View Full Version : Ear Ringing
Anyone been here.............?
I went out to a loud concert and stood close to a speaker, for 2 days since then I've had mild ear ringing (tinnitus). I've No pain just the annoing sound, I've since spoken to some people about this and this could go on for a few days or so, possibly more.
I dont believe I have suffered any high degree of hearing loss as it appears as sharp as before however this doesn't do anything to stop me being concerned about my class 1.
Could tell me anything useful about this.......appart from wear ear plugs next time......as I certainly will.
Thanks
Loose rivets
16th Jan 2006, 04:04
It will probably go away with time. 30 days ish.
If it doesn't, you will get used to it and the medical will probably be unaffected--even with a modicum of high end deafness.
(search over last couple of years for tinnitus)
Thanks,
I did do a search but not a lot came up surprisingly...perhaps will try again. Have you suffered from this or do you have specialist knowledge?
Many thanks
got caught
16th Jan 2006, 13:47
Its unlikely that you've suffered any long term damage, from a "one off" incident.
Hearing loss appears to be related to frequency, intensity and duration of noise. It may be an idea to limit these variables if you're worried. :ugh:
I'm not sure how hearing is tested in a class 1, do they use headphones, or does the clinician whisper sweet nothings in your ear ?
ha, sadly the headphones and the push button was the method for my class 1.
Just concerned as I have done searches on other sites and this tinnitus problem seems to be an ongoing nightmare for a lot of people, and I could do without the ear ringing going on too long, afterall silence is a lovedly sound itself, especially given the partners I've had!
Thanks again
got caught
16th Jan 2006, 15:19
Wouldn't have thought you've too much to worry about, but my be a lesson for the future.
Can you hear an echo or is it just me ?;)
Loose rivets
17th Jan 2006, 03:53
Yep, over twenty-five years. Don't think about it much, it never affected the critical range for my class 1, but did reduce the quality of listening to good pianos a little.
I think mine runs at around 6,240 Htz. So gives the effect of a mix between a whistle and compressed air.
As I say, most of the time I don't even think about it, although at first, it was very distressing. It followed a very hard year of training on a noisy turbo-prop–usually followed by night line checking.
During this time however, I had an ear infection and it was treated with Terramycin I think. This was corrected or confirmed on an earlier post...two years ago ish. The point being that this antibiotic has been blamed for causing tinnitus. Or, it might have been the infection...no way of knowing.
brianh
17th Jan 2006, 04:52
ASIL
Search for "nerve deafness".
You will find heaps on ear ringing. eg http://member.rivernet.com.au/balehirs/Bishyp7eOlderEars.htm
I have had ND for years due automatic weapons. I wear a DC 10 34 headset which is a great help. I did not help myself when I started flying as that was the pre-headset days and there is a lot of low frequency noise in aircraft. Nor with the audio headphones on and the stereo thumping out Bob Dylan or the Doors, and attending Dire Straits concerts. It all adds up to incremental damage.
Years ago we used to camp 60 miles from the nearest town and I always used to tell Jen there must be a homestead somewhere within 10 miles coz I could hear their generator at night. There was not - I hear the same noises when I fly into quiet Outback locations and stay overnight - the tinnitus is what I am hearing.
These days I carry a pair of ear inserts in my wallet and they go on near any significant noise. I suggest this is wisdom for any pilots.
I have a digital hearing aid - I hate it and it brings up a lot of background noise also.
Downsides of ND - cannot talk to people at loud parties, sense of being overwhelmed, and don't hear vowels and soft consonants so have to fill in the gaps - bearded soft spoken people are almost a communication impossibility. It also affects my balance, add alcohol and gravitational deprivation is highly possible.
Positives - semilipreading means you focus on peoples faces and they trust you accordingly, you can decide when or not you wish to hear the missus, the new stereo can be purchased in mono at the Op shop rather than a Bose, and you hear the attack helos earlier because the birds twittering etc is not in your audio range.
Seriously, it's a fair barsteward. You only get one pair and I suggest you do all possible to look after them.
Loose rivets
17th Jan 2006, 13:09
- bearded soft spoken people are almost a communication impossibility.
Just what is it about the above? I can be in the pub, with one foot up on the mantlepiece, waving my arms about and telling the loudest joke imaginable, and the bearded soft spoken bloke in the corner will be getting all the attention.
asil - don't forget to set the appropriate 'search' period - default is one month. You will find several threads.
asil..here is a bit of reading for you. http://www.pprune.org/forums/search.php?searchid=34348
cheers
H.
Farrell
17th Jan 2006, 23:31
I've had a ringing in my ears for about a year now. Hadn't been to any rock concerts. In fact, I thought that I got it during my PPL but can't be sure.
Will probably get it checked out shortly. Don't really notice it during the day and I sleep ok provided I don't dwell on it.
Farrell
10th Feb 2006, 21:39
Have been told that my tinnitus is probably due to an excess of ear wax towards my inner canal.
I have searched the internet and found a variety of 'cures' from oils to accupuncture.
Can any of our doctors or AMEs on here recommend a treatment to clear the buildup?
