say, a news broadcast.)
Part of the problem would seem to be that tinnitus and related hearing problems are not a single disorder but a family of neurological/audiological conditions, which means no single approach is going to work.
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Post by epaul on Aug 11, 2023 11:25:03 GMT -5
The brain notices the new, the sudden, the different. Keeps us alive in the jungle. But, with time, the "whine" will become the normal, the safe, the singing birds in the trees, and, while there, will be the background normal unnoticed... unless noted upon.
Time will tell if the hearing change affects guitar building, but if it does go to hell, you can always build banjos...
or move your love of wood in a new direction. I don't know what direction. Sailing ships, airplanes, clocks?
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Post by Cornflake on Aug 11, 2023 11:28:23 GMT -5
Terry, prayer on its way. I've never had it but I've known people who have essentially learned to filter it out over time, much as epaul suggests. I hope that you can.
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Post by Hobson on Aug 11, 2023 12:19:30 GMT -5
Terry, so sorry to see this. As one of those religious types, I will be praying. It's very difficult to lose pieces of ourselves and our lives as we age.
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Post by theevan on Aug 11, 2023 12:25:51 GMT -5
Praying for you, Terry!
Paul Schlimm has dealt with severe tinnitus and has shared a few struggles here.
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Post by John B on Aug 11, 2023 12:27:55 GMT -5
So sorry, Terry, and I'm sending a few prayers. Paul S. has dealt quite a bit with tinnitus, from being part of a tank battalion in the first Gulf War. He might have some suggestions.
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Post by billhammond on Aug 11, 2023 12:34:12 GMT -5
Terry, I'm just now seeing this. I'm sorry to learn of this development but confident that you'll combine your medical knowledge, contacts and perseverance to minimize the effects on your well-being. Sending you healing vibes, sir.
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Post by TKennedy on Aug 11, 2023 12:37:21 GMT -5
I can’t seem to find Paul Schlimm’s contact info in members or messages. Anyone have a link to contact him? Thanks and thanks for all the concern folks.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Aug 11, 2023 13:24:56 GMT -5
Col Paul is on Face book.
Mike
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,868
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Post by Dub on Aug 11, 2023 14:37:09 GMT -5
I can’t seem to find Paul Schlimm’s contact info in members or messages. Anyone have a link to contact him? Thanks and thanks for all the concern folks. I have two phone numbers and a home address but no email. I’m sure he would enjoy hearing from you. We are praying for you too.
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Post by TKennedy on Aug 11, 2023 14:38:43 GMT -5
I sent him a Facebook message. If anyone has his email I’d appreciate it as well.
Maybe a phone number Mark where I could text him, could send by private message.
Thanks
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,868
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Post by Dub on Aug 11, 2023 14:50:39 GMT -5
I sent him a Facebook message. If anyone has his email I’d appreciate it as well. Maybe a phone number Mark where I could text him, could send by private message. Thanks Done.
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Post by drlj on Aug 11, 2023 14:52:48 GMT -5
So sorry to read this, Terry. I hope there is an improvement soon. I have tinnitus in both ears that I hear constantly. I am pretty sure how it came about but there is nothing that can be done now except to cope with it. I sincerely hope things improve for you.
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Post by brucemacneill on Aug 11, 2023 14:58:19 GMT -5
I too am sorry to hear, well see, of your ear trouble. That's terrible for a musician, not to mention your other talents. Hope they can help you somehow.
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Post by paleo on Aug 11, 2023 15:53:43 GMT -5
Sorry to hear this Terry, I've missed your posts recently and am hoping you will be able to continue posting and continue with your music endeavors.
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Post by Marshall on Aug 11, 2023 16:11:19 GMT -5
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