Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, Traffic

[blueskies]

Oh, Miranda, I just read an article about research at OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences Univ) on a new treatment for tinnitus. Let me see if I can remember where & find a link...

Yes, here it is:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...060.xml&coll=7

And here's a link to some facts from the OHSU Tinnitus Clinic:

http://www.ohsu.edu/ohrc/tinnitusclinic/

Good luck!

[HillSlugger]

Interesting article. I wish I was able to participate in the study. Can't wait for the results!

[Red Rock]

Miranda and others:

This has been very intresting to read. I have noticed that since I have been working in the hospital lab, I have the same constant ringing in my ears and it will not go away either. I have a doctors appt soon and I plan to ask what he suggests I can do.

I have been at a variety of jobs and have been able to wear hearing protection, but this one I have to be able to answer the phone as well, so I have been struggling with what protection I can use and still be able to work.

I recently have had this virus so I have been off for 2 weeks and the ringing has disappeared.

I have not had problems riding my bike. I do not use ipods or block my hearing, as I like to hear what is going on around me.

Does any one have anyother suggestions for hearing protection in a lab setting?

Thankyou,
Red Rock

PS What are the NRR ear filters?

[Miranda]

Thx ladies for some more feedback. The above posted links are great. The study will be very interesting about the drug option. I did finally have my ENT appointment, and my hearing was tested. I have some high frequency hearing loss. Nothing major that the doc would suggest a hearing aid to correct. I am going to pay to get the musician hearing protection made, and use it at the gym. Sick now with some URI/sinus stuff, so the audio tech said it was best to wait until that cleared up before making the mold, as any ear pressure changes could affect the shape.

[Miranda]

Miranda and others:

This has been very intresting to read. I have noticed that since I have been working in the hospital lab, I have the same constant ringing in my ears and it will not go away either. I have a doctors appt soon and I plan to ask what he suggests I can do.

I have been at a variety of jobs and have been able to wear hearing protection, but this one I have to be able to answer the phone as well, so I have been struggling with what protection I can use and still be able to work.

I recently have had this virus so I have been off for 2 weeks and the ringing has disappeared.

I have not had problems riding my bike. I do not use ipods or block my hearing, as I like to hear what is going on around me.

Does any one have anyother suggestions for hearing protection in a lab setting?

Thankyou,
Red Rock

PS What are the NRR ear filters?

I would hope this would be something your employer could help with??? I know that being exposed to certain loud noises does make my ringing worse. Probably being off work with your virus gave you some relief. I know what you are saying about the phone. There was a partially deaf lady in one office I used to work at, and they had some special mic system she used to help. Meaning, like I wonder if you could wear some type of ear plugs, and the phone mic could be adapted somehow to amplifies the dcbs when you pick it up, and still leave the ear plugs in??? I dunno... just brainstorming. Maybe someone in the HR department might have an idea of what could be done? Or know of a contact/work environment specialist that could come in and assess the situation? Hearing protection is just like any other safety issue and falls under OSHA. Maybe something could be modified? It really is not a happy thing. Sorry...

[Miranda]

Miranda and others:

This has been very intresting to read. I have noticed that since I have been working in the hospital lab, I have the same constant ringing in my ears and it will not go away either. I have a doctors appt soon and I plan to ask what he suggests I can do.

I have been at a variety of jobs and have been able to wear hearing protection, but this one I have to be able to answer the phone as well, so I have been struggling with what protection I can use and still be able to work.

I recently have had this virus so I have been off for 2 weeks and the ringing has disappeared.

I have not had problems riding my bike. I do not use ipods or block my hearing, as I like to hear what is going on around me.

Does any one have anyother suggestions for hearing protection in a lab setting?

Thankyou,
Red Rock

PS What are the NRR ear filters?

To answer your "PS question", these are the ones I'm thinking about getting...
http://www.westone.com/index.php?loa...ex&page_id=190
I originally sought them out for musicians purposes... they let the tone come thru, but all at a lower volume. But, if you read the description, they are noted to be good for occupational reasons as well. Maybe they could work somehow for your lab and phone situation combo? The dcbs are the sound volume, and the interchangeable filters can be varied to reduce the noise a certain level. Click around on Westone's site, and it explains the options more.

This is a link that shows what the filter insert looks like... if you click on "options" it brings a drop down menu that shows reduction ddb, like 9, 15, etc... the molds are made custom fit to your ear, and the amount of protection you need, or reduction of volume, is based upon what insert is best, i.e. like 9 is less, 15 more, etc.
http://www.westone.com/index.php?loa...group_id=ES49M

[Red Rock]

Miranda:

Thankyou for your help and suggestions. I had brief spot of inspiration before going back to work and I found the 25 decibel plugs that go into the ear. My husband and I tested them out before I came back to work, so I knew I could answer the phone and "work normally".

I have been wearing them while I'm at work with no problems, so that is nice. I am the only one with ear plugs. I spoke with the lab manager and he said that they test the noise amounts and he said "it is ok". Perhaps I am just senstive to constant loud noise or something.

I will also double check with the doc too. One of the other lab techs was like.."oh you must have high blood pressure or something"... I proceeded to look this up on the net and figured I was not any of the cases listed under the causes. I generally do not have high blood pressure.

I will check out those sites.

Thankyou,
Ellen

[OakLeaf]

DH just sent me this link. I haven't tried the software yet, and I have no opinion of the claimed bases for it. But it's interesting and it has a 14 day free trial:

http://www.vavsoft.com/Tinnitus_Tamer.html