Hearing loss/tinnitus
Posted By: ringing ears on 2008-09-30
In Reply to:
I have been a MT for 19 years. I have started having a major problem with tinnitus lately. I know it is directly related to working because it eases up some after a couple of days off. At the end of my shift, the ringing much louder and I am very noise sensitive. Normal "kid" noises (I have 3 of them) are painful, and I find myself very short with my kids and constantly telling them my ears hurt and to please be quieter.
About 6 months ago I starting using JVC marshmallow earbuds like you would use with an IPOD. These are great because they block out almost all background noise and the sound is crisp and clean. About 5 months ago I started editing VR reports, in which the dictation is greatly speeded up, making the tone of the doctors voices much higher pitched. I keep the volume as low as I possibly can.
Has anyone ever experienced similar problems. I'm really becoming concerned I am doing permanent damage. I welcome any insight and suggestions. I am trying to go back to my "old-fashioned" headset and see if this helps. Thanks!
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hearing loss
Has anyone noticed a loss of hearing over years of MT work? A new report on the news says that continuous use of head sets can cause hearing loss. I have noticed it (and tinnitus) among me and my MT friends. Anyone else?
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After 30 years in this job, yes my hearing is REAL bad! I'm going to start pricing hearing-aids this month, mightly only be able to afford one. Insurance companies - if they are generous might pay for one - if you work at GM I'm told. I'm certain this job has accelerated a natural aging phenomenon. I'm hoping to make it another 5 years. I can't interview for another line of work if I can't hear the interviewer!
Hearing loss
Is there any new technology out there on improving hearing loss besides hearing aids? My DH has a herititary hearing loss that seems to be getting worse these past few years. He refuses to wearing hearing aids even though we have spent $$$ on them. He is a teacher and it is getting very difficult for him to teach his classes effectively or without students making fun of or taking advantage of his hearing loss. Just curious if anyone knows of anything before we spend $$$ and time seeing doctors that will tell him nothing.
Hearing loss
My son who is 11 has worn hearing aids since before he turned 3, first the BTE kind (which were mini) and for the last couple of years, since he has shown so much responsibility, he now has ITE very small,programmable aids. Quite expensive, but worth it.
One of the contacts that assist me in the state (VA) with school issues recently sent me additional information; included was a brochure from NFSS Communincations which is a supplier of assitive-listening devices.
However, I would not just randomly purchase an item without discussing it with an audiologist that you trust. Fortunately, my son's audiologist is wonderful beyond words and quite helpful.
I have quite a bit of additional information on this subject if you need it.
My son says to tell your husband just to get good hearing aids and wear them. (Nothing mean intended, he just knows that if he can hear with assistance, then why not wear them). He has explained to the other children that basically it is just like someone who wears glasses to see better.
I hate to see anyone struggling due to this matter and hope that he finds something he is comfortable with. Good luck!
jrm
hearing loss
Has anyone heard of Transcriptionist losing their hearing due to the long hours of listening on the headphones?
Hearing loss
I have been an MT for 35 years. I started with tinnitus in my left ear about 3 years ago. Saw my doctor who sent me to an ENT doctor who said I also had TMJ. Then he sent me to an audiologist and I have some hearing loss to low tones in my left ear. I still have the tinnitus, and loud noises, loud music drive me crazy. I am now going to look into homeopathic treatment for the tinnitus to see if I can get some relief. But, the ENT doctor and audiologist did tell me that it was from using the ear phones for all of these years.
Hearing loss
I think hearing loss is inevitable due to having the headsets inside the ear canal so near the eardrum and the bones of the middle ear. Perhaps a worker's comp problem if you are an employee. Or a work-related disability if it is bad enough. If so - I can tell you from experience, start saving now - hearing aids cost at the least $6000 for 2 (if you need them for both ears) and to date I have not found an insurance company that will cover any of the cost and I have been looking for the past 17 years for an insurance company that would cover them.
hearing loss
Thank you everyone for the replies on my question regarding hearing. Since I started 2 weeks I'm already noticing weird pluglike sensation in my ears everyday. Not to mention I work in a room with loud filthy mouth MA's. At times I have to up the volume so that I can hear clearly. The weird thing about the sensation in my ears, it's that I feel fine in the morning but by the time I leave there's that sensation again. Sometimes I even open my mouth with to pop my ears. I just hope this isn't progressing into something serious.
Hearing Loss
Any long-time MTs out there noticed any hearing loss from this profession?
Hearing Loss...SM
I have had quite a bit of loss, though my mom has hearing problems but has otosclerosis and I don't, mine is conduction. I wear bilateral hearing aids to work and also have to use a Bose headset (headset has to cover my ears because my hearing aids are in-the-ear, but the Bose headset is extremely comfortable), but with this help I don't have any problems hearing what the docs are saying now. Have been wearing the hearing aids for about 2 years --- boy is my television loud when I put my aids in!!!
I absolutely have hearing loss, more so in one ear than the other.
I am always asking people to repeat themselves, and I have the volume on my dictaphone turned up very high.
