Tinnitus sufferers
11-27-23 | 08:12 AM
#26
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FWIW, pieces of cotton balls in the ears really reduces wind noise for me. I collect more out of pill bottles than I use.
On a side note, I was on a VTC last week and one of the participants was complaining about an intermittent, high pitched whine on the line. After a couple others confirmed it, I put in a plug FOR tinnitus -- I couldn't hear a thing!
On a side note, I was on a VTC last week and one of the participants was complaining about an intermittent, high pitched whine on the line. After a couple others confirmed it, I put in a plug FOR tinnitus -- I couldn't hear a thing!
11-27-23 | 09:11 AM
#27
NoElectricAssist
Joined: Jul 2023
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From: Middle Tennessee
Bikes: 2018 ICE SprintX w/Schlumpf 2.5 speed drive. 2020 Trek Checkpoint
More likely simply genetics and general decline with age.
Im pretty sure my loss and ringing is from early hunting years, motorcycling and manufacturing environment, even though I was a loyal earplug wearer. Even at music concerts I’m wearing earplugs. Weird.
(Know anyone who's a pistol or rifle shooter? You find that they're more likely to hear what you're telling them when you're on their 'good ear's' side?)
I definitely have a one good ear and I need to see your lips move to fully understand what’s being said. The covid mask mandate debacle was/is very frustrating.
Now THAT'S interesting, I've never encountered someone telling me that.
My Audiologist was baffled too. I quit riding motorcycles because of it, even with a helmet, windscreen and earplugs the ringing increased.
Im pretty sure my loss and ringing is from early hunting years, motorcycling and manufacturing environment, even though I was a loyal earplug wearer. Even at music concerts I’m wearing earplugs. Weird.
(Know anyone who's a pistol or rifle shooter? You find that they're more likely to hear what you're telling them when you're on their 'good ear's' side?)
I definitely have a one good ear and I need to see your lips move to fully understand what’s being said. The covid mask mandate debacle was/is very frustrating.
Now THAT'S interesting, I've never encountered someone telling me that.
My Audiologist was baffled too. I quit riding motorcycles because of it, even with a helmet, windscreen and earplugs the ringing increased.
11-29-23 | 12:15 AM
#28
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I went ahead and ordered the Cat Ears off Amazon last week. Got them today, already on my helmet. I guess I'll find out and report the results after Ironman 70.3 on Sunday.
Back to the subject at hand, in a way, it's nice to know I'm not alone with my symptoms. My hearing is actually pretty good when it comes to one-on-one conversations. But put me in a room with a lot of background conversation or ambient noise, and I can't understand <poop>. And I don't know if this is related or something totally different, but my echolocation is garbage now too. Once again, especially when there is background noise. I can hear noises but have absolutely no idea from which direction they're coming.
Back to the subject at hand, in a way, it's nice to know I'm not alone with my symptoms. My hearing is actually pretty good when it comes to one-on-one conversations. But put me in a room with a lot of background conversation or ambient noise, and I can't understand <poop>. And I don't know if this is related or something totally different, but my echolocation is garbage now too. Once again, especially when there is background noise. I can hear noises but have absolutely no idea from which direction they're coming.
11-29-23 | 06:07 AM
#29
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From: "Driftless" WI
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I put a pair on my list to Santa; too dang cold to ride here but they'll be on my straps come spring!
You're lucky!
Mixed company too? Typically our loss is concentrated in a range of frequencies centered around that of most female humans' speech. There's a colloquial term for it, my audiologist chuckled when I first raised the issue: marital deafness.
It is, trust me.
Lower frequencies get absorbed by surroundings, it's the higher range that gets reflected. Think about how bats use it as an example.
Mixed company too? Typically our loss is concentrated in a range of frequencies centered around that of most female humans' speech. There's a colloquial term for it, my audiologist chuckled when I first raised the issue: marital deafness.
Lower frequencies get absorbed by surroundings, it's the higher range that gets reflected. Think about how bats use it as an example.
11-29-23 | 09:22 AM
#30
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11-29-23 | 09:28 AM
#31
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From: northern Deep South
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11-29-23 | 07:01 PM
#33
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From: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
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I've had tinnitus for about 15 years now and wind noise definitely makes mine worse. Unfortunately, I've read that ear plugs or in-ear headphones both contribute to causing tinnitus. I've tried the Cat ears and they made a very minor improvement for me. They used to make a triangular shaped cover that went over your ears for winter use and I found that was much better in reducing wind noise but too hot if it's not below 60 or so.
12-03-23 | 03:46 PM
#34
Happy banana slug
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I've had tinnitus forever; I hear a chorus of electronic tones in the key of C. It doesn't go away, so it's actually pretty easy for me to tune out. I haven't noticed wind noise making it worse, but it is irritating so I crocheted some ear warmers. I've played with the pattern over the years and can make them in a variety of yarns, my favorite being a thin cotton/acrylic blend that breathes pretty well. What I love is that they block 80% of wind noise while still being able to hear what's going on around me.
I use buttons now instead of ties.
I use buttons now instead of ties.
12-05-23 | 12:29 AM
#36
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Korina, those are pretty nice solution! I like a lot. 
Update for others. I did buy the Cat Ears and use them on my helmet for yesterday's 70.3 in Indian Wells. Have to be honest, I really didn't notice a huge difference. I would say the wind noise was quieter, but not significantly. I won't take them off or say they don't work. It just didn't cut out as much as I hoped.
Update for others. I did buy the Cat Ears and use them on my helmet for yesterday's 70.3 in Indian Wells. Have to be honest, I really didn't notice a huge difference. I would say the wind noise was quieter, but not significantly. I won't take them off or say they don't work. It just didn't cut out as much as I hoped.