Is it ok to have them 'syringed' or is that going to do damage.
Thanks in advance guys and gals.
Farrell
Loose rivets
11th Feb 2006, 03:43
Mmm...worth a try I guess. Have someone experienced do this job. There is a tendency for some folk to use a hypodermic needle to focus the jet. This is far too powerful if it hits the eardrum directly. Also, there is a risk of the needle popping off the cylinder with disastrous results.
jeff748
11th Feb 2006, 04:16
Kiss: Front row 3 X...
Rush: Down in front numerous times...
Aerosmith, Doobies, Stones, Deep Purple... (am I dating myelf?)
6500 hrs HS-748,
My ex wife...
Yep. My hearing is :mad:!
(more on the right side as I did all the driving)
Ringing all the time but only really bothersome when it's quiet.
Comes in handy when my G.F. is yammering about something or daughter wants money.:E
No cure. Just gotta live with it.
got caught
11th Feb 2006, 09:24
thoughts around ear syringing have changed recently. The risk of damage to the drum is very slight, but real all the same. some nurses now recommend insertion of drops for a longer period than before (about 2 weeks), in an attempt to clear the canal.
Drops are available from the chemist, but are no mor e effective than olive oil. (2 drops twice a day should do it)
If this doesn't work, syringing is the solution- visit a trained professional.
Most doctors and nurses enjoy syringing ears- its one of the few occassions that we can instantly cure a patient:E
bafanguy
11th Feb 2006, 15:12
During this time however, I had an ear infection and it was treated with Terramycin I think. This was corrected or confirmed on an earlier post...two years ago ish. The point being that this antibiotic has been blamed for causing tinnitus. Or, it might have been the infection...no way of knowing.
Loose,
One of our pilot's wives had a very famous case here in the States of antibiotic given to doses far too high. It completely destroyed her balance mechanism, and her life. It was even covered on 60 Minutes several years ago. Very sad case.
I would think the ear wax case would be very easy to spot...just look in there ?
Loose rivets
11th Feb 2006, 17:01
Loose,
One of our pilot's wives had a very famous case here in the States of antibiotic given to doses far too high. It completely destroyed her balance mechanism, and her life. It was even covered on 60 Minutes several years ago. Very sad case.
I would think the ear wax case would be very easy to spot...just look in there ?
Yes, it doesn't take much to interfere with this delicate system. Having experienced labyrinthitis sp? it is easy to understand how this would ruin a life if it didn't get better.
Looking in ears. Some instruments are a little more tricky to use than you would imagine. Looking into an ear is a case in point, well with some people's ears anyway. Sometimes the outer ear seems to resist all attempts to see round its curvatures. The professionals will have developed techniques to do this safely.
bafanguy
11th Feb 2006, 22:49
Yes, it doesn't take much to interfere with this delicate system. Having experienced labyrinthitis sp? it is easy to understand how this would ruin a life if it didn't get better.
.
Yes, but in this case, they "fried" the mechanism...it'll never get better. She couldn't even stand up the last I heard.
Loose rivets
12th Feb 2006, 04:48
Just one last thought. If there is debris causing the problem, has anyone tried to centrifuge the patient? There has been some small success with trying to get offending particles all packed up at the end of the canal.
It is nothing more than a fix–a last attempt to give some relief.
It would of course take representations to the head of aviation medicine or equivalent.
cavortingcheetah
12th Feb 2006, 04:54
:cool:
If you are worried about it after a week or so, based on my own experience, I would visit an ENT specialist for a check up.
If you have Tinnitis, the onset of which can be sudden, you are probably stuck with it. But it does no harm and the brain soon learns to cancel a lot of the interference out.
Things that can make it worse include stress, dehydration-ergo a hangover and especially shooting.
It's really not a worry but I wouldn't let an NHS nurse near my ears with a syringe. Go for the specialist route. Don't let anything on to your AME and it should have no effect on your medical.:ok:
I was dragged to an Elton John not so long ago. Sat in the third row from the front wearing ear defenders, you know, shooters headset. It was fine for the ears but I did come in for quite some abuse from some of the little man's fans.
One woman even had the temerity to hit me; so I had her evicted from the concert.:=
punkalouver
13th Feb 2006, 01:54
"Kiss: Front row 3 X...
Rush: Down in front numerous times...
Aerosmith, Doobies, Stones, Deep Purple... (am I dating myelf?)
6500 hrs HS-748,
My ex wife..."
6500 hours of screaming Dart's you must be deaf.
got caught
13th Feb 2006, 08:15
It's really not a worry but I wouldn't let an NHS nurse near my ears with a syringe
I think you'll find that the "syringe" was confined to the bin a few years ago.
As regards to safety, you'll probably find the "NHS nurse" will exercise far more caution than the ent man:ok: If it were my ear drums, I choose the professional who had the most experience in ear syringing.
As usual, the thread has become confused with misinformation, but going back to your original question regarding the efficacy and safety of ear syringing;
Choose an inert sofetening agent.
Instill it often, and for a period of 2 weeks.:O
Farrell
14th Feb 2006, 01:01
Thanks for the replies folks