Another Ellen with Hearing Loss
Funny you should ask about this. I just got my first hearing aids two days ago!! I have sensorineural hearing loss and have been finding it increasingly difficult to understand the TV, conversations, etc., but no problems with transcription. Actually, I had my hearing tested probably 6-7 years ago and was advised to get hearing aids then but I was too cheap. It's unbelievable how expensive they are and I think it's crap that insurance doesn't pay for even a portion of the chart.
Anyway, since I only started transcribing full-time five years ago, I know that transcribing didn't cause my original hearing loss. It's hereditary in my case with a long line of hearing-impaired relatives on my mother's side. Whether it's become worse is up for debate. BTW, I worked 30+ years as a medical technologist (lab), where there is always a lot of low-level noise but not really loud.
I can't decide about these hearing aids. Sometimes I totally forget they're there but other times I feel like I have wads of gum in my ears. I take them out and I'm not sure I'm hearing all that much better with them. Time will tell, I guess.
Ellen S. 
I have real hearing loss (30%) in both ears and
was recommended to get 2 hearing aids, but did you ever price those things? 1200 for one? So I got one. I barely use it. I can't use it for work as it isn't small enough to accomodate the headphones. But since I got on DEP, the only good thing about it is the voice comes through the speaker right into my headset so I actually have to turn it DOWN. I was evaluated and wanted to hear so bad that it was work related but they say mine is congenital, and with a little digging into my family's history I realize that it is. I do know plenty of MTs, however, who do have credible hearing loss with no other factors. I mean, come on, how could you not? The secret is to keep the volume as LOW as you can stand it to try and avoid any loss. I also have terrible ringing and think that is job related.
15 years worth of hearing loss
I have experienced this also, mostly in my left ear. Almost daily I get doctors that are speaking so quietly that I have to blast my sound - then someone in the background laughs or drops something. Too bad they aren't on the other end of the headphones.
Can you tell if you've had a sudden hearing loss on that side? Maybe a wax
s
My dwindling paycheck, loss of benefits, and loss of respect is all the proof I need. nm
,
tinnitus
There are various things you can try. First talk to your doctor. There are some medications you can try as well.
I've had tinnitus for years (Meniere's Syndrome).
I wish you a lot of luck!
tinnitus
try getting a background noise machine, white noise. it helps with trying to sleep. if you can't afford it try putting your radio not on a channel and just the static at low volume. sometimes this works. decrease aspirin as this causes it also.
tinnitus
Someone in my family went to the dr. this week for a flare-up. She was told to cut out salt and dairy (allergy) and was given a steroid Rx briefly which cut out the flareup within one day. It is awful, especially in this profession. I think the sulfites in wine cause a flare-up as well but wouldn't dare mention that.
Tinnitus
B complex vitamins helped me get rid of tinnitus.
I have tinnitus also, but only
in my left ear. I spoke with my Dr. about it, and unfortunately there isn't really anything you can do about it. I do know that taking a lot of Tylenol or aspirin on a daily basis can contribute to tinnitus. It's very annoying. Having some *white noise* in the background can help at night when you are trying to sleep and everything is quiet. That is when it is the worst for me because everything is so quiet. The tinnitus seems even louder and it makes it hard to get to sleep. Other than that, I don't really have any other suggestions. You may want to mention it to your doctor though next time you see him/her. They may recommend you see an ENT just to make sure there is no underlying problem that could be causing it.
Me, for one... and tinnitus. sm
Don't have the details of my testing in front of me, but I had high frequency loss that bumped me just out of what's considered low normal.
The bigger problem for me is the tinnitus. Drives me up a wall, and has done a number on this former musician's ability to enjoy listening to music. First I get CTS so I can't play my instruments, and then I have tinnitus. Sigh.
Tinnitus
I am going on 37 years as an MT and started having problems with a popping in my ears in 1996. It has improved some in the last year, but I still occasionally have problems and it can be painful. If I tip my head in a certain direction, that will sometimes relieve it. I have found that it will bother me when I lie down too, but stuffing some cotton in my ears helped so I could sleep. Interesting... :)
Karen
tinnitus
I had this a couple of years ago. When my hearing started going, I went to my doctor who found a severe ear infection. I had no pain so didn't seek help before that. After a couple of rounds of antibiotics, I'm fine. I was very religious about cleaning my ears with hydrogen peroxide, Q-Tips, etc before that which might have even set me up for that infection. I resorted to a washcloth only and am back to normal. Good luck with this and hope your problem is no more severe than mine.
how do you transcribe with tinnitus?
due to the german measles. I've been transcribing for 15 years. Lately I have crinkle/pop sound in my good ear. I have thought about chronic use of my good ear and think I'll get an audiogram.
Tinnitus/earphones
I too have tinnitus, for years, in my left ear, diagnosed with TMJ. Had audiology test, loss of hearing, to low tones in my left ear, nothing really helps. Doctor and audiologist do believe it is from all of these years of earphones. Some days it is better than other days, but sometimes drives me crazy, with the loud hissing noise. I turn the earphones down, hate loud noise, hurts my left ear. I was thinking of trying something homeopathic soon to help it. Audiologist did advise a booster for the earphones that you plug into the speakers on computer, going to try that also. Hope this info helps you. I have had it about 7 years now, have been a Transcriptionist for 35 years now, so I do believe they are related to each other.
tinnitus and headphone use?