12-05-23 | 02:27 AM
#37
Happy banana slug
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From: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 26L, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Thanks! Sorry your wind blockers didn't work.
Hey, if either of you want to try a pair, I have a bagful but not that much interest here. I'd be happy to send anyone a pair for $10 plus postage. PM me. If this is allowed.
01-10-24 | 06:40 PM
#38
Newbie
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From: texass, USA
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I saw a review in which the reviewer states that the design of your helmet can have an affect on how effective the cat ears are.
Specifically, that some helmets hang the straps from further away from the side of your head, while others allow the straps to almost lay flat against the side of your head right below the helmet and in front of your ears.
The closer to the side of your head, the more effective cat ears will be.
Wearing your glasses on the outside of the helmet straps helps a lot.
I have no personal experience to judge this by. I have a set of cat ears arriving later this week.
Whenever the temperature rises back to my comfort zone here, I'll finally get to do my own test.
Elvis style.
Specifically, that some helmets hang the straps from further away from the side of your head, while others allow the straps to almost lay flat against the side of your head right below the helmet and in front of your ears.
The closer to the side of your head, the more effective cat ears will be.
Wearing your glasses on the outside of the helmet straps helps a lot.
I have no personal experience to judge this by. I have a set of cat ears arriving later this week.
Whenever the temperature rises back to my comfort zone here, I'll finally get to do my own test.
Elvis style.
01-11-24 | 01:40 AM
#41
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My brother is forever obsessed with tinnitus and doesn’t go to music shows without headphones. I learned my lesson a long time ago, and prefer to change tubes with ear protection on.
vegasjen is prob my favorite poster here, not that it matters.
Vegas I bet you will wreck the other friathalons in the long run, they won’t last but you will.
vegasjen is prob my favorite poster here, not that it matters.
Vegas I bet you will wreck the other friathalons in the long run, they won’t last but you will.
01-13-24 | 04:32 AM
#43
Brisvegas roadie
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I have had persistent tinnitus since I went through chemo some 13 years ago. Chemo, along with Vancomycin, which I have also had, are known ototoxins. One thing I've noticed is that wind noise tends to be an aggravating factor. I know it's frowned upon, but I often ride with ear buds and an MP3 player. I use it as much to dampen the wind noise while riding as for the music. Rode this morning, but even as I sit here tonight typing out this post, both my ears are ringing with a near deafening tone.
The irony is that, even though the ringing never fully goes away, when the nerves are calm and the ringing is at a minimum, I have surprisingly good hearing.
Just wondering who else has tinnitus and does riding aggravate it.
The irony is that, even though the ringing never fully goes away, when the nerves are calm and the ringing is at a minimum, I have surprisingly good hearing.
Just wondering who else has tinnitus and does riding aggravate it.
01-13-24 | 08:04 AM
#44
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I have pretty severe tinnitus but I find the opposite. Something about being out in the fresh air, the rhythms of pedalling and tyres on the road surface, other natural sounds around me, physical exercise etc, totally distract me from the tinnitus, so it's actually a good form of relief. For me, tinnitus is at its worst when I'm in a totally quiet environment with no other distractions.
01-14-24 | 12:36 AM
#45
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My brother is forever obsessed with tinnitus and doesn’t go to music shows without headphones. I learned my lesson a long time ago, and prefer to change tubes with ear protection on.
vegasjen is prob my favorite poster here, not that it matters.
Vegas I bet you will wreck the other friathalons in the long run, they won’t last but you will.
vegasjen is prob my favorite poster here, not that it matters.
Vegas I bet you will wreck the other friathalons in the long run, they won’t last but you will.
I have pretty severe tinnitus but I find the opposite. Something about being out in the fresh air, the rhythms of pedalling and tyres on the road surface, other natural sounds around me, physical exercise etc, totally distract me from the tinnitus, so it's actually a good form of relief. For me, tinnitus is at its worst when I'm in a totally quiet environment with no other distractions.
01-14-24 | 05:37 AM
#46
Brisvegas roadie
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From: Brisbane, Australia
Bikes: 2005 Colnago Dream HP (SRAM Red 22), 2013 Trek Domane 6.9 (SRAM Red 10-speed), 2007 Wilier Triestina Mortirolo (Campy Athena 11-speed), 2013 Pinarello FP Uno (Shimano Ultegra 11-speed), 2009 Fuji Roubaix Pro (Shimano 105 10-speed)
Thank you for that. I'm flattered and have no idea what I have done to deserve such recognition. I'm really not here that much anyway.
It is interesting how each of us experience it differently. I have yet to figure out all of the various triggers for me, but certainly a few. Sadly, I have found the only relief seems to be a good night sleep to allow the nerves to "reset".
It is interesting how each of us experience it differently. I have yet to figure out all of the various triggers for me, but certainly a few. Sadly, I have found the only relief seems to be a good night sleep to allow the nerves to "reset".
01-15-24 | 11:27 AM
#47
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01-15-24 | 04:42 PM
#48
Gruppetto Bob
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Give it another try adjusting at least the front straps to be as tight to your face as you can get. That is the only way Cat ears or a similar product will be effective. My wife also has tinnitus and uses Cat ears and says that the reduction in wind noise is about 50% which is substantial. She also tightened her straps way down. Good luck
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01-15-24 | 04:49 PM
#49
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Give it another try adjusting at least the front straps to be as tight to your face as you can get. That is the only way Cat ears or a similar product will be effective. My wife also has tinnitus and uses Cat ears and says that the reduction in wind noise is about 50% which is substantial. She also tightened her straps way down. Good luck