Tinnitus / Ear Plugs / Ear Doctor/Hospital ?

[headclick]

Hi,

I've just started to experience tinnitus over the last 3 weeks.
I am a DJ and obviously am exposed to high noise levels, and also people shouting in my ear a lot.

I'm looking to find some fitted professional ear plugs, has anyone spotted anywhere these might be available?
is the word for them - tapones para los oídos?

Also I want to go to a doctor as soon as I can to get it checked out.
Is there a specialist Eye & Ear hospital here? or does anyone know where a doctor they could recommend for this kind of thing.
English speaking would be better as my descriptions in Spanish would be kind of general and I want to be as specific as possible to ensure correct diagnosis.

I'm hoping it's not permanent damage, but it obviously could be, I'm hoping I caught it early enough to take enough steps to prevent further damage.
I am actually quite a careful listener, never have my own headphones up too loud and usually try to take care as I do know a few other DJing friends who have tinnitus, but maybe it's all taken it's toll.

Any suggestions appreciated...
Thanks

 

[surfing]

Specialty Ear, Nose and Throat clinic at Pasteur 740 (at Pasteur & Cordoba):
http://www.iso-otorrino.com.ar/iso/index.htm
Good luck

 

[lucha54]

my friend had tinnitus badly and it gave him anxiety and insomnia. I bought him a Sound Machine for $20 from Walmart (I ordered it online in US, not sure where/if you could find one or order one to here). It has different noises like rainforest, ocean, running water, etc. He was amazed that with a few of the selections, it made the ringing in his ear stop. He used it every night to sleep and told me he slept well. If you go to Walmart.com and search "sound machine" you will see there are a lot of them at different prices and qualities. I heard the one at Brookstone and Sharper Image that they sell for ~$100USD at many airports is not of very good quality. I hope you can find one here because it will at least provide temporary relief!! Good luck

 

[davonz]

I have tinnitus, got it from using chainsaws and power tools as a kid on the farm. Was told when you first notice it after exposure to continuous loud noise and it doesnt go within a couple of days you usually have it for life.

I need to use ear plugs at night here to sleep and thats the time when i notice it the most, when i first put in the ear plugs, but i have learnt to block it out, i didnt notice until i started reading your post just now !!!

Anyways i am really careful about exposure to noise now, so hopefully it wont get worse..

As for finding ear plugs, when i was looking for decent ones a couple of years ago couldnt find, and they are probably harder come by now with all the import restrictions.

 

[cricri58]

Hello,
You might think that it is out of the subject, but in order to releive my pain (since I also have tinitus) I started to practise meditation and breathing techniques everyday, and it works very well
Also, Buenos Aires being very noisy, I avoid going out if possible during rush hours. I used to belong to an association to talk and help people who suffer from that, when I was in Europe, I realized that many people who had done some special treatment (operation, devices...) still complain about it
I am sure you will find something that suits you well..

 

[jp]

I got tinnitus from similar circumstances.

If you're remotely serious you need custom moulded earplugs. Am sure plenty of places could do the moulds, but the filters are made by european and american companies and you might find it hard getting hold of them due to the import restrictions.

Tinnitus is incurable, but you'll notice it less over time. Just be careful to get do any more damage, and buy a sound machine or a fan to help you sleep.

 

[headclick]

thanks for the help...
my girlfriend was talking briefly to a friend of hers who is an "almost qualified" doctor and he says there could be numerous causes but obviously the loud music is very possible. He is suggesting i get checked out asap so thanks for the information on the Ear Nose & Throat Hospital.

I'll ring there and see what I can do or i'll ask around for a good GP.

I actually met a guy just before I moved to Buenos Aires who works making the custom molded earphones, but didn't have time for an appointment as it was over the Christmas period.

I'm not really thinking about the sound machines yet, but understand if i'm having difficulty they could be an option.

Yeah hopefully there is something I can do about it, I understand that it's so recent that I am noticing it more. And this week I'm actually sick, I feel congested and my ears are suffering because of that.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[govenezia]

I have had tinnitis for years. For me it has never gone away. I usually tune it out. You do need to get cchecked out right away. It could be over-use of aspirin, too much exposure to loud noise, nerve damage of other types, etc. My first suggestion is to think of the most descriptive things you can and check them in a good dictionary. Write out your medications, allergies, etc in Spanish before you go & it will simplify the communication problem. Also, go with a bilingual friend if possible. I have found that ear plugs only protect from further damage--the ringing comes from within. Technically, I believe, it is the nerve's dying process. Sounds bad, huh. Good luck, Dude.