I have hearing loss and tinnitus, especially in my left ear. It pretty much can't do any high frequencies anymore.
i got some custom musician's plugs from Westone, using Etymotics centers for -15dB reduction. Those are about right for the movies, but you can get -9 (really intended for playing orchestra or such). The reduction bit is easy to swap out. The frequency response is flat and you don't get that weird head reverb when you talk. It's easy to have a conversation wearing the -15's.
Hearing loss sucks, and somehow we've decided louder is better. I really wish I had taken care of mine better, but even with the plugs it's easy to accidentally get into a situation where additional damage can occur. I went to a "piano bar" recently and it wound up being a live band blasting in one room, and rap blasting in the attached room too. It was an event I couldn't dodge and I didn't have the plugs handy at the start.. definitely got some additional damage. Once the damage starts, you've used your cushion and it's all downhill from there.
I go to a lot of Blues NHL games and they've redone the sound system. The home opener was so loud that I was ringing even after using the -15's.. I have ordered -25dB for going forward.. idiots.
yeah people just dont seem to get this. it can drive you mad.. i have had somewhat mild tinnitus for about 15 years now and even though its not as bad as for some people, its still REALLY discomforting when i think about it too much. the fact that it has never stopped for even one second since the early 00s, and will probably never stop until i die and most likely will get worse as i age and expose myself more and more to overly-loud movies and music, and traffic etc... just ugh
for the love of everything that is good someone please invent some new treatments!
I've been in a spot where I was borderline suicidal with my tinnitus. It's the only time I've ever taken anti-depressants, and it took me forever to kick them. It was right when it first started and I was trying to deal with the fact that I knew it was permanent and I'd never experience quiet again. I didn't want to work, spend time with my family, nothing.. just wanted to not be conscious. I'd take showers until the hot water was gone b/c the water masked the noise.
I'm trying to cope with some recent worsening currently, but it's mostly the hearing loss that is getting to me. Stuff on TV or whatever is the same, but things I'm extremely familiar with like the voices of my wife and kids... it's not the same. They sound like they are muffled, a touch like I'm talking to them with something stuffed in my ears. My wife is having problems too, but she would never wear plugs. Now she needs $6k worth of hearing aids in her 40's.
People should take it seriously, it's no joke.. and you aren't superman.
I spent $300+ on my plugs, but I hear these are excellent. I'd want -15dB for most clubs, loud movies, etc. I recommend -25dB for concerts and similar, unless you are near the speakers.. then max you can get (and it'll make stuff sound shitty).
https://www.earasers.net/
Edit: Sorry so long, something I've been thinking about too much lately.
