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Did I get tinnitus by shoving chewing gum into my ears?
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
I hadn't thought of that before, that's a good point. I don't think chewing gum would liquify that easily though. When I pulled it out of my left ear, it still had the texture of regular gum except it was softer.
I have not measured the precise dB levels of my workplace so I don't know how dangerous it is for the ears. My only consolation is that the other employees do not wear ear muffs. They only wear banded earplugs when using machinery (band-saws, grinders, etc.). So maybe I'm overestimating the loudness levels but I can't be sure.
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My tinnitus started with an MRI with plugs and ear muffs. That doesn't happen to most people. Then it got worse a few year later from an immersive music event. Many people in the room, classical not rock, and I assume most people didn't get tinnitus. It is possible that some of us have auditory nerves/cranial nerves that are more vulnerable or even that some accumulation of sensitivity from work reached a tipping point. People tell me they get tinnitus after a rock concert and it goes away. I wonder if you can take a vacation and see if yours goes away!! Look up Tinnitus Talk and also the Hyperacusis forum. They are helpful but avoid the negative posts! An ENT or audiologist who is expert in this area is a good resource as always since we are just fellow patients.