Has anyone had progressive tinnitus during their career while using headphones? I would like to know if anyone out there has had increasing tinnitus, ear fullness, ear pain, slight loss of hearing, dizziness, or even diagnosed with Meniere's disease during their career? If so, how are you dealing with it? What precautions are you using now to prevent further damage? Thanks in advance!
Sitting like this all day is so bad for us. Plus, tinnitus is no fun...(NM)
dd
all of the above, and tinnitus, depression. (nm)
.
Anyone know of a remedy or way to lessen tinnitus?
Tinnitus and carpal tunnel....
....plus a rotten and distrustful attitude toward the industry. Man, I'm so grateful to be old and retired!
I have tinnitus, so I can either listen to people in the background or the "crickets" in my he
:(
Over 20 yrs as MT. Can't hear with any background noise, T.V. blares and have tinnitus. (nm)
dd
Same thing here. I have chronic tinnitus and hear crickets
when it gets really really acute with sinusitis to go with it. People think I am crazy when I tell them I hear crickets but that's what it sounds like.
Oh yeah, after 26 yrs, I have tinnitus and the T.V. blares so loud the neighbors comment about it.
Eh???
Worked in clinic for 30 yrs and have tinnitus. I am used to back ground noise, hard to work
:+
I have bilateral tinnitus and HATE it. White noise or radio softly on helps get my mind off of it.
:+
HEARING
I have noticed a hearing change. But it is weird as my hearing is better in my right ear where I listen to the dictation. It is my LEFT ear that isn't so good anymore. I guess old age is catching up with me; unfortunately, in many ways, not just one !!
hearing
the latest buzz about hearing and earphones was more related to ear buds that fit in your ear, which puts it much closer to your tympanic membranes.
hearing
Have a hearing problem, anyone know if or where I can get a headset specifically for hearing deficit.
you should be hearing from them again soon.
nm
hearing
Get your ears checked. Mine accumulate ear wax regularly and there is a huge difference when the wax is removed. Good luck!
Losing hearing
Does anybody else feel that over time their hearing has deteriorated due to the constant noise from wearing headphones?
hearing same from mine.
I have head the same from my 15 year old son who plays both competitive travel ice hockey and high school.
Last season he told me the same thing, he is burning out, hockey is 10 months on his travel team. We start in Sept and don't finish until end of Mar.
I just listened to his reasons why and then explained to him that if he wanted to stop the travel hockey because its just too much OK, but he should continue to play for his school. I explained to him that high school is such a short time in his life and to make the most fun of it. His friends and family that come to what him play are OK with his decision.
He thought about it for a while and just last week came started and he is now playing both. I asked him what changed. He just said he needed some down time and now he's ready to go. Thank God it a short season at this time. Aug to Nov and Nov to Feb.
Don't get to down on him, he may pick up some other sport he finds challenging.
PS - He also went out for track and field for his HS team.
Hearing problems
I got of of this work because of the problems with hearing loss and tinnitus. It got so bad I was affecting my balance. I miss the work, keep up with the board, may do a little transcription, but not for long periods. I can not longer deal with it. I too am 45, but due to the hearing problems sometimes feel older. My hearing is flucutates. Had to purchase a hearing aid, the right one for my problem cost $2481.97 (for one) and the Insurance company did not pay one penny for it.
I look forward to hearing more
...especially about satellite connectivity. That is my big issue at the moment. We have high-speed, business-grade satellite with Direcway, but some companies cannot work with this. Do you know if DRC can?
Wonder how many MTs have hearing problems sm
I notice on lots of these reports I have to crank up the volume to catch the nuances of crappy dictators with poor sound quality. Then there are the reports that are cranked up because the dictator is talking very softly, only to BONK! COME IN WITH A LOUD NOISE or adjusted volume on his end.
My concern is what this is going to do to my hearing over the long run. Anybody have ideas or similar concerns? Probably a study of MTs has never been done, but I bet it would show hearing loss.
I too have hearing problems.
I guess the little felt covers were irritating my ears as I would have many ear infections a year. 2 years ago I switched to earphones that go over my ears now, looks funky but no ear infections and sound is great. Take care
I'm so tired of hearing this.
I'm so tired of hearing MT's talk about how they're slaves to their jobs.Don't you think everyone's a slave to their job in every field.Do you think MT'g is the only career path that has so called slaves.Do you think there's any career out there a person can work where they won't be a slave of some sort????? I really get tired of hearing all the MTs cry their poor pitiful me tune, I'm such a slave. Please ... get over it.
After hearing some surgeons
mangle their reports, I vow to never let hm near me with a sharp object in his hand. And when they say "informed consent" I wonder who did the informing and whether the patient could understand it any better than I do.
It's comical. Just like when we were hearing sm
those little voices a few months back. I did hear the buzzing sound when I opened ER-MT's post above.
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